How civilians can lend military families a helping hand
The efforts of men and women in the military is something everyone, be it fellow military personnel or civilians, can appreciate. In an effort to protect their country and stabilize other countries, service members make many sacrifices, including leaving their families for long periods of time.
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Did you know?
Remembrance Day in Canada is a day to commemorate members of the armed forces. Remembrance Day is observed each year on November 11 because that marks the official end of World War I in 1918.
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Turkey talk
When November rolls around, turkey becomes more than just another option at the deli counter. For some, turkey becomes an obsession around this time of year, with ponderings just how much to buy, how to cook it, and the ways leftovers can be turned into delicious treats.
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Figuring the turkey-to-person ratio
Thanksgiving holds different meanings to different people. Some feel it is a day for being generous or giving thanks through unselfish deeds. Others feel it is a time to sit around with family sharing stories of the year. Still many others simply look forward to the day for football.
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Fun Fall Crafts for Kids Simple Projects to Celebrate Autumn
As leaves turn and the fall weather cools, nature becomes a playground for imagination with its deep reds, oranges, yellows. And, of course, many children start planning their costumes early, using every excuse to dress up before Halloween actually rolls around. With these quick and easy craft projects, the whole family can enjoy celebrating one of the most colorful seasons of the year.
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Oktoberfest traditions
To many people, Oktoberfest symbolizes beer and not much else. But those who want to enjoy Oktoberfest to the fullest should not only hoist a favorite beer, but participate in the following traditions as well.
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Christopher Columbus, 1451-1506
Christopher Columbus is one of the explorers of the 15th century credited for "discovering" the lands known as America. He has also been chastised as spearheading development in these lands and essentially wiping out indigenous peoples at the same time. There is much people do not know about the man behind the name.
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Make the most of a rainy day Halloween
Rain on Halloween. It may not be as bad as households running out of candy, but the thought of drizzle or downpours occurring on a day where much of the fun is spent outside can induce a case of the rainy day doldrums.
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Dig into these pumpkin facts
Pumpkins are a common sight come around Halloween. This fruit of the fall is often used in decorating the interior and exterior of homes, but can be an integral component of cooking and baking as well.
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Halloween costumes for 2011
What would Halloween be without costumes? Each year children and adults alike mull over the most creative or spookiest costumes to don before heading to parties or trick-or-treating events.
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New York City's Halloween parade continues to reign supreme
Though Halloween celebrations span the globe, few, if any, garner the attention of New York City's Halloween parade in the metropolis' famed Greenwich Village neighborhood.
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Haunted destinations for Halloween travelers
To kids, Halloween is all about traveling around the neighborhood dressed up as ghouls and goblins and trick-or-treating for favorite candies. But adults who still love this popular holiday know they can't travel door-to-door and ask for treats. However, there are several destinations across the globe that are tailor made for Halloween revelers.
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Did you know?
Relatively recent research has suggested Irish novelist Bram Stoker knew little about the history of Vlad III, better known as Vlad the Impaler and a figure long considered to be the inspiration for the titular character in Stoker's famous novel Dracula.
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Frightening films a Halloween tradition
Movies are one of the many traditions associated with Halloween. What would Halloween be without some scary classics? To many, horror movies are part of what makes Halloween so great. This Halloween, turn the lights off, pop some popcorn and then cuddle up with these frightening classics.
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Spooky tomes for tweens
Halloween is the perfect holiday for kids, providing them a unique opportunity to dress up in costume and scour the neighborhood soliciting treats.
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Safety first on Halloween
For kids, few holidays are more anticipated than Halloween. The chance to dress up in costume and patrol the neighborhood with friends while collecting treats is the highlight of many a child's autumn.
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Fun alternatives to trick-or-treating
Jack-o-lanterns and costumed kids are among the many things people instantly associate with Halloween. So is the tradition of trick-or-treating, where kids go door-to-door asking for treats that may make dentists cringe.
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Did you know?
The present incarnation of Halloween borrows traditions from four different festivals throughout history.
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Halloween-inspired treats
Part of the fun of Halloween is arriving home after a day of trick-or-treating and having some spooktacular treats to enjoy. Whether you're hosting a Halloween party or simply feeding a group of hungry, costumed kids, fun recipes that turn ordinary foods into spooky specialties are essential.
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Trunk-or-treat is a new community tradition
What parent doesn't worry about the safety of Halloween? Children going door-to-door asking for candy and other trinkets carries with it a certain measure of danger. Hosting candy swaps and other activities tailgate-style removes much of the danger. It's called trunk-or-treating and is often a community- or church-sponsored event.
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Halloween superstitions
Many different superstitions abound, some of which are tailor made for Halloween haunting.
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Legendary mythical creatures
So long as there are myths and folklore, there will be legendary creatures to serve as integral characters of these stories. Although many creatures have remained locked within the pages of a good book, there are many others that have escaped to become part of popular culture.
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Local Worker Helps Veterans Day Evolve
President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed a national holiday called Armistice Day to take place on November 11, 1919 and annually thereafter to commemorate the signing of the armistice treaty that ended World War I.
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The Poppy Is a Symbol of Wartime Remembrance
The poppy has stood as the official symbol of Canada's Remembrance Day since 1921, a visual reminder of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for war. Some may wonder why this small flower is used to represent the fallen soldier.
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Gobble Up This Turkey Trivia
Roughly 45 million turkeys are sold and cooked for Thanksgiving meals every year in the United States. As families dig into that delicious meal, some may wonder more about the delicious bird before them.
