Mountain Area and Halloween

[TOT]

[oakhurstleaf]

I enjoy Halloween and I always have. I know some people are against it because they don't celebrate holidays in their religion, or they view it as a Pagan holiday, or they view it as Satanic or morbid or whatever. But then I know hispanic Catholics take Halloween very seriously, as a holiday to celebrate the dead...a positive thing and certainly not evil or satanic. I choose to view it as just plain good ol' American fun.

Plain fun, in a spooky kind of way. Most humans naturally love the thrill of being spooked and tricked, and of doing the spooking and tricking. They love to dress up in costume and see others dressed up in costume...oh, and candy treats. Who wouldn't love that? Some people are sure missing out. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/wink3.gif

[Nascar8Fan]

"Plain fun, in a spooky kind of way. Most humans naturally love the thrill of being spooked and tricked, and of doing the spooking and tricking. They love to dress up in costume and see others dressed up in costume...oh, and candy treats. Who wouldn't love that? Some people are sure missing out."

I totally agree with OL. I love Halloween, I grew up looking so forward to picking my costume and wearing it to school. I made my poor dad walk for miles to take me around on Halloween night so I could come home with a HUGE bag of candy!!! My kids love to decorate the yard and also had me buy their costumes last month! We are all looking forward to going out and having a blast this year! Our first year here in Oakhurst. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[beautiful_mess38]

I've always celebrated holloween. And of course my kids love it. I love all the things they make at school and carving the pumpkins is my favorite. And I bought the kids thier costumes when they first hit the stores so we got first pickings and no crowds.
http://wilstar.com/holidays/hallown.htm
This link is a history and customs of holloween.

[Sandman]

...one of my favorite holidays. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/yes.gif

[TOT]

I would appreciate PMs from anyone against the holiday, i don't want to dispute it, just want to ask a few questions to make sure i don't offend anyone.

[beautiful_mess38]

did you read the link TOT.

[TOT]

it took forever and a year to load, so i finally cancelled it.

basically, when i came back here i told my boss not to overdo it with halloween cuz a lot of people aren't into it. so now we can't do ANY halloween http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/sad3.gif 3 years later. and i wanna dress up. and i want to decorate a bit next year. but not if it would offend any patients.

[oakhurstleaf]

I wonder if people really get offended by it...it might be a "to each his own" attitude. I say decorate and dress up...but maybe stick to a "happy" theme opposed to a ghory, gothic theme. Don't want to scare the patients off.

Wonder what anti-Halloween folk think when they walk into our local drug stores and supermarkets having dedicated a couple shopping aisles to Halloween commercialism at it's best.

This town goes all out for Christmas...what do our Jewish citizens think about that? I think they accept it as just a widely celebrated holiday...even though they do not partake in it or believe in it.

Originally posted by TOT:
it took forever and a year to load, so i finally cancelled it.

basically, when i came back here i told my boss not to overdo it with halloween cuz a lot of people aren't into it. so now we can't do ANY halloween http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/sad3.gif 3 years later. and i wanna dress up. and i want to decorate a bit next year. but not if it would offend any patients.

[jjcheyenne]

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. I remember when we were kids way back when, we went out til 9 or 10 at night on our own, without our parents. We had a blast, and back then, we felt safe. Even now, I love to go to my parents house in Clovis, and dress up to answer the door for the kids. And, I go along with my nephews when they go trick or treating. I guess I am a big kid at heart. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[beautiful_mess38]

The word itself, "Halloween," actually has its origins in the Catholic Church. It comes from a contracted corruption of All Hallows Eve. November 1, "All Hollows Day" (or "All Saints Day"), is a Catholic day of observance in honor of saints. But, in the 5th century BC, in Celtic Ireland, summer officially ended on October 31. The holiday was called Samhain (sow-en), the Celtic New year.

One story says that, on that day, the disembodied spirits of all those who had died throughout the preceding year would come back in search of living bodies to possess for the next year. It was believed to be their only hope for the afterlife. The Celts believed all laws of space and time were suspended during this time, allowing the spirit world to intermingle with the living.

