GHOST
The GHOST SHIP of the Outer Banks
By National Park Service
Cape Hatteras is home to many maritime legends but perhaps none is as curious as the real-life story of the massive schooner, Carroll A. Deering. Lost on the Outer Shoals in 1921 and discovered completely abandoned by the Coast Guard, this historical event has all the makings of a Hollywood ghost story.
On January 29, 1921, the Carroll A. Deering was making a return trip to Hampton Roads, Virginia from Barbados when she passed the Cape Lookout Lightship. According to the lightship keeper, the crew was milling about and a crewman, who did not look or act like an officer, reported that the ship had lost its anchors. The following day, the ship passed the SS Lake Elon southwest of the Diamond Shoals Lightship at approximately 5:45 p.m. The Deering seemed to be steering a peculiar
course. This was the last report of the ill-fated Deering before she was found run aground and abandoned.
At 6:30 a.m. on January 31st, C.P. Brady of the Cape Hatteras Coast Guard Station spotted a five-masted schooner in the morning light, aground and helpless on the shoals. It was reported that the ship’s decks were awash, sails were set, lifeboats were missing, and she appeared abandoned. Due to heavy seas, the surf boats failed to reach the wreck. Finally, the wrecker Rescue arrived on the morning of February 4th and, with the cutter Manning, reached the battered ship around 9:30 a.m. Captain James Carlson of the Rescue boarded the ship and confirmed its identity as the Carroll A. Deering. Upon investigating the ship, it was discovered that all personal belongings, key navigational equipment, certain papers, and the ship’s anchors were missing.
Furthermore, food was laid out as if in preparation for a meal. But there was no sign of the crew. The wrecked and battered hull of the Deering was all that was left to signify the vessel’s strange passage. In March of 1921, with the vessel breaking apart on the shoals, it was towed away then dynamited. In April, Christopher Columbus Gray, a Buxton, N.C. resident, reported finding a note in a bottle, which told of the capture of the Deering by pirates. Handwriting experts authenticated the note as being written by engineer Herbert Bates. Later examination, however, by federal government experts proved the letter was a hoax, written by Gray himself. In May, Mrs. Lula Wormel (wife of the ship’s master), Captain Merritt (the former master), and Rev. Dr. Addison Lorimer visited Washington and convinced Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover to commence an investigation.
The ongoing lure of the Deering mystery may be due to the many historical threads uncovered in the investigation of this amazing story. Agent Thompson of the FBI visited Dare County in July of 1921. Among the leads he followed were stories of Bolshevik sympathizing pirates, rum-running gangsters, and mutiny. When he asked local Coast Guardsmen about the theory that the crew had mutinied and abandoned ship before striking the Shoals, “Impossible!” was the answer – the coast was too rough for lifeboat landings. “I believe they abandoned her after taking everything of value,” said Captain Ballance of the Cape Hatteras station, “and ran her up on the Shoals intentionally …” In the end, the investigation proved fruitless. No trace of the crew, the ship’s log, or the navigation equipment was ever discovered. A true maritime mystery began … and continues to this day.
Get into the spooky spirit this Halloween
Come October 31, there is extra mischief in the air, and who knows what might be lurking around those dim corners? Halloween is a time when the line between having fun and being scared is easily blurred. While trick-or-treating and attending parties are ways to enjoy the final day of October, there are plenty of other ways to make Halloween more fun.
• Read some scary stories. There’s something to be said about reading scary stories or poems on Halloween. Readers’ imaginations take over on Halloween as they envision scary characters and scenarios. Edgar Allen Poe, author of many notably macabre works, is a popular read come Halloween.
• Go pumpkin picking. Most people already make pumpkin picking an annual treat. Don’t overlook misshapen pumpkins that can be carved into spooky jacko’-lanterns. Also, enhance Halloween decor with pitted and warty gourds that lend that scary appeal.
• Make creepy crafts. Children can get a kick out of crafting Halloween decorations. Drape a piece of muslin over a beverage bottle and spray it with laundry starch. Let sit and the muslin will stiffen when it dries. Paint on black circles for eyes.
• Whip up Halloween treats. Candied apples, extra-rich brownies and mini hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls to look like mummies are just some of the ways to create a scary Halloween feast.
• Have a costume theme. Everyone in the household can get in on the fun by planning costumes to fit a theme. For example, everyone can dress like the Addams family.
