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The Bledsoe Firm JustFamilyLaw.com | 949.363.5551 OCTOBER | 2024
FROM HOOLIGANISM TO HOLIDAY FUN
HOW ONE MOTHER TURNED HALLOWEEN INTO THE HOLIDAY WE KNOW TODAY
For all appearances, Hiawatha, Kansas, is a small, sleepy town that has seen little change over the last hundred years. In 1920, it had a population of just 2,974; today, that figure has grown to around 3,280 — an increase of around three people per year . However, despite being a small town, Hiawatha has had a disproportionately large impact on American culture. Hiawatha is the home of a woman who, over a hundred years ago, changed the way we celebrate Halloween forever .
entirely different and far more sinister. Back then, Halloween was associated with hooliganism; kids and ne’er-do-wells would use the holiday as an excuse to dress in costume and cause
chaos and destruction. The masks they wore were not to emulate their favorite monsters or characters, but to mask their identity while they committed criminal acts. For most, having their property and front yards vandalized on Halloween was expected, and they did little to stop it. If you were to put a jack-o’-lantern out in those days, by morning it would almost certainly be pumpkin pâté. THE FLOWER WOMAN Mrs. Elizabeth Krebs took great pride in her flower garden. In fact, in her obituary, she is referred to as the
THE IRISH INSPIRATION FOR HALLOWEEN
In the mid-19th century, Ireland was beset by the Great Irish Potato Famine, a tragedy that dramatically affected the demographics of the country. Millions of Irish men, women, and children moved to the United States in search of work, food, shelter, and the American dream. But these immigrants also brought with them their rich culture and traditions, including the celebration of Halloween. Originally derived from the Celtic tradition of Samhain, Halloween has a deep- rooted history in Catholicism. Originally, the Celts would celebrate Samhain by lighting bonfires and donning costumes to scare off evil spirits, whom they believed could only visit on Oct. 31. The modern holiday gets its name from All Hallows’ Eve — the day before All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1, a notable Catholic holiday meant to usurp Samhain in regions converted from paganism to Catholicism. The day eventually became known as Halloween, and, along with Irish immigrants, made its way to American shores. THE OLD WAY OF CELEBRATING Today, Halloween is a mostly innocuous holiday, when kids dress in costume to go door-to-door asking for candy, but just one century ago, it was
flower woman of Hiawatha. However, come Halloween, her garden would inevitably be tarnished, the bulbs trampled, plants pulled out by their roots, and all the work she put in before then would go
to waste. She got tired of this sad reality and decided to do something about it. Mrs. Krebs had the idea for a Halloween party and parade, which would strive to exercise young people’s energy in a healthy, playful way, rather than a destructive, sinister way. With the help of the Hiawatha city council, Mrs. Krebs threw the first Hiawatha Frolic on Oct. 31, 1914. To the amazement of many town residents, it worked wonderfully . The vandalism spree that had plagued Halloween’s past came to an end in Hiawatha. Soon, the festivities, games, and spirit of community spread from the small town in Kansas across the country, and before long, Halloween had transformed into the lovable, sweets- filled holiday we know and love today. —John Bledsoe
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INJURY-FREE RUNNING VISITATION ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY SCHEDULES
Co-parenting can be challenging even in ordinary times; add in holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions, and managing visitation can be even more difficult. However, through proper negotiation and compromise, a deal can be
implemented to make handling these situations much more palatable for everyone involved.
major holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, covered but also long weekends, like Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends. If there are disagreements on which holidays should fall under which parent, then working with mediators or family court facilitators can help bridge those gaps. SPLITTING CUSTODY ON HOLIDAYS Depending on how amicable your co-parenting relationship is, it may be agreeable to split some holidays up by time of day. For example, one parent could have the kids on Christmas mornings, and the other on Christmas evenings. Alternatively, you can set up the agreement so each parent alternates holidays each year, with one parent having custody on certain holidays for even- or odd-numbered years. There are many ways to complete the arrangement, and with proper negotiation and forethought, it can be used to put the best interests of both parents and the children first.
The state of California has a tool in place to help parents navigate this more easily: the Children’s Holiday Schedule. These are binding agreements that allow co-parents to establish a consistent schedule for holiday visitation and can be a great way to reduce tension and increase harmony during times of year that are important to both parents and their children. Here is how these agreements work and how they can help you co- parent during the holidays and beyond. CREATING A CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY SCHEDULE A Children’s Holiday Schedule is a written agreement between parents that amicably splits up visitation during major and minor holidays, birthdays, and any relevant religious celebrations between them. This means that not only are
Heed the Warnings
Simple Steps to Enhance Personal Safety
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget the fragility of life and the importance of simple precautions. However, for Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a neurosurgeon in Toledo, Ohio, these lessons have been etched into his life through personal tragedy and decades of frontline experience. Hoeflinger has dedicated over 25 years to treating patients with traumatic brain and spinal injuries and has seen firsthand the devastating consequences of neglecting personal safety. Driven by his loss — the death of his 18-year-old son in a drunk-driving accident — Hoeflinger has made it his mission to educate the public on the most common factors that contribute to these life-altering injuries. ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION At the top of Hoeflinger’s list of concerns is alcohol consumption. “Without a doubt, alcohol is number one,” he states emphatically. “So many cases I see when I’m on trauma call are related to alcohol.” The link between alcohol and traumatic
injuries is well-documented, with studies showing that alcohol impairs judgment and motor skills, leading to a higher incidence of accidents and injuries. LATE NIGHTS Hoeflinger’s second warning targets the dangers of late nights, stating that “nothing good ever happens after midnight.” He explains that many incidents, including fights and accidents, occur in the late hours when people are more likely to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and less vigilant about their safety. NOT WEARING SEAT BELTS Another critical factor Hoeflinger emphasizes is the importance of wearing seat belts. “Whether you’re the driver or the passenger, always wear your seat belt,” he urges. Despite widespread awareness campaigns, failure to wear seat belts remains a leading cause of death and serious injury in car accidents.