Naturally, the still-living did not want to be possessed. So on the night of October 31, villagers would extinguish the fires in their homes, to make them cold and undesirable. They would then dress up in all manner of ghoulish costumes and noisily paraded around the neighborhood, being as destructive as possible in order to frighten away spirits looking for bodies to possess.

Probably a better explanation of why the Celts extinguished their fires was not to discourage spirit possession, but so that all the Celtic tribes could relight their fires from a common source, the Druidic fire that was kept burning in the Middle of Ireland, at Usinach.

Some accounts tell of how the Celts would burn someone at the stake who was thought to have already been possessed, as sort of a lesson to the spirits. Other accounts of Celtic history debunk these stories as myth.

The Romans adopted the Celtic practices as their own. But in the first century AD, Samhain was assimilated into celebrations of some of the other Roman traditions that took place in October, such as their day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple, which might explain the origin of our modern tradition of bobbing for apples on Halloween.

The thrust of the practices also changed over time to become more ritualized. As belief in spirit possession waned, the practice of dressing up like hobgoblins, ghosts, and witches took on a more ceremonial role.

The custom of Halloween was brought to America in the 1840's by Irish immigrants fleeing their country's potato famine. At that time, the favorite pranks in New England included tipping over outhouses and unhinging fence gates.

The custom of trick-or-treating is thought to have originated not with the Irish Celts, but with a ninth-century European custom called souling. On November 2, All Souls Day, early Christians would walk from village to village begging for "soul cakes," made out of square pieces of bread with currants. The more soul cakes the beggars would receive, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors. At the time, it was believed that the dead remained in limbo for a time after death, and that prayer, even by strangers, could expedite a soul's passage to heaven.

[BichonLover]

I love Halloween, but don't get any trick or treaters where I live now....all the kids are grown up in my area!!! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/cry.gif

My best memory of Halloween as a child was going to a neighbor's house a couple blocks from where I lived. These people were involved in the theater and were set decorators. Thus, they transformed their front lawn every year into a graveyard with headstones and cobwebs, creepy music playing, the works. One of the graves would be open with a live body popping out as you went by it to get to the front door...we knew what was coming, and it freaked us out every time!!! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/shocked.gif Then when you would get to the front door, you had to go inside the living room which they turned into the rest of the graveyard. They would cover their flooring with brown paper and bring fallen leaves inside, more headstones, people dressed in skeleton costumes that glowed in the dark with those black lights would come at you with candy offerings......it really was fantastic.

I wonder if those people realize how happy they made us kids back then...we cried when they moved and Halloween was never the same for us!!!! I think of this memory every year. What an impression they made on me. I always wanted to emulate what they did, but have yet to have the chance at my own home. Some day....

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/mask.gif

[BGW]

Growing up in a German Family made Halloween an issue with the elders each year. The younger more American generation....mine; pushed the envelope more and more each year. Until finally, my grandparents consented to giving out candy. As they grew older and more frail, they truly enjoyed seeing all the costumed tiny tots coming to the door.

I had the chance to live in Germany (90-91) I found that though still offensive to some, the American Military influence was slowly but surely changing the minds of the Native population....for the positive. I had been originally told not to place decorations etc. outside or in windows as they would be found highly offensive.

Thankfully, I survived all this holiday scandal and skepticism and Halloween is now my 2nd favorite holiday.

[Choco-chick]

I have mixed feelings about Halloween, I enjoyed it as a kid and still want to dress up, I just don't like the gory/gothic part of it, I think it could be passed off as just plain fun, but I think there are those out there that take it to the negative extreme.
I think it is just like everything else, the majority may have fun and be ok, but there may be one or a small few who can ruin it for others.
I think it depends on your perspective of what it means to you.
I don't get offended by any decorations, I understand everyone has their own opinions and desires.
So I say go for it TOT! Dress up and decorate, if patients feel so strongly they will most likely let you know. And it is not like they won't see it anywhere else.

[BGW]

TOT: A cute halloween themed candy bowl constantly filled with sweet treats will win over even those who are anti-Halloween for what ever reason.

Pumpkins and cute scarecrows etc. that also cover fall harvest and Thanksgiving as well as Halloween might work also.

