OCTOBER 2010 MassMoms.com gets new moderator Meet Jen Niles! Jen Niles lives in Paxton with her husband, 7-year old son, and two cats. A locally-known artist and a writer, Jen is very excited to join MassMoms.com. “I had been to the site before as a reader of Telegram.com. When I heard that there was an opening for moderator, I jumped at the chance,” she said. “Networking and sharing information, whether in the art community or with my fellow homeschooling moms, are some of my favorite things to do.” Jen’s plans for the site include getting more mom and dad voices heard, through stories, blogs and photos. “I want to get some good conversations going and build a strong MassMoms community, where we’re sharing information and news, and helping each other with the many questions that come with being a parent. Whenever I have had a parenting challenge, some of the best advice and information that I’ve received has been from other mothers,” she said. Jen’s first tip for joining the MassMoms action: Sign up for her weekly email newsletter. And then, check out Jen’s blog, Postcards from Parentville, on MassMoms.com. So much fun, it’s scary! As any kid can tell you, Halloween is more than just a day on the calendar....it’s a celebration of all things spooky and yummy. Halloween is a time when a child’s farewell to summer is made easier by stepping out of real life and into a fantasy world of dressup and drama. It’s a cornucopia of treats (or tricks!). A time to drive around see all the creative and funny decorations put up by the neighbors. With store shelves already stocked with decorations both scary and silly, the excitement of children is contagious. They know that Halloween’s not just on October 31st – Halloween is now. Luckily, local parents can look forward more than just making costumes and shepherding their trick-or-treaters safely down the street. October in Central Massachusetts brings fun for whole family. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the area’s great activities. Whatever your family chooses to do this Halloween, remember to do it safely. Fri.10/15 & Sat.10/16 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Halloween Hike at Boo Meadow Brook Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary 414 Massasoit Road, Worcester At sundown, Broad Meadow Brook is transformed into a magical forest. Resident spirits (primarily native wildlife) greet visitors on the guided walk through the woods on trails lit by luminaries. As you walk, learn about some New England creatures and their habits. Program and activities will be held indoors in case of rain. Sat. 10/23 12:00 to 9:00 p.m. Great Pumpkin Fest at the Ecotarium 222 Harrington Way, Worcester Annual family Halloween event featuring creative displays of hundreds of carved, lit pumpkins plus free hayrides and train rides, a free digital planetarium show, games, animal encounters, www.massmoms.com pumpkin-carving demonstrations, crafts and much more. Friendly costumes welcome. Rain or shine. $10 for EcoTarium members. Children under 2 are free. www.ecotarium.org Sat. 10/23 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Halloween Night Hike and Hayride Mass Audubon: Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary 113 Goodnow Rd, Princeton Experience the sounds of the night on a guided hike through the fields and woods. Then enjoy a hayride with friends and family. Meet our resident vulture, hear a story, and taste some goodies. Fee is per family: $15/Member Family; $21/Nonmember Family. Sat.10/30 & Sun.10/31 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Howl-O-Ween Weekend at Fruitlands Fruitlands Museum 102 Prospect Hill Road, Harvard Come in costume or bring your dog in costume and gain free entrance. Come see Tree Sculptures before they move on! Halloween parade, most creative costume contest (child and pet), face painting, local musicians, crafts, tree sculpture talk and so much more. Check MassMoms.com often for new videos... like the one seen here, giving you the 411 on apple and pumpkin picking in Central Massachusetts. by Diana Next up: A look at Broad Meadow Brook’s “Boo Meadow Brook” event. by Emilee Kids are a never-ending source of funny stories. Tell us yours! Pip-squeaks Show off your child’s artwork on MassMoms.com. It’s easy to upload your masterpiece– just click on the “Fridge Door” link and follow the instructions. While watching my 6-year-old niece, I decided that I could use a cup of coffee and headed down to the local Dunkin Donuts. On the way there, my niece turned and asked if she could get a treat. When I asked her what she would like, she answered “how about some of those pip-squeaks?” I was laughing so hard I couldn’t even ask the clerk for the “Munchkins!” Submitted by Linda Kids are a never-ending source of funny stories. Tell us yours at MassMoms.com! 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However, throughout history, Halloween has inspired a variety of customs and traditions across the globe. Check out the Halloween Special Section on MassMoms.com for more on the history of Halloween and other myths, facts and legends throughout history. Be sure to check out the many fun Halloween games, crafts and tips as well! Halloween traditions and customs, explained • Costumes. The tradition of dressing up in costume is one that can be traced back to the beginning of the holiday. The Celts would celebrate Samhain by dressing up in elaborate animal skins and heads in an attempt to disguise themselves as spirits and demons. The reason for this was to protect themselves from real spirits and demons, the thought being the real spirits and demons would not recognize them as humans if they were in disguise. * Bonfires. Druids from Northern Ireland would pacify their gods with ritualistic cermonies and sacrifices. One such ceremony included a Samhain bonfire on a nearby hilltop. The bones of slaughtered cattle would be thrown into these fires, which came to be called “bone fires,” and later “bonfires.” These bonfires and sacrifices were in the hopes that the sun would shine bright after a long winter. The tradition of bonfires on Halloween continues today throughout Ireland. * Jack-o-Lanterns. The tradition of Jack-o-lanterns also Dance • Music • Theater www.paulameoladance.com 978-422-6989 Child Development Center N O WN OPE Full-time & Part-time Openings Infants, Toddlers & Preschoolers (6-wks. To 5-yrs.) Center Hours: 7am to 6 pm www.AmazingKidsCDC.com originated with the Celts. Legend has it that a man named Jack tricked the devil and was unable to enter heaven or hell upon his death. Instead, he was forced to listlessly roam the earth for eternity. To keep evil spirits away, Jack placed a piece of coal into a carvedout turnip, using it as a lantern on his travels. Jack-olanterns are still carved today for decoration. * Trick or treating. Trick or treating once had a very different meaning than it does today. On the night before All Hollow’s Eve, the poor of Ireland would visit the wealthy and request gifts of food and money. The food was then gathered for a large celebration. REPTILE CIRCUS WE WILL CONNECT REPTILES WITH KIDS FEATURING YOUR CHOICE OF 9 REPTILES Such As Water Dragon • Cornsnake • Box Turtle • Bug SCHOOLS • BIRTHDAYS • OTHER EVENTS • Fully Insured • Credit Cards Accepted www.reptilecircus.net • 617-407-7533