October is National Stamp Collecting month |
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The GCSC October Auction was a tremendous success. Thanks to Bob "Such A Deal" Marousky, Cathy "Wait A Minute" Marousky, and Mike "The Bagman" Kayes.
Our November General Club meeting is at 2:00 pm Saturday, November 3 at the St. Martin Library. Al Alleque will be giving our educational program. We would like to see everybody there.
40th Annual Salute To The Military
The Mississippi Coast Chamber of Commerce will host a Salute To The Military on October 16. This ceremony is dedicated to the men and women who wear our nation's uniforms in the service of our country. The Gulf Coast Stamp Club would like to join in this celebration honoring these men and women. Many times maligned, often used as a political football, and definitely underpaid, these people perform duties every day that could be considered miraculous. Oftentimes we ask them to do things in the dark so we may lay our heads down at night in peace. We owe them so much but we can only offer our respect and a big "Thank You." Please visit the C of C web site here for further information.
USPS October 2018 Issues
Gautier Library Exhibition for National Stamp Collecting Month by Gordon Nelms
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October is National Stamp Collecting month. Our club is honoring three of our most distinguished collectors this month, Harry Steinwinder, John Wright and Bob Whitaker. The Club has begun this process by bestowing life time memberships on these three men. We are going to try and tell the stories behind their beginnings in the world of philately and what they have learned on that journey.
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Harry Steinwinder
Harry Steinwiender is the senior statesman of our Club. He was a member of the original Biloxi Stamp Club and then a founding member of the Gulf Coast Stamp Club. And like John Wright, he started collecting by knowing someone who worked at the Post Office.
When Harry was a paper boy, one of his customers was a retired Postman and stamp collector. He showed Harry his collection and that was all it took. Harry was buying stamps from the Postman’s stock at face value.
Another customer on Harry’s paper route was an English War Bride. Harry noticed the different stamps she would get on her mail, so he asked her about them. She was kind enough to find Harry a penpal in England, her father, Frank J. Paul. A large number of his British stamps, especially the early ones, came from trading with Frank. Later while in the Army and stationed in Germany, Harry took some leave to visit his penpal who lived in Swindon, England. He remembers being taken on tour around the Swindon area and how kind his penpal was to him.
That wasn’t the only stamp collecting adventure Harry had while stationed in Germany. He would take sheets of US stamps to a German stamp dealer. The dealer gave Harry credit for them to buy German stamps from the dealer. Among the stamps he purchased were two sets of stamps (one mint and one used set) from the SAAR region of Germany. Eventually Harry sold the used set and kept the mint set, which he thought was the more valuable. Afterwards he found that the used set was more valuable than the mint set he kept. Harry considered it a mistake that taught him how important knowledge is to become a successful stamp collector.
A Benedictine Monk gave Harry some stamps from the Vatican and that was what started him collecting Vatican stamps. Another trip while he was stationed in Germany was to the Vatican where he had a semiprivate meeting with the Pope. Upon leaving the meeting he found a place to buy stamps right outside the Vatican.
When he returned to the states, he was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. There he had a chance to handle one of the rarest British stamps, the Penny Red, Plate #77. At a stamp event a Belgian lady approached Harry asking if he want to buy a stamp. She had a Penny Red for sale. When he looked at it, he thought it looked like a plate #77. He took the stamp to two other collectors and both agreed that it was indeed a plate #77. Being an honest collector, Harry told her the true value of her stamp and she then decided to keep it rather than sell it.
In Biloxi, he was a member of the Biloxi Stamp Club. The Club met in the Buena Vista Hotel on the beach. Their annual stamp show was held in a meeting room across the street from the hotel. That was also the original location of the WLOX TV station. A gentleman by the name of Ray Butterfield ran the station and gave the Stamp Club time on air to publicize the Stamp Show.
As stamp collectors from across the coast met and joined the Club, the name morphed into the Gulf Coast Stamp Club. With changes happening on the Coast, the location of the Stamp Show changed along with where the Club met. As of the 1980s, the Club was meeting in the Biloxi Knights of Columbus (KC) Hall on Water St. Harry was the person who secured that location and he kept the Club Library in his office at the KC Hall. Sadly it was flooded by Hurricane Katrina and the Club lost its library. The Club then moved to the St. Martin Library meeting room.