[Goddesschyyld]

Are there any adult Halloween parties in the area? I spent Halloween last year at Sandino's Velvet Rose. They put on a great party, but I think it was too much trouble because they aren't doing it again.

[Average Joe]

<span class="ev_code_BLUE">I was wondering where everyone goes for Halloween, to Fresno or what?</span> http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1636/walken0ic.gif

[Summer]

Growing up in a German Family made Halloween an issue with the elders each year.
BGW, that is interesting. I grew up in a German family too but there was never any Halloween issues. I also lived in Germany with my 1st husband and never noticed any problem either - but then we lived on base. The Germans were waaaay too busy with their Oktoberfest!! Anyhow, by far, Halloween is my very favorite holiday. Mostly because I like the autumn and the whole scenerio - changing of the season, pumpkins, a chill in the air, I love everything about it. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif Also, Average Joe, I love your flying man in space!

[Yosemite Joy]

Originally posted by oakhurstleaf:


Wonder what anti-Halloween folk think when they walk into our local drug stores and supermarkets having dedicated a couple shopping aisles to Halloween commercialism at it's best.

This town goes all out for Christmas...what do our Jewish citizens think about that? I think they accept it as just a widely celebrated holiday...even though they do not partake in it or believe in it.



There are very few Jewish people here. I am not Jewish, but after awhile I get quite sick of the commercialization that even Christian people do for Christmas.

I enjoy Halloween, my children enjoy dressing up. We put up fake spiderwebs and disembowel pumpkins. I love this time of year, the weather, and the mood. Right before the hectic (very early) Thanksgiving propaganda and Christmas Santa overindulgence.

[Summer]

YW, I agree with you about the "commericalism" of the holidays - that is another subject. I have to really try and "tune out" sometimes when bombarded by the TV, stores, newspaper, etc. Have always tried to keep the focus on the holiday itself and the family participation. If you tried to keep up with the hype you'd go nuts! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rolleyes2.gif

[CatdaBrat]

People always used to tell me, "It's Halloween all year at your house!" I look forward to it a LOT, even though I don't get any trick-or-treaters.

I know there are a lot of people up here who are totally against the holiday, saying it is evil, etc. I bought a book at a Christian book store in Fresno that tries to convince readers of that. I was just curious about what they had to say.

Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't there several things in our Christian holidays that were borrowed from the Pagans? Like, I thought the Christmas tree was one symbol, and so were Easter eggs, and a few more things.

Anyway, I grew up Catholic and I remember that our church and school put on a big Halloween carnival every year and everybody had a lot of fun. I guess one can find "evil" in anything, if they are looking to interpret things in that manner. Sorta like people can see "the Virgin Mary" in a rolled-up sock at the bottom of the clothes hamper, in some mold under a concrete overpass, in a tree trunk or in a grilled-cheese sandwich. (And people who celebrate Halloween are supposed to be the weirdos? *Cat rolls her eyes*)

Whatever the origins of Halloween really are, it doesn't matter to me or my family -- we just consider it to be a time of fun. It's whatever you want to make of it. Idiot weirdos can go around wearing bloody goat heads and chanting to Satan if they want to, but that doesn't change what Halloween is to us. We sometimes have a homemade haunted house, or go to Hobb's Grove (I miss "Scream if You Can" in Clovis -- a shame it was forced into closing)or else we will sit at home and watch scary movies and eat popcorn. The only light, except for the TV screen, will be the sputtering glow of a SCARY Jack-O-Lantern. (We don't go for the cutesy-smiley stuff.)
Booooooooooooooooooo Happy Spooking!

[rimar]

I do "holiday" trees throughtout the year. Here is my Halloween Tree (http://community.webshots.com/photo/136652568/475817942xbGNif) for this year.

[Californee Girl]

I always enjoy your post cat. We have very similar views on a lot of things, only you articulate much better than I do.

I have issues with the symbol of the cross. It seems awfully morbid to me. Even worse when its a jewel encrusted cross. I dunno. Thats just me.

Nice tree Rima

[Mibrew]

Me too CG, I always thought it was like sacreligious, never wore one and never will.

[CatdaBrat]

Thank you, CG ... sometimes after I post something, I read it again and think, "Oh, why did I say that?!!!" But you all might as well get to know me, even if I do sometimes border on "strange!"

