s a e d i y t r a top frightful movies haunting p s e m u t s o c t s r i f y t safe s n i k p m u p h t i w e t a e r c tricks with treats go green at halloween
Are You Ready for Trick or Treat Time?
ghoulish ideas inside!
September 30, 2015 A Special Scary Supplement to The Indiana Gazette
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The Indiana Gazette | Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Safe costumes can prevent Halloween mishaps
Various ways you can put pumpkins to use By Metro Creative Services
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ew items signal the fall harvest season more than the bright, orange pumpkins that dot fields and liven up displays outside of homes and businesses. Come fall, many pumpkins are turned into grinning jack-o-lanterns just in time for Halloween. But there are many other uses for pumpkins as well. Pumpkins are believed to have originated in North America. Early Native Americans relied on pumpkins as a source of food that helped them survive long winters. Pumpkins could be roasted, baked, boiled and dried, and they were eaten and used as medicine. Pumpkin blossoms were added to stews. The shells of the pumpkins could be dried and used as eating and storage vessels. While pumpkins may now be symbolic of Halloween, the following are a handful of additional ways this versatile fruit can be put to use.
By Metro Creative Services
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illions of people celebrate Halloween every year. Borrowed or adapted from a few different festivals that once took place in Europe, Halloween has origins in the Roman Feralia festival, the Celtic summer’s end festival Samhain and the Catholic All Saints Day. Trick-or-treating is a significant part of the Halloween festivities, but for many people, the real delight is choosing a costume. The right costume is not only one that suits the spirit of Halloween, but also one that’s safe. The Prevention First Organization says that collisions with cars, eye injuries from sharp objects and burns from flammable costumes account for the most youth emergency room visits on Halloween.
• Choose hats and face paints in lieu of masks. Masks can block a child’s vision and impede a youngster’s ability to check for traffic.
Beauty regimen
• Have children wear comfortable, flat shoes to reduce the risk of tripping or falls.
Pumpkins contain a number of essential vitamins and minerals that can help replenish the skin. Pumpkin purée can be mixed with honey, aloe vera gel, olive oil, and a bit of cornmeal to create an exfoliating mask for the face or body. Pumpkin also can be used to rejuvenate dry or tired skin from cold weather.
• Make sure children walk on sidewalks and well-lit paths. They also should avoid darting out into the street to run to another home.
Honey, pumpkin and yogurt can be mixed together and used to condition hair. Let the mixture sit for 15 to 20 minutes, and then wash it out and shampoo.
• Choose soft, flexible costume props whenever possible. Make sure the props, such as swords, are not sharp or too long.
Foods and beverages
• Ensure that costumes do not drag on the floor, as costumes that are too long can pose a tripping hazard.
• Make sure costumes and accessories are made with flame-resistant materials.
Just how does one create a safe costume? Consider these pointers when preparing for the arrival of Oct. 31.
• Use glow sticks or battery-powered LED lights instead of lit candles for costumes and decorations.
• Rely on flashlights and reflective tape to make trick-or-treaters more visible during evening walks. The reflective tape can be incorporated right into the costume design.
• Trick-or-treat in groups with other parent chaperones so the adults can be extra diligent in their efforts to keep children safe.
Pumpkin purée is the basis for many tasty, pumpkin-infused treats. Purée can be used in pies, cakes, muffins, breads and many additional foods. Pumpkin purée also may be found in certain beverages, such as smoothies and shakes. A bit of spiced purée may appear as flavoring in teas and coffees. Roasted pumpkin seeds make a healthy treat. Foodies suggest using the seeds from “sugar pumpkins” or the ones best for making pies. Boil the seeds for a few minutes before draining. Spray a baking
sheet with non-stick spray and put the seeds in a single layer. Bake at 400 F for 20 minutes. Allow to cool and serve. Pumpkin wines and beers are popular as well. There are many recipes for developing sweet, fermented beverages, which tend to be especially popular in the fall. The “guts” of the pumpkin can be simmered along with aromatics and other vegetables to create a vegetable stock perfect for soups and broths.
