A Night of Friendly Fright

Halloween - an opportunity for family and friends to get together and have some fun - There are some inexpensive but fun ways to enjoy the spookiest night of the year, no matter the age. Whether young or old, have fun, make memories, and enjoy food and friendship.

Little ones can have some very pleasant surprises without being scared, and older guests, friends, and family can separate the fantasy from the real and enjoy themselves too. The real "treat" is being together and sharing

Design and make your own costumes one evening just before Halloween

Make a whole town of "pumpkin" people from "small" citizens right up to the "grand" marshall - the big pumpkin that needs three "citizens" to move it from place to place

Roast and eat pumpkin seeds, make taffy apples, colored popcorn, pumpkin pie, cinnamon doughnuts, apple cider, s'mores around a bonfire

In essence - all the bounty of flavors and color that Autumn brings

Have a party - play/laugh/make believe and stick your hands into unseen bowls of - I can't tell or I'll spoil the fun - but you'll find out when you turn on the lights.

Decorate with cobwebs, colored lights, brimming cauldrons of dry ice, and flying bats overhead.

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How about a Trick or Treat Supper just before venturing out to see if you can outsmart all those creatures that go bump in the night:

Menu: Crown Roast of Franks(enstein), Boston Baked Beans, Witch's Brew, Hoot owl cookies Appetizer: A big bowl of tomato soup with eyeballs (tiny onions) and spooky salad

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Spooky Salad:

• 1 large orange, peeled
• 6 pineapple slices
• lettuce
• raisins
• 3/4 cup mayo

Cut orange crosswise into 6 slices. Place each slice on a pineapple slice. Place on crisp lettuce. Make eyes, nose and mouth on each orange slice using raisins. Serve with mayo thinned w/pineapple juice.

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Crown Roast of Franks:

• 4 cups saltine cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 can sauerkraut, drained
• 1-1/2 cups diced apples
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• 2 tsp. caraway seed
• 1-1/2 lbs. frankfurters

Mix together cracker crumbs, butter, sauerkraut, apples and caraway. Shape into a mound on a baking sheet. Stand frankfurters around the stuffing, joining with cocktail picks near the top. Bake at 375 for 40 mins.

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Witches' brew:

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3-1/2 cups milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• dash cloves
• cinnamon sticks
• whipped topping

Combine cocoa, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in pan; gradually add 1/2 cup boiling water. Heat to boil over medium heat, stirring and cook 2 mins. Add milk; heat but do not boil. Remove from heat; add vanilla and cloves. Beat w/rotary beater until foamy. Serve hot, garnished with a dollop of whipped topping and a cinnamon stick.

Halloween can be fun without a lot of expense - and enjoyed by Trick or Treaters of all ages - Halloween - ENJOY!