Halloween: Memories and Trivia and Rules

Halloween...only 9 days away!

And now I find out that Zillow, has named Chicago as a Halloween friendly scored in the Top 20 places for the Zillow Trick-0r-Treat Housing Index. What fun!  Though I don't want to be so analytical, Zillow compared the Home Value Index, population density, the local crime data as well as the handy Walk Score.

Chicagoland loves Halloween! Decorating their homes, putting out Halloween lights, or those huge blow up goblins, witches and cats, or even having funny grave stones in their front lawn. The retail experts say that Halloween is our second highest commercial holiday after Christmas and it's no wonder. Candy, costumes, home decorating items, special treat for your own children.

Another interesting fact: Harry Houdini died on Halloween. So Channel 11 or 9, I'm sure will have a Harry Houdini movie on.

Halloween Fact #3, The first Jack-O-Laterns were not made of Pumpkins, but out of turnips. It is real interesting to me that Illinois is the number one supplier for pumpkins.

Halloween Fact #4: One quarter of all the candy sold annually is for Halloween Night!

Now as a child, I will tell you all the neighborhood kids would meet at someone's house for last minute ghoul make up and then we would analyze who gave the best treats! As you might be aware, there was much note taking, and strategically planning the houses we would visit. One family known for fresh fruit was taken off the list, the man who gave quarters was on the top of the list, and we sometimes hit his home twice.  Everyone walked the neighborhoods, rang bells and sang out "Trick or Treat". Our clown costumes from childhood went away to dark witches, skeletons, and ghouls. And somewhere at that point I remember parents handing out flashlights for our safety. We were given borders of where we could go, and of course, the popular "Stick together". I remember coming home with all the pillow cases of candy, and putting the candy on the kitchen table for my Mom to sort. I also remember counting my favorite candy, because I knew that there would be some missing the next day. I'm positive that the carmel bulls eyes and the licorice were stolen by my Dad.

The rules about Trick or Treating in Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect are simple: Children are asked to "trick or treat" on Halloween, October 31, from late in the afternoon until early evening. Generally the hours are from 3-8pm. Please only go to homes with outside lights on. 

 #5, Samhainophobia is an phobia or fear of Halloween. It can cause panic attacks to the sufferers. Other relevant phobias for this time of year are: the fear of witches (wiccaphobia), fear of ghosts (phasmophobia) and coimetrophobia (fear of cemeteries).

And finally the last known fact I could find. The favorite choice of Candy for kids and adults are the small Snicker bars.

Check list for Halloween:

1 Carved pumpkin and a tea light or Make some laterns outside to guide the kids to the front door.

Plenty of individual candy for the tricksters

So have a safe, and Happy Halloween!