October 30, 2021 Issue, Page 11 of 14

Page Text

October 30, 2021 11 Why do we say Top tips to stay safe ‘trick or treat’? this Halloween season Homeowners think nothing of having goblins, nurses, vam- pires, or astronauts showing up at their doors each October ask- ing for candy. Any other time of the year and these visitors might should follow the rules of the be turned away. But Halloween is all about the magical and the road, stopping at intersections macabre, and trick-or-treating is a major component of the fes- and crossing in crosswalks. tivities. + Consider alternatives to Kids and adults alike cry out "trick or treat" at each house they carving pumpkins, since the visit. Many utter this familiar phrase without a second thought risk of being cut while carv- and may have no idea how this familiar custom came to be. ing is high. If you want to During the Middle Ages, less fortunate individuals would go carve, leave the carving to adults. Utilize battery-operat- “souling," which was a process of going door-to-door asking for food on November 1 in return for saying prayers for the de- ed flameless candles or glow sticks to illuminate jack-o’- ceased on All Souls Day on November 2. Many centuries later, lanterns. the tradition of "guising" began in Scotland around the same time - All costumes, wigs and ac- of year. People began wearing masks and costumes to disguise cessories should be fire-resis- themselves and prevent evil spirits from harming them. Spirits tant. Make sure that costumes were thought to cross over more readily around Halloween. The do not impede your ability to custom also was called "mumming" and was celebrated in nearby walk or see. England and Ireland as well. : Test makeup to check for Costumes were eventually accompanied by hijinks. Mischief skin irritation before applica- makers would sing a rhyme, do a card trick or tell a story in ex- tion. Remove it promptly after change for a treat. If that treat wasn't presented, a "trick" could returning home. be played. For 19th century children, tricks included jamming hot + Set up a buddy system so cabbage into a keyhole to stink up a house or frightening pass- that no one is going it alone. exsby. Agree on a specific time chil- History.com indicates that when European immigrants arrived Much like Christmas, Hal- likely to be hit by a car on Hal- tive tape, glow sticks, flash- dren should return home. in America, they didn't give up their annual mischief or requests loween is no longer relegated loween as other nights of the lights, or camping lanterns to a single day. A number of year. Cuts and burns also are can make pedestrians more Adults should chaperone for treats, and the custom spread throughout the early 20th cen- Halloween enthusiasts now visible to motorists. young children. tury in the United States. more common on October 31. « While incidences of candy While the practice of begging for treats in some shape or form begin decorating at the start ‘A good Halloween scare - Pedestrians should walk on went by many names, Merriam-Webster reports that a newspa- of October. Hijinks and au- should come from costumes, sidewalks if they are available. tampering may be minimal, per in Saskatchewan, Canada first mentioned the words "treat" tumn revelry fill the air as in- not accidents or injuries. This When sidewalks are not avail- no one should snack on candy dividuals eagerly count down Halloween, consider these able, walk facing traffic and do until it has been inspected. In- and "trick" together in print. A 1923 article indicated, "Hallowe'en to the end of the month. safety measures, courtesy so as far off to the side of the spections also protect against passed off very quietly here. ‘Treats’ not 'tricks' were the order Though the lighthearted- of Safe Kids Worldwide, the road as you can get. food allergies. of the evening." By 1927, more and more children were uttering ness of Halloween festivities, Mayo Clinic, the National + Drivers should be espe- - The candy bounty should “tricks or treats" to solicit candy from their neighbors. such as costumes and candy, Highway Traffic Safety Ad- cially alert to pedestrians on be rationed so no one overin- Trick-or-treating gained steam throughout the 1950s, with garner the bulk of celebrants’ ministration, and the Centers Halloween. Drive slowly, as dulges and feels ill later on. endorsements by major candy companies. The custom also was attention, it’s important to for Disease Control and Pre- many kids scurry from house Halloween season is a fun showcased in popular comic strips. take safety into consideration vention. to house in search of Hallow- time of year, but safety should Even though there are tricks to be made on Halloween, treats as well. According to the Mayo + Make sure you're visible een candy. go hand in hand with all the are the real draw of the day. Clinic, children are twice as when trick-or-treating, Reflec- + Pedestrians and drivers celebrating on this special day. know Jack of the lantern specter as “Jack of the Lan- known a common moniker like them with grotesque faces. II- seen lighting up the Hallow- tern." Eventually the name was "Jack." Night watchmen