halloween – Page 2 – The Western Howl

October begins and so does the search for scary fun activities

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

For many Oregonians fall is the time to flourish. As the leaves begin to change the need to go and adventure increases. From pumpkin patches and corn mazes, to music festivals and haunted houses — the possibilities are endless. While many people have traditions they follow each year, these hair-raising options could help switch up the fun for any age.

Bauman’s Farm & Garden (Gervais) — Starting in 1895, this family run farm has activities for all ages, ranging from farm animals and pumpkin picking, to obstacle courses and mazes. Open Oct. 8 – 9, 16 – 17, 22 – 24 and 30. Hours vary. Admission is $11 – $26.
Chamber Of Darkness Haunted House (Monroe) — Not recommended under eight years old, this premiere haunting experience is themed as a “Wicked Wonderland.” Open Oct. 12, 18 – 19, and 25 – 26 from 7 – 11 p.m. Admission is $8 with $1 discount if a canned food donation is made.
Escape The Room Oregon (Springfield) — This fun adventure features six fully immersive Halloween puzzles to escape with a group. Open Wednesday – Sunday with various hours. Admission is $30 a person, with a $5 coupon on special days.
Hood River Valley Harvest Fest (Hood River) — The old fashioned fall festival is a fun filled event with over 125 local vendors of food, wine, crafts and more for the whole family. Open Oct. 15 – 17. Kids 12 and under are free, adults are $10 and seniors are $5.
Milburn’s Haunted Manor (Hubbard) — Both a trick and a treat to experience a total immersion experience that will make you scream. Open Oct. 8 – 10 from 7 – 11 p.m., and 15 – 17, 22 – 24 and 28 – 31 from 7 – 10 p.m.
The Fear PDX (Portland) — With five terrifying attractions, this haunted house is known as the scariest in the Pacific Northwest. Open Thursday – Sunday through the month of October, from 7 – 10 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, and 7 p.m. – 12 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Halloween. Tickets start at $29.99 with discounts for bigger parties.

The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island (Portland) — This 52 year old farm offers free hayrides, a newly designed corn maze each year, a cafe, a fresh market, an animal barn and a cow train on the weekends. Open daily; dates, hours and admission vary depending on which attraction is chosen.
STRANGEST THINGS HAUNTED FARM (Eugene) — This terrifying interactive haunt covers popular horror films from the last 30 years with themed mazes, rooms and zones. Open Thursday – Saturday, 8 – 11 p.m. Admission varies on party size.

Contact the author at lifestyleeditor@thewesternhowl.com

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Spoofy, silly, staff stories

The Howl staff shares some of their funny fall tales

The Western Howl Collective

October brings a holiday that many love to celebrate — Halloween. The month is filled with an assortment of spooky things — from movie marathons to quirky decorations to themed foods; nevertheless, no holiday is complete without its share of funny stories. Check out these howl-ingly funny tales from “The Western Howl” staff.

Cora McClain | Editor-in-Chief

Growing up, I had a relatively rich friend and trick-or-treating in her neighborhood was always the best. Four words: king sized candy bars. I would do anything for those candy bars, even trip over my own two feet, scraping up my knees and bleeding all over my costume… At least I got my king sized cookies and cream Hershey’s bar along with anxiety-inducing embarrassment. They don’t call it trick-or-treating for nothing.

Rylie Horrall | Managing Editor

A year or two ago, my mom and I were watching a scary movie. We do that every year and it’s become a fun tradition for us when I’m home around the holiday. Anyway, it was a very tense scene, we’re completely immersed with the lights off, the character on the screen was heading up to what’s probably a jumpscare so we’re leaning in. And then my brother comes around the corner and says “How’s the movie?” I screamed. Mom screamed. He yelped. Long story short, my brother is now extra cautious when he walks into the living room when something scary is on.

Stephanie Moschella | Digital Media Manager

Last Halloween my friends and I played “Little Hope” — well it was more like they played and I watched. I had already played this video game before, but I wanted to see how my friends and roommates fared. Well, long story short, I fell asleep about halfway through them playing the game. I was on one of the couches and my back was turned against the TV, but that didn’t stop any of them from screaming or yelling out loud. But it was fine since I got a pretty good nap.

Mikayla Coleman | News Editor

I grew up playing hours and hours of “LEGO Star Wars” with my dad on his Xbox 360. To earn the respect of my father, I decided to dress up as a stormtrooper for Halloween. My dad and Iwalked into Target, and there it was, the iconic costume, hanging halfway off the hanger in the little boys section. I was so excited, I didn’t bother to look at the tags.

It sat in the closet until the infamous day rolled around. I was psyched. I put the costume on and was sitting there thinking, “Oh, this is uncomfortable. This can’t be right.” But I begrudgingly went out on my trick-or-treating adventure around the neighborhood, feeling wedgied as all h–l, taking weird clomping steps up and down the sidewalk.

