The Hitching Post (school newsletter)

The Hitching Post

A Park View Middle School Publication
October 2018
Volume I, Issue I

Welcome to the first electronic version of our school's newspaper! This is a publication containing articles written by students that reflect what is happening in our school and in the world around us. Like any "newspaper" format, feel free to browse through the pages and select an article that catches your eye. As students become experts at this new format, expect our coming issues to include candid pictures and video.

Inside this edition:
Halloween
Editorials
Club News
Sports
What's in the News!

If you would like to submit an article for the next edition in December, please see Ms. Kelly in Room 25 for specific details. All submissions are appreciated and the best written, most original articles published!

The 5 Best Ways to Stay Warm This Fall

Lauren J.

Fall is all about vibrant leaves, Halloween, and cold temperatures. It is great to spend time hiking and trick or treating but with the cold temperatures it is easy to get sick, so make sure you are staying warm this fall.

When staying warm this fall make sure you consider functionality and comfort. An easy and stylish way to stay warm is by wearing sweaters. Sweaters are comfy and are made from thick material to keep you warm. When buying sweaters good materials that will keep you warm are cotton, wool, cashmere, and linen. The prices vary depending on which materials are used when making the sweater. Another great way to stay warm is by drinking warm drinks. Hot chocolate, lattes, and coffees are all work. Most local grocery stores sell hot chocolate mix and coffee grounds, but if you are looking to buy coffee there a lots of selections in Mukwonago. Espresso Love offers lattes, coffees, and teas. In the month of October, they have specials drinks just for fall. These drinks include: a Pumpkin Pie latte, a Caramel Apple Chai, an Autumn Smores Mocha Latte, and Hot Apple Cider. Other than warm drinks, warm food is also a great way to stay warm. Hot oatmeal and a warm bagel with cream cheese is a great source of protein and a healthy breakfast. For lunch, soup or a warm sandwich is a smart choice.

When going outside this fall it is also important to wear layers of clothes to avoid the cold. There are many options and alternatives to stay heated. Wearing good boots and socks keep your feet dry and warm. Boots and socks made from wool are the best way to stay dry. Wool is a thick material that acts as a natural insulator and is guaranteed to keep you nice and warm. Another great choice for keeping warm is a down coat. Made from a duck or goose feathers, it also acts as a natural insulator and will keep you the perfect temperature. Clothing items made from down and wool materials tend to be more expensive than other choices. A good idea is to look for the end of season sales. Items are often 50% off or more. This fall make sure that you stay warm and enjoy the fall weather!

Halloween Myths and Traditions

Halloween has been a widely celebrated holiday for hundreds of years, but does anyone know the traditions and myths from before the costumes and candy? Halloween began almost 2,000 years ago, and it's time to bust some myths and learn some traditions about Halloween.
Everyone has heard of the "black cat superstition." This myth dates back to the Dark Ages, about the time of the witch hunts in Salem. During this time, lone women were accused of witchcraft, and these cats were associated with the Devil's presence on Earth. As you can imagine, the cats were thought to spread bad luck, which is why we have this superstition today.

By: Grace M.

Another question that has risen is,"How did Halloween start?"
Almost 2,000 years ago, Halloween was part of the ancient Celtic religion in Britain and in other parts of Europe.

Nearing the end of summer, the Celts thought that the barrier from our world and the world of spirits and ghosts was very thin. They believed that this meant they could rise up to walk and live on Earth. Their solution to this was to have a giant party.

The Celts were imagining this would scare away the spirits and ghosts. Later on, with the Christian religion, this day, the night before November first, (All Saints' Day) became known as Hallows' Eve.

The History of Halloween

Alissa S.

Once a year, on October 31, people go around knocking door to door saying "Trick or Treat!" That's right. They are celebrating Halloween. Almost everyone does it. But most of those people don't even know what Halloween really is and how it started. No, it is not just for the candy! First off, Halloween goes back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. This celebration marked the end of the summer and the start to a cold winter (time associated with human death). The Celts believed on the night before the new year (November 1) the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. The Celts also thought that when the spirits were with them, it made it easier for priests to make predictions of the future.

The priests built huge bonfires where the people gathered to throw crops in as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During this celebration, the Celts wore costumes, mostly of animal skins and tried to tell each others fortunes. When it was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had put out earlier that evening, from the bonfire to help protect them during the winter to come. By 43 A.D. the Roman Empire had conquered the Celtic territory. Their Roman festivals were mixed with some of the Celtic celebrations.

Over the years, Halloween made it's way over to America. It was more common in Maryland at first and the southern colonies. Halloween soon expanded to more and more states and became what a holiday that is now celebrated every year on October 31.

Shop or Sew?

Stacie G.

Each year, millions of people dress up for Halloween: young and old, pets and humans. The fun is in dressing up as a favorite character or idol, but the question is: do more people buy or sew their costumes? This year, in 2018, the average amount of money spent in America on buying Halloween costumes, decor, and candy was $9 billion dollars, roughly $87 dollars a person, setting a new record for the money spent in America for Halloween necessities.

Some people prefer to save as much money as possible, sewing their own costumes from scratch, but that takes a lot of time and effort. Those D.I.Y. crafters definitely have a creative touch, but the cash people spend each year outnumbers those crafty money savers my the millions. I think that by 2020, Americans will spend an average of $11.5 billion dollars that year, creating an outstanding record that might even make it into the 2019 record book.

https://www.thebalance.com/halloween-spending-statistics-facts-and-trends-3305716

Popular Halloween
Costumes

Eva P.

This year is a big year for trick or treaters. Most kids look for new costumes to impress our friends and neighbors! Here are the top six costumes in 2018:

6: The Black Panther
Ever since the movie came out, this has been all the talk. Be the coolest kid in your neighborhood with this costume! Wakanda Forever.

3: Unicorn
Throw glitter! Be happy! Make others happy with this costume!

2: Spider-Man
Dress up as this famous superhero! This is a super easy and fun costume!

5: Witch
Ouhhh scary! Frighten your friends, or make them laugh, with this costume!

4: Dinosaur
These have been the latest craze. Inflatable dinosaurs. Ride around on a hoverboard, ride a scooter, or run! This will for sure bring people joy! RAWR!

1: Fortnite
Last but certainly not least, we have Fortnite. The number one game of the year. If you haven't played, you've certainly heard of it. From the "Where we dropping boys?" to "Lets get some dubs" This is the latest craze. Dress up as Fortnite characters and do the dance moves as you walk along!

resources: https://www.glamour.com/story/most-searched-halloween-costumes-2018