who luminated by coal or candles, een night. There are various shortened to “Jack O'Lantern.” carried lanterns might have these items served to ward theories regarding the origins There are other origin sto- been called "Jack with the lan- off evil spirits. When settlers of the carved gourds. While ries regarding jack-o'-lanterns. tern." came from Europe to America, the truth may never be fully Some say the term originated Other theories connect jack- where turnips and other root known, it's fun to learn about in 17th century Britain, where o'lanterns to the Celtic pa- vegetables were scarce, they the various origin stories con- it was often customary to call gan practice of hallowing out used native pumpkins instead. nected to this popular symbol men whose names were un- root vegetables and carving Jack-o'-lanterns are often of Halloween. The toothy grins of jack-o'- lanterns are as much a part of the beverages. After the devil transformed, Stingy Jack in- Make your Halloween costume hold up Halloween as candy corn and costumes. Even though these carved pumpkins have become stead pocketed the money and placed it next to a silver cross, which prevented the devil against cold weather synonymous with Halloween, from changing back into his Enthusiastic Halloween cel- door gatherings may be doable, than windy autumn evenings, of his or her body heat in cer- the festive gourds weren't al- original form. Jack made the ebrants may choose their cos- which means Halloween revel- augment the costume with tain cold weather conditions. ways tied to the October holi- devil promise that should Jack tumes months prior to the big ers may be spending more time protective gear that will help day. die, he wouldn't claim his soul. day, and there’s many reasons outside this year. Late October you stay warm. For example, If you're hesitant to wear a ‘The history behind jack-o'- Eventually Jack freed the devil, why such a head start can be a can get pretty cold in many ar- women wearing a dress as hat because you think it may lanterns is not entirely known but not before he tricked him savvy move. Some celebrants eas, and the following are some part of their costume can wear spoil your costume, simply and there are multiple origin again with another con. design and create their own ways Halloween enthusiasts moisture-wicking leggings and stories, but people may have ‘When Stingy Jack eventually costumes, while others decide can protect themselves against long-sleeved shirts beneath. A find ways to incorporate the been making these carvings for died, legend states God would early so they can ensure their the mid-autumn cold. touch of humor can be used to hat into your outfit. If you're centuries. not allow such a trickster and getup of choice isn’t sold out - Choose a cold-friendly cos- explain costume changes that going as the devil, glue horns One tale traces the origin unsavory character into heav- when they decide to purchase tume. If you haven't already may not make much sense. For onto your hat. If you plan to be back to Ireland and a popular en. The devil could not claim it. chosen your costume, choose instance, men dressed as Tar- Irish myth. According to Histo- Jack's soul as promised, but Early birds might get the one that offers added protec- zan can wear their costumes anurse, wear a ski hat and pre- ry.com, the tradition involves ahe was upset by the tricks Jack Halloween costume worm, but tion against the elements. A over a ski jacket and explain tend you're a nurse on a chilly man nicknamed "Stingy Jack." had played. In turn, the devil 2020 may force some to make costume that leaves little skin that they're “Arctic Tarzan.” As the story goes, Stingy Jack then sent Jack off to wander adjustments to their costumes exposed can be just what you battlefield. + Wear a hat. When it’s cold invited the devil to share a the dark night infinitely with prior to October 31. Indoor need to stay warm during so- outside, wear a hat. So say Halloween celebrations may drink with him. Being the only a burning coal to light the Halloween celebrations may cially distant outdoor celebra- the experts at Harvard Medi- need to be outdoor affairs this cheapskate his name implies, path. Stingy Jack put the coal not be allowed this year, as a tions. cal School, who note that the year. Finding ways to dress up Jack didn't want to pay for the into a carved-out turnip and global pandemic has forced + Protect skin that may be lack of subcutaneous fat for drinks, and he convinced the has been traversing the planet governments to make tough exposed. If you've already cho- and stay warm at the same insulation on the head means devil to turn himself into a ever since. Irish storytellers decisions regarding large gath- sen your costume and it’s more that anyone not wearing a hat time should be a priority for coin that Jack could use to buy first began to refer to Jack's erings of people. However, out- suited to warm sunny days Halloween revelers. can lose as much as 50 percent We have all your candy and treat needs for Halloween! Ry 2700 W 3rd St, Elk City Fred‘s 21075. Main Street Elk City 580.243.2100 580-225-2288 Www fredssteakhouseok.com