• Host a Halloween book club. Those who love to read can ensure the October gathering of a book club is one that features a discussion of a scary book. Those looking for a scare can explore horror authors like Stephen King, Anne Rice, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker, Shirley Jackson and Tananarive Due.
• Host an outdoor movie. Projectors can now be hooked up to smartphones and tablets, so it’s easier than ever to watch movies outside. Simply project a device onto a screen, white fence or even a bedsheet. Since it gets dark somewhat early in October, the movie doesn’t have to start very late. Depending on the audience, choose a movie that is very scary or only mildly so if children will be viewing.
• Organize a Halloween treat exchange. Similar to a Christmas “Secret Santa,” participants put together a wrapped gift of homemade or store-bought foods and exchange with others.
HAUNTED SPOTS on the Outer Banks
By Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
Graveyard of the Atlantic, Kill Devil Hills, Ghosts of The Lost Colony ... these names alone make the OBX a spooky destination. The Outer Banks is hauntingly full of history that’s still celebrated today with great events and sights to beware. Gather your family of ghouls and goblins and check out things to do on the OBX this Halloween.
Six Tales of Local Lore
1. The Town of “Kill Devil Hills”
One of the most popular questions visitors ask is how the name Kill Devil Hills came about. Several versions of the story circulate within the Outer Banks. One legend suggests the pirates who once called these shores home are to blame. Apparently, one night while taking a “shore leave,” a surly lot of buccaneers were sitting amongst the sand dunes that
towered over the landscape, drinking moonshine that was “strong enough to kill the devil.” Another version holds that in the 1700s, William Byrd of Virginia, who was apparently no admirer of the Carolinas, wrote that “most of the rum they get in the country comes from New England, and is so bad and unwholesome that it is not improperly called “Kill Devil.” Other lore suggests the town received its moniker from an old brand of rum that washed ashore at
the dunes here, the only surviving cargo from a nameless shipwreck.
2. The Black Pelican Restaurant in Kitty Hawk Assigned #6 Station of seven lifesaving stations along the coast, The Black Pelican Restaurant assisted in rescuing mariners lost at sea or sailors stranded on the shoals. In July of 1884, the #6 Station’s leader, Captain James Hobbs, was said to have a short temper. When he could
no longer stand the insults of his surfman, T.L. Daniels, the Captain shot him. T.L. was supposedly buried at sea with no witnesses and Captain Hobbs was never tried for murder. To this day, T.L. can be seen roaming the restaurant.
3. The Seven Sisters of Nags Head The Seven Sisters is known today as an area located in Nags
THE MARINERS MUSEUM, COURTESY NPS
The five-masted schooner Carroll A. Deering was built in 1919 in Bath, Maine and wrecked on January 31, 1921.
COURTESY NPS
Wreckage of the Carroll A. Deering. No remains of the ship can be seen on the seashore’s beaches today.
See Haunted, 5B
Ghostland Times
A magical dessert for Halloween gatherings
Sweet treats are on display come Halloween. People hosting Halloween parties or bringing items over to others’ homes for the holiday may need to scare up some new ideas for dessert.
Chocolate never goes out of style and is right at home on Halloween. This recipe for “Black Magic Cake,” courtesy of The Food Network, is decadently rich. Don’t let all that chocolate frighten you. Drizzle as much melted marshmallow as necessary to brighten up the flavor. Turn into a mummy face or transform the top of the cake into a spiderweb instead.
Black Magic Cake 8 to 10 servings
• 2 ⁄ 3 cup vegetable oil, plus more for greasing the baking pans
• 1 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder (or any cocoa powder if on hand)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 3⁄4 cups all-purpose flour (see cook’s note)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Filling and Frosting:
• 1 1⁄2 cups heavy cream
• 3⁄4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted
• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch fine salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 ⁄ 3 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
Decoration:
• 2 cups mini marshmallows (about 4 ounces)
• Cooking spray
• 1 or more candy spiders or two candy eyes for decorating
For the cake: Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 F. Line the bottom of two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment and crease the parchment and the sides of the pans with oil. Stir together the cocoa powder and boiling water in a small bowl and let sit to bloom for 5 minutes (this step intensifies the chocolate flavor in the cake).
Whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together the bloomed cocoa, oil, milk, eggs and vanilla in a medium bowl. Pour the cocoa mixture into the sugar mixture and stir until smooth (the batter will be thin). Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake until the cakes bounce back when pressed in the middle and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the pans on a rack.
