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* Perhaps the most Halloween press release ever. Click here to see the map…
The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control (ARC) has released an interactive map of locations where bats who tested positive for rabies were found in Cook County. So far this year, nine rabid bats have been found. The Halloween-themed map is designed to raise awareness about rabies prevention.
“Rabies is a completely preventable disease and is always fatal to unvaccinated pets,” said ARC Administrator Dr. Mamadou Diakhate, DVM. “Ensuring your dogs and cats are current on rabies and other vaccinations is critical to their health and yours.”
According to Dr. Diakhate, a significant number of these bats were found inside people’s homes, and pets who primarily stay indoors still have the potential to be exposed to rabies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 60 to 70 dogs and 250 cats contract rabies each year.
* Neil Steinberg reminded us today of a column he wrote a few years ago about how candy corn is made in Chicago…
For years the Internet has echoed with derision of candy corn. And not mild criticism. Full-throated condemnation.
BuzzFeed’s 2013 list of “19 Things That Taste Better Than Candy Corn,” included chalk, urinal cakes and earwax.
“Deodorant-flavored earwax nuggets,” Deadspin raged in 2014. “Wee little warhead-shaped misery pellets.”
Then things really heated up. CandyStore.com crunched a decade’s worth of sales figures and announced that candy corn is the most popular Halloween candy in six states, including Michigan, inspiring one Detroit columnist to lash out at his readers.
“You’re all gross,” sneered the Detroit Free Press’ Brian Manzullo.
People just gotta hate something, I suppose.
* And the first candy corn was made in Belleville…
Illinois is a “corn” state but most people don’t know that candy corn started in Belleville! Today, @IMA_Today member @FerraraCandyJar owns @BrachsCandy which makes 88 percent of the candy corn market producing enough to circle the earth 5x each year! Happy #NationalCandyCornDay! pic.twitter.com/4tpqprXLkA
— Mark Denzler (@IllinoisMfgAssc) October 31, 2023
* I did not know this…
Did you know Jerry created music for the 1985 revival of The Twilight Zone TV series with Merl Saunders and other members of the @GratefulDead?
Listen to it here and get ready for Halloween 🎃https://t.co/TTGMR8rsR9
— Jerry Garcia (@jerrygarcia) October 31, 2023
Spooky.
* Something else I did not know…
If you’re out trick-or-treating this Halloween, you might notice some homes displaying a teal pumpkin outside their front door — and it’s more than just a decoration.
According to FARE — Food Allergy and Research Education — teal-colored pumpkins are part of a national effort called the “Teal Pumpkin Project” to make Halloween more safe for children with food allergies.
“Placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep signals that, in addition to candy, you offer non-food trinkets and treats that are safe for all trick or treaters,” FARE’s website states.
According to FARE, one in 13 children has a potentially life-threatening food allergy, and many others are impacted by food intolerances or other digestive conditions.
* Things weren’t always so enlightened. Here’s Tom Emery…
Today, Halloween is a mixture of revelry, as both trick-or-treaters and adults are in costume with happy pumpkins and ghoulish skeletons for décor. A century ago, the holiday was more sinister – and violent.
Halloweens of the late 1800s and early 1900s were dominated by “pranks” that were closer to felonies and misdemeanors. Vandalism ruled the night as property was damaged and people were beaten. […]
A 1908 notice in Alton, Illinois, advised that “all persons caught or known to have committed any depredations will be prosecuted … special officers [will] be sworn in … to watch boys and others disposed to injure private property.” […]
In the Macoupin County town of Gillespie, Illinois, in 1926, the local paper reported that four boys were arrested and taken to the police magistrate “for shooting Halloween stunts out of season.”
Then again…
A Beach Park man was arrested over the weekend for allegedly bringing an AR-15 loaded with “penetrator rounds” to a Halloween party in Antioch.
Around 10 p.m., Antioch police responded to a loud noise complaint about a party in the 200 block of Ida Avenue. When officers arrived at the scene, they obsevered a crowd of more than 300 people.
Antioch police called in some backup and began dispersing the crowd, which took more than four hours to completely clear the area.
