Halloween Is Right Around The Corner

Halloween is right around the corner, so it is time to carve out a spooky plan for your celebration. As little ghosts, goblins, princesses, and pirates around the country get ready for trick-or-treating, here are a few ghoulishly good ideas that will make your next Halloween fright night a scream.

Spooky candy treats. Add a few spook-tacular accents to your loot for trick-or-treaters: fake rubbery spiders, jiggly eyes, glow-in-the-dark rings, and other tricks that make Halloween special. Make everyone jump for joy by giving them bags of the Wonka Haunted Mix. This assortment of Howlin’ Laffy Taffy and SweeTARTS Spooky Gummies is sweet, sour and in fun Halloween shapes.

Cast a spell over your home. Welcome trick-or-treaters or partygoers young and old with decorating ideas that will make your house the best on the block.

• Hang glow-in-the-dark cats, skeletons and spiders from ceilings and trees.
• Write scary Halloween messages on your front walkway using colored chalk or washable fluorescent paint.
• Tie small glow sticks with string to helium balloons and let them float over your house like mysterious lights in the sky.
• Not just the trick-or-treaters are looking for candy on Halloween, so be sure to have plenty of fun-size candy like Butterfinger and Nestlé Crunch around the house for easy snacking.

Start booing. Start a new neighborhood trend – Halloween Booing. Booing is a new Halloween tradition, but its roots can be traced back to the 1980s. Booing is mysteriously dropping a special treat at the home of a friend. Kids of all ages will love leaving secret “Boo!” bags filled with goodies like fun-size boxes of cool candy like Wonka Nerds on their neighbors’ doorsteps. Then watch as eventually the whole neighborhood gets into the Halloween spirit.

Create a bewitching Halloween bash invitation. This is a terrific activity for crafty kids. Guests will practically hear the screams and smell the witch’s brew when they open your homemade party invitation. Creativity is always the best way to grab your guests’ attention. Make them especially memorable and sharable by attaching a piece of Wonka Howlin’ Laffy Taffy.

Celebrate with sweets and treats. The candy aisle is not your only option for serving up decadent delights this holiday. Whip up this ghoulish graveyard goody for the kids (or the kids at heart) in your house.

Spooky Graveyard Pie

Makes 8 servings

3             cups (about 32 cookies) finely ground chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs, divided

3             tablespoons melted butter

1             can (12 fl. oz.) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk

2 large egg yolks

2             tablespoons cornstarch

1 3/4             cups (11.5-oz. pkg.) Nestlé Toll House Milk Chocolate Morsels

8 chocolate filled vanilla wafer cookies

Black and purple decorator writing gels

Wonka SweeTARTS Spooky Gummies Candy*, Wonka SweeTARTS Skulls & Bones, or other assorted spooky Halloween candies

Nestlé Butterfinger and Nestlé Crunch candy bars, crumbled

COMBINE 1 1/2 cups cookie crumbs and butter in 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and upsides of pie plate. Set aside remaining 1 1/2 cups crumbs for dirt topping.

WHISK together evaporated milk, egg yolks and cornstarch in medium saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is very hot and thickens slightly; do not boil. Remove from heat; stir in morsels until completely melted and mixture is smooth.

POUR into crust. Sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 cups cookie crumbs. Press crumbs down gently. Refrigerate for 3 hours or until set.

DECORATE cookie tombstones as desired with writing gels. Sprinkle crumbled candy bar topping over the top of the pie. Insert tombstones around edge of pie. With spoon, mound cookie crumbs to form “fresh graves.” Decorate graves with gummies and Skulls & Bones to make the pie as spooky as you want it to be!

*Found in bags of Wonka Haunted Mix.

10 Tips For A Meaningful Holiday Season

For many of us, the holiday season is a time that is anticipated with both joy and anxiety. Yes, we love the celebrations, the family traditions, and we have fond memories of holidays past; but along with them, we add the stresses of preparation, expectations and the fear of letdowns, or family squabbles that have happened in the past.

Here we’ve provided ten tips can help you prepare for an enjoyable, meaningful holiday season.