For the filling and frosting: Heat the cream in a double boiler over low heat, whisking occasionally, until it begins to steam. Whisk in the cocoa powder, chocolate, espresso powder, vanilla and salt until the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the butter until melted. Whisk in the confectioners’ sugar until incorporated. Let the frosting cool completely.
To assemble: Put one cake, bottom-side up, on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread about 1 cup of the frosting over the top but not all the way down the side. Top with the other cake, bottom-side up, and frost the top and sides with the remaining frosting.
For the spider web or mummy decoration: Microwave the marshmallows in a microwave-safe medium bowl until they swell and are soft enough to stir, about 1 minute. Let sit a few minutes until cool enough to touch. Spray your hands with cooking spray. For a spider web, pick up a tablespoon-sized blob of the melted marshmallow and stretch it over and around the cake; repeat so that the strings of marshmallow crisscross one another in many directions. Continue until you have what looks like a spiderweb. For a mummy, stretch the marshmallow so that all the strings on the top of the cake run in the same direction, leaving a small gap between strings for the mummy’s eyes to peak out. Garnish with a candy spider or several candy spiders for the web cake or candy eyes for the mummy cake.
Cook’s note: The candy directions are a nice touch, but the cake will be fun and delicious without them as well. When measuring flour, spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off the excess.
Semi-homemade tip: Purchase a premade chocolate cake and use the decoration to make the mummy or spiderweb only.
Some of the world’s beautiful, yet haunted places
People often love to explore the uncanny and unexplained as Halloween draws near. One way to do so is to learn more or even visit some of the purportedly haunted places around the world that also happen to be spectacularly beautiful.
Casa Loma, Toronto, Canada
This gothic revival castle was completed in 1914. It is built with secret passageways and hidden storage areas. Legend has it that ghosts have been spotted on the property for years. The estate is transformed into a haunted house for Halloween each year.
Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California
When Winchester Rifles heiress Sarah Winchester lost her husband and infant daughter, a psychic medium told her it was payback by the spirits of all of the people harmed by Winchester rifles. She was told to build a house large enough to accommodate all of the angry spirits. The Winchester Mystery House has 160 rooms, secret passageways, upside-down columns, and staircases to nowhere to confuse spirits. Visitors have experienced all sorts of unexplained phenomena within the walls of the house.
Raynham Hall, Norfolk, England
Within this English hall, a mysterious “Brown Lady,” rumored to be Lady Dorothy Walpole, supposedly roams. She was captured on film in the December 1936 edition of Country Life.
Driskill Hotel, Austin, Texas
This historic landmark was opened in 1886 by cattle baron Jesse Driskill. It has a well-known history of paranormal activity following the deaths of guests, which include two honeymooning women who took their own lives in the same room 20 years apart.
Larnach Castle, Dunedin, New Zealand
The lone castle in New Zealand is a beautiful building set amid misty gardens. It is rumored that the castle’s builder, a politician named
William Larnach, witnessed the death of his daughter and two wives in the house before taking his own life on the property. Larnach’s ghost supposedly watches over the castle and is responsible for paranormal events.
Poveglia, Venice, Italy
The island of Poveglia is a short ride from Venice, and used to be a quarantine zone for people suffering from the plague. The island later housed a psychiatric hospital. Many people attest to the island being a prime spot for paranormal activity.
One if by Land, Two if by Sea, New York City
Located in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan, this restaurant once was the carriage house of Aaron Burr. The eatery supposedly is haunted by upwards of 20 ghosts, including Burr and his daughter, Theodosia.
Did you know?
Candy is a popular treat on Halloween. While trick-or-treaters will often accept just about any confection in their bags and buckets, certain products reign supreme across the United States and Canada, according to RetailMeNot and Halloween Alley. These include:
Port Arthur, Australia Port Arthur is filled with reports of paranormal spectacles. The spot originally was a penal colony in the 19th century where prisoners endured mandatory church services and solitary confinement to correct poor behavior.
Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica Rose Hall once was the residence of plantation owner John Palmer and his English-born wife, Annie. She poisoned him to take control of the plantation and fortune. Annie was known as The White Witch by slaves on the property because she practiced voodoo and tortured workers, never mind killing her second and third husbands as well. It is said The White Witch, who is encased in a stone tomb on the property, still roams the grounds as a spirit and terrorizes guests.
