Let Me Sing You The Halloween Song of My People!

Aww...I just love this vintage Halloween image!  From the wistful look in that jack-o-lantern's eyes to that apathetic crescent moon in the background....there's just a lot of cool Halloween imagery to see!  I'd love to hear the song that cat is singing as a serenade to his Halloween Gourd Friend.  

Government Shut Down

Hahaha!  As of this writing (January 2nd, 2019) the government shut down is still in place, and this couldn't be a more accurate graphic.  Here in my city, we don't have Spirit.  Instead, we have a Halloween City that takes over the old Teays Valley Big Bear grocery store in Liberty Square each year.  The higher-ups apparently refuse to get the A/C turned on for the month they're open, so its always sweltering hot.  Animatronic merchandise is always broken and the costumes are always outdated.  Staff is generally nice, but most are under-trained and don't want to be there.  So yeah, I can definitely see some similarities with the government shut down, lol.

But, to be fair...there IS a Spirit store about 25 minutes away.  It is much better stocked and maintained, but instead of taking over a vacant building, its always housed in a tent, located in the mall parking lot.  The temperature may fluctuate between the Arctic Circle and the 3rd level of Hell, but at least you can breathe.  Unfortunately, the open air trade off is that while you can breathe, if it rains, you have to stand in 3 inches of water while you shop. 

Seriously, though...although both stores could be greatly improved, my heart always skips a beat when I see them setting up for another year.  We have enough vacant buildings here in Putnam County that I'm sure we could accommodate a Halloween store operating year round.  I know I would be a frequent shopper...what about you?

Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts: The Story of the Halloween Symbols

I've started 2019 on the right foot...a spooky, Halloween-inspired foot!  Early on January 1st, I fought back the effects of a minor hangover, and read my new book, Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts:  The Story of the Halloween Symbols!

How I acquired this vintage treasure is a strange little bit of serendipity.  On New Year's Eve, the family and I headed into Charleston for our last lunch outing of 2018.  We wanted to try Tricky Fish, a popular eatery on the East End...which was excellent, by the way!  And, since we were in town, I wanted to stop by Taylor Books on Capitol Street to peruse the used book section.  I had some Christmas money that was burning a hole in my pocket, and the last time I had been there, I had a major score with some vintage paranormal non-fiction paperbacks.

I had found quite a few books to purchase, including a stack of Goldenseal Magazines, and even Luke had found a couple of books he wanted to read.  We were on our way to the register to check out, when I decided to take one last peek at the Young Adult shelf.  My back was hurting a bit, so I had put my hands out on the shelf, took a step back to stretch, and as I looked down, this glowing orangish-yellow book caught my eye.  I saw what it was and had to have it!

This past year, I've been really into collecting vintage Halloween children's books, and this example, published in 1972 by The Seabury Press was an awesome find! I wasn't around in the 1970's, but everything about this book just screams that decade to me! 

Written by Edna Barth, this is an informational text about the history of Halloween and why many of the symbols we associate with Halloween today have come to symbolize the holiday.  Although I had a few doubts that the information was 100% historically accurate, its actually a really neat, fact-packed non-fiction read.  Added to the text are the classically 70's illustrations by Ursula Arndt.  Done in black and orange, the simple drawings reek of nostalgia and are arguably the best part of this book.  It's just such a treasure trove of vintage Halloween imagery and I wish I could display every single page at once.  I've added just a few photographs to pique your interest, but if you'd like to see more, a re-issue of the book can be found on Amazon, as well as the 1972 edition.

Book Bonus:  Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts was challenged in 1992 by a parent of a Gilbert, Arizona elementary student.  The parent wanted the book banned because it 'promoted Satanism and occult.' In the end, the parent lost out.  You can read more about that case HERE. From the markings found inside my personal copy, it was once part of the Dunbar Public Library's collection, and was discarded around 1995, I think.  I wonder if anyone in West Virginia ever had a problem with its subject matter?

Anyway, let me know what YOUR favorite vintage Halloween book is and why! You can comment down below or join me over at my paranormal blog's (Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State) Facebook page for more discussion on Halloween, ghosts, and all things spooky in West Virginia and beyond! I'm hoping to really revive Theresa's Halloween Wonderland blog in 2019, so let me know what else you'd like to see here.  Happy Haunting, ya'll!

Halloween is Over for Another Year

I always feel melancholy after Halloween.  Every year, I can't get over the feeling that I didn't make the most of the Halloween season.  I didn't do enough Halloween crafts.  I didn't go to as many haunted attractions/festivals.  I didn't watch as many scary movies.  It seems like I spend two whole months leading up to the big day, and then it comes and bam; its all over.  Anyway, I hope YOU had a wonderful Halloween season!  I'll be turning to this blog at lot more in the coming year, so hopefully that will keep me going until next Halloween! 

Money Can't Buy Happiness...Can It?

I've already spent so much money this season...and I'd probably spend a whole lot more if store shelves weren't already picked over, consolidated, or downright bare!  Has anyone else noticed this?  Stores put out their Halloween decorations pretty early this year (which I'm not complaining about!) but it was...anticlimactic.  It seems as if by mid to late September, the trucks just stopped and Halloween merchandise was never replenished. 

Halloween Comes to the WV School for the Deaf

Today's Throwback Thursday photograph was found at the West Virginia State Archives website as part of its Picture of the Week feature!  According to the description given, this festively dressed group is celebrating a Halloween party at the West Virginia School for the Deaf, some time during the 1960's.

The WV Schools for the Deaf and Blind are still in existence today and are located on a historic campus in Romney, Hampshire County. Dating back to 1870, the first class consisted of 25 deaf and 5 blind students.  And, I'm pleased to report that 50+ years later, the schools are still embracing the fun and whimsy of Halloween!  The photo below is of Ms. Emerick-Engle's 2016-2017 5th grade class at the WV School for the Blind!

Looking for MORE historic West Virginia Halloween photographs?  Check out my post, HALLOWEEN IN WEST VIRGINIA! 

Football Season? Nah!

Football season unfortunately officially started in my house last weekend when my boyfriend's Fantasy Football League had its draft day.  Luckily, Halloween season is year round here, and spooky, autumnal activities trump sports every time!