OCT 2018
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SWEATERWEATHER & CAMPFIRE EVENINGS WHY I LOVE FALL I have to be honest; I’m thrilled that my kids are beyond the age of Halloween enthusiasm. It’s not that I have anything against the holiday — I do have plenty of cute pictures featuring childhood costumes — but it’s just never been a holiday I could get excited about. In the next edition of this newsletter, I’ll tell you all about my favorite holiday (Can you guess what it is?), but this month I wanted to talk about what makes fall so special. To me, there’s nothing better than sweater weather. When we’re in that all- too-brief window when you can wear cozy clothes without having to add a million layers, I’m thrilled. Another sure sign of the season is when you begin to hear countless conversations about football. We do have a rivalry in our family this year, but not the traditional blue vs. red of UK vs. U of L. Instead, it’s the crimson of IU for my daughter, Jessica, and the classic Kentucky blue for my son, John. The schools are traditional rivals, but they haven’t met on the gridiron in over a decade, so I’m hoping the rivalry stays friendly — at least until basketball season. Every fall, my husband and I cherish the opportunity to have campfires in the backyard. In our old house, we didn’t have a real fireplace, so we built a custom pit in the backyard. Funnily enough, by the time we were done, our house was already sold. We didn’t even have the chance to use that fire pit once. In our new home, however, we’re making the most of our fire space. The first campfire this season was a doozy. Jessica and some of her friends came over to enjoy the weather and some fire-roasted grub. Dave set up two fires — one small campfire and a larger bonfire. He said there was a method to his madness, as he wasn’t sure if there would be poison ivy or other less-than- desirable brush in the large fire. Though, if you ask me, he really just wanted to have as many fires going as possible. He was even stoking the large fire with a leaf blower. When we sat down to cook some hot dogs, we noticed there were no buns. Did somebody make a mistake and forget to pick them up? Nope, Jessica picked up the food, and she’s not eating carbs right now, so she figured nobody else should either. We all had a good laugh about that. I don’t know whether to thank Jessica for keeping our health in mind or chide her for depriving us of the
This is a leaf blower. NOT a flame thrower.
necessary buns. Maybe I should always keep an extra pack of buns on hand and stealthily disappear to the kitchen while everyone else is roasting to enjoy one without arousing suspicion. Whatever fall means to you, I hope you have a chance to enjoy the season this year. For my part, I’ll be wearing all my favorite sweaters and enjoying some campfire cookouts — whether they’re low-carb or not. -Melissa Emery Join Emery Law Office for Our Annual Costume Contest
We’re inviting all kids and kids-at-heart to stop by our office on Oct. 30 from 3–5 p.m . for treats and a costume contest. We’ll be handing out candy and taking pictures of those in costume. Then we’ll post the pictures to our Facebook page so everybody can vote on the winner, who will receive an age- appropriate prize. Costumes must be family-friendly to enter. We can’t wait to check out your outfits!
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WHY THERE ARE KIDS ON YOUR PORCH ASKING FOR CANDY
THE HISTORY OF TRICK-OR-TREATING
leaking into our world, young men donned flowing white costumes and black masks — a great disguise when ghosts were about.