When Harry was asked what his favorite stamp is, he replied, “the Penny Black”. His reason for this choice is partly because it was the first stamp and partly due to its simple beauty. He has stopped collecting modern United States stamps due to the increasing number of stamps that are now being issued and there poor designs. Still enjoying his early British collection, he is working on trying to finish up his Plate Number Penny Red collection. He only needs a few stamps to complete it to his satisfaction. Harry knows that he will never again hold a Plate # 77 Penny Red stamp again but is happy that the Belgian lady give him that opportunity to actually hold this rare stamp.
ed. by Bob Marousky GCSC Secretary
John Wright
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Recently the Gulf Coast Stamp Club voted to award Lifetime Membership status to two of our long serving members. John Wright is one of those honored. It is my privilege and pleasure to write the story of John’s life as a stamp collector for the October Club website.
John Wright began stamp collecting when he was a young teenager working as “Special Delivery Boy” for the Post Office in Edenton, North Carolina. The postmaster, who was a stamp collector, asked John if he would help to clean up in the Post Office. During the cleaning, they came across numerous high value stamps that hadn’t been sold. At that time, stamps were not returned after a certain date as they are today. High value stamps were kept for years and only used around the holidays to mail packages. With the help of the postmaster, John was able to start his collection with mint never hinged from the stock of TransMississippi, Columbians, etc. He could not afford all the stamps but the postmaster put them aside and let him pay over time. Then as a young man John already had a collection of stamps that are highly valued today.
John entered the Air Force as a flying sergeant and was then commissioned. Initially he was a pilot flying prop planes and early era jets. Unfortunately, John had difficulty wearing the high pressure face mask used in flying jets. He then transitioned from flying to a role as a nuclear safety inspector here at Keesler AFB. While stationed on the Gulf Coast he met his wife, Billie. Completing his Air Force enlistment John got out of the service and worked with Billie’s father and then as a geologist for an oil company in Texas. Sadly Billie had developed serious heart disease and even though he earned a high salary with the oil company, he could not afford to pay for all of Billie’s medications.
In order to afford the health care Billie needed, John decided to reenter the Air Force. At that time he could not obtain a slot as an officer and accepted the rank of Staff Sargent. Moving forward, while he was stationed at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL John had to sell his stamp collection for the first of three times. This was to raise money to pay for the help Billie needed around the home raising a young family.
Soon another collection was built and again he found himself having to sell it. This time he was stationed at Barksdale AFB, LA and he sold the collection with the help of Raymond and Roger Weill in New Orleans. That began a lifelong friendship with the two brothers who were known for the high quality of the stamps they sold. Working with them John was able to rebuild his collection and when time came that he needed to sell any stamps, they worked with him to get the best price for his stamps. On occasion, they were able to offer him stamps with a guarantee to buy them back at a premium in the future.
While stationed at Clark AFB in the Philippines he went on TDY (Temporary Duty) Assignments throughout Southeast Asia. Everywhere he went, he looked for stamps to buy. One of his favorite places to buy stamps was in India. Later assignment in Libya and Germany gave him the opportunities to travel to attend auctions and buy stamps throughout Europe.
When John retired, he brought Billie and their family back to the Gulf Coast settling in Ocean Springs. Upon completion of a degree at The University of Southern Mississippi, he worked with the Geological Survey out of Stennis. This gave him opportunities to travel all over the United States. John was always alert for places to buy stamps whether he was away on official business or on family vacation.
When a chance came to work for a private cargo transportation service he took a position as load master. This opened the world to John giving him access to buying stamps in places as diverse as Africa, Latin and South America. He remembers attending auctions in Mexico where guards with guns escorted auction viewers when looking over lots.
John’s stamp collecting interests mirror his life experience. From his experience with the stamp collecting postmaster, he maintains a US collection. From his experience at Wheelus AFB in Libya, he collects Italian Colonies. With his long experience with flying, he has a world wide collection of airmails up to 1972. Unable to find an adequate album for his airmail stamps, he has created his own album pages. He has also developed a method of making mounts for the larger miniature sheets and has kindly shared that method with Club members.