Rima -- love the tree! I was sorta expecting to see one of those small, tabletop ones, which are cool, but this big tree is really something.

[BGW]

Originally posted by Summer:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Growing up in a German Family made Halloween an issue with the elders each year.
BGW, that is interesting. I grew up in a German family too but there was never any Halloween issues. I also lived in Germany with my 1st husband and never noticed any problem either - but then we lived on base. The Germans were waaaay too busy with their Oktoberfest!! Anyhow, by far, Halloween is my very favorite holiday. Mostly because I like the autumn and the whole scenerio - changing of the season, pumpkins, a chill in the air, I love everything about it. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif Also, Average Joe, I love your flying man in space! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

WOW!! Lucky you!! and I mean that sincerly. I had to fight for my right to trick or treat. Totally sucked. But....now???? I live at the end of my road, I get no traffic or trick or treaters....my house is decorated...inside and out.

I am only the 2rd generation of American born in my family. My grandparents were born in Germany. I also was not military when I lived in Germany and didn't live on base, but in a little hamlet out in the middle of a field somewhere....you know what I mean http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

That maybe what made the difference. I dunno

[jan]

I noticed some celebrate halloween and some dont, I personally do and dont think its all about "pagans" its suppose to be a fun thing.
I see some of you will agree then with the Principal at coarsegold school, who says the kids cant dress-up for halloween,I think thats so unfair, they have been dressing-up for years there.how sad that people want to make a bad thing out of halloween. Another meeting is due to see what his final word is, hope its ok, cause people are getting pretty upset with him.
Yea for Halloween!!!!!!!!!

[CatdaBrat]

Wow -- I didn't know that issue was currently boiling over at Coarsegold Elementary School. That's too bad. It reminds me of when my kids were going to North Fork School, the same thing was going on. Many people wanted to put a stop to the traditional costume parade, the Halloween decorations, the carnival, etc.

The meetings were volatile, with some people standing up and yelling about the "evils" of it all. I honestly felt like we had been transported back into Salem Massachusetts in the 1600s! But there was also a lot of good support from old-timers in the community who, along with their families, had always looked forward to the school's Halloween festivities.

I think perhaps there was a name change to "Fall Festival," but I am not sure if that stuck. You know how it goes, you can't really say stuff like "Easter vacation" or "Christmas Vacation." Now it is always "spring break" or "winter break." I can understand (up to a certain point) the reasons for that.

One time my friends dared me to walk into one of those Halloween tug-of-war meetings wearing a black, pointed witch hat. So I did. Sometimes an issue can get so frustrating and ridiculous, all you can do is try to lighten things up.

[Nascar8Fan]

That is just so sad. I loved it when I went to school totally dressed up for Halloween. We had the best of times back in those days. My kids will get enough of wearing their costumes to our outings over the weekend before halloween http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[BGW]

Reading Jan's post reminded of how freaked out the guy at the produce stand was when I showed up in one of my favorite Harley shirts last spring. He looked at me in a very shocked way and was nothing close to his usual friendly self. I shop there often and never on any other occation has he behaved so freaked out; nor has he treated me that way since. Of course, it didn't occur to me that it was my shirt until I was half back home. I have attached a picture of the shirt below.

Though not a Halloween story, the shirt front is relevent

[jan]

Well, I have to make a correction here: When the Principal at the CUSD found out a petition was in order, he changed his mind, they can now dress up as long as there is no blood,gore, or weapons in a costumne. So, I guess I have to give him some credit.
I think everyone is going to go as bunny rabbits ha!

[rimar]

Wasuma sent home a note that said no costumes, just "crazy" dress day, ie. mis-matched clothes, crazy hair-do, etc.

[Californee Girl]

"Look! Its a spiderman costume!"

"crazy!"

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/yes.gif

[CatdaBrat]

The reaction of the produce man about the flaming skull t-shirt reminds me of a time when I attended a parents meeting and brought a drink cup (I think from Burger King) that had a plastic or rubber figure of the Star Wars villain Darth Maul on the top.