Decorations Pumpkins can also add to one’s home décor during the fall. Pumpkins can be carved for Halloween displays, hollowedout to hold tea lights or simply left on tables and used as centerpieces. Larger pumpkins may be used as natural flower pots for mums or other seasonal floral displays. As the Native Americans once did, pumpkins can be hollowed-out and used as bowls to serve favorite soups and dips. Use a hollowed, small pumpkin as a natural aromatic candle holder. Cut holes in the sides to vent the exhaust. Rub aromatic spices, such as cloves, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and vanilla bean, on the inside of the pumpkin. Insert a beeswax candle in the bottom of the pumpkin and let it send inviting aromas into the air. Pumpkins are a versatile fruit that can serve many purposes beyond just jack-olanterns and pies.
The Indiana Gazette | Wednesday, September 30, 2015
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The Indiana Gazette | Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Throw a hauntingly good Halloween party Tasty, themed treats can make your ghoulish gathering positively ‘spook-tacular’ By Metro Creative Services
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alloween is a special day that delights children of all ages and helps adults feel like kids at heart. Few people want the fun to end once trick-or-treating is over. By throwing a Halloween party, revelers can continue celebrating well into the evening.
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When hosting a Halloween party, it helps to determine who will be in attendance before making any plans. Parties that include children should be PG in nature, and hosts should find the right balance between scary and fun. While you want to have a certain measure of the macabre, make sure you don’t send young guests home with nightmares. Reserve gruesome decorations and details for adult-only parties.
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Halloween parties do not necessarily need to be ghoulish to be fun. Try a glittery gala masquerade party or decorate exclusively in orange and black. Classically eerie parties may feature ravens and crows, or they can be subtlely spooky with red candles and heavy curtains.
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Many people can’t wait to dress up for a Halloween party, even picking out their costumes months in advance. Still, not everyone feels comfortable donning a costume. To welcome all guests, don’t make costumes mandatory. One way around this is to set up a Halloween
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Disguise Table full of accessories that anyone can borrow and use to alter their appearance. Goofy glasses, strange hats, adhesive mustaches or masks can be fun. If someone didn’t feel comfortable dressing in full costume, he or she may be more apt to pop in a set of plastic fangs or put on a spinning bow tie. Food is an integral part of any party and can enhance Halloween soirées. Candy is a pivotal component of Halloween and you can play off that theme at your party. Set up a candy bar full of appropriately hued candies of all shapes and sizes. Put them on display in clear glass or plastic canisters so they add to your Halloween décor. Some people like to get creative with Halloween cuisine, crafting foods into items that may look like parts of the body or other symbols of the holiday. Cookie cutters can turn sandwiches, desserts, biscuits and many other foods into different shapes. However, foods also can be made a tad more spooky simply by renaming them or presenting them in interesting containers. Why not serve punch out of a fish aquarium? Other beverages can be housed in jugs or old bottles and labeled “potions.” Use laboratory instruments, such as petri dishes, vials and beakers, to serve snacks. A Halloween party makes for a fun night, and there is no limit to what hosts can do when planning their scary soirées.
The Indiana Gazette | Wednesday, September 30, 2015
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Halloween treats that are equal parts
spooky and delicious of the waxed paper. Allow to dry until completely hardened, then peel off the paper. Repeat the process for as many spider webs as you need. You can use these spider webs as garnish for a variety of baked goods, or they can be eaten on their own.
By Metro Creative Services
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alloween parties are commonplace. Full of frightful decorations and spooky lighting, a good Halloween party also features food that plays up the theme of the evening. Therefore, Halloween party hosts will need to get creative with the type of foods they serve to ensure a “spook-tacular” time.
Ghoulish Graveyard What would Halloween be without a haunted graveyard? With a few tasty ingredients, you can recreate this classic look in a rich dessert.
With a little ingenuity, otherwise mundane foods can be transformed into something worthy of a second look. Here are some creative ways to turn ordinary food items into Halloween-inspired fare for your next get-together.
Crush graham crackers and mix with melted butter and sugar to create a cookie crust. Press into the bottom of a baking pan. Prepare some chocolate pudding to pour on top of the crust and allow it to grow firm. Then sprinkle crushed chocolate cookies on top to create the appearance of soil. Push some rounded-edge, oblong cream-filled cookies into the pudding to serve as tombstones. Decorate with candy worms, gummy skeletons and any other candy items that can add to the look. Black licorice sticks poked with black licorice strings can look like dead trees.
