The October
Villager 2017
Included in this Villager
What is Halloween?
4 Fun Halloween Activities in Gainesville
Game Day Safety
University Athletic Events
Halloween Safety Tips
Career Resource Center
Upcoming GFH Event
JFN-ism
You probably have noticed from the plethora of spooky themed decorations that October is famously
known for Halloween. A little unknown fact about my family is that Halloween is one of our favorite holidays.
We would dedicate all of October to decorating the house, carving Jack O’ Lanterns and making the perfect
trick-or-treating costumes. As my sister and I grew in age, our Halloween traditions never changed. One of
my favorite traditions is going to the local pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin, ready to be
carved. Halloween is all fun and games for my family, but there is a distinct origin of Halloween and how it
became a holiday is not as cheerful.
The origins of Halloween date back to Ireland, over 2,000 years ago, to the ancient Celtic “Festival of
Samhain”. November 1st marked the end of their valued crop season and the beginning of the harsh winter.
It was believed that, on October 31st, the line that divided the world between the living and the dead be-
came blurred, and ghost could roam the lands. The fear of this hybrid ghost/human world would cause the
Celts to dress in costumes, some of which were made from slaughtered animals, in order to “blend” in. This is
where the tradition of wearing costumes on Halloween comes from. Along with damage and destruction, the
ghosts were believed to help predict the future of the Celts, which made the day so valuable. This Samhain
festival was the first known “Halloween”.
As the world developed, so did these traditions. During the potato famine, many people from Ireland
traveled to America for refuge. As the saying goes, old habits die hard, and the tradition of “Halloween” was
brought to America along with the immigrants. The added ritual of “trick-or-treating” came about due to the
level of poverty of the Irish immigrants who would go door-to-door with potato sacks asking for food or mon-
ey. At first, Halloween was rejected by many, due to the large population of Protestant belief, and Hallow-
een’s association with the supernatural. With time, Halloween started to grow farther from witchcraft, and
ghosts, and more into a collaboration and celebration of ones community.
Today, Halloween has kept it’s more light-hearted fun traditions and is celebrated across the country.
Most of the practices today revolve around a multitude of candy, varieties of costumes and haunted decora-
tions. The belief and fear surrounding the “ghost walk” is treated more of as a fable used to scare children,
rather than a fact, but who knows? Maybe ghosts do walk the earth on the 31st…..I’ll leave that up for you to
decided.
Source:
History.com Staff. “History of Halloween.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/
topics/halloween/history-of-halloween.
What is Halloween?
Newberry Haunted Corn Maze: Are you a thrill seeker? Ready to get scared? Then the Newber-
ry Haunted Corn Maze is just the place for you this Halloween season. You can choose to walk the
corn maze and/or take a hay ride, but beware of what lurks in the dark…..
Date: 9/22-10/28
Times: 5pm – 11pm Friday, 3pm – 11pm Saturday, 2pm – 5 pm Sunday
Location: 20015 West Newberry Road Newberry, Florida 32669
Prices: Adults $15 (price includes corn maze and haunted house), Children 10 and Un
der $10, Children 3 and under are free, Hayride- $5, Bull- $5, RC Car Driving Track- $5,
( no refunds)
For more info visit: http://newberrycornfieldmaze.com/
Boo at the Zoo: Boo at the Zoo is a safe, fun , trick-or-treating event for kids of all ages. Head out
to the Santa Fe teaching zoo for 14 candy-filled stations and some great photo ops. Admission is 1
canned item to donate.
Date: 10/31
Time: 3pm-7:30pm
UF Ghouls, Goblins, and Greeks: Every year the UF Panhellenic council puts on a fun-filled Hal-
loween packed event across 16 different sorority houses on sorority row. This event is FREE and
family-oriented. Come out to sorority row for music, games, food and so much more!
Date: 10/27
Time: 5pm-8pm
Pumpkin Patch Picking: Ready to get into the fall spirit? Head out to the pumpkin patch to pick
yourself a couple pumpkins! Carve Halloween faces into them, bake with them, or even decorate
your home with them, the options are endless!
For more information on locations and times visit: http://fun4gatorkids.com/Whats-
Happening/Pumpkin-Patches/
4 Fun Halloween Activities in Gainesville
By: Brady Nettina
University of Florida Emergency Management Intern
The first Gator home football game this season was Saturday, September 9. With home
games, there are a number of changes around campus, for football games, which residents
should prepare.
Whether you plan to watch the Gators play in The Swamp or not, you may be affected
by the increased traffic on and around campus. Parking restrictions are lifted or changed in
certain lots. Check with your Housing staff to ensure that your parking spot is available on
Game Day – you may need to move your vehicle. If you have guests coming to watch the
game, there are several lots around campus that are open for visitors on a first come, first
serve basis. Traffic patterns are also affected. University Avenue between NW 22nd Street and
NW 17th Street will close three hours prior to kickoff and will remain closed until two hours
after the game has finished.
If you are going to the game, be sure to adhere to game day policies. Starting last sea-
son, UF instituted the Clear Bag Policy. This policy keeps fans safe by increasing the effective-
ness of bag searches prior to the games. The University of Florida Athletic Association also
lists the prohibited items on their website.
Lastly, remember: Florida is hot! Stay hydrated throughout the day and at the game.
Drink plenty of water, and avoid or limit your alcohol intake. Apply sunscreen and wear a hat,
to protect yourself from the sun. If you experience any medical issues during the game, there
are aid stations located throughout the stadium that can provide assistance.
