October Treats

For most people, October is a time for cool weather, bright foliage, and Halloween.  Houses are usually decorated with a Fall theme; scattering pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns throughout the neighborhood. Residential streets are lined with trash bags filled with fallen leaves and more darkness creeps into each day as the nights get longer.  Halloween can appeal to both kids and adults.  When else is a person encouraged to wear a scary or silly costume and hunt for candy?  mmm... free candy!  Major TV networks usually add to this eerie and spooky time of the year by broadcasting scary movies like "Friday the 13th," "Halloween," or "Nightmare on Elm Street."

If you don't like being haunted by scary movies, you can always flip to the Major League Baseball playoffs and watch the best teams in the American and National leagues go at it.   Yep, that's right, Halloween isn't the only event acknowledged in October.  There is also Columbus Day, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur.

This October 4th, millions of Jews will celebrate Rosh Hashanah - The Jewish New Year.  Shanah Tovah!  Ten days after Rosh Hashanah, the Jews recognize a Day of Atonement, known as Yom Kippur.  This is the holiest day of the year for practicing Jews as they fast and repent their sins.

As we enter into the fourth quarter of 2005 and get closer to the "holiday season," most of us will find ourselves running around and gathering for family events more often.   So here are some online resources to help prepare:
  • BuyCostumes.com - Popular costume store for kids, teens and adults.
  • Pumpkin Carving 101 - Comprehensive information on pumpkins and detailed instruction for carving a jack-o-lantern.
  • MLB.com - Get baseball news, scores, and live stats.  Watch video clips and highlights of great plays.
  • Great Occasions - Find decorations for Christmas, Halloween, autumn, Thanksgiving, Easter and other holidays.