Ghosts in the Pumpkin Patch Using bananas and clementines or small oranges, you can create the appearance of ghosts haunting a field of pumpkins. Peel both the oranges and the bananas and place small chocolate chips into the rounded “head” of the banana to create a ghost face. Use a piece of green gummy candy or something that will hold its shape to create “stems” for the orange pumpkins. Place the ghosts and pumpkins on a platter or in a bowl for a healthy and festive snack.
Witches’ Brew Create a punch recipe that bubbles and looks like a witch’s evil concoction. Put two quarts of lime sherbet for a green punch (or orange sherbet if you prefer an orange punch) in a punch bowl. Add
a two-liter bottle of ginger ale and one can of pineapple juice. Feel free to float “eyeball” peeled grapes or gummy worms in the brew for a more authentic effect. If available, add a piece of dry ice to the punch so it bubbles and fizzes.
Sugar Spider webs Spiders and their sticky webs go hand-in-
The magic of the full moon By Metro Creative Services Many Halloween images are depicted with a full moon in the background. Full moons evoke visions of werewolves baying or vampire bats fluttering by. But a full moon on Halloween is actually quite rare. A full moon that occurs on Halloween is actually most often a “blue moon,” or the second full moon of the month. On average, a full moon appears once every 28 days, or the time it takes for the Moon to orbit around Earth and be on the other side of the Sun. Very rarely a blue moon can occur when the full moon appears twice in one month. The last time a full moon appeared on Halloween was in 2001. The next time Halloween revelers will be treated to a full moon on Halloween is Saturday, October 31, 2020.
hand with Halloween. Create spider webs that can be used to adorn cookies and cupcakes and give them an extra scary flair. Use a template of a spider web and place this template under a piece of waxed paper to serve as your guide. Use storebought or homemade royal icing to pipe out the shape of the spider web on top
Scary Grin Turn a whole watermelon into a jack-o’lantern and fill with fruit salad. This makes for a refreshing treat and provides an alternative to candy. Cut the watermelon as you would a pumpkin and hollow out the insides to use for the salad. Add sliced berries, grapes, apples, pears and any other fruits you desire.
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The Indiana Gazette | Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Uses for leftover Halloween candy plentiful By Metro Creative Services
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alloween is certainly known for the spooky decorations that adorn homes and for the creative costumes children put on to canvas the neighborhood. But for many youngsters, Halloween is all about the candy. In just a few hours, trick-or-treaters can accumulate a substantial amount of assorted chocolates, confections and other sweet treats. Once everyone has had their fill of their favorite items, candy often gets relegated to a giant bowl on the kitchen table, where it beckons each resident who passes by. Rather than submitting to the call of the candy and sacrificing your dental health
as a result, enterprising individuals can repurpose that leftover Halloween candy.
Incentives Parents can store extra candy to use as rewards for good behavior. Many parents use sweet treats as rewards for children learning to potty train. Rewarding older children for a job well done cleaning up their rooms or as a special treat for scoring a good grade on a test also can be a way to put the candy to good use.
Gingerbread houses Christmas is just two months after Halloween. Put candy into sealable baggies and use it come the holiday season when building gingerbread houses. You will have a variety of different candies
from which to choose and won’t have to purchase anything new in order to decorate your creations.
Advent calendars Halloween candy can be saved to make an Advent calendar. This calendar traditionally counts down to Christmas, revealing a date and a sweet treat behind each door. Instead of purchasing a ready-made Advent calendar, families can get together and make one for a family craft as a way to recycle Halloween candy.
Goodie bags Candy is a crowd-pleaser, and leftover candy can be used in goody bags doled out at birthday parties. Keep the candy well-sealed to store away until it is needed to fill goodie bags. Add a few trinkets that tie in with the theme of your party, and you’re all set. On a similar note, leftover candy can be used to stuff a piñata for a party. Piñatas are available in many different themes and styles, making any occasion ripe for a piñata.
Baking Cookies, brownies and cake bars taste even better with peanut butter cups, chips and chocolate candies baked inside. Some candy can be frozen for later use in baked goods. Baked goods can be enjoyed by the family or used for bake sales for schools and other organizations.
