By Lee “Cat” McLane Editor/Publisher & the late Squeak, now Kitty Angel

Wow!  It’s almost Halloween!  I really can’t say that Halloween is a big holiday I celebrate but it is interesting seeing all the costumes and yard decorations. Last night (Tuesday) I saw a program on the History Channel - Modern Marvels - which talked about the increase in Halloween celebration purchases over the past few years. They showed a company, Halloween, Inc., which obviously specializes in costumes and decor for Halloween. They have several stores across the United States. I couldn’t believe the intricate mechanisms involved in the scarey costumes. It was incredible. They also visited a haunted house in St. Louis, I believe, that showed all the scarey sights inside. I never was one to go to haunted houses and after seeing that one in the real light and seeing how they make some of the scenes, it just makes me sure that I don’t need to do that. But I understand teenagers wanted to do that. I guess I did like that when I was a teenager. Back then, we thought it was scarey when it was dark and they grabbed your hands and had you feeling grapes and spaghetti and telling you it was something quite different. But, it was an interesting show to watch. They said that one-third of Americans purchase costumes to wear on Halloween. I guess that leaves me way out. I don’t think I’ve ever bought a Halloween costume. When I have worn one - on one or two occasions when my son was little - it was one I made myself. So much has changed!  Anyway, have a safe and fun Halloween if you choose to Trick or Treat or just have fun if you go to one of the several functions at the area churches!
Last weekend I visited the McRae Fest and it was a fun thing! I had an interesting talk with the helicopter pilots who were visiting the McRae Community Fest. It was a perfect day for getting out and enjoying it not raining. Then I went to the Beebe main fire station and saw the Fallen Firefighters Memorial. It is a beautiful bronze statue. You need to see it. It will be in Beebe at the main fire station on South Fir through Halloween.  Then on Sunday I went to the Fall Festival at First Assembly of God Church. They had lots of fun things to do and a bunch of little girls and boys bicycles (new) to give away as prizes. I personally liked the pony rides they had. I didn’t get to ride one - because I’m too big - but it was fun watching the little kids get on and have some fun! It was also a perfect day on Sunday. So, I hope you got out and enjoyed some of those things going on in our area! This Saturday being Halloween, there will be lots of fun things to do at area churches as well as Trick or Treating - if you do that. The weather is supposed to be good!  We should all be thankful for that. I think as it stands now, we (Arkansas) are in line to break the record for rainfall in October if we get even 1/3 of an inch this Thursday and Friday- which we probably will. It really has seemed pretty wet, hasn’t it?  I’m ready for sunshine and blue skies!
I hope you have a great week!
Go to your happy place!

See you next week!