As I was sipping my Coke, a man sitting across the table gasped in horror, pointed and said, "That's the DEVIL!!!" I thought he was going to knock over his chair, he seemed so frightened. I didn't do anything, as I actually thought he was just kidding around, but he was very serious about it.

I didn't remove the cup, because I felt there was nothing evil or inappropriate about it. I suppose he went straight home and prayed for my soul after that.

[rimar]

Originally posted by Californee Girl:
"Look! Its a spiderman costume!"

"crazy!"

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/yes.gif

That's so funny ... Jeff's costume is spiderman ....

[TOT]

maybe i should just wear my footypajamas to work w/ pigtails http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[BGW]

Cat-
I too felt I had done nothing wrong. Funny thing is...it seemed to bother him so much that I have actually been careful to not wear shirts like that to his store.

As for the kids dressing or not dressing up for Halloween...since it is a 'crazy dress-up' day....I say sent them all to school in their under roos that depict their favorite super hero etc.

Just kidding of course. But, that is just how ridiculous it sounds to me

[Kim]

WASHINGTON, DC—Responding to "a possible threat of terror and fright," Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced Monday that trick-or-treaters will be subject to random bag searches this Halloween season
"Individuals concealing their identities through clever disguise, and under cover of night, may attempt to use the unspecified threat of 'tricks' to extort 'treats' from unsuspecting victims," Chertoff said. "Such scare tactics may have been tolerated in the past, but they will not be allowed to continue this Halloween."

While he would not elaborate on the specific threat, Chertoff said his office had "heard a couple spooky tales," and indicated that there was good reason to believe that Americans face "a very ghoulish scenario" this October.

"We have done and will continue to do everything we can to protect citizens from those who would play on our fears," a haunted Chertoff said. "Nevertheless, Americans are advised to be in a state of readiness."

National Guard troops and local police are being stationed at checkpoints in residential neighborhoods to seize the contents of any paper bags, pillowcases, plastic pumpkins, or other receptacles. Additionally, candy-sniffing dogs will be posted at regular intervals to locate and devour suspicious items.

Local, county, and state officials have been placed on orange alert, with strict orders to confiscate and investigate bags containing Bit-O-Honey, Snickers, Baby Ruth, Twix, Butterfingers, Mr. Goodbar, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, gum, and any and all forms of taffy.


Chertoff discusses possible perpetrators of Halloween mischief.
Chertoff asked Washington citizens for their assistance, and he outlined steps that the average citizen should take to aid in the war on fright. The DHS guidelines encourage parents to report any suspicious neighbors who create potentially spooky yard displays, especially those that include candle-illuminated pumpkin faces, skeletons in windows or doorways, or repeating tape loops of werewolf howling.

Chertoff recommended that law-enforcement authorities be granted sweeping new powers to ensure security, including mandatory street-corner identity checks for suspects wearing clothing designed to conceal facial features or otherwise obscure ready personal identification. Additionally, local police have been ordered to detain any individuals appearing to be ghosts, goblins, witches, or other characters designed to evoke fear.

Critics of the warning say that the DHS is merely sowing seeds of unease for political reasons, pointing out that the organization has yet to present any real evidence of the threat.

"This is yet another misguided and unfair example of profiling by our nation's law enforcement," said ACLU spokesperson Marilee McInnis. "It's doubtful that many G.I. Joes will be searched, but Aladdins, genies, and belly dancers should expect a huge crimp in their Halloween.

[CatdaBrat]

That's great -- almost sounded like it could be real! Scary!

Hey, tonight my oldest son told me about something that was going on in the Valley this year (I think Fresno) concerning Halloween. I can't remember the name of the event, but it is designed to discourage traditional Halloween activities, especially anything scary or having to do with trick-or-treating.

He was telling me that the City was standing behind this effort and not going to allow such things as "haunted attractions," but can this really be true? Supposedly, this is what "the people" want, but the business folks who put on those haunted attractions wouldn't be trying to always come back if they weren't making a profit. And profits do not happen if there is low attendance. This was something that evidently was on the TV news last night, but I didn't see it.