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
• Kit Kat
• Snickers
• Skittles
• M&Ms
• Starburst
• Twizzlers
In Canada, Mars, a chocolate bar in the same family as Snickers, and Coffee Crisp also are popular among trick-or-treaters.
Haunted locales dot the global landscape. Many are beautiful to behold, even while they put a scare in visitors.
The image of a menacing yet somewhat alluring man with canines piercing the neck of an unsuspecting victim has been circulating for more than 100 years, and is believed to have evolved from ancient Romanian folklore.
Count Dracula, a mythical, blood-sucking undead creature, is based on a very real individual who has a unique place in Romanian history. Vlad Dracula, nicknamed “Vlad Tepes” (“Vlad the Impaler”), was the ruler of Wallachia in the mid1400s. He hailed from Sighisoara in Transylvania, but spent most of his adult life in southern Romania, according to Romania Tourism.
“Dracula” translates to “Son of Dracul,” meaning “dragon” or “devil.” Vlad the Impaler was the second legitimate son of
The story of Count Dracula
Dracul and is one of the most important rulers in Wallachian history as well as a national hero in Romania. Vlad plundered Transylvanian Saxon villages that supported his opponents, and took captured people back to his home where he had them impaled.
Despite his brutal military strategy, there is no evidence that Vlad the Impaler had any ties to the supernatural. That connection is due in large part to the 1897 novel “Dracula” penned by Irish author Bram Stoker, which inspired the vampire trope. Having never traveled to Romania himself, Stoker evoked authority by including many real locations in the country in his work. The book’s narrative was built around letters, diary entries and newspaper articles, so that readers could very well believe that Vlad the Impaler truly was condemned to live off the blood of the living for all eternity.
“Dracula” helped pave the way for more Dracula adaptations, including
the 1922 film “Nosferatu,” which is the Romanian word for vampire. This, combined with the dense, dark ancient forests of Transylvania, and the fact that Romania Tourism says that Transylvania sits on one of the Earth’s strongest magnetic fields, help add to the mystery surrounding this area of the world — and the possibility that there really could be an undead predator feeding on the living. Depending on the account, Dracula can shift his shape to a vampire bat or even mist. Additional accounts say that he will be burned by sunlight, although in Stoker’s version he is able to move about during the day despite typically being nocturnal. Hollywood films helped solidify the persistent myths about Dracula over the years.
Parents can work together to make Halloween safer
Halloween is often just what the doctor ordered. Nestled between the start of a new school year and the arrival of the holiday season, Halloween is an opportunity for children and adults alike to have some fun as they dress up in costumes and indulge in some sweet treats.
Even though Halloween is designed to be an entertaining day, it’s not without its risks, including pedestrian safety, costume safety and food allergies. Parents can work together to help reduce the safety risks associated with Halloween.
Light it up
Lack of visibility and dim lighting at night increase the risk of pedestrians being struck by cars on Halloween. Improving visibility can go a long way toward cutting down
on accidents and related injuries and deaths. Homeowners can keep the lights turned on and perhaps illuminate neighborhoods even more by temporarily installing strands of Christmas or bistro style lights.
Children can carry battery-powered flashlights, lanterns or even glow sticks to make them more visible. Reflective tape placed on candy bags or somewhere on costumes also can help.
Set up safe trick-or-treat zones
The popularity of trunk-ortreat events that emerged several years ago took some of the risk out of Halloween by containing trick-or-treating to a parking lot at a school or church. Neighbors can establish something similar close to
home with a “block party” of sorts. Ask participating neighbors to chip in for refreshments and entertainment, if desired.
Check candy
Generation Xers may recall their parents warned against eating candy from Halloween before it could be inspected for hazards. Unfounded claims of dangerous items being lodged into candy perpetuated the suspicion of all Halloween confections for some time. There is a risk of eating candy without thought, but that risk is now primarily related to food allergies. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that, each year in the U.S., allergic reactions to food results in 30,000 emergency room visits, 2,000 hospitalizations, and 150 deaths.
Common allergens include peanuts and other nuts as well as eggs and dairy. Others may be intolerant to ingredients like gluten or soy. Inspecting candy nutrition information can help weed out candy that may cause a reaction for those with food allergies or other concerns.
Prepare homes
Adults and parents can take additional steps to prepare their homes for Halloween. Keep the porch and front yard clear of tripping hazards, such as garden hoses, decorations and toys. Sweep away leaves and branches to prevent tripping or slipping. Restrain pets so they do not jump on trickor-treaters. Offer a variety of treats for kids of all ages so trick-or-treaters get age-appropriate items.