Donations Hospitals, doctors’ offices and nursing homes may appreciate donations of candy for staff and visitors. You can visit different places to see if they would appreciate a candy donation.
Adult beverages Hard candies can be used to add some flavor to adult beverages. Let the candy sit in the alcohol for a few hours and the candy will dissolve. Use a coffee filter to strain out any candy remnants. There are many different ways to put Halloween candy to use so it doesn’t go to waste or end up ruining teeth and waistlines.
The legend of jack-o’-lanterns By Metro Creative Services The tradition of jack-o’-lanterns began in Ireland and Scotland, and pumpkins were not the first gourd of choice to use as lanterns. Turnips and rutabagas were often used because of their availability.
Leftover Halloween candy can be put to many different uses after the holiday has come and gone.
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When Irish immigrants migrated to America, they brought their jack-o’lantern traditions with them. Turnips were not as prevalent on this side of the Atlantic, so carvers turned to pumpkins, which were larger and easier to carve. Jack-o’-lanterns get their name from Irish folklore, particularly a character named Jack. Jack liked to drink and couldn’t pay his pub tab, making a deal with the Devil for his soul to cover the pub fee. Jack agreed, but he tricked the Devil to get away with his soul and captured the Devil. Jack agrees to free the Devil if he makes a new deal that the Devil can’t ever have his soul. Years pass and Jack eventually dies. Because of his poor lifestyle, he is not material for heaven, and Jack is once again reunited with the Devil. Because the Devil remembers he cannot have Jack’s soul, Jack is forced to roam the twilight world forever as a lost soul. The Devil gives Jack a few embers to burn to light the way, which Jack stores in a hollowed-out turnip. Eventually these lanterns, used to keep scary spirits at bay, were called jack-o’-lanterns.
The Indiana Gazette | Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Highest-grossing horror films sure to make you scream
By Metro Creative Services
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re you a scary movie buff? Do you relish in the building music and the jump-out-of-your-seat moments that unleash from you a primal scream? Many people share a love of scary movies and have made the horror genre one of the most popular. No month of the year celebrates horror movies more than October. Each October, movie theaters, television stations and viewers count down to Halloween with flick after flick featuring gore, suspense and pure horror. Many horror movies were inspired by classic literature, including works from Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and Gaston Leroux. Horror films often incorporate mystery, suspense, supernatural elements and fantasy in addition to themes that play on viewers’ fears. Evil creatures, witches, zombies, serial killers and many additional nasty characters may appear in horror films. Horror film fans can trace scary movies’ origins back to the late 19th century. Some credit silent film pioneer George Méliés with creating the first horror movie, which was titled “La Manoir du Diable (The Manor of the Devil).” Japanese filmmakers also were instrumental in popularizing the horror genre. Popular literary characters, from Dracula to Dr. Frankenstein’s monster to Mr. Hyde to Quasimodo, have appeared in horror movies. Many horror movies have focused on the end of the world and the occult. Psychological horror movies also have
proven quite popular with audiences, as have slasher movies, which became quite popular in the 1980s and 1990s. Many horror movie fans have a favorite subgenre, but many also will gladly watch any flick that puts a scare in them. Some horror movies have had more box office success than others, and the following are some notable horror movies that put a scare in viewers and some dollars in their producers’ pockets (figures courtesy of the Internet Movie Database). “World War Z” ($202 million): A zombie pandemic is set to cripple the world, and one man races against time to stop it. “What Lies Beneath” ($155 million): A woman believes her Vermont home is haunted by a ghost. “Gremlins” ($148 million): This tale of pets that boast some unusual qualities became a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s. “The Blair Witch Project” ($141 million): When three film students disappear after investigating the legend of the Blair Witch, their documented footage sheds light on their fate. “The Silence of the Lambs” ($131 million): Few filmgoers can forget Anthony Hopkins’ Oscar-winning turn as Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter, who works in conjunction with naive FBI cadet Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) to catch a vicious killer on the loose. “The Ring” ($129 million): This film is a remake of a classic Japanese ghost story and made many viewers want to avoid their televisions after watching it.