As Halloween looms and you load up your grocery cart with candy, you may ask yourself, “Why do I provide these spooky gremlins with a sugar high every Oct. 31, anyway?” Well, when your doorbell starts ringing around 6 p.m. this All Hallows’ Eve, you can thank the Celts for this tradition of candy and costumes. Halloween itself is a kind of mishmash of four different cultural festivals of old: two Roman fêtes, which commemorated the dead and the goddess of fruit and trees (not at the same time); the Celtic Samuin or Samhain, a new year’s party thrown at the end of our summer; and the Catholic All Saint’s Day, designed to replace Samuin and divorce it from its pagan origins. Long before there were young’uns on your porch dressed as Thanos with candy-filled pillowcases in hand, the Celts believed that Samuin marked an overlapping of the realms of the living and the dead. To trick the spirits
The Catholic Church was never a big fan of these pagan traditions, so they renamed it “All Saints’ Day” and gussied it up in religious garb. By the 11th century, people were dressing up as saints, angels, and the occasional demon instead of spirits. Eventually, costumed children started tearing through town begging for food and money and singing a song or prayer in return — a practice called “souling.” But when did they start dressing up as Minions? Starting in the 19th century, souling turned to “guising,” which gave way to trick-or-treating in mid-20th- century America, and the costumes diversified. So put on some clown makeup and a big smile, scoop up a handful of sweets, and scare the living daylights out of ‘em — ‘tis the season! FALL FAMILY FUN GREAT ACTIVITIES FOR OCTOBER
JACK O’ LANTERN SPECTACULAR Where: Iroquois Park When: Oct. 9 to Nov. 4
Carving pumpkins is a long-standing Halloween tradition, but Louisville’s version of the Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular takes it to another level. Now in its fifth year, the event guides visitors down a quarter-mile-long trail featuring 5,000 illuminated pumpkins. The spectacularly carved jack-o’-lanterns are arranged in scenes with accompanying music. You’ll marvel at the artistic creations and beautiful orange glow. The event begins at dusk seven days per week, and the proceeds benefit the Louisville Parks Foundation.
Looking for a fun family activity this month? There’s no better time than the fall to get out and experience Louisville’s great outdoors. Here are a few affordable, family-friendly ways to do just that.
THE WORLD’S LARGEST HALLOWEEN PARTY! Where: Louisville Zoo When: Thursdays–Sundays, Oct. 4–28
WILDERNESS LOUISVILLE FOREST ADVENTURE Where: Horine Reservation, Jefferson Memorial Forest When: Saturday, Oct. 20, 9 a.m.
Some kids like dressing up and trick-or-treating but don’t want anything to do with the spookier parts of Halloween. If your little ones fall under this category, consider taking them to The World’s Largest Halloween Party! at the Louisville Zoo. Designed to be “delightful, not frightful” the zoo is transformed into a fantastical wonderland featuring costumed characters, trick-or-treating, a hay maze, and much more. Trick-or-treating is only open to children 11 and under, and the event requires a special ticket. You can go to louisvillezoo.org for more information on this family-friendly, fear-free party.
Jefferson Memorial Forest is breathtaking during autumn, and the Wilderness Forest Adventure includes all sorts of activities to give you a comprehensive look at all the forest has to offer. Guided tours, a center for children, archery, fishing, pumpkin decorating, and hay rides are all free, and food is available for purchase. If you have a family of nature-lovers, it will surely be your favorite activity of the season.
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HAVE A LAUGH!
SAFETY TIPS FOR TRICK- OR-TREATING FAMILIES Most kids look forward to Halloween from the second the leaves start to turn colors. It’s a chance to dress up, stay up later than usual, and get tons of candy. Who wouldn’t love that? Trick-or-treating, however, does involve walking with children in the dark, sometimes through busy streets. Making sure that everyone enjoys Halloween safely is a spooky enough task to send a shiver up a parent’s spine. Follow these tips to make sure that everyone has a sweet holiday. CHOOSE COSTUMES CAREFULLY If you’re going to be covering some ground on Halloween, you want your kids to be comfortable. Face paint is a better option than a mask, as paint doesn’t limit a child’s field of vision. If anyone is wearing a costume with multiple bulky components, expect them to be shed over the course of the night. Appropriate footwear is essential for pain-free trick-or-treating, unless you want a gaggle of kids complaining about their sore feet. BE VISIBLE Whether you’re in a busy city center or a quiet residential area, making sure drivers can easily see your group is crucial. One great way to do this is to pick up some reflective candy bags. They’re super inexpensive and will ensure that you’re seen by anyone driving. You should also carry a flashlight while you’re out, just in case you end up somewhere with minimal streetlights. WALK WITH CAUTION Most drivers are well-aware that the roads will be crowded on the night of Halloween, but you shouldn’t assume they’ll drive any differently than normal. Stay in a group, stop at all crosswalks, and don’t cross anywhere until the way is totally clear. CHECK KIDS’ CANDY HAULS Once you get home, you should go through your children’s candy before they tear into it. Look for any items that may not be age-appropriate and keep your eyes peeled for ingredients that will cause an allergic reaction. After you’ve culled the unwanted items, it’s up to you to decide whether to dole out the candy in small bunches or let the kids have it. FROM COSTUMES TO CANDIES
HALLOWEEN BLOODY SEVERED FINGER HOT DOGS
Inspired by SaltyCanary.com INGREDIENTS
• Hot dogs • Hot dog buns
• Ketchup • White onion (optional)
DIRECTIONS
and the nail, make two crescent slits. Repeat at the very bottom.
