Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Halloween: More Than Just Costumes

Brief History of the Holiday

From The Dictionary of Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World by Omnigraphics Press, Inc.:

"Halloween has its ultimate origins in the ancient Celtic harvest festival, SAMHAIN, a time when people believed that the spirits of the dead roamed the earth. Irish settlers brought their Halloween customs—which included bobbing for apples and lighting jack-o’-lanterns—to America in the 1840s.

"In the United States children go from house to house in costume—often dressed as ghosts, skeletons, or vampires—on Halloween saying, 'Trick or treat!' Though for the most part the threat is in jest, the 'trick' part of the children’s cry carries the implication that if they don’t receive a treat, the children will subject that house to some kind of prank, such as marking its windows with a bar of soap or throwing eggs at it. Most receive treats in the form of candy or money. But Halloween parties and parades are popular with adults as well.

"Because nuts were a favorite means of foretelling the future on this night, All Hallows’ Eve in England became known as Nutcrack Night. Other British names for the day include Bob Apple Night, Duck (or Dookie) Apple Night, Crab Apple Night, Thump-the-door Night, and, in Wales, APPLE AND CANDLE NIGHT. In the United States it is sometimes referred to as Trick or Treat Night."


Safe Halloween Links

The National Safety Council's Halloween Safety Fact Sheet

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission's Excellent Halloween Safety Alert



Safe Halloween Tips from the Centers for Disease Control...A handy, printable PDF of SAFE HALLOWEEN tips is also available from the CDC.

E-How Video Link: How To Inspect Halloween Candy

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Halloween Activities For Kids & Teens


The rest of October will be busy for the Terrebonne Parish Library System, with many Halloween-themed events and craft times for kids and teens. Here's what's happening from now until Halloween.

For Kids

Thursday, 10/22 at 5 p.m.
Haunted Library Storytime for
pre-k – 3rd graders.
Chauvin Branch

Saturday, 10/24 at 2 p.m.
Halloween Craft Workshop for
pre-k – 3rd graders.
Main Library

Monday, 10/26, Wednesday,
10/28, and Thursday, 10/29
from 3-5:30 p.m.
Halloween Pumpkin Painting
Craft. Bring a clean pumpkin.
Montegut Branch

Monday, 10/26 at 4 p.m.
Halloween Story Time and Candy
Workshop for k – 4th graders.
Dularge Branch


For Teens

Friday, 10/23 at 4 p.m.
Wii Games and
Halloween Craft
Dularge Branch

Tuesday, 10/27 from 4-5:30 p.m.
Pumpkin Painting Workshop.
Bring a clean pumpkin.
Montegut Branch

Wednesday, 10/28
from 4-5:30 p.m.
Playstation 2 “Buzz
Quiz” Game.
Registration is required--call 985-575-2639
Gibson Branch

Saturday, 10/31 at 2 p.m.
Michael Jackson
“Extravaganza”
featuring his Live
in Bucharest –
The Dangerous
Tour and a
Michael Jackson
“Look-a-Like”
Contest.
East Houma Branch

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Fire Prevention Month

October is Fire Prevention Month! October is traditionally the time of year when people start firing up heaters and fireplaces (soon, we hope!), so this is also the time people need to be mindful of what it takes to keep fires from happening.




Louisiana State Fire Marshall Information Page

National Fire Protection Association Fire Safety Page--Great information for teachers and kids!

Firesafety.gov--The Centers for Disease Control's guide to preventing fire-related injuries and deaths.

JUST FOR KIDS--The U.S. Fire Administration--Kid-friendly information from the Department of Homeland Security.

And Remember! You can get a free smoke detector from any office of the Houma Fire Department in Terrebonne Parish! Just call Fire Chief Todd Dufrene's office at (985) 873-6391 for more information.