Library Word of the Week - Halloween Edition

Halloween is my favorite holiday. I love dressing up and pretending to be something spooky.

Did you know there is a story behind our jack-o-lanterns? 

"Every October, carved pumpkins peer out from porches and doorsteps in the United States and other parts of the world.Gourd-like orange fruits inscribed with ghoulish faces and illuminated by candles are a sure sign of the Halloween season. The practice of decorating “jack-o’-lanterns”—the name comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack—originated in Ireland, where large turnips and potatoes served as an early canvas. Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America, home of the pumpkin, and it became an integral part of Halloween festivities." 
(from http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/jack-olantern-history) 

Read the legend here: Stingy Jack

And don't forget, that Halloween itself is also known as:

1. Samhain (pronounced /ˈsɑːwɪn/ SAH-win or /ˈsaʊ.ɪn/ SOW-in Irish pronunciation: [sˠaunʲ]) is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year.

Have a fantastic and safe Halloween everyone! 

Scary Reads for Halloween

Halloween is the best time to find a scary story that makes you need to sleep with the light on. Come down to the library and check out a few scary reads for this Halloween!

Paranormal Events @ Your Public Library

Boo! Paranormal Presentations in October

 

Come join us for ghoulies and ghosties, and long-legged beasties, and things that go bump in the night, this October!

Ghostology 101
October 15, 6:30 – 7:45 pm 
East Forest Park Branch
Sign up online

This is the first in a series of programs designed to both entertain and educate the general public about the world of the paranormal. We’ll explore the basics of paranormal investigations, starting with terminology, equipment, EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena), spirit photography and video, as well as “ghost hunting” skills and suggestions. Led by local experts from the Agawam Paranormal team, this fun and fascinating presentation is appropriate for older teens and adults.

Ghostology 201 
October 22, 6:30 – 7:45 pm
Indian Orchard Branch
Sign up online

This is the second in the series and gets into more advanced subject matters including demons, angels, necromancy, exorcism and possession. While it is believed that only a very small percentage of paranormal activity is caused by demons or their like, it is undeniably a very popular topic with today’s public. Here we will try to remove fact from fiction and see just how it all ties together. The program will include some hands-on experiments with the tools used by paranormal investigators including EMF meters, temperature work, and spirit photography. Updated for 2014, this segment is designed for an adult audience and really is not suited for children. Presented by the Agawam Paranormal team.

Mysterious Massachusetts
October 29, 6:30 – 7:45 pm
East Springfield Branch 
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Reports of UFO’s, alien abductions, sea serpent sightings, haunted houses and the like abound in Massachusetts. Join library staff member Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe in this hour long review of weirdly fascinating paranormal activity in the Commonwealth. This program is good for teens and adults.

Ghostology 301
November 5, 6:30 – 7:45 pm 
East Forest Park Branch 
Sign up online

Get the lowdown on local haunted places and other paranormal activity in Springfield and its surrounding towns! This fun and exciting presentation is good for all ages, but is intended primarily for adults and older teens.

T-shirt raffle! We will raffle off a free Agawam Paranormal t-shirt at each Boo! program. All attendees who remain present through the end of the program earn a raffle ticket to win the free t-shirt.