All Hallows Eve.

People tell me that I am too old to Trick-Or-Treat and my only response is, “Yeah, tell that to my bulging sack of FREE candy!”

Seriously though, I LOVE the people that give out the chocolate candies and at the same time I love the people that give out fruity candy just as much. You have to level out the flavors. If you just sit there eating chocolate, you get sick of it. But eat a starburst and you’re all set for another snickers.

Even though people have forgotten what Halloween is, I think that it’s an important rite of passage. How can you say you’ve lived if you haven’t even dressed up and gone door-to-door yelling “TRICK OR TREAT!!” Sure it sounds like you’re threatening them, “Hey! If you don’t give me a treat then I’m going to give you a trick!” but if you haven’t done it at least once then I say that’s sad.

There are some things that people should just experience, at least once. I’m the type of person, you tell me you haven’t done something, and man, it’s ON! And come on! Who wouldn’t want an excuse to dress up and go get free candy? All in all, I have many Halloween memories and all of them are good. I can’t imagine my life without them and now I have another year to add on. It was a great year, and this time? It wasn’t even about the candy; it was just the cherry on top! Hell, you want it?

Written by: Bethany Wonsmos

Oh, Halloween!

Guys, I don’t know if you know this, but Halloween is soon. And because of this, I feel the need to write something about Halloween.

I... don’t hate Halloween? It’s a fine holiday, and seeing all the dumb costumes and decorations can be fun. But other then that, I kind of don’t care. Never trick-or-treated in my youth, and never wanted to. Don’t have that much of a sweet tooth, so I’m not the biggest fan of candy. And that’s kind of what Halloween is all about, right? Getting candy? What a cynical view. Kind of like saying Christmas is all about getting presents.

It’s interesting how society has basically turned Halloween into that though. An excuse to dress up and look dumb while getting free candy. Is Halloween really about horror anymore? Crazy evil spirits? All Hallows Eve?

The horror aspect of Halloween is actually the part I like about it. Even if I’m a totally scaredy cat and wouldn’t be able to stand that stuff, but it’s fun! I wish Halloween was more about that. Maybe it is, though. Maybe I’m just out of touch with modern society.

Another thing I like about Halloween is that it means we are getting closer to a Holiday I actually really like, which is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is awesome! There is turkey, pumpkin pie, an-

You know what? I’ll tell you more about Thanksgiving when the time comes. Right now it’s Halloween. And while this fact doesn't tickle me pink, I’m not fuming with anger. Everyone, go have fun during Halloween! In the mean time, I will be fantasizing over the amazing turkey I will be having in a couple of weeks.

Written By: Jeremy Quach

Halloween

Halloween, such an interesting topic, isn’t it? It’s a Wiccan holiday, yet it is celebrated by Christians everywhere. It isn’t even celebrated to the same point. This is a day that is, was, believed to be the night that all evil spirits come back to haunt us. What is it now?

Why is Halloween celebrated? Just the other day I heard a conversation between a friend of mine and a very strong Christian about how Halloween is a very bad holiday to celebrate because “God wouldn’t like it.” It isn’t even celebrated the same way as it used to be. Children go door to door begging for candy dressed in ridiculous costumes. Sometimes parents tag along, other times they do not. That is a different story for a different day.

Why does Halloween even exist now? Most people in the U.S. are Christian or not even religious. What is Halloween? It has been twisted from its original reason to being celebrated by a bunch of little kids in costumes basically making a deal with the people who hand out candy saying, “If you give me candy, I will not prank you.”

I have actually met a Wiccan woman who didn’t even celebrate Halloween the traditional way. I honestly believe Halloween is a waste of time. Though, I do have a confession to make. Once it hits October, it becomes my favorite time of year. I love seeing people excited for something. I love everything they sell around Halloween and it just goes uphill from there. Halloween is a wonderful holiday for people to get closer because it is a holiday of when you go “Trick-or-Treating,” it is never alone.

Written by: Sharon Hanson

Unknown Dangers

October 31st; the middle of fall. Trees are going into hibernation, shedding away the life of the leaves. The silence seems to echo around the shadows, making every crevice seem like a nightmare coming to life. Every superstition haunts your thoughts. Even mere cats can make you jump as you turn the corner.

The color orange is coming from everywhere: from the dark leaves, nearly dying; from the pumpkins, carved into masks of terror; even from the sky as the sun is setting, leaving you to the dangers of the night.

The thought of zombies, ghouls, and ghosts are enough to keep you hidden under your covers, letting your childish thoughts hold on to the picture of a happy place. A place where nothing can go wrong. Where there is nothing that can harm you. Where you are unaware and unprepared.

The only way to light your way at night is to follow the porch lights. The road deemed unsafe by most children, they simply cut across the dead grass. They run, hoping to collect as much candy as possible. The parents followed on the sidewalk, making sure their children were safe. Teenagers travel alone.

All of them walking through an unknown danger. All of them unknown to the creatures parading around them. Unknown...

“Do you think he’s here?” One little girl asked, leaning on the cold gate to the cemetery. Her curious brown eyes went unnoticed to the older kids who were still upset that she had to tag along. All but one girl, who had the same pair of eyes. She knelt down next to the smaller girl.

“Of course he is. Maybe he’s just hiding from us!” She grinned, hoping to keep the younger girl excited. One of the other kids rolled their eyes, walking up to the the black gate. They checked the pad lock and smirked.

“How will she get over the fence, Sarah?” He asked, facing the girl and her younger sister.

Sarah smiled right back. “Ashley’s good at climbing. Aren’t you?” The little girl nodded and giggled. Sarah turned back to the boy. “See? No problemo.”

“Yeah, bu-”

“But what? She can get over the fence. She’s not scared. Let’s just do this.”

A couple sighs could be heard, but the girls ignored it. Instead, they started to climb up the fence. Sarah went first, clinging to the gate as she climbed over it and dropped down onto the dead ground. Ashley went next. She expertly shimmied up the gate, dropping into Sarah’s arms.

No one else followed. They looked into the distance behind Sarah with their eyes widened in fear. “S-Sara-” One started to mutter. The others started to run, so soon he followed suit.

Sarah turned around, her eyes widening in fear. “Ashley, get over the gate... now.”

“Why?”

“Just go!”

Ashley did as she was told, only turning around afterwards. Her eyes searched in the sudden fog, but Sarah was no where to be found.

Written by: Megan Wonsmos