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Show Halloween Feature SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS 15 WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 25, 1995 Pooh! Who believes in ghosts By Barbara Pyles Elements of Halloween are traced to the barbarian Celts in times. The Celts traditions were filled with the supernatural and forces of magic. Druids performed the functions of priests, religious teachers and other leaders. The Druids believed all sorts of evil Wh-w- h whos ings. spirits wandered over the earth Yes, its fun to be scared on Hal- on October 31, so they held a loween night. Celtic festival for the dead on And every child knows that that day. T errified of these spitered, orange and black are the ful spirits, the people built giHalloween colors. Red for fire, gantic bonfires to frighten the feared by witches, orange for the evil ones away. harvest and black for demons The Druids tried other ways and the bleak winter. to deal with the spirits. They Halloween fever started a long wore animal skins and put on time ago. During the 19th century, the Scots and Irish brought Halloween traditions to America. The native pumpkin replaced the turnip for The Irish believed the little people played pranks on Halloween. This led boys to do such mischief making as overturning sheds, outhouses, breaking windows or putting a buggy on a roof. In the 20th century children went from door to door asking for treats dressed in costumes. What started this strange holi- masks. They left treats, hoping day? Well, first of all, Halloween it would make the ghosts frienddoes not have some magical lier, and they tried to trick the power beyond the realms of mor- demons by dressing up as tal understanding, it is just an- witches. They believed that one other holiday for children and witch wouldnt harm another witch. the young at heart. Trick or treat! Tricksters have used those familiar words for years as they knock on doors attempting to get treats or threatening tricks. Plumb orange pumpkins with g faces peek out of windows at these unusual be- pre-Christi- an hair-raisin- th-th-the- re. jack-o-lantem- s. When the Christian religion came to these countries, the first day of November was known as All Saints Day. It was a day to honor saints, especially the ones who had no day of their own. October 31, became know as All Hallows Eve, and after awhile shortened to Halloween. Although thousands and thousands of years have passed, some people still remember that ghosts, goblins and witches were considered powerful on Halloween. Yes, years ago Halloween was a night of terror, but today it is a night of spooky fun. Although a few schools have banned Halloween, many schools allow children to wear their mysterious costumes to school, and some schools even have parades. Some parents do not allow their children to go out to trick or treat. Instead neighborhoods or schools have big parties for the children. No matter how kids celebrate, Halloween is a favorite holiday of children, and most kids love to be scared in a harmless way. But remember children under five are too young to understand the difference between reality and fantasy. When they see someone in a scary costume, they need an explanation that spooky sights like ghosts and witches arent real. . The neighborhoods are starting to look a little spooky. Next Tuesday the town be filled with witches, ghosts, goblins and all kind of scary looking creatures on Halloween night. Photo by Barbara Pyles. will This Halloween as witches fly upside down on brooms lets try and keep our kids safe. Buy flame resistant costumes, wigs and beards. Flame resistant does not mean costumes will not catch on fire. Give tricksters a flashlight and do not let them carry items that could hurt them in a fall. Buy or make costumes short enough so children avoid tripping over them. Face paint is safer than masks. Tell your children to travel in groups and to go only to those houses with porch or outside lights on. Sibling or parents should accompany younger children. Instruct your children not to eat candy before coming home, and check your childrens treats to make sure they are safe to WHO-o-o-o-- o WHO-o-o-o-- o. Have a safe happy Halloween. Pooh! Who believes in ghosts. A Halloween hint. If youre d havinga party, make a two-face- jack-o-lanter- n centerpiece. Carve or paint a scary face on front and a happy face on the back. A story for children: Having fun is what Halloween is all about By Barbara Pyles Once there was a little ghost named Kevin. He lived in a spooky house on top of a hill. His mother taught him how to say Boo. His father taught him how to fly. When Kevin was eight years old, his parents said he was old enough to go out alone. Be brave and fierce, his father said. Say Boo, his mother added. The moon was bright, and the whole town was awake. Kevin across the street. Come join us, they yelled. The skeletons pounded on a door. Give us some treats, please, they said. He saw two small witches with pointed black hats. Come join us, they said. Were getting lots of treats. Kevin drew a deep breath and ran a block before he stopped. A monster stood looking at Kevin. It didnt move. Neither did Kevin. Then it leaped suddenly at him. Kevin disappeared saw witches, cats, goblins, skel- into the night. etons and demons running from Kevin was out of breath and Jiouse to house. Trick or treat, sat on the grass. Boo said a beautiful princess. Boo, said "they shouted. Kevin, then he ran away. The Spooky smirked at Kevin from window princess giggled. sills. Kevin was so afraid that Suddenly, Kevin saw another he couldnt fly. And when ghosts ghost. Come join me, the ghost said. He gave Kevin a large bag. cant fly, they have to walk. Kevin saw a black cat with long Kevin wasnt afraid. After all, ears. Its evil looking eyes glowed. one ghost shouldnt be afraid of Come join the fun, the cat another ghost. Kevin and his new friend howled. The threatening cat knocked at a door. Trick or treat, dashed from door to door ringthe cat said. A hugh black bear ing doorbells. Kevin rememfaappeared in the doorway. The bear bered what his mother and ther had taught him. He waved gave the brave cat some candy. Kevin saw two skeletons skip his arms and yelled Boo. People Jack-o-lanter- ns put treats into his bag, and Kevin felt brave. Kevins new friend led him into a large red building. The two ghosts ate cookies decorated with Halloween colors, orange and black. on Kevin saw a a large round table. It had two faces one happy on the front one scary on the back. Kevin liked the scary one best. The little ghost watched as children knelt by a large tub filled with water. The children put their hands behind their backs and picked up apples from the tub with their teeth. Late in the evening, tired and happy, Kevin waved goodbye to his friend, and flew up the hill to his spooky house. His parents hugged him and looked in his bag of treats. Whats this? jack-o-lante- AT THE BUCKSKIN TAVERN rn People gave me treats because they were afraid of me, Kevin said. At first I was scared too, then I had fun. His parents smiled. Having fun is what Halloween is all about, they said. "ctasttncse" $Sr $75 Cash Prize Best Couple $50 Cash Prize - Best Costume Saturday, October 28 - 9 p.m. ( AZ time) |