Happy Halloween! A Halloween holiday postcard. Credit: New York Public Library/Public Domain

Happy Halloween to all you ghouls and gremlins who celebrate! For today’s daily news roundup we’ll put the scary and nail-biting current events aside for a moment, and highlight fun festivities and alternative trick-or-treating events. In light of social distancing and health safety, communities across the country are still finding creative ways to enjoy the happy haunts and spirit of Halloween.

We’ll take a look at some of those local events, activities, and even some ghost stories. Plus, you can browse through a selection of Halloween postcards and photos from library archives! We hope you have a happy and safe Halloween, TC Community! The following stories were collected from Newseum:

A postcard of a black cat and witch sitting in the back of an automobile carved out of a squash or watermelon. Credit: Toronto Public Library/Public Domain

Arizona Daily Sun, Published in Flagstaff, Arizona

COVID-safe candy-dispensing 'contraption'

At Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy, seventh-graders were tasked with a maker activity: find a safe way to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters during Halloween this year. One student, Damien Delgado, showed off his robotic “contraption” made out of Popsicle sticks, string, balloons, and operated by a toy remote-controlled car. See the robot candy dispenser in the article yourself! 

The Pantagraph, Published in Bloomington, Illinois

Halloween Magic: Trick-or-treating possible during pandemic if safety precautions taken, kids say

While the state health department is encouraging virtual events, kids in Bloomington, Illinois are still getting to enjoy Halloween trick-or-treating. Dressed up in costumes—and donning their face masks—some kids are planning on setting out to homes, hoping neighbors will have candy set aside in tables or safely separated in plastic baggies so they won’t have to stick hands into communal bowls. Kids and families are also taking precautions by practicing social distancing, wearing face coverings, and washing and sanitizing hands. 

Autumn in Pomfret, Connecticut. October 2011. Credit: Carol Highsmith/Library of Congress

The Gleaner, Published in Henderson, Kentucky

Local historian shares stories of Henderson hauntings and mysterious happenings

Henderson historian and library employee Tom Jake is always eager to explore a creepy basement or attic. He knows all about old stories of ghosts and hauntings in the local community, and in celebration of Halloween this year, he shared some of those mysterious tales over a Zoom conference with the Henderson Rotary Club. He shared unexplainable spectral images of ghostly figures and footage of strange glowing orbs caught on camera near local institutions. It’s one way he is still keeping connected with members of the community during the pandemic.

Savannah Morning News, Published in Savannah, Georgia

Chatham neighborhoods plan for ‘no-touch’ Halloween

Driving through Savannah neighborhoods, you’ll see front yards decorated with pumpkins, skeletons holding bottles of bleach, and witches with masks. Many Halloween decorations have been themed with current events and the pandemic in mind. The Chatham County Health Department is recommending movie nights or socially distanced parades this year. Some community members are whipping up grab-and-go goody bags for socially distanced trick-or-treaters. Find out how others in the area are celebrating Halloween. 

Halloween will look a little different this year. Credit: New York Public Library/Public Domain

Abilene Reporter-News, Published in Abilene, Texas

Abilene Philharmonic fans only see 'Dracula' once in a Blue moon

On Thursday, at a local drive-in theater in Abilene, Texas, the Abilene Philharmonic’s Mozart Society hosted a special free showing of the classic 1931 film Dracula to get community members into the Halloween spirit. Moviegoers rolled up in their cars, some kids dressed up in costumes. The audience watched under the night sky, with a spectacular Blue Moon—the second full moon of October.

Have a safe Halloween! Credit: New York Public Library/Public Domain

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