* The first time I remember hating my parents was when they forced me to wear a heavy winter coat over my costume…
It's a spooky Halloween weather forecast: snow. This will be the 9th time in 139 years that Chicago has seen snow on Halloween. https://t.co/AVT8D4Z7Dm
— WBBM Newsradio (@WBBMNewsradio) October 31, 2023
I eventually got over it.
* It’s really difficult to say “Support local media” when local media continues falling for this nonsense…
It can't be a "new threat" when local news has been breathlessly reporting it every Halloween for at least twenty years.
No one is handing out edibles to your kids for trick-or-treating because they're all out of Starburst. https://t.co/JO1CRXWYg2
— Mike Pries (@MikePTraffic) October 30, 2023
NPR interviewed Joel Best, a professor of sociology and criminal justice at the University of Delaware, about the persistent myths of tainted candy…
Best has been dispelling this myth for years and telling people they shouldn’t worry about people tampering with treats. But even with no evidence of this happening, the urban legend still persists every Halloween.
“We’ve stopped believing in ghosts and goblins, but we believe in criminals,” said Best. “Ghosts and goblins are just kind of silly. But having a criminal, having Michael Myers running around your town, that’s a scary possibility.”
* So cute…
“Hello? 911? Hello? Yes, I’m calling to report a burglary in progress….yes….in progress…stealing Halloween decorations off porches next door…yes the suspect is still on scene.” pic.twitter.com/PA215WKFdu
— Chicago Bars (@chicagobars) October 31, 2023
* Transitioning…
Santa’s work never stops!
Elves are busy today putting together Christkindlmarket on this snowy Halloween in Chicago pic.twitter.com/4o9WwYEAt4— Leigh Giangreco (@LeighGiangreco) October 31, 2023
Do you have evening plans?
* Related…
* Tribune: After winning $50,000 prize for its Halloween display, West Chicago family sets sights on even bigger haunt
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:09 am
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Candy corn is amazing. So good. The yellow and orange is good on its own, then Autumn Mix takes it to a whole other level with the orange and brown corn and pumpkins. Should be made all year round. Glad the internet memes are hating, more candy corn for me.
Comment by Zoo Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:19 am
The tainted candy myth is as old as time. During the late 70s/80s, parents checked apples for razor blades. Have a vague memory of trick or treat being canceled or scaled back during the Tylenol scare year in 1982, stepping all over my snappy, super flammable Darth Vader costume.
Comment by George Ryan Reynolds Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:20 am
First there were stories about post-covid rabies vaccine-hesitancy among MAGA pet owners, and now this warning from the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control.
Turns out, Michael Scott’s rabies awareness campaign on The Office was ahead of its time.
Comment by Roman Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:24 am
I don’t expend much energy on hating candy corn but I do find it atrocious. Only a slight step above circus peanuts.
Comment by Independent Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:24 am
I really enjoy candy corn too but my favorite is the pumpkin format. It doesn’t get stale and hard as fast as the candy corn shape does. Only ever enjoyed Brach’s brand though and no funny flavors either.
Comment by Aaron B Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:25 am
I love candy corn. More for me.
Taking the kids trick-or-treating tonight with the dreaded coats over the costumes. I may actually try to bundle the coat underneath.
Comment by wildcat12 Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:26 am
Of course, Chicagoland invented Candy Corn- we are the home of Malort so that tracks Happy Halloween all
Comment by Frida's boss Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:27 am
The idea that people would hand out edibles is ludicrous on its face. Who would waste good marijuana like that?
Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:27 am
“when local media continues falling for this nonsense”
It’s not just local media falling for it. It’s even worse when the County Coroner posts urban legends like this on their official social media page. Then the local media picks it up and amplifies it even more because it’s “official”.
https://patch.com/illinois/joliet/dea-not-warning-fentanyl-halloween-candy-despite-coroners-post
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:35 am
Also an admitted candy corn fan. Super big thanks about the teal pumpkins. I’ve yet to see those and would never have guessed what they meant. I think I listed to that NPR interview, or a similar one, and it just had me shaking my head the whole time.
Comment by Blitz Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:35 am
==Of course, Chicagoland invented Candy Corn==
Belleville is part of Chicagoland?