John has been a long time member both of American Philatelic Society (APS) and of the Gulf Coast Stamp Club. Only Harry Steinweinder has been with the Club longer. During John’s time with the Club he has held the offices of President, Vice-President, Director, Chairman of GULFPEX, and Newsletter Editor. Throughout his life he has been a mentor to other collectors, always willing to share his knowledge with others and open to learning from others. John Wright is a perfect example of a true Philatelist .
ed. by Bob Marousky GCSC Secretary
John Wright began stamp collecting when he was a young teenager working as “Special Delivery Boy” for the Post Office in Edenton, North Carolina. The postmaster, who was a stamp collector, asked John if he would help to clean up in the Post Office. During the cleaning, they came across numerous high value stamps that hadn’t been sold. At that time, stamps were not returned after a certain date as they are today. High value stamps were kept for years and only used around the holidays to mail packages. With the help of the postmaster, John was able to start his collection with mint never hinged from the stock of TransMississippi, Columbians, etc. He could not afford all the stamps but the postmaster put them aside and let him pay over time. Then as a young man John already had a collection of stamps that are highly valued today.
John entered the Air Force as a flying sergeant and was then commissioned. Initially he was a pilot flying prop planes and early era jets. Unfortunately, John had difficulty wearing the high pressure face mask used in flying jets. He then transitioned from flying to a role as a nuclear safety inspector here at Keesler AFB. While stationed on the Gulf Coast he met his wife, Billie. Completing his Air Force enlistment John got out of the service and worked with Billie’s father and then as a geologist for an oil company in Texas. Sadly Billie had developed serious heart disease and even though he earned a high salary with the oil company, he could not afford to pay for all of Billie’s medications.
In order to afford the health care Billie needed, John decided to reenter the Air Force. At that time he could not obtain a slot as an officer and accepted the rank of Staff Sargent. Moving forward, while he was stationed at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL John had to sell his stamp collection for the first of three times. This was to raise money to pay for the help Billie needed around the home raising a young family.
Soon another collection was built and again he found himself having to sell it. This time he was stationed at Barksdale AFB, LA and he sold the collection with the help of Raymond and Roger Weill in New Orleans. That began a lifelong friendship with the two brothers who were known for the high quality of the stamps they sold. Working with them John was able to rebuild his collection and when time came that he needed to sell any stamps, they worked with him to get the best price for his stamps. On occasion, they were able to offer him stamps with a guarantee to buy them back at a premium in the future.
While stationed at Clark AFB in the Philippines he went on TDY (Temporary Duty) Assignments throughout Southeast Asia. Everywhere he went, he looked for stamps to buy. One of his favorite places to buy stamps was in India. Later assignment in Libya and Germany gave him the opportunities to travel to attend auctions and buy stamps throughout Europe.
When John retired, he brought Billie and their family back to the Gulf Coast settling in Ocean Springs. Upon completion of a degree at The University of Southern Mississippi, he worked with the Geological Survey out of Stennis. This gave him opportunities to travel all over the United States. John was always alert for places to buy stamps whether he was away on official business or on family vacation.
When a chance came to work for a private cargo transportation service he took a position as load master. This opened the world to John giving him access to buying stamps in places as diverse as Africa, Latin and South America. He remembers attending auctions in Mexico where guards with guns escorted auction viewers when looking over lots.
John’s stamp collecting interests mirror his life experience. From his experience with the stamp collecting postmaster, he maintains a US collection. From his experience at Wheelus AFB in Libya, he collects Italian Colonies. With his long experience with flying, he has a world wide collection of airmails up to 1972. Unable to find an adequate album for his airmail stamps, he has created his own album pages. He has also developed a method of making mounts for the larger miniature sheets and has kindly shared that method with Club members.