1. To carve the fingernail shape, first slice the two sides of the fingernail toward the top of the hot dog, then cut a horizontal slice across the top of the fingernail sides. Then make a slight curved slice for the bottom nail bed. Next, take your knife and carefully slice the fingernail-shaped piece off. one slit along the middle of the hot dog with two crescent slits directly above and below. Then, halfway between the knuckle 2. To make the knuckles, make
3. Boil the hot dogs for 4–5 minutes. 4. Place each “finger” into a hot dog bun loaded with ketchup — be sure to smear some
ketchup on the bottom of each “severed finger” and more at the top of the bun.
5. If you want, you can add a thinly sliced square piece of white onion for the “nail.” 6. Serve hot, with extra horror.
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MELISSA’S FALL FAVORITES 1 THE SURPRISING ORIGINS OF TRICK-OR-TREATING LOCAL FALL FESTIVALS AND ACTIVITIES 2 HOW TO STAY SAFE ON HALLOWEEN HALLOWEEN BLOODY SEVERED FINGER HOT DOGS 3 3 OF THE WEIRDEST CRYPTIDS IN PSEUDOSCIENTIFIC HISTORY 4 INSIDE
THE MONSTERS SOME BELIEVE ARE REAL
3 OF THE WEIRDEST CRYPTIDS IN PSEUDOSCIENTIFIC HISTORY
T here are people who would have you believe that monsters live among us all year long. These individuals, referred to as cryptozoologists (or just “wishful thinkers” by their skeptics), believe a hidden animal kingdom exists just beyond the edge of mainstream biological science. Here are three of the weirdest, almost-certainly imaginary “cryptids” to ever capture the human imagination. THE JERSEY DEVIL According to legend, the 1.1 million-acre Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey
THE BUNYIP When European settlers began edging into the territory of Aboriginal Australians, they heard whispered, frightened tales of a man-eating “water spirit” that lived in the lakes and rivers of the area. Descriptions of the creature varied wildly. The monster was alternately described as
are home to more than just birds and deer. The story goes that when one Jane Leeds gave birth to her 13th child, she was dismayed to add yet another kid to her
THE LOVELAND FROG One night, near Loveland, Ohio, a man reportedly beheld a trio of bipedal frog-people slapping their webbed feet along the side of the road. If that wasn’t enough, one even had a magic wand, which shot sparks as the man ran off. Apparently, not all mythical beasts are bloodthirsty monsters; some are a little more Kermit than Cthulhu.
responsibilities. She cried out, “Oh, let this one be the devil!” Shortly after the child was born, the boy was transmogrified into a twisted creature with the malformed head of a goat, leathery wings, and a thrashing, forked tail. After slicing the midwife with its ragged claws, the beast flew up the chimney and fled into the trees. Hundreds of years later, the beast is still said to creep the backwoods on its cloven hooves, glowering from the blackness with shining, red eyes.
an enormous starfish, an alligator-like creature with the head of an emu, or a massive bulldog-faced beast. But accounts held one thing in common: The monster claimed the lives of any who dared camp near its watery domain.
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