that brings goosebumps to shiver the skin of all the scaredy cats out there. ‘Tis the time that the ghosts and goblins are allowed to roam the streets in search of sweet goodies to fill their bellies and rot their teeth, those creatures that still have teeth, that is.

All kidding aside, Halloween is more of a cultural event, than anything else, in this day and age. It once was, however, a sacred event. The phrase Halloween comes from All Hallows Eve, signifying the day prior to All Saints’ Day, beginning the three-day observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed.

However, today’s Halloween customs are thought to have been influenced by folk customs from Celtic-speaking countries, possibly having pagan origins. The idea of wearing costumes (“guising”) and collecting treats go back to England, Ireland and Scotland specifically, but the celebration of Halloween as we know it is now practiced around the world.

The façade of old  Woodfin High School installed upon the new elementary building.

One of my most memorable recollections about Halloween go back to my years at Woodfin Elementary School. Each year they sponsored a Fall Festival. During those years, the first through the eighth grades were called elementary; no such thing as a middle school in that era.

The school consisted of two buildings, in one the 1st through the 6th attended, and in the second the 7th and 8th. Originally, the second building was Woodfin High School from which my own mother graduated. So it was kind of the same set up back in that day, with grades one through eight in the first building and the high school in the other. But the Fall Festival took place in the 7th and 8th grade building.

There were four main rooms for classes, English, Math, History and Science. Then there was also the library and gymnasium. In each area there would be events and game to indulge in, with prizes and goodies to be won. And, of course, everyone won something. Compared to this day and age, this celebration was truly quaint. But, I do remember, as I always will, and such memories are priceless.