John has been a long time member both of American Philatelic Society (APS) and of the Gulf Coast Stamp Club. Only Harry Steinweinder has been with the Club longer. During John’s time with the Club he has held the offices of President, Vice-President, Director, Chairman of GULFPEX, and Newsletter Editor. Throughout his life he has been a mentor to other collectors, always willing to share his knowledge with others and open to learning from others. John Wright is a perfect example of a true Philatelist .
ed. by Bob Marousky GCSC Secretary
Bob Whitaker
Robert “Bob” Whitaker is a long-time member of the Gulf Coast Stamp Club. Recently Bob was voted a life member in the club by his fellow collectors recognizing his contributions for years as the club treasurer and leadership in the Club. He built custom frames to house worldwide and US stamp collages which have been a show case at the Club’s annual stamp show GULFPEX. He has lent these exhibits to several libraries. They have been a great hit at the Mississippi and Louisiana Welcome Centers.
Bob is a disabled veteran who resides in the Kiln in Hancock County. His stamp collecting odyssey started when he was a young man in Texas in his 20s. An eclectic collector of multiple things, Bob started with coins which he obtained from a friend and mentor who serviced gumball machines. When he could find few new coins, his mentor introduced him to stamps and FDCs.
During a long Air Force career, he was an Air Chief Electronics NCO. Working in SAC on the B36 “Peacekeeper” and the B52 “Buff”, Bob had several rides on these bombers. He then worked at the SAC Command Post and later for MATS (Military Air Transport System). With the Air Force, he traveled worldwide and was able to further his stamp collecting while overseas. In the late 50s he was deployed to Spain. While there he visited the local Playa Major, or local flea markets, finding assorted stamp treasures which allowed him to build an extensive Spanish and US collection.
On his travels he met many people overseas who also collected stamps. He has kept in touch with many of them. On the several acres Bob has in the Kiln, he has developed a private camp ground which he jokingly refers to as the “Yankee Concentration Camp.” He has invited guests from around the country and overseas to come visit, especially over the winter. There, he and his friends had extensive stamp soaking and sorting parties. This last summer visitors from Switzerland whom he had met while overseas stayed at his camp.
Bob’s other collecting interests include blow torches (130), model trains (HO and N Gauge), and golf balls. At one time he had over 3000 different golf balls. He had an extensive baseball card collection which he donated to the youth of his county after Katrina. After he retired from the military, Bob owned a pet store in Michigan.
He sorely misses his wife of 51 years who passed away this last year. Bob spends his time maintaining her flower gardens and cataloging his stamps using the computer program STAMPMANAGE which he highly recommends. Currently the VA home health care program and one of his sons (in residence) are assisting.
ed. by Mike Kayes GCSC Treasurer
Bob is a disabled veteran who resides in the Kiln in Hancock County. His stamp collecting odyssey started when he was a young man in Texas in his 20s. An eclectic collector of multiple things, Bob started with coins which he obtained from a friend and mentor who serviced gumball machines. When he could find few new coins, his mentor introduced him to stamps and FDCs.
During a long Air Force career, he was an Air Chief Electronics NCO. Working in SAC on the B36 “Peacekeeper” and the B52 “Buff”, Bob had several rides on these bombers. He then worked at the SAC Command Post and later for MATS (Military Air Transport System). With the Air Force, he traveled worldwide and was able to further his stamp collecting while overseas. In the late 50s he was deployed to Spain. While there he visited the local Playa Major, or local flea markets, finding assorted stamp treasures which allowed him to build an extensive Spanish and US collection.
On his travels he met many people overseas who also collected stamps. He has kept in touch with many of them. On the several acres Bob has in the Kiln, he has developed a private camp ground which he jokingly refers to as the “Yankee Concentration Camp.” He has invited guests from around the country and overseas to come visit, especially over the winter. There, he and his friends had extensive stamp soaking and sorting parties. This last summer visitors from Switzerland whom he had met while overseas stayed at his camp.
Bob’s other collecting interests include blow torches (130), model trains (HO and N Gauge), and golf balls. At one time he had over 3000 different golf balls. He had an extensive baseball card collection which he donated to the youth of his county after Katrina. After he retired from the military, Bob owned a pet store in Michigan.