Count Dracula is a famed character that often inspires Halloween costumes. The fictional count is based on a Romanian ruler who may have killed, but not by sucking anyone’s blood.
Halloween fun and safety can go handin-hand this October.
Ghostland Times
Healthy Halloween snack options
Halloween is a magical time of year. Homes are adorned with festive fall accoutrements, including hay bales, pumpkins and mums as well as the black, purple and orange decorations that are unique to a season of ghouls and goblins.
Although decorating is a large part of the fun of Halloween, the sweet treats that are distributed to trick-or-treaters and presented at Halloween parties are arguably the most popular component of this beloved holiday. Candy is everywhere come Halloween. The National Confectioners’ Association reports that Halloween is the largest confectionary holiday, followed by Easter and Christmas. The National Retail Federation and NCA indicate the average American consumes 3.4 pounds of candy around Halloween, and 600 million pounds of candy are purchased across the
country for the holiday. Is it possible to escape the Halloween sugar overload? For those who want to enjoy some healthier options than candy corns and other sweet staples, these ideas are not so frightening.
• Pizza mummy: Use slices of toasted sandwich bread or English muffins to make some spooktacular fare. Coat the bread with pizza sauce. Then place thin vertical slices of mozzarella cheese in a haphazard pattern to replicate the look of gauze on a mummy. Two pieces of sliced black olives serve as the eyes.
• White, orange and yellow platter: Simulate the look of candy corns’ white, orange and yellow color palette with healthier offerings. Stack cauliflower (or another white food like monterey jack cheese), baby carrots and yellow bell peppers on a platter. Serve with your favorite dip.
• Deviled brains: Turn regular deviled eggs into something more sinister for Halloween buffet tables. Simply add food coloring to the filling to
create a pinkish-brown hue that resembles a human brain. Then use a piping bag fitted with a thin icing tip to pipe the shape of brains onto the
hardboiled egg halves.
• Veggie skeleton: Use assorted vegetable slices, cheese sticks, fruits, nuts and more to inspire a Halloween-inspired snack
board. Arrange everything to resemble a skeleton on the platter.
• Ghostly bananas: Insert popsicle sticks into the bottoms of bananas and freeze until solid. Prepare white melting chocolate according to directions, then dip the frozen bananas into it. While wet, stick on two mini chocolate chips to make the eyes of the ghosts. Place in the refrigerator to harden.
• Spider crackers: Use buttery Ritz® crackers or something similar for this recipe. Spread a relatively thick layer of cream cheese (or peanut butter if allergies are not a concern) on one cracker. Cut thin pretzel sticks in half and use four on each side to make spider legs, sticking them into the cream cheese. Top with another cracker and secure to the cream cheese. Raisins connected with more cream cheese complete the eyes of the spiders.
Homemade candy can be a Halloween delight
Just in time for Halloween, hosts who want to put their candymaking skills to the test can offer guests the ultimate sweet treat. Homemade lollipops can be customized to any flavor or color, which makes them easy to match to any Halloween theme. Enjoy this recipe from “300 Best Homemade Candy Recipes” (Robert Rose) by Jane Sharrock.
Lollipops Makes about 12
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 ⁄ 3 cup light (white) corn syrup
• 1 cup water
• 1⁄2 teaspoon food coloring of choice
• 1⁄2 teaspoon oil flavoring of choice
• 2 large baking sheets
• 2 quart heavy saucepan
• Candy thermometer
• Lollipop sticks
In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, bring the sugar, corn syrup and water to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to boil. Cover and cook 2 to 3 minutes to dissolve the sugar crystals on the sides of the pan. Remove the lid. Cook, without stirring, to the hard crack stage (300 F). Remove from the heat. Quickly add the coloring and flavoring, stirring only until mixed. Let the candy cool for about 5 minutes or
until starting to thicken. To check if it’s ready, spoon a small amount onto the prepared baking sheet. It should flow and spread slowly rather than spreading very quickly to a thin disc. Once the candy is ready, quickly drop from the tip of a large spoon onto the prepared baking sheet, making certain the drops are round.
Press a lollipop stick into the edge of each lollipop before it hardens. If desired, spoon a little more of the candy on top of the stick to cover. Press any decorations into the lollipop at the same time.
Loosen the lollipops from the pan before they get too cold or they will crack. To store, wrap the cooled lollipops in cellophane or waxed paper.
