VOL. XVII, NO. 3

By BARBARA BELL

This year Halloween falls on a Friday, which means it will be a trying day for the police in Des Flames and surrounding areas.

Kids will be up to their usual pranks like smashing pumpkins, egging the houses of their friends and foes, TPing everything in sight, and may even do a little trick‑or‑treating on the side.

The word Halloween means hallowed or holy evening because it takes place on the day before All Saints' Day. All Saints' Day is celebrated by the Catholic church to honor all the saints.

Many superstitions and symbols are connected with Halloween. Jack o' Lanterns are believed by the Irish to have come about when a man named Jack was unable to enter heaven because of his miserliness- but he could not go to hell either because he played jokes on the devil, so he walks the earth carrying a lantern until Judgment Day.

The use of present day witches, goblins, spirits, etc., to scare people was brought about because the Druids, an order of priests in ancient Gaul and Britain, believed that on Halloween these spirits came out to harm people. They also believed that cats had once been human beings who were being punished for evil deeds.

So, if you're out on Halloween night, beware of ghosts, goblins, cats, and maybe even your best friend.