Let’s Unmask Halloween: The Origins and Legends Behind Your Favorite Traditions
Here come the scary decorations, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, and spooky costumes because Halloween is just around the corner! These traditions are what make Halloween fun and exciting year after year. However, did you know that jack-o’-lanterns come from an Irish legend or that trick-or-treating comes from a historical ritual called “souling”? As we prepare for Oct. 31 activities, here are some fun facts you might not know about Halloween! Halloween is based on a Celtic festival. Samhain, a pagan festival held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, celebrated both the harvest and the “dark” second half of the year. During this celebration, it was believed the barrier separating the spirits from the physical world would come down, allowing demons to enter and the spirits of all who passed away that year to move on to the next life. ‘Stingy Jack’ helped evolve jack-o’-lanterns. The Irish myth of a man named “Stingy Jack” goes like this: Stingy Jack invited the devil for a drink, and because he didn’t want to pay, he
convinced the devil to turn into a coin so he could buy their drinks. However, instead of paying, he placed the “coin” next to a cross in his pocket that prevented the devil from returning to his original form. Once he freed the devil, Stingy
Jack continued to trick him. When he died, God turned away Stingy Jack with only coal to light his way, so he placed the coal in a carved-out turnip to create a lantern. From there, people slowly transformed his “lantern” into the modern-day jack-o’-lantern! Candy corn was once called chicken feed. Candy corn, which the Wunderlee Candy Company began producing in the late 1880s, is an extremely popular Halloween candy. In fact, today, about 35 million pounds of the candy are sold each year! When the Goelitz Candy Company brought it to the masses at the turn of the century, they called the sweet tricolored candy “Chicken Feed” because so many people worked on farms at the time. Their early ads exclaimed, “Something worth crowing for!”
Now you know! Happy Halloween!
Explore America’s National Parks
What’s on your bucket list?
According to Lonely Planet, October is the best time to visit our national parks. When planning a vacation, the allure of a busy city or exotic beach often takes center stage. However, America’s national parks offer a unique experience. These natural wonders are more than just scenic landscapes — they provide a gateway to adventure, tranquility, and a deeper connection with the great outdoors. Whether you’re already in your golden years or planning on retiring soon, here’s why visiting a national park is the best vacation choice. Nothing Beats Nature National parks are nature’s masterpieces. From breathtaking landscapes to towering mountains and cascading waterfalls, so much beauty is waiting to be explored. Whether you camp, hike, bike, or even drive through these gorgeous parks,
the chance to surround yourself with the beauty and splendor of Earth’s untouched wilderness is amazing.
Unplug and Disconnect In today’s digital world, the hustle and bustle can be exhausting. It’s essential to disconnect from screens, phones, and tablets
and reconnect with nature — and what better way to get out and explore than by visiting our national parks? You’ll have the opportunity to escape the constant demands of technology and embrace the tranquility of nature. Make Unforgettable Memories Visiting the national parks leaves you with memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s a gorgeous sunset behind a mountain range, a spectacular sunrise over a pristine lake, the star-studded night sky, crystal clear rivers and waterfalls, or tranquil meadows, these experiences will become cherished memories that you’ll share with your loved ones for years to come. The moments spent in our nation’s national parks are precious! So, pack your hiking boots, camera, and sense of wonder — which park will you check off your list next?
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