Trick-or-treat

Trick or Treat: Spooky Gatherings and Uncanny Estates!

This Halloween season is not just for ghouls; it's your chance to learn about supportive communities and ghost estates!

As Halloween approaches, it’s not all about ghost stories and pumpkin spice lattes! In an interesting blend of spooks and support, undergraduate students at CWRU are invited to join the #MeToo CWRU for a wonderfully themed trick-or-treat support group event. Scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Flora Stone Center, this event highlights the importance of community and conversation during the sometimes haunting experiences many individuals face. So, don your best costumes and prepare to engage in supportive discussions surrounded by festive decorations and delightful treats!

Meanwhile, in the cozy town of Sudbury, parents and local officials have decided to turn the kindness of Halloween into a way to promote inclusion. The Accessible Trick or Treat event will be held on Oct. 31 from 5 to 7 PM on Meadowbrook Road. If you’re wondering how to participate without the usual frights, this event allows children of all abilities to enjoy the spooky season in a safe environment. Last year's success set a high bar, and attendees are already itching to indulge in some ghostly fun again!

On a more curious note, trick-or-treaters in Weirton had something sweet to celebrate as representatives from Church Women United received a proclamation at the Mary H. Weir Public Library acknowledging their efforts in the community. It’s heartwarming to see local organizations come together during such a festive time, proving that Halloween is about more than just candy – it’s also about community spirit and support.

Speaking of spirit, in a rather eerie tale, Cork’s infamous ghost estate, Ashley, is bringing spooky vibes for all the wrong reasons. This long-mothballed development on Rochestown Road, which stalled back in 2009, has recently been valued at €1.24 million. The question remains: who will breathe new life into it? While creepy stories swirl around, it is hoped that someone will finally take the plunge and turn this vacant estate into a living community once again.

To add a dash of Halloween knowledge, did you know that the Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating is believed to date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain? During this time, spirits were thought to roam freely, and people would dress up to ward them off. And in case you weren't aware, ghost estates are housing developments that were started during property booms but left unfinished due to economic downturns. They’ve become somewhat of a social commentary on Ireland’s housing crisis!