He sorely misses his wife of 51 years who passed away this last year. Bob spends his time maintaining her flower gardens and cataloging his stamps using the computer program STAMPMANAGE which he highly recommends. Currently the VA home health care program and one of his sons (in residence) are assisting.
ed. by Mike Kayes GCSC Treasurer
National Stamp Collecting Month
National Stamp Collecting Month began in 1981 by the Council of Philatelic Organizations and the United States Postal Service.
For the first National Stamp Collecting Month, then-postmaster general William F. Bolger published a statement in the Postal Bulletin, a publication for USPS employees that is issued once every two weeks.
Bolger called stamp collecting "the world's most popular hobby," and urged "employees and customers alike to discover the joy of stamp collecting — the hobby of a lifetime."
The Postal Service has continued to promote National Stamp Collecting Month, however, by issuing special pictorial stamps intended to stimulate public interest in the stamp hobby.
The United States isn't the only country to get involved with stamp collecting by celebrating at a specific time. In Germany, "Tag der Briefmarke" means "Stamp Day," and it is celebrated every two years with a special semipostal stamp.
National Stamp Collecting Month has also been celebrated in the Philippines.
For the first National Stamp Collecting Month, then-postmaster general William F. Bolger published a statement in the Postal Bulletin, a publication for USPS employees that is issued once every two weeks.
Bolger called stamp collecting "the world's most popular hobby," and urged "employees and customers alike to discover the joy of stamp collecting — the hobby of a lifetime."
The Postal Service has continued to promote National Stamp Collecting Month, however, by issuing special pictorial stamps intended to stimulate public interest in the stamp hobby.
The United States isn't the only country to get involved with stamp collecting by celebrating at a specific time. In Germany, "Tag der Briefmarke" means "Stamp Day," and it is celebrated every two years with a special semipostal stamp.
National Stamp Collecting Month has also been celebrated in the Philippines.
Columbus Day
COLUMBUS DAY HISTORY
In Christopher Columbus’s day, scholars knew that the world was round; the fact dated from the ancient Greeks. People assumed that a ship traveling west from Europe would sail clear through to Asia. However, many believed that such a westward journey was impossible. Columbus, an Italian, was convinced otherwise and persuaded King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to sponsor his exploration and search for riches.
On October 12, 1492, Columbus landed on a small island in the Bahamas, convinced that he had reached his destination of Asia. Although he was not the first European to discover the Americas (Vikings, among others, had visited before), his journey sparked enthusiasm for European exploration of the hemisphere.
The first celebration of Columbus’s landing in the New World took place in 1792. It was organized by the Columbian Order (Society of St. Tammany) in New York City. In 1937, the occasion was declared a national holiday by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Columbus Day has been observed on the second Monday of October since 1971. Columbus Day originated as a celebration of Italian-American heritage. The first state-wide celebration was held in Colorado in 1907. In 1937, Columbus Day become a holiday across the United States. Many celebrate Italian-American heritage on this day.
The observance of Columbus Day is not without controversy. European exploration brought disease and devastation to the lives of the indigenous people of the Americas. Some areas of the United States choose to honor Native American culture on this day instead. Since 1992, this state and city holiday has been referred to as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
History is multifaceted. Columbus Day also speaks to the thirst for adventure, exploration, and possibilities that embodies the spirit of America. Columbus represents many early explorers and dreamers who reached for opportunity and not only dreamed, but acted.
https://www.almanac.com/content/columbus-day
In Christopher Columbus’s day, scholars knew that the world was round; the fact dated from the ancient Greeks. People assumed that a ship traveling west from Europe would sail clear through to Asia. However, many believed that such a westward journey was impossible. Columbus, an Italian, was convinced otherwise and persuaded King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to sponsor his exploration and search for riches.
On October 12, 1492, Columbus landed on a small island in the Bahamas, convinced that he had reached his destination of Asia. Although he was not the first European to discover the Americas (Vikings, among others, had visited before), his journey sparked enthusiasm for European exploration of the hemisphere.
The first celebration of Columbus’s landing in the New World took place in 1792. It was organized by the Columbian Order (Society of St. Tammany) in New York City. In 1937, the occasion was declared a national holiday by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Columbus Day has been observed on the second Monday of October since 1971. Columbus Day originated as a celebration of Italian-American heritage. The first state-wide celebration was held in Colorado in 1907. In 1937, Columbus Day become a holiday across the United States. Many celebrate Italian-American heritage on this day.