It took me a couple of years to understand that there was a cup in the crotch of my costume because it was made for little boys. RIP.

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

Each year as September comes to an end, I make plans with my friends to go to a corn maze. It’s my favorite activity because we all go in and they think it will be cute and fun, but I like to add a twist. Yes, it’s me; that person running through the maze making creepy laughing noises or hiding to scare people. Even in the daylight.

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Nostalgic spooky movies to watch this Halloween

A list of spooky movies that are sure to please

Cora McClain | Editor-In-Chief

Stephanie Moschella | Digital Media Manager

Halloween is fastly approaching, but with social distancing guidelines, it seems as if the holiday has essentially been cancelled. Since there’s not much to do on All Hallow’s Eve this year, a movie marathon would be a nice alternative. Here are a few nostalgic movies to get comfy and watch on Oct. 31.

Classic

“Beetlejuice” (1988) (Amazon)

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1992) (Amazon)

“Casper” (1995) (Amazon)

“Corpse Bride” (2005) (Amazon)

“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982) (Amazon)

“Ghostbusters” (1984) (Amazon)

“Goosebumps” (1998 ) (Netflix)

“Gremlins” (1984) (Amazon)

“Halloweentown” (1998) (Disney+)

“Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge” (2001) (Disney+)

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001) (Amazon)

“Hocus Pocus” (1993) (Disney+)

“House on Haunted Hill” (1999) (Amazon)

“Matilda” (1996) (Amazon)

“Mean Girls” (2004) (Amazon)

“Return to Halloweentown” (2006) (Disney+)

“Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” (1969) (Amazon)

“Sleepy Hollow” (1999) (Amazon)

“Teen Wolf” (1985) (Amazon)

“The Addams Family” (1991) (Netflix)

“The Craft” (1996) (Amazon)

“The Haunted Mansion” (2003) (Disney+)

“The Night Before Christmas” (1993) (Amazon)

“Twitches” (2005) (Disney+)

Horror

“A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) (Amazon)

“Annabelle” (2014) (Amazon)

“Blair Witch Project” (1999) (Amazon)

“Carrie” (1976) (Amazon)

“Child’s Play” (1988) (Amazon)

“Children of the Corn” (1984) (Hulu)

“Halloween” (1978) (Amazon)

“It” (2017) (Amazon)

“Monster House” (2006) (Amazon)

“Paranormal Activity” (2007) (Amazon)

“Pet Sematary” (1989) (Amazon)

“The Amityville Horror” (1979) (Amazon)

“The Conjuring” (2013) (Amazon)

“The Conjuring 2” (2016) (Amazon)

“The Exorcist” (1973) (Amazon)

“The Nun” (2018) (Amazon)

“The Shining” (1980) (Amazon)

“The Sixth Sense” (1999) (Amazon)

“The Ring” (2002) (Amazon)

“Scream” (1996) (Amazon)

Honorable Mention

“The Haunting of Hill House” (2018) (Netflix)

Contact the authors at howleditor@wou.edu and howldigitalmediamanager@wou.edu

The Western Howl

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Halloween themed spirit week residents of Monmouth can participate in

Monmouth Business Association holds halloween themed spirit week for locals

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

In years prior to COVID-19, local businesses in downtown Monmouth hosted a family friendly trick or treating event for Halloween. Due to health and safety guidelines currently in place, the event cannot be hosted. However, the Monmouth Business Association has come up with some week-long socially distanced alternatives so residents and local businesses can participate in the fun and spooky holiday.

Business decorating contest: Businesses of Monmouth are encouraged to decorate their establishments in family friendly Halloween decorations; all decorations needed to be up by Oct. 26. The business will be judged by a panel of judges, and the community will vote for People’s choice.

Halloween costume contest: This year, residents can upload pictures of their costumes to Instagram under the hashtag #monmouthhalloween. The contest will run from Oct. 26 to Oct. 31. The winner with the most likes will win some fun treats.

Scavenger hunt: On Oct. 27, the Monmouth Business Association will post on their Facebook page a list of items for people to find in downtown Monmouth. They can be found on Facebook @MonmouthBusinessAssociation.

This year the association is discouraging business from handing out candy this year, claiming in their flyer that they want people to stay safe.

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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Dress up in pawsome matching costumes

Perfect costume pairs for pet and owner

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

Halloween may look a little different in 2020. There will likely be some who venture out to trick-or-treat, but others like me will be social distancing at home. Staying in on Halloween doesn’t have to be a boring night, however, especially with the company of a furry friend. Celebrate with a pet by dressing up in matching costumes like these.