LACK OF SITUATIONAL AWARENESS Finally, Hoeflinger stresses the need for
heightened situational awareness, particularly for older adults at higher risk of falls. “Pay attention to your surroundings,” he advises. “I can’t tell you the number of people, especially elderly people, I see who accidentally fell down a flight of stairs and ended up paralyzed.” By heeding his advice, we can all help reduce the incidence of severe injuries and fatalities and perhaps even change the world for the better, one life at a time.
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W ord S earch
Debunking Divorce Myths
Autumn
Boo
Candy
Coffee
Foliage
SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION
Ghost
Gourd
Moon
Spooky
Soup
Tailgate
Touchdown
Getting a divorce is rarely a fun prospect. However, depending on the number of false narratives, frightening mistruths, and common misunderstandings you have been convinced of, it can seem like an even more daunting proposition. Luckily, several negative aspects of divorce are simply overblown — or patently untrue. Here are some common divorce myths you should be aware of. EVERY DIVORCE GOES TO TRIAL One myth is that all, or the majority of, divorces ultimately culminate in a jury trial. While Hollywood may make you believe that every divorce ends in a high-stakes court battle, in reality, that is rarely the case. Around 90% of divorces in California are concluded amicably, and that is factoring in the over 40% of marriages where children and child custody are involved. There are various alternatives we can use to get you the equitable settlement you deserve; these include mediation and arbitration, where many divorces are successfully negotiated. ALL ASSETS ARE SPLIT EQUALLY California is a community property state, which means that rather than dividing marital assets equally, they are instead distributed equitably. Likewise, assets that predate the marriage are usually exempt from being included in a divorce settlement. This can also be heavily affected by the existence of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, if any exist. ALL WOMEN RECEIVE CUSTODY AND SPOUSAL SUPPORT An outdated preconception is that women are always granted primary custody and spousal support. In California, both parents have the ability to obtain custody, regardless of gender. The court will make its decision based on a number of factors, including finances, housing, history of substance abuse and domestic violence, and, ultimately, what is in the best interests of the children. While spousal support was commonly awarded to women in decades past when fewer women worked, it is far from automatic and is, in fact, less prevalent than ever before.
Delicious Ice Cream Cake
Easy to make and sure to impress, this ice cream cake recipe is a crowd-pleaser that will satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.
INGREDIENTS •
2 cups crushed graham crackers
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1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
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1/2 cup melted butter
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1/2 cup chocolate or caramel topping (optional)
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2 quarts ice cream (any flavor, divided)
DIRECTIONS 1. Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
2. Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter; press onto the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
3. Place pan in the freezer for 30 minutes to allow crust to set.
4. Meanwhile, let the ice cream melt just enough to become spreadable. Then spread half of the ice cream into the crust, sprinkle with nuts, then top with the remaining ice cream.
5. Drizzle with topping, if desired. Freeze for 3 hours or until firm.
6. Remove from freezer 15 minutes before serving.
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Inside
The Mother Who Changed Halloween
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Managing Child Custody on Holidays
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A Neurosurgeon’s 4 Crucial Tips
Dispelling Popular Divorce Myths
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Delicious Ice Cream Cake
Your Guide to Wildlife Tracking Fun
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Unlock the Secrets of Animal Footprints BECOME A NATURE DETECTIVE
Have you ever discovered a mysterious set of animal tracks? Reading those footprints can be your ticket to uncovering the hidden world of wildlife right under your nose. Whether you’re on a camping trip hoping to spot one of your favorite critters or simply curious about the pawprints you stumbled on at home, we’re here to show you how to become a nature detective.
and felines, like cougars, all have four toes, but you can see a significant difference between their claws. Cats have retractable claws, so their pawprints won’t always have claws. In contrast, birds have distinctive tracks with three long, skinny, forward-facing toes.
IDENTIFY YOUR PREY When you have identified what animal family left the print behind, you can begin to home in on its exact species. Use a small ruler to measure the size of the track to give you clues. A wolf, for example, has similar prints to a dog, but they are about 2 inches wider. Context is also a crucial factor when you’re tracking. Think about the animals that live in the area. Would there be any domesticated dogs in the woods where you are hiking? Document your tracks with photos and notes in a nature journal. If you’re still unsure, go online and look at various animal tracks. You may find what you’re looking for!
PREPARE AND OBSERVE You’ll have the best luck spotting tracks or other signs of animal life in places where wildlife is known to frequent. Find watering holes or other areas where animals may feed or gather. Tracks need a suitable medium, like snow, mud, sand, or soft dirt, for them to show. Regardless of where you’re heading, bring a field guide, a map of the area, hiking supplies, and tools for tracking, like a ruler, magnifying glass, and a camera.
COUNT THE TOES Your main clues to the owner of these natural calling cards are the number of toe and claw marks on the print. Canines, like wolves,
So, next time you stumble upon animal tracks, get out your ruler
and camera! Those prints could lead you on a great adventure!
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