1. Set reasonable expectations. Spend some time now setting realistic and manageable expectations for your holiday season. Understand that you can’t do everything and that there’s only so much you can do. Prioritize the list of your most important events and activities and then set a pace for yourself. Organize your time. Keep in mind that it’s the holiday “season” that’s coming and not one day. Spread out your activities to lessen stress and increase enjoyment.

2. It’s the holiday season, but that doesn’t eliminate sadness or loneliness. Problems and difficulties arise even during the holiday season. And, for some, the holiday season evokes painful memories of events or the loss of loved ones in the past. Don’t hide your feelings, let them out and work to make peace with them. Try not to let them become a consuming focus. Work hard to get through any current challenges or issues.

3. What’s done is done, look forward when you can. Life brings changes. Commit to enjoying this holiday season for what it is. Acknowledging the past, whether it was good or bad, is appropriate. But, if you find that this year has been a rough one and you don’t anticipate having the best holiday season ever, try not to set yourself up by comparing today with the “good old days.” Enjoy everything this holiday season brings and take it at face value.

4. Develop and encourage a life of gratitude. Gratitude is an attribute that transcends circumstances. No matter what your circumstances, I believe there is reason to be thankful in them. Your circumstances may never change, but your attitude toward them can change…and this can make all the difference.

If you want to help your kids develop an attitude of gratitude, try this “thank you” trick. Focus on the many things in your life for which you can be thankful. Get started by having each family member create individual lists, of “Ten Reasons Why I’m Thankful.” It’s a simple strategy that can work wonders when you  concentrate on the good and not the bad.

5. Do something for someone else. One of the ways we can demonstrate that we are grateful to God for His many blessings is to help others. To get more out of this holiday season, try getting involved in serving others.

6. Enjoy activities that are cheap or free. You don’t always have to spend money to spur on your family’s enjoyment. Try things such as driving around to look at holiday decorations, baking Christmas cookies, going window-shopping, and playing in the snow (that is if you get snow).

7. Create and foster family traditions. Traditions provide opportunities to keep your family’s legacy going. It doesn’t matter if they’re silly or sentimental: your family has some holiday traditions and if possible, be sure to include them in your holiday activity plans.

8. Bring in the new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way. You may just create a new tradition that will keep going for generations!

9. Be fiscally responsible. The holiday season brings with it a big temptation to spend money beyond your means and to rack up significant credit card debt, especially when it comes to purchasing Christmas presents for your family. Be smart about how you spend! The gifts you buy will be enjoyed at the time you present them, but your kids may well have laid aside or forgotten those gifts by the end of Christmas day…even while you’re struggling to make the payments. Decide now to be financially responsible this holiday season!

10. Make some time for you! Don’t take on all of the responsibilities of your family’s holiday celebrations by yourself. Share the load. Create some space during the holidays for you to recharge your own batteries.

Keeping Up The Yard Through The Winter

Keeping Up The Yard Through The Winter

By Phoebe Chongchua

This is the time when people start to want to stay indoors a bit more, especially when the temperatures significantly drop.

But you can't neglect your outdoor patios and decks, especially if you plan to sell soon. Buyers won't want to see broken-wood decks or corroded wrought iron patio sets in your backyard.

The good news is that if you prepare ahead, you can save yourself time and money. Taking some good housekeeping steps now will allow you to step outside into the fresh spring air next year to a well-preserved outdoor space.

Where to begin? First, if your deck is looking a little worn and tired, make the necessary repairs now. Don't wait until you can stick your foot through a board (like I did). That's not only dangerous but it also mandates a quick fix.

Give your deck a good cleaning and sealing or staining before the weather gets too cold and wet to do this. Make sure you check for loose nails and get rid of any splintery edges by sanding them down. Seal with waterproofing sealants. For these, generally the weather has to be above 32 degrees F and 50 degrees F for sealing and stains, respectively, to work properly.

Put the clippers to work. Take a good look around your yard and decide which plants need to go. Many annuals may have been killed by frost and it's time to clear them away. Keep your flowers keep them looking good by trimming away dead leaves. If you cut your plants back now it will cause them to grow and flower more effectively later on.

Add seasonal plants. You can still have some nice color in your yard if you get the right plants for your yard's climate. Kale and ornamental cabbage are attractive. In warmer climates try primroses for winter color.

Use creative containers with your seasonal plants. Putting a perennial plant in a beautifully painted container can add style and allure to your patio all winter long.