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The Indiana Gazette | Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Lesser-known information about Halloween
By Metro Creative Services
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alloween is a day of costumes, hijinks and an often unhealthy helping of sugary sweets. Many celebrants know that Halloween evolved from ancient Celtic festivals, such as Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the dawn of winter. Celts were no longer spending long days in the pastures, and so they gathered in their homes to tell stories and wait out the winter. When Christianity spread, Halloween became intertwined with a feast day dedicated to the saints and deceased loved ones. “All Hallows’ Eve,” eventually got shortened to “Hallowe’en,” and then Halloween. Though certain parts of Halloween history are well-known, there are many additional interesting facts about this beloved holiday that are less widely known. The following are some lesser-known Halloween tidbits, courtesy of the websites The Thought & Expression Company and Random History, as well as “The Halloween Handbook” (Citadel Press) by Ed Morrow. • The first jack-o-lanterns were made from turnips and beets. Pumpkins were used after Halloween was brought to North America. • The word “witch” is thought to come from the Olde English word “wicce,” meaning “wise woman.” Witches once were held in high regard. • Pumpkins actually are a fruit, a type of squash that is a member of the gourd family. Its cousins include cucumbers, melons and other squashes. • Trick-or-treating may have originated with a European custom called “souling.” On All Soul’s Day, early Christians would go door-to-door begging for “soul cakes,” which were square pieces of bread with currants. The more cakes a person received, the more prayers he or she
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would promise to the dead relatives of the cake donors. • Witches may have rubbed a sacred ointment made with a hallucinogenic herb onto their skin. This gave them a feeling of flying, and if they had been fasting, they felt even giddier. Many witches rode on horseback, but those who were poor traveled on foot and carried a broom to launch themselves over streams. • One-quarter of all the candy sold each year is purchased around Halloween. Halloween candy sales in the United States average about $2 billion annually. • Some people still celebrate the ancient Celtic customs of Samhain. Many followers of various pagan religions, such as the Druids and Wiccans, observe this day as a religious festival and a memorial day for their deceased friends. It also is a night to practice various forms of divination. • The owl is a popular Halloween symbol. In Medieval Europe, owls were thought to be witches. • The first-known mention of trick-ortreating was found in print in 1927 in Blackie, Alberta, Canada. • Ireland is believed by many to be the birthplace of Halloween. • Both Salem, Mass., and Anoka, Minn., are the self-proclaimed Halloween capitals of the world. • Pumpkins are now carved and displayed as Halloween decorations. Orange is a color of strength and symbolic of the harvest. The largest pumpkin ever grown was more than 1,600 pounds. It was grown by Joe Jutras of North Scituate, R.I. Halloween is a mysterious time, born of various festivals, rituals and symbolism. Over several centuries, the celebration has evolved into a holiday enjoyed by millions, each in their own different ways.
The Indiana Gazette | Wednesday, September 30, 2015
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Protect pets from harm this Halloween digestive tract. Artificial sweeteners are harmful to animals, too.
By Metro Creative Services
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hile Halloween can be fun for adults and children alike, the family pet might not look forward to Oct. 31 as much as the rest of the family. When trick-or-treating time arrives and the doorbell gets its annual workout, pet parents should take steps to ensure their dogs, cats and other companion animals stay calm and don’t get too frightened or excited. Halloween is full of decorations, costumes and, of course, trick-or-treaters. While the excitement can be thrilling for children, pets can easily grow scared. Animals generally become creatures of routine, and anything that takes them out of their comfort zones can be a cause for agitation. Spooky decorations hung throughout the house and outdoors present new sights and smells. The doorbell ringing every few minutes could put skittish pets even more on edge -- especially when they come face-to-face with hordes of costumed trick-or-treaters. Candy, and chocolate in particular, poses a large risk as well. Even relatively small amounts of chocolate can be harmful to cats and dogs. That’s because chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, two different types of stimulants that can wreak havoc on an animal’s central nervous system. Hard candies may be swallowed and become lodged in the throat or
To help keep pets safe, it is best to consider the following tips for Halloween. * Keep pets indoors for the day. Animals that are frightened may run away or grow disoriented and get lost. Also, you never want your pet to be the victim of a Halloween prank. Sometimes black cats are stolen on Halloween. Dogs left outside may be at risk for teasing and taunting, too. * Don’t take dogs trick-or-treating. Although you may have a calm, wellmannered dog, the crowds in the neighborhood may excite man’s best friend, whose behavior might be difficult to predict. Also, other animals that get loose from homes when the doors are opened may provoke your dog. It’s enough to keep your eyes on your children, never mind being mindful of your dog, too. * Skip costumes for pets. You may think it’s a great idea to dress your pets in costumes, but there’s a good chance your pet does not share your enthusiasm. It may stress out the animal, so avoid pet costumes. * Be mindful of holiday decorations. Strings of lights, fake spider webs and other decorative items can be tripping hazards for pets, while electronic devices could
Did you know?
