Spooky New England

Halloween is one week away. What does that mean to you? Well, as a mom of 10 (mostly young) children, it means excitement. Our kids have been talking about trick-or-treating for weeks now. I think the minute school starts, it's #1 on their mind and I get to hear the count-down every day. (Oh, joy!) Of course, the minute Halloween is over, I hear about Christmas, even though I am determined to enjoy Thanksgiving first, thank-you-very-much!

In spite of my homeschooling, rural environment, I have have to admit that I do not make home-made costumes. In fact, I don't make home-made anything-you-can-wear. Sewing is not a talent I was afforded. But we have still have fun throwing things together (thanks to the local thrift stores.)

Oddly, Halloween is not a much celebrated holiday around here. It's even tough to find neighborhoods for trick-or-treat. When you think about the history of Halloween and New England's connection, it seems a little odd -- or maybe it makes complete sense.

New England is a little creepy. It really is. It's old. Other than Jamestown and St. Augustine, it is the oldest, settled part of the country and that means a lot of history -- and a lot of ghosts. At least that's what they tell me and it's easy to believe if you venture out after dark. Most of northern New England is forest. NH is 95% forest and the rate is probably higher in VT and ME. That's a lot of forest considering how small these states are. As a result, it's easy to get lost here. People do it every year. They come up from the big cities, venture into the woods, and never come out again (alive.) Creepy. The rocky, foggy coast is spooky, too. This is why scary books and movies are set here.

So, our towns are in the middle of a vast forest. Few venture out at night. Street-lights are rare. People don't even turn on their porch lights! In the midst of these small towns are old cemeteries. Really old ones. There is one just a block down the road from me. (see photo above.) It's "in town", but I wouldn't want to walk through that thing at night. It's creepy enough during the day. It's depressing, too. A lot of those stones mark the graves of dead children, a common tragedy in days of old. Graves from the 1700's and those of Civil War soldiers are not uncommon either. And they have those big creepy stones. No wonder people are convinced there are ghosts about. Around here, you can even go on "ghost tours."

If spooky graveyards don't disturb you enough, there are "haunted houses." Not the kind where people go in with costumes and buzz saws -- I mean real haunted houses. Big, ole, abandoned Victorian mansions with overgrown foliage. The kind that kids dare each other to approach. When the leaves are blowing around, the moon is full, and bats are aloft, those things can be great fodder for the imagination.

Of course, there is spooky history here, too. Salem and Lizzie Borden, for example. You can read a lot more about that in the following books (click image to purchase):



So, many New Englanders, especially here in the northern parts, avoid Halloween. I can only think of a hand-full of friends who will even allow their children to trick-or-treat. The Puritan heritage is still strong here.

We are OK with it, though. We just avoid the spooky costumes and graveyards. (Fun or scary house set-ups are a rare sight around here, but you might find a "Harvest" or "Reformation" Party about.) We just go to one of the few accommodating neighborhoods in order to collect treats and high-tail it back to the safety of home and hearth.

Have fun and watch out for "ghosties and ghoulies and long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night . . . "

For Fall Foliage

It's peak foliage here in New Hampshire and no matter how long I live here, I am always amazed by the beauty and grandeur I see around me this time of year. This is when people all over the world flock to New England and here are a few reasons why . . .

Don't let this amazing (and amazingly short) season pass you by unnoticed! Make sure you stop and really take a look around if you are in seasonal country. It really seems to go by in an instant and, to me, it is an amazing gift from God. How easily He could have made it for the leaves just turn brown and drop off dead, but instead He gave us an amazing show; a brilliant good-bye that makes facing the loss of summer green and the coming frost easier to bear.

To find out when color is at peak where you live, check the Fall Foliage Map on The Weather Channel's website!

The mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. -- Isaiah 55:12b

For Apple Picking

It's prime time for apple picking in northern New England. The kids and I have had a lot of fun reading some of the books I posted in a previous blog and we learned interesting facts about the history of apples and apples today. For example, did you know that the leading state for apple production -- by FAR -- is Washtington state? A distant 2nd is New York and then the great, state of Michigan (where I grew up.) In fact, the apple blossom is Michigan's state flower.

Here's another one: The most popular apple is the Red Delicious. (Good -- that's my favorite!)

We all know who Johnny Appleseed is -- he was born in MA, but he spent most of his life planting and cultivating apple trees in the Ohio Valley and many of the apple trees there today are descendants of his.

New England isn't slack in the apple department either. In fact, states on both coasts are great apple producers. Around here, you will mostly find Cortlands and MacIntosh. My family is happy about that (they do not share my love for Red Delicious.) For them, the more tart the better -- and since "Macs" ripen earlier than other varieties (and fall and winter come sooner here), we decided that a sunny, September Saturday was perfect timing.