The observance of Columbus Day is not without controversy. European exploration brought disease and devastation to the lives of the indigenous people of the Americas. Some areas of the United States choose to honor Native American culture on this day instead. Since 1992, this state and city holiday has been referred to as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
History is multifaceted. Columbus Day also speaks to the thirst for adventure, exploration, and possibilities that embodies the spirit of America. Columbus represents many early explorers and dreamers who reached for opportunity and not only dreamed, but acted.
https://www.almanac.com/content/columbus-day
Halloween
Halloween in the United States
Many Americans celebrate Halloween on October 31. Celebrations include costume parties and trick-or-treating.
Halloween is usually celebrated amongst family, friends and, sometimes, co-workers. However, some areas hold large community events. Parties and other events may be planned on October 31 or in the weekends before and after this date. Adults may celebrate by watching horror films, holding costume parties or creating haunted houses or graveyards.
Many children dress up in fancy costumes and visit other homes in the neighborhood. At each house, they demand sweets, snacks or a small gift. If they do not get this, they threaten to do some harm to the inhabitants of the house. This is known as playing 'trick-or-treat' and is supposed to happen in a friendly spirit, with no nasty or mean tricks being carried out. However, if your children take part, it is important to accompany them and to check their 'treats' to make sure they are safe to eat or play with.
Some families carve lanterns with 'scary' faces out of pumpkins or other vegetables or decorate their homes and gardens in Halloween style. These were traditionally intended to ward off evil spirits. If you are at home on Halloween, it is a good idea to have a bowl of small presents or sweets to offer to anyone who knocks on your door. This will help you to please the little spirits in your neighborhood!
One cause that ties with Halloween is collecting donations for the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). As children trick-or-treat on Halloween night, some of them might carry small cardboard boxes with the UNICEF logo on them and collect coins instead of the usual candy. The money collected is then given to UNICEF and used to help needy children worldwide.
Halloween is not an official holiday. Government offices and businesses are open as usual and public transit services run on regular schedules. If you drive around in late afternoon or evening, it is important to keep a careful lookout for children who are unaccustomed to being out on the street after dark. If they are wearing dark costumes or masks, they may be less easy to see than normal. They may also be excited and dart out unexpectedly from between vehicles or behind bushes.
Halloween originated as a pagan festival in parts of Northern Europe, particularly around what is now the United Kingdom. Many European cultural traditions hold that Halloween is a time when magic is most potent and spirits can make contact with the physical world. In Christian times, it became a celebration of the evening before All Saints’ Day. Immigrants from Scotland and Ireland brought the holiday to the United States.
The commercialization of Halloween started in the 1900s, when postcards and die-cut paper decorations were produced. Halloween costumes started to appear in stores in the 1930s and the custom of 'trick-or-treat' appeared in the 1950s. The types of products available in Halloween style increased with time. Now Halloween is a very profitable holiday for the manufacturers of costumes, yard decorations and candy.
There are various symbols associated with Halloween. These include the spooks, ghosts and walking skeletons that represent the contact between the spiritual and physical world and between the living and the dead. Human figures that are often represented on Halloween are witches and wizards, who are seen to have the power to contact the spirit world. Bats, black cats and spiders are often connected with this holiday. These animals are associated with the night and darkness and often accompany witches and wizards.
There are also a range of objects associated with Halloween. These include blood, fire, gravestones, pumpkins, bones and skulls. They all have connections with death, the spirit world or protecting property from evil spirits. Many of these objects are now available in stores as decorations for the Halloween season.
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/halloween
Many people around the world celebrate Halloween, which occurs annually on October 31. It is the day before All Saints’ Day, and is also sometimes called All Hallows’ Eve and Hallowmas Eve. Costume parties are held and many children go trick-or-treating around this time of the year.
Halloween in Mexico
Halloween (Día de las Brujas) is hailed mainly as a children’s festivity in Mexico on October 31. It is often overshadowed by the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) celebrations on All Saints’ Day and All Soul’s Day.