Plant potted vegetables. Nothing's better than fresh food especially when it comes from your own yard. There are some cool-weather vegetables that work well in pretty pots. Things like lettuce: kale, leaf, mustard, and Chinese cabbage are good for this. Also, don't forget herbs; they'll come in handy for the holiday dinners.

Get artsy. Making your yard look good in winter is also about what you leave outside. Those brightly colored throw pillows and rugs that worked great in summer, of course, should be brought inside. Instead get creative with lights that give a sparkle on a cold winter night. Hang plants with ornaments on them. Also, hang bird feeders to attract birds.

Taking a few simple steps to keep your deck, yard, and outdoor furniture in good condition will give you an easy progression into spring. And, if you're listing your home for sale in the winter, these steps are sure to please buyers.

Columbus Day

Why Celebrate Columbus Day?

·         Columbus Day recognizes the achievements of a great Renaissance explorer who founded the

first permanent European settlement in the New World. The arrival of Columbus in 1492

marks the beginning of recorded history in America.

·         Columbus Day celebrates the beginning of cultural exchange between America and Europe.

After Columbus, came millions of European immigrants who brought their art, music,

science, medicine, philosophy and religious principles to America. These contributions have

helped shape the United States and include Greek democracy, Roman law, Judeo-Christian

ethics and the tenet that all men are created equal.

·         Columbus Day is one of America s oldest holidays. The tradition of observing Columbus

Day dates back to the 18th century. It was first celebrated on October 12, 1792, when the

New York Society of Tammany honored Columbus on the 300th anniversary of his first

voyage.

·         Columbus Day is a patriotic holiday. In fact, the Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 in

honor of the 400th anniversary of his first voyage. That year, President Benjamin Harrison

declared Columbus Day a legal holiday.

·         The United States has long admired Columbus. America has more monuments to Columbus

than any nation in the world, according to the Christopher Columbus Encyclopedia. These

include a Columbus statue in Providence, R.I., cast by Frederic Auguste Bertholdi, who

created the Statue of Liberty, and one in New York City, created by one of the six Italian

American brothers who carved the Lincoln Memorial.

·         The United States has a significant collection of Columbus memorabilia, including his desk,

papers, and the cross he used to claim the New World for Spain. These are in the Columbus

Chapel in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania.

·         In 1971 Columbus Day became a federal holiday in all 50 states after Congress passed a law

declaring the second Monday in October Columbus Day.

·         Columbus Day also commemorates the arrival on these shores of more than 5 million Italians

a century ago. Today, their children and grandchildren constitute the nation’s fifth largest ethnic group, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

October is here...the push is on!

The whole nation thought he was a crazy old man to undertake an almost impossible feat. Most feared that he would die trying. But this humble old man proved all the critics wrong.

Cliff Young, at 61 years of age, participated in 1983′s Sydney to Melbourne race. Considered to be the world’s toughest race, with the distance of 875 kilometers and took at least 6 to 7 days to finish, Cliff Young entered the race against world-class athletes. Read how he achieved the unthinkable and inspires the whole nation.

The Beginning

Every year, Australia hosts an 875-kilometer endurance racing from Sydney to Melbourne – considered to be the world’s longest and toughest ultra-marathon. It’s a long, tough race that takes a week and normally participated by world-class athletes who train specially for the event. Backed by big names in sports like Nike, these athletes are mostly less than 30 years old men and women equipped with the most expensive sponsored training outfits and shoes.

In 1983, these top class runners were in for a surprise. On the day of the race, a guy named Cliff Young showed up. At first, no one cared about him since everybody thought he was there to watch the event. After all, he was 61 years old, showed up in overalls and galoshes over his work boots.

As Cliff walked up to the table to take his number, it became obvious to everybody he was going to run. He was going to join a group of 150 world-class athletes and run! During that time, these runners don’t even know another surprising fact – his only trainer was his 81-year-old mother, Neville Wran.

Everybody thought that it was a crazy publicity stunt. But the press was curious, so as he took his number 64 and moved into the pack of runners in their special, expensive racing outfit, the camera focused on him and reporters started to ask:

“Who are you and what are you doing?”

“I’m Cliff Young. I’m from a large ranch where we run sheep outside of Melbourne.”