From what I hear, this new event isn't going to allow any scary costumes such as mummies, ghouls, ghosts, skeletons, vampires or witches. No costumes featuring fake blood or weapons, either, which I suppose includes plastic pirate swords or Ninja Turtle "weapons." I wonder where they stand regarding Star Wars light sabers? (There will be some unscary fairy tale witches that will be volunteers on site to keep people from becoming too excited). Sounds more like a Valium party than a treat!

The way I see things, very young children or even adults who would be truly frightened or offended by Herman Munster, or Casper the Ghost have every right and reason to avoid such things, but why make the rest of us suffer?

Some of the things my kids loved about traditional, old-fashioned trick-or-treating include the fun of wondering what they were "going to be" each year, the building excitement of getting dressed up in their costumes of choice, watching the sky to see if it was close to getting dark yet, inviting best friends to go out with them (parent supervised) and the "chill-along-the-spine" thrill of venturing along the sidewalks and streets, with spooky shadows of all contortions, dry leaves rustling behind you and whispers of, "What's THAT? Did you hear THAT??!!"

Also, the fun of seeing houses all decorated, some very elaborately, with fake spider webs (you hoped) stretched everywhere and leering jack-o-lanterns that sputtered, flickered and smelled of melted candle wax and charred pumpkin lid. Some of the people who answered the doorbell had as much fun as the kids, and dressed up, too.

And when the "looting" was all over, there was the joy of sitting on the floor at home and dumping out your trick-or-treat bag to gaze upon all your bounty. Brothers and sisters, friends or cousins ... kids would compare piles of loot and make trades. Trade ya three Kraft caramels for one Snickers bar!

What I am getting at in this long-winded essay is that there is a certain ambiance connected with traditional Halloween activities that I strive to preserve. I have nothing against the newer activities, such as "trunk-or-treat," and I actually support those.

But all the same, I believe in choice, and I still say that it's a lot more fun (for many of us) to join in some innocent "scary" haunted attractions or, for just that one night of the year, to be The Mummy lurching about with a pillowcase full of candy.

I hereby submit myself for all those who would burn me at the stake for my old-fashioned views.

P.S. So.... what about that Snickers, eh?

[BGW]

I didn't catch the whole story but the Haunted House in Clovis has had it's permit revolked. Fresno news reported more on the fact that the house has been broken into over 2 dozen times recently. Some of the break-ins were kids on a dare others were actual thefts of props etc. The final statement of the news report was since the permit had been revolked the owners hope to turn the house into a mystery hotel.

My guess is Mibrew will post the article here now that we have mentioned it!! Hint Hint http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/lol.gif

[CatdaBrat]

Are you referring to the old Andleberry mansion and connected hospital along Clovis Avenue that used to be where they had the "Scream if You Can" attraction? The owner of the place told me that a few neighbors complained about the lights, people, traffic, etc. and the City Council decided to take the permit away. Hundreds of people called and e-mailed in support of keeping the place open, but it didn't help one bit.

The buildings (the mansion was historical) were actually being offered "free" to anyone who could manage the expense of moving them. My son said he drove by and saw a crew there taking down a tree and a wall, but at this date I don't know if they were trying to clear a space for moving the mansion or if they were going in there to knock it all down. I know that some paranormal society was trying to raise the money to save it. I am sure that because it was haunted (not meaning the fake spooks at Halloween), it was considered a "pox" and a "disgrace" to the city. (Never mind how much money spooky places like the Winchester Mystery house bring in.)

I said to the Clovis City Council that I bet a heck of a lot more people complain about the Clovis Rodeo and the resulting noise, people, traffic, litter, claims of animal abuse, etc., but everybody knows something like that brings in a lot of money to the city. And money is what rules the earth, it sure seems.

One of the Clovis high schools used to get quite a bit of funds every year by having students work at Scream if You Can, and now they aren't gonna get that. The owner was considering making it a haunted B & B, but last I heard he was just going to give up because of those neighbors. I hope if the mansion does get torn down, all those ghosts fly straight into their homes and stay there. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/sneaky.gif
I wish I had seen that newscast my son was talking about ... maybe it was just something about the Haunt in the Park at Roeding Park/Playland, but he made it sound like some city-wide deal. Maybe I am just frothing at the mouth over nothing, I dunno.