Halloween is celebrated among Mexican children who wear costumes when they go trick-or-treating to people’s homes, asking for candy. When they trick-or-treat at each door, they shout, “we want Halloween” (queremos Halloween).
Toys and candy that are made to resemble skeletons, coffins, and the personification of death (La Muerta) are found in many stores at this time of the year. Candles, paper wreaths and seasonal flowers are also sold for the Day of the Dead celebrations, which start as early as the evening of Halloween.
Halloween in Romania
On October 31 each year, Halloween is a celebrated occasion in some parts of Romania, including the region of Transylvania. It is a time when special Halloween-themed tours and shows are popular.
Over the years, countless numbers of fearless tourists travel to Transylvania to celebrate Halloween with costume parties, story-telling, and actors playing out Dracula inspired scenes. While some Romanians observe Halloween on October 31, St Andrew’s Night (November 30) is when the garlic is brought out as a form of protection against ghosts – a traditional superstitious act of fun that is still practiced today.
Halloween is a special occasion in places like the Gothic fairy-tale castle Bran, near Brasov in Transylvania. Bran is often associated with 15th century Prince Vlad Tepes (1431–1476), the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It is difficult to know if the prince ruled over Bran Castle but it can be asserted that he was taken to Bran Castle and locked inside for about two months.
https://www.almanac.com/content/halloween
Many Americans celebrate Halloween on October 31. Celebrations include costume parties and trick-or-treating.
Halloween is usually celebrated amongst family, friends and, sometimes, co-workers. However, some areas hold large community events. Parties and other events may be planned on October 31 or in the weekends before and after this date. Adults may celebrate by watching horror films, holding costume parties or creating haunted houses or graveyards.
Many children dress up in fancy costumes and visit other homes in the neighborhood. At each house, they demand sweets, snacks or a small gift. If they do not get this, they threaten to do some harm to the inhabitants of the house. This is known as playing 'trick-or-treat' and is supposed to happen in a friendly spirit, with no nasty or mean tricks being carried out. However, if your children take part, it is important to accompany them and to check their 'treats' to make sure they are safe to eat or play with.
Some families carve lanterns with 'scary' faces out of pumpkins or other vegetables or decorate their homes and gardens in Halloween style. These were traditionally intended to ward off evil spirits. If you are at home on Halloween, it is a good idea to have a bowl of small presents or sweets to offer to anyone who knocks on your door. This will help you to please the little spirits in your neighborhood!
One cause that ties with Halloween is collecting donations for the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). As children trick-or-treat on Halloween night, some of them might carry small cardboard boxes with the UNICEF logo on them and collect coins instead of the usual candy. The money collected is then given to UNICEF and used to help needy children worldwide.
Halloween is not an official holiday. Government offices and businesses are open as usual and public transit services run on regular schedules. If you drive around in late afternoon or evening, it is important to keep a careful lookout for children who are unaccustomed to being out on the street after dark. If they are wearing dark costumes or masks, they may be less easy to see than normal. They may also be excited and dart out unexpectedly from between vehicles or behind bushes.
Halloween originated as a pagan festival in parts of Northern Europe, particularly around what is now the United Kingdom. Many European cultural traditions hold that Halloween is a time when magic is most potent and spirits can make contact with the physical world. In Christian times, it became a celebration of the evening before All Saints’ Day. Immigrants from Scotland and Ireland brought the holiday to the United States.
The commercialization of Halloween started in the 1900s, when postcards and die-cut paper decorations were produced. Halloween costumes started to appear in stores in the 1930s and the custom of 'trick-or-treat' appeared in the 1950s. The types of products available in Halloween style increased with time. Now Halloween is a very profitable holiday for the manufacturers of costumes, yard decorations and candy.
There are various symbols associated with Halloween. These include the spooks, ghosts and walking skeletons that represent the contact between the spiritual and physical world and between the living and the dead. Human figures that are often represented on Halloween are witches and wizards, who are seen to have the power to contact the spirit world. Bats, black cats and spiders are often connected with this holiday. These animals are associated with the night and darkness and often accompany witches and wizards.