Spooky decorations and costumes can increase a pet’s anxiety on Halloween. pose a safety risk. Avoid lit candles in the home because cats or dogs may knock them over. * Keep pets secured in a bedroom or another quiet space. Your dog or cat may try to bolt outside every time you open the door to trick-or-treaters. Instead, keep the animals in a bedroom or laundry area. Not only will they appreciate the quiet, but also By Metro Creative Services Some children amass quite a pile of candy from their trick-or-treating efforts. It may be too much to eat in the next few weeks, even for candy lovers. According to “Better Homes and Gardens,” many different types
they won’t have a chance to escape and get lost. * Store collected candy out of reach. Pets are inquisitive, and they may be drawn to the sweet smell of candy and treats. Candy wrappers and the candy itself can be hazardous to pets. Therefore, store candy where pets cannot access it and be sure children discard candy wrappers. of candies can be frozen to preserve their freshness. Fudge, pralines and caramels freeze well, and even chocolate-covered candies can be frozen with ease. Use an airtight freezer bag or container to keep frozen candies as fresh as possible and not susceptible to moisture infiltration.
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The Indiana Gazette | Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Halloween’s origins span the centuries By Metro Creative Services
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ct. 31st is nearly here, and soon the streets will be filled with costumed revelers eager to get their share of the free-flowing candy and other prizes. Year after year, trick-or-treaters don their costumes and parade from home to home. But have you ever wondered where this and other traditions began? Trick-or-treating and wearing costumes seem like odd traditions to those unaccustomed to Halloween. Halloween customs are actually a blend of Celtic, Catholic, Pagan and ancient Roman traditions. It is thought that Halloween celebrations date to roughly 800 to 600 B.C., when they originally were observances of the harvest season and nature before the arrival of winter, which marked the barren state of the landscape. The Celtic festival of Samhain was a major influence on modern-day Halloween. On Oct. 31, Celts also believed the door to the underworld was opened and could let in deceased spirits. Feasts were held and place-settings were left for deceased relatives, as they were believed to return home for a visit. In addition to friendly spirits, mean spirts also could cross over. Bonfires were lit to ward off spirits, and extra candles would be used in homes and churches to keep evil away.
Even the custom of wearing costumes has its roots in keeping evil spirits at bay. Costumes and masks were worn to confuse bad spirits and frighten them so that they could not bestow misfortune on the more fortunate. People also wore masks and ventured out after dark so that envious ghosts who were cold and outside could not recognize residents of warm and inviting homes. The trick-or-treating custom may have blended origins. Druids believed the dead would play tricks on mankind during Samhain, causing destruction and panic. To appease the spirits, people would give the dead food and other treats. Another custom, called “souling,” can be linked to Halloween as well. Early Christians would walk from village to village asking for “soul cakes,” which were square pieces of bread with currants. The more cakes received, the more prayers the faithful would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the cake donors to expedite a soul’s passage to heaven. Irish trick-or-treating customs may be traced back to collecting supplies door-to-door for the festival of St. Columbkille. Halloween revelry is full of traditions passed on through the ages.
Create spooky effects for a delightfully scary time By Metro Creative Services Halloween is a great time to explore your creative side, especially when it comes to decorating for trick-or-treaters or planning a party. Many special spooky effects can be used to create the scary, intimidating atmosphere you desire. • Dry ice: Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide. It is a good coolant because it can reach temperatures below that of ice and it will not leave a puddle or damp residue behind. Dry ice changes from a solid to a gas with no liquid form, through a process of sublimation. Place dry ice in punch bowls or beverage glasses. Or use dry ice in any other liquid to create billowing plumes of vapor that add to the spooky effects. Just be sure to handle dry ice very carefully and make sure it is inaccessible to curious kids.