Comment by Teacher Lady Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:36 am
I remember once a long time ago reading an article about Brachs and candy corn. In the article it said 99% of candy corn lovers picked Brachs over the competition in a blind taste test. I could not stop wondering how they found over 100 people that said they like candy corn. 🤢
Comment by Lurker Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:43 am
It would appear the city is farther ahead on erecting Christkindlmarket than shelters for the asylum seekers.
Comment by ORD-ELP Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:47 am
evening plans. hoping the door stays quiet. hoarding chocolate…..
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:50 am
My husband reminded me again this morning of his belief that Illinois does not do enough to tout its status as the pumpkin-producing epicenter of America.
It got me thinking… What if Illinois was The Pumpkin State instead of The Prairie State? I kind of like it. And we already have orange in the color scheme for the state school
Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:51 am
Candy Corn, especially with the little pumpkins are great…and hardly any fat.
If anyone thinks people are departing with their edibles freely, they’ve never met a stoner.
Comment by Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:51 am
That rabies map gives me the heebie-jeebies.
Comment by Suburban Mom Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:58 am
Try a Candy Corn Martini (candy corn infused in the vodka) and then tell me you hate them.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 11:00 am
I think spooky songs are expected tonight at the Old Town School of Folk Music
Comment by Peters Piece Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 11:21 am
GRR - I remember the urban myth of razor blades in apples from the mid 1960’s. That has been around a very long time.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 11:39 am
==Try a Candy Corn Martini (candy corn infused in the vodka) and then tell me you hate them.==
Prison. No arrest, no trial, just straight to your cell.
Candy corn gets the loudest hate, but we must not forget the true nightmare at the bottom of a child’s plastic pumpkin: Those alleged “peanut butter kisses” in the waxy orange and black wrappers, given out by those unwilling to spend on Reese’s.
Comment by Roadrager Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 11:43 am
Maybe candy corn doesn’t like you either…;0
Comment by Electric Mayhem Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 11:47 am
===Halloweens of the late 1800s and early 1900s were dominated by “pranks” that were closer to felonies and misdemeanors. Vandalism ruled the night as property was damaged and people were beaten. ===
I guess this is just your normal day in the modern era.
Comment by Boone's is Back Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 11:56 am
Almond Joy and Mounds get a lot of hate too, so just drop them off at my house
Comment by Banish Misfortune Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 12:10 pm
I’m “green” on Candy Corn.
It’s a candy when I’m eating it, it’s mindless to full pleasure of sweets like other candy, it’s about the fall/Halloween meanings, not unlike (which I’m “red”, btw) pumpkin spice in an overall takeover, it’s part and parcel, I embrace candy corn. Pumpkin, Illinois as a global leader, I have my own struggles
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 12:18 pm
I used to love candy corn until I OD’d on them around ‘98.
Some kook in my friend’s neighborhood has been driving around, telling people to take their Halloween decorations down. My friend also received a flyer (possibly from the same person) with an anti-LGBTQ and anti-Jewish screed on it.
Comment by Proud Papa Bear Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 12:34 pm
A mix of candy corn with salted peanuts is a great combination. Found it interesting that Halloween of the 1800 and early 1900s was more violent. I guess for folks who keep wishing for the ‘good ole days’ are actually getting what they ask for.
Comment by illinifan Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 1:20 pm
Roadrager, Oh man, I love peanut butter kisses. Black and orange wrapped peanut kisses with the mouth feel of plastic (and they shatter if you let them get too old.) I love those things. Don’t much care for candy corn but I could eat a whole bag of peanut butter kisses. I won’t because of concerns about my teeth and blood sugar, but the desire is there.
Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 1:58 pm
I don’t know why people are willing to believe that someone would waste their very expensive recreational cannabis products by distributing them to children. To actually do this would require a batman villain level of wealth.
Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 2:32 pm
Candy corn is awesome and I just don’t get where all the hatred comes from. Mind you, I rarely eat it because it’s so bad for my blood sugar, but I would if I could.
And thanks, Rich, for highlighting the teal pumpkins. People don’t realize how hard Halloween is for kids with life-threatening food allergies. Nothing wrong with a little extra inclusion to help more kids enjoy the holiday.
Comment by New Day Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 4:18 pm
===A mix of candy corn with salted peanuts is a great combination.===
Go home. This is the winner to candy corn.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 4:33 pm