Get your pet ready for Halloween
Dressing up for Halloween is one of the more enjoyable ways to celebrate the spooky season. It’s not uncommon for people to be planning their costumes well ahead of Halloween.
Pet owners often choose to include their companion animals in Halloween festivities. Data from a 2022 PetSmart national survey unveiled that more than 75 percent of pet parents planned to dress their pets up for Halloween and other fall occasions. Some city-dwelling individuals even planned to match their pet’s fall attire to their own. In 2019, the National Retail Federation estimated Americans would spend $490 million on pet costumes in 2020, which was more than double the figure spent around a decade prior.
Rubies, the largest manufacturer of pet costumes in the U.S. and Europe, shared these statistics in 2022, many of which will stay consistent this year.
• Vermont, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Utah and Maine are the states most likely to have people dress up their pets.
• A pumpkin, hot dog and bat are the three most popular pet costumes. Star Wars-themed costumes also are favorites year after year. There are plenty of costumes and pet clothing designed for pets, but not all of them are recommended by humane organizations or vets. Those who choose to include pets in Halloween festivities should keep these tips in mind when selecting costumes.
• Can the pet move properly? Check to see if the clothing item is sized appropriately so that it is not restrictive. Make sure the pet can walk properly, jump, groom and relieve itself. Do not leave pets in costumes for too long, as they may affect the animal’s ability to control body temperature.
• Is your pet stressed? Look for behaviors that may indicate the pet is
stressed by wearing the costume. Pets feeling anxious may groom excessively or make more noise than usual. Dogs may pant a lot or yawn. If a pet is pawing or pulling at the costume, it might be making the animal uncomfortable. Dogs tend to be more tolerant of costumes than cats, though each pet is unique.
• Can body language be relayed? Pets use body language to communicate with other animals. Costumes could interfere with that ability. If the pet will be wearing the costume indoors and not in proximity to other animals, it may be fine. Pets who will be walking outdoors and come into contact with other companion animals might act differently and other animals may act aggressively when faced with a pet in a costume.
• Is it safe? Choose costumes that do not impede the pet’s vision or its ability to walk. Select materials that are fire-retardant and nontoxic.
Anyone can use his or her imagination to make delectable and healthy Halloween offerings in lieu of more sweets.
Pet costumes are quite popular on Halloween, and pet parents can have fun celebrating while also keeping pets’ comfort and safety in mind.
Halloween is enjoyed by people of all ages, but few get a bigger kick out of the holiday than children. There are costumes to be worn, time spent with friends and the opportunity to collect free candy and other treats.
Although Halloween can be a fun time, the Children’s Safety Network warns that it’s also a time when accidents can happen. According to the CSN, the most dangerous day for child pedestrians is Halloween. It is essential to prioritize safety on Halloween, and following these guidelines can help.
• Make sure costumes are short. Costumes that drag on the floor are tripping hazards, which can lead to injury. Be sure that costumes do not cover the feet or drag on the ground.
• Trick-or-treat in
Safe trick-or-treating tips
groups. Children are safer in numbers due to the increased visibility of a crowd and because, if something happens, others can call for help. Parents can use their discretion on what age they feel is mature enough to let children go out alone. Until then, children should be accompanied by adults.
• Improve visibility. It’s important to be seen while trick-or-treating, and that can be achieved by making sure costumes and trick-or-treat bags feature reflective tape. Trick-or-treaters also can carry flashlights or glow sticks to improve visibility, and stick to areas with streetlights if going out after dark.
• Stay on sidewalks. Whenever possible, trickor-treaters should stick to the sidewalks and avoid
year.
walking on the roads. This may not always be possible in neighborhoods without sidewalks,
How to roast pumpkin seeds
Carving jack-o’-lanterns is a Halloween tradition that both adults and children enjoy. It’s hard to resist an opportunity to carve a funny or scary face into a pumpkin that will soon make its way to the front porch, but there’s another irresistible element to carving pumpkins as well.
Roasted pumpkin seeds make for a tasty, tempting treat. Seeds must be removed before carving pumpkins, so turning them into a savory snack is a great way to make use of them and cook up some fuel for family carving sessions.
Roasting pumpkin seeds is a straightforward process, though some people may have their own techniques to make seeds more flavorful. The following recipe for “Pumpkin Seeds” from the Food Network reflects various ways to prepare this beloved snack, ensuring that people with varying tastes can no doubt find a way to incorporate their favorite flavors into this Halloween staple.
