There are games people play that can be fun and useful. Kids seem to love finding things they can use on parents, kind of a silly little game of, "You find things to tell me that are wrong, or need correcting."
During Children’s Health Month, the Environmental Protection Agency has been asking students to act as energy "patrols" and observe how energy is being used at school, as well as in their homes.
This time of year, we see more lights and electricity needed. Therefore, it is a good time to draw attention to bad habits that have been sneaking up on us so innocently.
Families can use it as an "I Spy" game, or a competitive listing to see how everyone is doing in regards to conserving energy.
These next few months of winter may be a good time to concentrate on the abilities of children to inform others of energies wasted and hazardous acts of everyday living.
Keeping a clipboard in a handy spot can be used by the "energy police" to record problems they see, such as not shutting doors and turning off lights in the bathrooms or bedrooms when there is no one in there. It is also a good practice to turn off the television or computer if they aren't being watched or used.
People can write down things they see where energy is wasted, and initial it. A reward is acceptable.
Probably the least obvious is not unplugging appliances, such as the toaster, the can opener, the electric toothbrush, and the radio, which can steal electricity. Lights left on in unused places is an easy one, easy to forget but easy to see. Conserving on the use of water, as well as gasoline, are areas of concern as well.
Families should start using light bulbs that use less electricity. They can also find ways to prevent cold air leaks around doors, windows and outlets. Using window shades and heavier or lined curtains, especially at night, will keep the temperatures more even. Water drips and gas leaks are not only annoying, they are dangerous.
Candles are beautiful but should be well attended and used with caution. Choosing soot-free candles protects the quality of the air, as does burning the right kind of wood in fireplaces.
Have the kids make a list of outside interests that could use a little less light, such as car lots and large business establishments. Discuss if they really are that necessary.
During an energy crunch in the past, we doused a few lights and started using smaller or more efficient bulbs and fixtures, and it was not a big deal.
I feel we need to learn to economize in our homes, schools and businesses. Depression and recession are something to be concerned about too.
By putting on layers of clothes, or sweatshirts or sweaters, we are able to lower the thermostats, which also goes a long way to help conserve energy as well as saves money.
October is also known for its Halloween tradition. The word Halloween is first mentioned in the 16th century and represents a Scottish variation of the fuller "All-Hallows-Even" (evening), that is the night before All Hallows Day.
Up through the early 20th century, the spelling, "Hallowe'en" was frequently used, eliding the "v" and shortening the word. Elements of the autumn season, such as pumpkins, cornhusks, and scarecrows, are also prevalent.
Halloween imagery includes themes of death, evil, and occult, magic or mythical monsters. Traditional characters include ghosts, witches, skeletons, vampires, werewolves, demons, bats and black cats. The colors of Halloween, black and orange, represent the darkness of night and the color of bonfires, autumn leaves and jack-o-lanterns.
Halloween includes trick-or treating, wearing costumes and attending costume parties, carving jack-o-lanterns, ghost tours, bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, committing pranks, telling ghost stories or other frightening tales, and watching horror films.
Trick or treating is a customary celebration for children on Halloween. Children go in costume from house to house, asking for treats such as candy or sometimes money, with the question, "Trick or treat?"
The word "trick" refers to a (mostly idle) "threat" to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given. In some countries, the children perform some sort of "trick," or sing a song, to earn their treat.
The practice of dressing up in costumes and begging door-to-door for treats on holidays dates back to the Middle Ages and includes Christmas wassailing. Trick-or-treating resembles the late medieval practice of souling, when poor folk would go door to door on Hallowmas (November 1) receiving food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day (November 2). It originated in Ireland and Britain.
Kids love Halloween almost as much as Christmas, and it gets a little confusing sometimes when you see stores displaying a mixed bag of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas all at one time.
Traditionally, to kids treats should be treats. So what do you do in a world that we know spins on sweet and sugary treats?
I have tried other things - pencils, coins etc It isn't quite the same to a kid though.
Would you change tradition if instead of sweets for ourselves, we ask for foods for the food shelf or reversed roles and brought treats to others?
My mother used to tell us that May Basket Day was pay back time - when we took goodies to others, sort of a "give back" for our Halloween treats.
At any rate, it is a time for us to enjoy children. It really takes so little to make them happy and to celebrate, even if they have no more knowledge of the day than its costumes to be "someone or something" else, just for fun.
It is also important for them to know that not all people like Halloween but that many, especially the elderly, look forward to these little "monsters" to come knocking on their doors. That is when the tradition of "lights on" meant stop at my door, and "lights off" meant that the occupant at that house didn't want to participate or had run out of goodies.
I recall the late Norris and Luella Thompson of Ellendale, who decorated their home to the max and planned special things for the kids to look forward to. They had a large steaming kettle of hot chocolate, apple cider or tomato juice ( to resemble bloody cocktails).
There were all kinds of treats with descriptive names that applied to Halloween. The kids loved to go to their door on Halloween and the Thompsons looked forward to this annual event, and are still remembered for it.
However, I do remember one year we ran a Halloween record in our loud speaker system at our home. The kids were afraid to come to the door. We didn't try that again.
Giving up some childhood treasures isn't always easy for that "tween' age youngster. But, there are those who take this into consideration and plan activities like those at the Vibrant Life Church in Ellendale, where games and fun things are planned to include them.
We thank them for providing this fun evening for young and old alike in a safe and sensible atmosphere.
Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements.
In order to read about important things, we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. If you have news, please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.
Birthdays and anniversaries:
• Thursday, October 25th: Mavis Bartsch, Jady Beenken, Dean Van Hal, Charlotte Haberman, Heidi Crabtree Owen, Mikaela Krikava, Spencer & Barb Kubat, Dean & Sandy Jensen, Breanna & Timothy Breidenbach, Heidi & Jason Owen.
• Friday, October 26th: Nadine Strenge, Jannell Tufte, Jeanne Holland, Heather Hove, Reece Gabriel Routh, Jake Andrew Wiersma, Kevin Hamor, Conner Dean Phode.
• Saturday, October 27th: Jason Born, David Anderson, Bruce Yanke, James Bremer Jr., Mitchell & Amy Edwards, Donly & Joanne Cromwell.
• Sunday, October 28th: David Thompson, Jan Sorenson, Lisa Morin, Rick Horan, Randy Horan, Todd Brotizman, Rich Weckwerth, Sue Westrum, Tanner Jorge Wilson, Lyle & Darlyne Paulson, Jane & Jeff Allen, Amanda & Paul Rovnak.
• Monday, October 29th: Ann Anderson, Scott Klocek, Mark Motl, Bob Haried, Kayli Rose Johnson, Bailey Ann Davis, Warren & Mary Torgerson, Craig & Jennifer Torgerson.
• Tuesday, October 30th: Lilly Jane Wacek, Gordon Goette, Angie Broskoff Klemmensen, Allen & Barb Dobberstein.
• Wednesday, October 31st: Happy Halloween! Kyra Barbara Kotsmith, Brooke Hanson Berg, Heather Wayne, Emily Smith, Bill Klemmensen, Carrie Thompson, Roseann Kasper, Jerry Neitzel, Lorraine Lent, Kaye & Mike Cady, Vonda & Andrew Komba.
Hoping that your special day puts a song in your heart to last the whole year long!
I thank the readers who pass along information to me for stories that I might otherwise have missed.