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Halloween Traditions and Customs Throughout History
In the United States, Halloween is often seen as a time to dress up in costume and fill up on sweets. However, throughout history, Halloween has inspired a variety of customs and traditions across the globe.
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Celebrate a 'Green' Halloween
Move over black and orange ... there's a new color popping for Halloween this year: Green.
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All About Pumpkins
Pumpkins are a type of gourd that grows on just about every continent (Antarctica not included). The majority of pumpkins are bought and sold around Halloween, commonly to convert to jack-o-lanterns. However, pumpkins can be used as a delicious food source. Here is some other interesting information about pumpkins.
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Little-Known Halloween Trivia
Halloween has been celebrated for centuries. Still, most people simply think it's about dressing up and scouring the neighborhood for candy. A true Halloween lover knows the tasty tidbits of information about the holiday's history and customs.
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Making a Jack-o-Lantern Last Longer
Jack-o-lanterns are a staple of Halloween decorations. Making one last throughout the season is a trick of the trade even some veteran carvers struggle with.
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Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Celebrates 60th Anniversary
In 2010, UNICEF will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of its "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" campaign. Started as a local campaign in Philadelphia in 1950, "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" went national in 1952.
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Pumpkin Cookies a Palate Pleaser for Halloween Fun
Halloween parties are a staple of many late October social calendars. While the days leading up to Halloween are often spent working on the perfect costume, Halloween party hosts also must find the right foods to put guests in that Halloween mood. And when it comes to Halloween cuisine, no food is more on the mind than pumpkin. Halloween hosts hoping to please their guests' palates should consider the following recipe for "Pumpkin Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting," courtesy of the Food Network.
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October 31 More Than Just Halloween
Ask most people what's so special about October 31 and the response will likely be something similar to "It's Halloween!" While Halloween gets the most attention every October 31, that day has played host to lots of other significant events as well.
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Famous Haunted Homes Across America
Halloween fanatics are often on the lookout for homes or locales with a history of being haunted. While it might be scary to chase down ghouls, for some the thrill is simply too fun to ignore. Those on the lookout for haunted homes this Halloween should consider the following destinations, each of which is reportedly haunted.
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Celebs and Notable Characters Still Popular Costume Choices for Halloween
Arguably the most enjoyable part of Halloween is witnessing the different costumes revelers wear while trolling for candy. Over the years, costume trends have favored celebrities or notable characters from television and movies.
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Halloween Film Favorites
Though no holiday season has inspired more films than the Christmas season, Halloween is no stranger to the silver screen. While the horror movie genre has experienced a rebirth of sorts over the last decade, the following classics are still the must-see movies for Halloween afficionados.
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Deck the Halls for Halloween, Too!
A big part of the fun of Halloween is decorating for this festive season of ghouls and goblins. Whether hosting a haunted house party at your home or if you're just hoping to dress up your home in the spirit of the season, the following directions can help give your home a more spooky feel this Halloween.
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Scary Places to Live in the U.S.
Love Halloween and all things frightful? Then perhaps you want to live in one of these areas of the U.S. that have spooktacular names.
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Spider Maze
Kids find their way through the maze.
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9 Ways to Make Halloween Safer
Halloween is a time for people young and old to enjoy a little mischief and mayhem. To make the holiday even more enjoyable, celebrants can heed a few tips to make Halloween as safe as it is pleasurable.
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Black Cat Folklore
Black cats have long been associated with Halloween, and frequently found in myths and folklore.
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Vampire Bats Not to be Feared
Myths abound of blood-sucking bats that prey on people. Even the notorious blood-sucker himself, Dracula, turns into a fluttering bat in some versions of the story.
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Halloween Coloring
Color in this picture to make a masterpiece.
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Exploring the Jewish Holidays of the Fall
Early autumn is a busy time for those who practice Judaism. Several holidays that have significant meaning fall in September and October, depending on the Hebrew calendar year. Here is a look at the significance and the way these special events are celebrated.
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Tips to Make Hosting Thanksgiving Less Stressful
Whether it's a big guest list or a smaller affair, the pressure to provide a memorable holiday meal can prove overwhelming at times. However, there are ways to ensure everyone has a good Turkey Day, especially the host.
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Test Your Knowledge of Presidential Trivia
Though Americans might not be heading to the polls this fall to vote for a new President, history buffs love showcasing their repertoire of presidential trivia, and election time is no exception. But how much do you really know about our nation's leaders? Test your presidential smarts with this quiz. Maybe you'll wow someone standing in line behind you at the voting booths.
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Ready the Home for Holiday Guests
This year, with so many families sacrificing thanks to the economic downturn, chances are more and more relatives will be welcoming guests into their homes rather than directing road weary travelers to the nearest hotel. That means many homeowners will be preparing their homes for guests this holiday season. To get a head start, consider the following tips.
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Did You Know?
One theory as to why Americans eat turkey every Thanksgiving dates back to the days of the famed Spanish Armada. That theory states that during the 16th century, Queen Elizabeth was enjoying roast goose during a harvest festival when she was informed the Spanish Armada, on its way to attack England, had sunk.
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A Thanksgiving Dish for Vegetarian Guests
For those cooking for vegetarians this holiday, the following recipe for "Crushed Yam with Chile and Garlic" from Monisha Bharadwaj's "India's Vegetarian Cooking" (Kyle Books) serves the dual purpose of satisfying both yam loving meat eaters and vegetarians.
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