Pumpkin Seeds
1. Seed the pumpkin: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Using a spoon, scrape the pulp and seeds out of your pumpkin into a bowl.
2. Clean the seeds: Separate the seeds from the stringy pulp, rinse
the seeds in a colander under cold water, then shake dry. Don’t blot with paper towels; the seeds will stick.
3. Dry them: Spread the seeds in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet and roast 30 minutes to dry them out.
4. Add spices: Toss the seeds with olive oil, salt and your choice of spices (see below). Return to the oven and bake until crisp and golden, about 20 more minutes.
5. Sweet – Toss with cinnamon and sugar (do not use salt in step 4).
6. Indian – Toss with garam masala; mix with currants after roasting.
7. Spanish – Toss with smoked paprika; mix with slivered almonds after roasting.
8. Italian – Toss with grated parmesan and dried oregano.
9. Barbecue – Toss with brown sugar, chipotle chili powder and ground cumin.
where parents and youngsters must be especially careful.
• Eat before trick-or-
from 1B
Head near milepost 14. The area got its name during the end of the Civil War when a slaveowner released his seven slaves to return to their homeland. These seven slaves, all sisters, disappeared the next day after their release when a large storm bombarded the region ... leaving seven large sand dunes in its wake.
4. Manteo’s Roanoke Island Inn and Pioneer Theatre
The Roanoke Island Inn is owned by descendants of the original family from 1860. Former Roanoke Island Inn owner and Manteo Postmaster Roscoe Jones was said to be extremely distressed when he was fired as Postmaster. In the months following, Roscoe isolated himself within the Roanoke Inn and passed away a short time later. Stories reveal that a man in postal uniform can be seen coming and going from the Inn. Guests report window blinds moving, radios turning on and off, and hearing footsteps along creaky floorboards.
Just down the street, Pioneer Theatre is a
treating. A meal or snack before trick-or-treating can reduce the tendency to fill up on candy while
single-screen family theater, with inexpensive tickets and snacks. Folks say the former owner demanded movie-goers be respectful of each other by silencing cell phones. There are numerous reports of a “force” or “spirit” knocking cell phones from visitors’ hands while using them within the theatre.
5. The Lost Colony’s White Doe Home to America’s first unsolved mystery, the first attempted English settlement in the New World completely vanished on Roanoke Island. Virginia Dare, the firstborn English child in the new colony disappeared by the year 1590. Some believe Virginia came to live amongst the natives where a witch doctor fell in love and wished to marry her. After her refusal, he put her under a spell turning her into a ghostly white doe that can still be seen today. Downtown Manteo’s White Doe Inn Bed & Breakfast holds true to the lore.
6. Lighthouse Hauntings Bodie Island Lighthouse (pronounced Body), was abandoned twelve years after its original build in
out and about. All candy and other treats should be inspected by an adult before it is eaten.
• Keep pets locked away. Animals can become skittish when there are many people loitering outside of homes or ringing doorbells. Keep pets in a quiet room away from the action to prevent them from getting loose, injured or scared enough to bite or scratch someone.
• Avoid masks that obstruct vision. It can be hard to see peripherally with a mask on, so avoid costumes with masks that compromise vision.
• Test out makeup beforehand. All makeup used for costumes should be tested for allergic reactions prior to use. Heed the warnings on packaging and avoid putting makeup too close to the eyes or lips.
1847 due to a poor foundation. The lighthouse was rebuilt in 1859 but was blown up in 1861 by retreating Confederate troops who feared the Union would use it to their advantage for navigation. The gate keeper’s cottage, a white building located on the lighthouse grounds, is said to be haunted by a lingering spirit. Every day at 4 p.m. on the dot you can hear a loud knock from behind its large brick fireplace. No one knows what or who lies behind it. Gray Ghost haunts the shoreline during an impending severe storm or hurricane. The mysterious “gray” man was killed in the 1900s when an abrupt storm hit the beach during summer. He appears as a misty apparition and can oftentimes be caught on pier cams or seen silently walking the coast or roaming the lighthouses. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is home to the Ghost Cat. All stories agree that the cat is black and white and weighs just over 15 pounds. The Ghost Cat will rub against visitors’ legs and allow you to pet him. Heed the warning, if you reach to pick him up he will magically vanish.
These are some safety strategies designed to keep Halloween fun and incident-free this
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