There are also a range of objects associated with Halloween. These include blood, fire, gravestones, pumpkins, bones and skulls. They all have connections with death, the spirit world or protecting property from evil spirits. Many of these objects are now available in stores as decorations for the Halloween season.
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/halloween
Many people around the world celebrate Halloween, which occurs annually on October 31. It is the day before All Saints’ Day, and is also sometimes called All Hallows’ Eve and Hallowmas Eve. Costume parties are held and many children go trick-or-treating around this time of the year.
Halloween in Mexico
Halloween (Día de las Brujas) is hailed mainly as a children’s festivity in Mexico on October 31. It is often overshadowed by the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) celebrations on All Saints’ Day and All Soul’s Day.
Halloween is celebrated among Mexican children who wear costumes when they go trick-or-treating to people’s homes, asking for candy. When they trick-or-treat at each door, they shout, “we want Halloween” (queremos Halloween).
Toys and candy that are made to resemble skeletons, coffins, and the personification of death (La Muerta) are found in many stores at this time of the year. Candles, paper wreaths and seasonal flowers are also sold for the Day of the Dead celebrations, which start as early as the evening of Halloween.
Halloween in Romania
On October 31 each year, Halloween is a celebrated occasion in some parts of Romania, including the region of Transylvania. It is a time when special Halloween-themed tours and shows are popular.
Over the years, countless numbers of fearless tourists travel to Transylvania to celebrate Halloween with costume parties, story-telling, and actors playing out Dracula inspired scenes. While some Romanians observe Halloween on October 31, St Andrew’s Night (November 30) is when the garlic is brought out as a form of protection against ghosts – a traditional superstitious act of fun that is still practiced today.
Halloween is a special occasion in places like the Gothic fairy-tale castle Bran, near Brasov in Transylvania. Bran is often associated with 15th century Prince Vlad Tepes (1431–1476), the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It is difficult to know if the prince ruled over Bran Castle but it can be asserted that he was taken to Bran Castle and locked inside for about two months.
https://www.almanac.com/content/halloween
October
National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sep 15 through Oct 15)
Italian American Heritage Month
Polish American Heritage Month
National Breast Cancer Month
National Pizza Month
National Dessert Month
Country Music Month
National Book Fair Month
Birthstone: Opal and pink tourmaline
Flower: Calendula
Zodiac signs: Libra and Scorpio
October in Other Languages
Chinese (Mandarin) - shíyuè
Danish - oktober
French - octobre
Italian - ottobre
Latin - October
Spanish - octubre
Historical Names:
Roman: October
Saxon: Wintirfyllith
Germanic: Wein-mond (Wine month)
https://www.ducksters.com/history/octoberinhistory.php
Italian American Heritage Month
Polish American Heritage Month
National Breast Cancer Month
National Pizza Month
National Dessert Month
Country Music Month
National Book Fair Month
Birthstone: Opal and pink tourmaline
Flower: Calendula
Zodiac signs: Libra and Scorpio
October in Other Languages
Chinese (Mandarin) - shíyuè
Danish - oktober
French - octobre
Italian - ottobre
Latin - October
Spanish - octubre
Historical Names:
Roman: October
Saxon: Wintirfyllith
Germanic: Wein-mond (Wine month)
https://www.ducksters.com/history/octoberinhistory.php
October Circuit
- United Nations – Geneva #152 to 346a
- Global Classic 1840 – 1940
- World Wide Airmail – Mint
- Germany #1869 to 2788 (Used – many socked on the nose)
- USA Coils – Singles, Pairs, Line Pairs and Plate # strip of 5
- USA Coils – Singles, Pairs, Line Pairs
- Global Classic 1840 – 1940 mostly used
- World Wide Airmail – mostly Mint
- World Wide Airmail – mostly Mint
- Russia – mostly Mint Hinged
- Australia #1 to #52 – Used
- British North America – No Canada
- Italian Colonies – Eritrea Parcel Post Blocks
- Italian Colonies – Early Somalia
- Independent Soviet States
- USA Mint Multiples - #145 to #850
- USA Mint - #286 to #648