Ash Ketchum and Pikachu from “Pokémon”

Pikachu onesie — onesiemania.com, $12 to $15

Solid T-shirt — Walmart, $6

Blue vest —Amazon, $17

Red cap — Amazon, $8

Angel and devil

White dress — Goodwill, $10

Halo headband — Party City, $5

Pet devil horns — petcostumecenter.com, $3

Bandits

Black bandanas — Party City, $2

Black and white striped shirt — Goodwill, $8

Black beanie — Target, $5

If searching for other costume ideas, pick a character that a pet resembles and match with them. An orange tabby could be Rajah the tiger paired with Princess Jasmine, or a small black dog could be Toto matched with Dorothy. Dress as Rapunzel and let a pet gecko or lizard be Pascal, or be Russell from “Up” with a pet golden retriever as Dug.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

The Western Howl

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Celebrate Halloween with festive Franken-foods

Spooky snacks and sweets to prepare this Halloween

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

Halloween means it’s time for treats. Candy is great, but homemade goodies allow for more creativity. Check out these appetizers and sweets to make for oneself, friends, roommates or family.

STRAWBERRY GHOSTS

Start to finish: 20 minutes

Yields: approximately 16

2 cups strawberries

1 ½ cups white chocolate, melted

1 teaspoon coconut oil

¼ cup mini chocolate chips

1 cup chocolate chips, melted

Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine melted white chocolate and coconut oil and stir until combined.

Dip strawberries into white chocolate, then place two mini chocolate chips on the top half of the strawberries for eyes. Place strawberries on prepared baking sheet and let harden in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.

Place melted chocolate chips in a plastic sandwich bag and pipe mouths on the strawberries. Let cool again in the refrigerator for five minutes before serving.

Recipe from delish.com

GRAVEYARD BROWNIES

Start to finish: 1 hour

Yields: approximately 20

1 box of brownie mix (plus additional ingredients listed on the box)

20 Milano cookies, cut in half

2 cups crushed Oreo cookies

3 cups sugar cookie icing, green and black

20 candy pumpkins

Bake brownies as directed, and let cool completely before slicing into squares. If using homemade icing, color half the batch green and the other half black. Load each into a pastry bag with a small round tip or into a sandwich bag with a small hole cut in one corner. Frost squiggly pumpkin vines on the top of each brownie square with green icing. Crumble crushed Oreos on top of the green icing.

Pipe letters onto the halved Milano cookies with black icing to create headstones. Adhere Milano cookie to the brownie with some black icing. Add a dab of green icing to the bottom of the candy pumpkin and place one on each brownie.

Recipe from adventuresofmel.com

WITCH’S FINGERS BREADSTICKS

Start to finish: 25 minutes

Yields: approximately 15

1 roll refrigerated soft breadsticks dough

Marinara or pizza sauce

Sliced almonds, or…

1 bell pepper

¼ cup cream cheese

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and preheat the oven to the temperature indicated on the breadstick dough packaging.

Unroll the breadsticks onto a large cutting board, and using a pizza cutter, slice each breadstick to be about 3 to 4 inches long and ½-inch to 1 inch wide. Roll the dough around a bit to form a finger shape, and use the pizza cutter to press a few horizontal lines in the middle to resemble a knuckle. Transfer breadsticks to the baking sheet.

Indent the more narrow end of the breadstick for the fingernail bed. If using sliced almonds, press one into the bed before baking. If using bell peppers and cream cheese, adhere them after cooking. Bake according to package instructions or until puffy and browning at the top.

Let breadsticks cool completely on a wire rack. Now for the bell peppers: slice them into narrow triangles, add a dab of cream cheese to the tip and stick the pepper on. Serve the finished breadsticks with some marinara or pizza sauce.

Recipe from kitchentreaty.com

PUMPKIN DEVILED EGGS

Start to finish: 35 minutes

Yields: 24

12 large eggs

½ cup mayonnaise

Juice of ½ lemon (about 1 ½ tablespoons)

1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard

Kosher salt

Black pepper

2 tablespoons paprika

4 chives, cut into small pieces

Hard boil the eggs by placing them in a single layer in a saucepan and adding enough water to cover them with 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook covered for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let sit, still covered, for 14 minutes. Then rinse and carefully peel shells off under cool running water. Halve eggs lengthwise. Spoon out yolks into a small bowl and place whites on a serving platter.

Using a fork, mash the yolks, then stir in mayonnaise, lemon juice and Dijon, and season with salt and pepper. Spoon mixture evenly among egg whites and smooth the tops. Carefully dust paprika to completely cover the yolk mixture. Using a knife, make ridges down the paprika-dusted yolk to look like a pumpkin. Place chive slice above yolk mixture to resemble a stem and serve.

Recipe from delish.com

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

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Eight fall activities to get the blood pumping

Spoofy, silly, staff stories

Nostalgic spooky movies to watch this Halloween

Halloween themed spirit week residents of Monmouth can participate in

Dress up in pawsome matching costumes

Celebrate Halloween with festive Franken-foods

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