When we made a quick trip to visit our old hometown a few years ago, my son and I got to take a Ghost Tour of Uptown Whittier. We met an old friend who had only decided to start giving these tours a couple of months before. He started with just one spooky story, but now has quite a repertoire of stories to tell. He explained that every time he takes a group out for the tour, someone shares another story with him.
Whittier, California has been inhabited by indigenous tribes, then Mexicans, then Quakers, then the rest of us. In the late 1800's, when the Quakers bought the land, they wanted to name it after the famous New England poet John Greenleaf Whittier in hopes that would entice more Quakers to move from the east coast, and perhaps Mr. Whittier himself, to the settlement. He never came, but the Quakers did set up a beautiful little community.
One way the settlers chose to build their houses was with the help of the Sears Roebuck catalog. In those days, the family would order a "Kit House" from the catalog, have it shipped by train to California, then they would convince their neighbors to bring their wagons and horses, and their tools and skills to help them put it together.
Whittier, California has been inhabited by indigenous tribes, then Mexicans, then Quakers, then the rest of us. In the late 1800's, when the Quakers bought the land, they wanted to name it after the famous New England poet John Greenleaf Whittier in hopes that would entice more Quakers to move from the east coast, and perhaps Mr. Whittier himself, to the settlement. He never came, but the Quakers did set up a beautiful little community.
One way the settlers chose to build their houses was with the help of the Sears Roebuck catalog. In those days, the family would order a "Kit House" from the catalog, have it shipped by train to California, then they would convince their neighbors to bring their wagons and horses, and their tools and skills to help them put it together.
Some homes in Whittier featured in the movie "Hocus Pocus"
Most of the houses are situated around a central park and built in the late Victorian style or early Craftsman period style. Many are well loved and kept up, but some of them have interesting stories to tell about spirits that may or may not want to leave the premises. And some of the houses and streets were even featured in the Disney movie "Hocus Pocus." (Our tour guide had actually happened by during the filming of the movie and told us how so much of the area was completely covered up with black drapes during the shoot.)
It seems like every neighborhood has that one house that looks haunted -- perhaps through neglect or just bad decorating choices -- but everybody knows that house. And then there are those people who go all out decorating their houses and yards for Halloween. This year in my neighborhood there are some fantastic light displays. I am sure they will have a lot of little trick-or-treaters tonight.
The spooky parts of Halloween are not my favorites. But I love the Harvest celebration stuff. I remember many fun school, church and community events where we held Fall Carnivals with all sorts of entertainment booths, a Chili Cook-Off, dancing, pumpkin carving contests, bake sales, and Halloween Sing-Alongs. I loved doing the Music Booth where I taught the kids fun tunes including these:
We Are Out to Scare You - Halloween vocal warm-up
For This Is Halloween - finger play with fun musical additions
We Are Out to Scare You - Halloween vocal warm-up
For This Is Halloween - finger play with fun musical additions
Years ago (back in the olden days), when I was just beginning to go out Trick-or-Treating, I actually thought that everybody had to show their best trick before they got their candy treat. So, figuring that singing was my best trick, I always sang a song. Whenever possible, my mother would even slide onto piano bench in the people's house to accompany me.
When my kids were getting to the age of being able to go out Trick-or-Treating, I was amazed at our neighbors who enjoyed making special treat bags labeled just for them. How sweet!
When my kids were getting to the age of being able to go out Trick-or-Treating, I was amazed at our neighbors who enjoyed making special treat bags labeled just for them. How sweet!
Hope I get some Trick-or-Treaters tonight!
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