More Game Day information can be found at http://floridagators.com/sports/2015/12/10/
_gameday_football_.aspx.
Game Day Safety
UF students get in FREE to all Gator athletic events, other than football, with their Gator1 ID
Card.
10/12 UF Women’s Soccer vs FSU Time: 6:00 pm Location: Pressely Stadium
10/14 UF vs Texas A&M Football Time: 7:00 pm Location: Stadium
10/15 UF Volleyball vs Kentucky Time: 1:00 pm Location: O’Connell Center
10/19 UF Soccer vs Kentucky Time: 6:00 pm Location: Pressely Stadium
10/20 UF Swim/Diving vs Texas/Indiana Time: 6:00 pm Location: O’Connell Center
10/21 UF Swim/Diving vs Indiana/Texas Time: 10:00 am Location: O’Connell Center
10/26 UF Soccer vs South Carolina Time: 7:00 pm Location: Dizney Stadium
10/27 UF Swimming/Diving vs Georgia Time: 10:00 am Location: O’Connell Center
10/27 UF Volleyball vs South Carolina Time: 7:00 pm Location: O’Connell Center
10/28 UF vs Georgia Football Time: 3:30 pm Location: Stadium
(Check website for more details. Times and locations are subject to change)
http://floridagators.com/index.aspx
University Athletic Events: October
Halloween is a time of fun and excitement. Everyone wants to
have a safe and happy Halloween for themselves, their guests, and
especially their children. Following a few safety guidelines and us-
ing some common sense can help you make the most of your Hal-
loween season. Here are some simple tips to make your Hallow-
een frighteningly fun:
1. Plan to Trick-or-Treat when it is still light outside. 2. Trick-or-Treat with a group of people. 3. Plan your route with your group ahead of time, picking familiar
areas and streets that are well lighted. 4. Carry a flashlight and use reflective tape on your costume so you can be easily seen. 5. If buying a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material. 6. Wear a costume in which it is easy to walk. 7. Avoid wearing masks as they may make it hard to see. Why not use makeup instead? But if you must
wear a mask, take it off before crossing the street. 8. Wear a watch you can read in the dark or bring your phone to read the time. 9. Carry only flexible props. 10. Cross streets at corners and resist the urge to cross between parked cars. 11. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic. 12. Only approach houses that are lit. 13. Stay away from and don’t pet animals you don’t know. 14. Carry a cell phone to call home or 911. 15. Wait until you get home to sort, check, and eat your treats. Do not eat anything that is not packaged in
the original factory seal.
For further information on Halloween safety or other safety tips, please contact the University of Florida Po-
lice Department Community Services Division at (352) 392-1409.
Halloween Safety Tips
The Career Resource Center offers a wide variety of workshops and career fairs to help UF Students with
their professional development. From major exploration to preparing for job searches or interviews, we have
an event that will help you get where you need to be. Over 21,000 students used the CRC last year to help
them…will you?
Upcoming Events:
10/10 GSS Opportunities for International Engagement @ 4:05pm-4:55pm
10/11 LATS Personal Finances 101 @ 4:05pm-4:55pm
10/16 LATS: Offers-Negotiating, Accepting and Declining @ 4:05pm-4:55pm
10/16 Grad School 101 @ 4:05pm-4:55pm
10/17 GSS: Job Search Outside of Academia @ 4:05pm-4:55pm
10/17 Preparing for Graduate School Fairs @ 4:05pm-4:55pm
10/18 Beyond the Swamp Graduate Schools Fair @ 10 am-2 pm
10/18 LATS: Relocating After the Swamp @ 4:05pm-4:55pm
10/19 Gator Graduate Programs Fair @ 10:00am-2:00pm
10/19 Navigating the Graduate/Professional School Application@ 4:05pm-4:55pm
10/23 LATS: How to survive your first 30 days on the job @ 4:05-4:55pm
10/25 LATS: Growth after Graduation @ 4:05pm-4:55pm
Upcoming Fairs
10/18 Beyond the Swamp Graduate Schools Fair @ 10am-2pm
10/19 Gator Graduate Programs Fair @ 10am-2pm
For more information visit the website:
https://www.crc.ufl.edu/students/events-and-programs/
Career Resource Center
Haunted House & Halloween Costume Contest Come out to Maguire Village to participate in a variety of Halloween themed fun. There will
be, but not limited to, a haunted house, a Halloween Costume Contest, and hauntingly
mouthwatering food.
Date: Thursday, October 26th
Time: 5:30-8pm
Where: Maguire Village Lawn
If accommodation(s) for a disability is required, please contact a Community Assistant at your
Village.
GFH’s Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Come join us for Graduate and Family Housing’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner. Give thanks and
reflect on this past year with your friends and family over a delicious meal.
Date: Monday, November 6th
Time: 5-9 pm
Where: The Reitz Union Grand Ballroom
Register for your meal ticket at your Village office by 10/27, and pick up your ticket on 11/3 at
your Village office. Everyone who is HMS registered (spouse and children included) can obtain
a ticket, as well as, one additional ticket for friends or family. If you need multiple tickets for
friends or family, you can request to be placed on the waitlist. In the event we have extra tick-
ets, you will be contacted.
If accommodation(s) for a disability is required, please contact a Community Assistant at your
Village.
Upcoming GFH Events
JFN-ism
The fear of
Halloween is
known as
Samhainopobia.
Thank you for reading this month’s Villager!
If you are interested in contributing to our
newsletter or interested in learning about spe-
cific topics, please contact our editor, Gabrielle
Tatro at [email protected].