The Weekly Update #4

Picture this; you built a house in the San Diego area, trying to make a fortune during the California Gold Rush. The plot of land that the house is on used to be the San Diego Gallows, where several criminals were executed. You witnessed one of these executions, the execution of a man named Yankee Jim Robinson. In the years that follow your moving into the house, you hear footsteps going through the house as you work, up and down the stairs, and you hear Robinson’s grunts, haunting you throughout the night.

This is just the situation that Thomas Whaley found himself in when he constructed the Whaley House in 1856. His stories about the house’ supernatural activity caused horror lovers and ghost enthusiasts to flock to the site, even after his death. Now popularly known as ‘America’s most haunted house’, people who visit the Whaley House talk of the supernatural experiences that occur there. People claim to hear voices and noises, said to be the criminals that were executed at the original site. People also claim to smell the perfume the Whaley’s wife used to wear, as well as feel the family pets brush past their legs. Visitors even claim to see the ghost of Whaley himself, sitting in his office chair.

Whether these stories are true or not, we may never know. However, the operations manager of the house, Victor Santana, claims that he has witnessed supernatural events since he started working there. In one instance, he states that paranormal investigators set up an EVP (electronic voice recorder) in the house to catch paranormal activity, asking questions into the air, trying to catch a response. One of these questions was “Are you happy that we are here with you tonight,”? Santana claims that, when playing back the recording, their was a voice that answered “No,”.

This is the story of how Halloween became a holiday. Halloween is an interesting holiday that not many people know the history of. It all started with a festival…

Halloween originated from a festival called ‘Ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.’ People would wear all kinds of costumes to ward off the ghosts, they would also light bonfires.

The festival was about the summer going to rest and it was a time of ‘stock-taking’ before the winter came. The eighth century Pope Gregory lll detached November 1 to honor saints. Since he did this more saints participated in the daily festival.

As time passed it developed into treat or treating. This happened since it became often that kids would perform a small show door to door and they would reward them with some kind of food or treats. Once again as time flew by and slowly became normal to give the kids treats whether they did a show or not.

Over time it got into more activities like pumpkin carving and eating treats, that is the history of Halloween becoming a holiday.

The holiday we all know today…

Candy-Corn came from a place called the Wunderle Candy company from Philadelphia, it became a candy in the 20th century. A guy named George Renninger made the candy in the 1880s.

Candy-Corn became a part of Halloween when people started to hand it off to children individually, wrapping it often as treats to them. It sorta matched the Halloween colors such as black, orange, purple, green and a bit of white added too if you’d like.

People saw this and said it was best for Candy-Corn to be a representation of Halloween.

That is the history of how Candy-Corn became and how it’s a candy we know from Halloween..

Consider asking a question of your own. We know there is something on your mind. A common misnomer is that middle school students are shallow and don't really have any true problems to solve. But we know the truth. You all have tough times too, and that's ok. Tough times sometimes allow us to understand how special the good times are.

Ask your question below, you may even be helping out someone else who has a similar life challenge.

Question: I feel horrible and I don't know why... I know I have a problem but I dont know the answer to is.. My mom won't understand I know she won't. Whenver I taste food it makes me want to vomit, I'm always wearing a jacket and never feel good. I feel tired and I just want to rest but never can.. How can I rest my mind? How can I make sure I don't throw up? Or take the feeling away? And how do I make my mom understand?..

Response: First off, I want it on the record that I’m a counselor, not a doctor. What you describe sounds like that’s who you need to see. But let me address a couple of the underlying issues, which you only touch on a little. One, it seems like you and your mom are having some issues communicating. You mention that your mom doesn’t understand…but it sounds like what you want to say is she won’t believe you. You say you know she won’t. If you were talking to me, I would ask, “How do you know?” Also, “Why is your mom having a hard time understanding/believing you?” Has there been some problems in the past?

Once again, I am not a doctor but what you are describing sounds like anxiety or it could be the flu. Both can be fixed, but it does require parental and grown-up and possibly medical intervention. You’re gonna need to talk to your mom.

If you’re uncomfortable doing that, I recommend talking to one of the counselors or the social worker. They can help direct you towards help. If you’re not liking how you’re feeling, and who would? Reach out to a grown-up around you that you think will believe you and understand. They can help you.

Check back soon for the answer.