We head across the Connecticut River into Vermont (since it is the closest large apple orchard to us.):

Most of the apple trees there are of the dwarf variety -- perfect for climbing!

Like most orchards, they let you eat as many as you want on the go. My kids can't get enough. They wonder about all the apples on the ground and I inform them that they will be used to feed animals, make cider, and for applesauce.

It's fun to look for an orchard that offers a little bit more for the kiddies. Some have cider mills, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches, but this one is a little more old-fashioned. Here, the kids enjoy the petting zoo (full of cows, deer, goats, chickens, rabbits, and other small, farm animals.)

Not surprisingly you will also find loads of pumpkins and other vegetables. Harvest is in!

A must for apple picking is the ability to buy apple cider donuts. If they don't have 'em, we don't go! It's a once-a-year treat . . . fresh donuts, hot from the fryer (your choice, plain or sugar -- I prefer plain.) Mmmmmm . . . look at the grease on that bag!

And like many public farms and orchards in our rural area, you will find a country store with home-town goodies and souvenirs.

If you are one of those rare folk who do not want to bother trampling through the trees and up the hills in order to fill a bushel full yourself, you can always purchase pre-packaged bags (and still enjoy being at the orchard.)

If you are used to grabbing the apple sales at the grocery store this time of year, I encourage you to consider your local orchard instead. If you are in a mind to make pies, tarts, applesauce, cider, or other apple goodies, you can't go wrong picking the apples right off the tree (bruise-free) and the prices are usually pretty comparable as well.

Don't miss out on this fall ritual. (September is prime time for the northeast and other parts north; October is better in other areas.) You can start here or do a search in your area for orchards. If you have kids, they are bound to relish in the simple fun and the opportunity to get out into the crisp air and you will find memories and traditions to last a lifetime.

A Visit to the County Fair

Here is a popular end-of-summer rite in New England. Most states have 'em, but they are all different. In New England, fairs have been around since the early settlers -- and some do not seem to have changed very much since the early 1800's, including this fair in Tunbridge, Vermont. Have you ever attended an old-fashioned county fair? If so, maybe this post will bring back fond memories; if not, come and take a tour!

Fairs in rural New England are usually nestled in some remote country-side, surrounded by green mountains and farms. They tend to feature livestock and agriculture, but you can't have a fair without a midway and rides, too.

Our family particularly likes this fair because they have "Agriculture Education Day", which means FREE admission for schools and home-schools! With sunny weather in the mid-'60's, we were off.

Throughout the fair grounds are old buildings, including barns, shops, and this authentic one-room school-house. Kids take a step back 150 years and get a little glimpse of life for their Victorian counter-parts.


Schools were not so "tolerant" in those days.


After school, the kids can run over to the general store. Unfortunately, due to inflation, candy sticks and lollipops are now whopping .25 each.


Further down the lane, step into a trade-woman's shop. She is hand-making colorful rugs with rags. Amazing.




Not far away, a man builds violins. A few guys play jigs and waltzes in the background:


The local blacksmiths are busy, too. They solder iron hooks, horseshoes, candelabras, toys, and tools.




After an hour or two watching how things were done in the old days, it's fun to watch our resident Civil War heroes (AKA "The Green Mountain Boys") in a drill demonstration:




Like many fairs, shows and entertainment abound -- but Vermont offers those of a more quaint variety. You might catch a square dance (and even be pulled up on stage and give it a go yourself) or a puppet show. You might also listen to a mysterious "Dixieland Band."


If you step over to the other side of the fairgrounds (after watching the pig races), you can see all the wonderful produce, artwork, baked goods, and handiwork that local people have entered with dreams of winning a blue ribbon.


The judges take their duties very seriously:






























Though your head might be spinning from that amazing talent, you do not want to miss out on the highlight of the fair -- livestock. (The kiddies especially squeal with delight over the prospect of petting.)






Every farm animal you can think of is there, happily displayed by owners in pursuit of those coveted ribbons. We learn a lot about our agricultural history and see that God has greatly blessed this nation and continues to do so.
I hope you enjoyed this little visit to a rural, New England fair. We enjoyed it very much. I encourage you to take a day off and look for a fair near you. Fore-go the concessions and rides and really soak in the history and agriculture. You, too, will marvel in the ingenuity and riches of our country and learn a lot, in the bargain. Can you think of anything better than that? If you have memories of the fair (old or new), please share in the comments section! Have a blessed harvest!