• Smoke machine: Rent or purchase smoke machines, which can be found at party stores or big box retailers, to add to your eerie atmosphere. Dim the lights and have smoke rolling through the party room or by the front door. • Lightning and thunder kits: These kits combine strobe lights or lighting effects with sound systems to simulate the sounds and sights of a thunderstorm. • Faux cobwebs: Purchase spiderweb kits at retailers or make your own with cotton. Pure cotton balls can be pulled apart and stretched over various items in the house to create a spiderweb effect. • Accent lighting: Drape a nonflammable piece of fabric over a lampshade to cast different hues around a room. This also dims the brightness in the room, creating shadows here and there.
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The Indiana Gazette | Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Scare up sweet confections for Halloween By Metro Creative Services
H
alloween is a time for costumes and candy. Americans spend roughly $6 billion per year on Halloween candy. After Christmas, Halloween is the country’s second-biggest commercial holiday. Although many people like the convenience of buying bags of pre-made candy, they will not have control over the amount of sugar or the other ingredients that are being put into these confections. This Halloween, celebrants may want to make their own sweet treats to hand out or share at Halloween festivities. • Chocolate lollipops: All it takes is a mold, heating device and some chocolate candy melts to make delicious and eyecatching homemade lollipops. A visit to the craft store will probably yield all of the ingredients you need. Some kits feature squirt bottles that can be filled with chocolate, heated in the microwave and then easily squirted into the candy molds.
• Cake pops: A revolution in dessert, cake pops can be made in two ways. The first method is baking a cake and then crumbling it up into a bowl. Then a container of cake frosting is added, making the mixture moldable. The mixture is then formed into balls, which are put on lollipop sticks and dipped into melted chocolate. The second cake pop method is to purchase pans or special waffle-iron-type devices that turn batter into balls while cooking. Then the cake balls are put on sticks and covered in frosting or chocolate. • Candied fruit: Caramel-covered apples are an autumn tradition, but you also can dip bananas into chocolate or pieces of pineapple for a pseudo-healthy treat. • Chocolate bark: Create a healthy and delicious mixture of ingredients by melting dark chocolate and adding in nuts, dried cranberries, raisins, sunflower seeds or anything else you can think of. Pour the mixture on a piece of waxed paper and allow to harden in the refrigerator. Then cut into chunks and enjoy.
Hallow-green: How to be eco-friendly By Metro Creative Services
H
alloween will certainly be green if you’re dressed as a goblin or a leprechaun. But it’s not just the costumes that can make Halloween green. Those who follow a few easy tips can also enjoy an eco-friendly Halloween. • Decorate with natural items. Visit a farmer’s market or even your own backyard and you can probably find plenty of fall-hued items to make your home festive. String together brightly colored leaves to form a wreath or to outline the front door. Stuff old clothing with leaves or straw and create your own scarecrow that can greet trick-or-treaters. Of course, pumpkins along the pathways and in windows is perhaps the ultimate in Halloween décor.
• Light things up with LEDs. LED lights use significantly less energy than traditional stringed lights. Also, if you plan to have candles aglow, select ones made from beeswax or soy. • Swap costumes. Recycling costumes is not only cost-efficient but also good for the environment. Get together with friends and family and swap costumes.
• Go treat hunting with a reusable bag. Design a tote bag with a Halloween theme that can be reused year after year. • Avoid individually packaged treats. Those individually wrapped mini candy bars are convenient, but just think about how much packaging goes into them. Set up a lemonade stand where trick-ortreaters can refuel or give out coupons for treats at neighborhood businesses.
Scary Harry’s www.scaryharrys.com n
ssio
i Adm
$
15
PER
SON PER
HAUNTED TRAILS
Open Every Friday & Saturday in October
Ticket Booth opens at 7pm
$3 OFF each ticket for each donation of a
non-perishable item for the Indiana County Food Bank
1703 PIERCE ROAD
HOMER CITY
No one under 48 inches tall will be admitted.
(724) 427-6703
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The Indiana Gazette | Wednesday, September 30, 2015 Featuring: Windgate Apple Wine
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