They said, “You’re really going to run in this race?”

“Yeah,” Cliff nodded.

“Got any backers?”

“No.”

“Then you can’t run.”

“Yeah I can.” Cliff said. “See, I grew up on a farm where we couldn’t afford horses or four wheel drives, and the whole time I was growing up– until about four years ago when we finally made some money and got a four wheeler– whenever the storms would roll in, I’d have to go out and round up the sheep. We had 2,000 head, and we have 2,000 acres. Sometimes I would have to run those sheep for two or three days. It took a long time, but I’d catch them. I believe I can run this race; it’s only two more days. Five days. I’ve run sheep for three.”

When the marathon started, the pros left Cliff behind in his galoshes. The crowds smiled because he didn’t even run correctly. Instead of running, he appeared to run leisurely, shuffling like an amateur.

Now, the 61-year-old potato farmer from Beech Forest with no teeth had started the ultra-tough race with world-class athletes. All over Australia, people who watched the live telecast kept on praying that someone would stop this crazy old man from running because everyone believed he’ll die even before even getting halfway across Sydney.

Turtle vs. rabbits

Every professional athlete knew for certain that it took about 7 days to finish this race, and that in order to compete, you would need to run 18 hours and sleep 6 hours. The thing is, old Cliff Young did not know that!

When the morning news of the race was aired, people were in for another big surprise. Cliff was still in the race and had jogged all night down to a city called Mittagong.

Apparently, Cliff did not stop after the first day. Although he was still far behind the world-class athletes, he kept on running. He even had the time to wave to spectators who watched the event by the highways.

When he got to a town called Albury he was asked about his tactics for the rest of the race. He said he would run through to the finish, and he did.

He kept running. Every night he got just a little bit closer to the leading pack. By the last night, he passed all of the world-class athletes. By the last day, he was way in front of them. Not only did he run the Melbourne to Sydney race at age 61, without dying; he won first place, breaking the race record by 9 hours and became a national hero! The nation fell in love with the 61-year-old potato farmer who came out of nowhere to defeat the world’s best long distance runners.

He finished the 875-kilometre race in 5 days, 15 hours and 4 minutes. Not knowing that he was supposed to sleep during the race, he said when running throughout the race, he imagined that he was chasing sheep and trying to outrun a storm.

When Cliff was awarded the first prize of $10,000, he said he did not know there was a prize and insisted that he had not entered for the money. He said, “There’re five other runners still out there doing it tougher than me,” and he gave them $2,000 each. He did not keep a single cent for himself. That act endeared him to all of Australia. Cliff was a humble, average man, who undertook an extraordinary feat and became a national sensation.

The Inspirational Run Continues

In the following year, Cliff Young entered the same race and won the 7th place. During the race, his hip popped out of the joint socket, his knee played up and he endured shin splints. But those didn’t deter him from finishing the race. When he was announced as the winner for most courageous runner and presented with a Mitsubishi Colt, he said, “I didn’t do it near as tough as old Bob McIlwaine. Here, Bob, you have the car,” and gave the keys to him.

It was said that Cliff Young never kept a single prize. People gave him watches, because he never had one. He would thank them because he did not want to hurt their feelings, but will then give it away to the first child he saw. He did not understand why he would need a watch because, he said, he knew when it was daylight, when it was dark, and when he was hungry.

Cliff came to prominence again in 1997, aged 76, when he attempted to become the oldest man to run around Australia and raise money for homeless children. He managed to completed 6,520km of the 16,000km run before he had to pull out after his only permanent crew member became ill.

His love for running never diminished but in year 2000, after collapsing in his Gellibrand home a week after completing 921 kilometers of a 1600-kilometre race, his lose his strength for running. The mild stroke ended his heroic running days.

After the long illness, Cliff Young, the running legend passed away on 2nd November 2003. He was 81.

Current Race

The “Young-shuffle” has been adopted by ultra-marathon runners because it is considered more aerodynamic and expends less energy. At least 3 winners of the Sydney to Melbourne race have been known to use the ‘Young-shuffle’ to win the race.

Now, for Sydney to Melbourne race, almost nobody sleeps. To win that race, you have to run like Cliff Young did, you have to run all night as well as all day.