Polk County
Living
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • October 28, 2015 7A
EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer
LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer
Haley Hutcherson, 12, cuts monster chocolate bark.
Central High School’s FFA students get into the spirit of the season, chasing Haunted Cave goers with a chain saw.
TRICKS OR TREATS?
Halloween activities abound this weekend, from the tame to the terrifying
By Emily Mentzer
The Itemizer-Observer
POLK COUNTY — It’s that time of
year again, when ghosts and goblins,
zombies and witches merge on the
streets with princesses and super he-
roes. It’s Halloween Saturday, and the
community is kicking things off on Fri-
day throughout the valley.
We gathered all the Halloween activ-
ities — mostly not paranormal ones —
we could find for your spooky enjoy-
ment.
Every year since 1995, community
members have partnered with Mon-
mouth and Independence police offi-
cers and Polk County Fire District No. 1
to ensure the safety of children as they
trick-or-treat in neighborhoods in
Monmouth and Independence.
This year’s Monmouth safety zones
are at the intersections of Park Place
and Rainer, and Sacre Lane and Church
Street, as well as at Main Street Park in
Monmouth.
In Independence, safety zones are at
Farnstrom’s Mortuary, Ash Creek Mo-
bile Park, the 600 block of Hyacinth
Street, and the intersections of South
Seventh Street and Cedar Court, and
South Eighth Street and Maple Drive.
LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer
Pirates guide young swimmers through a journey to find Capt. Jack
Lantern’s treasure at Dallas Aquatic Center last Saturday.
Police officers and firefighters will
visit safety zones, where volunteers will
be clearly visible and on the lookout for
mischief makers. Officers and firefight-
ers will bring treats and visit with
neighbors and trick-or-treaters.
Also, parents may set out a teal-col-
ored pumpkin to let others know that
there are treats other than candy for
those who may restrictive dietary
needs.
Whether in a designated safety zone
or not, remember to look out for little
ones and their families throughout the
night.
Enjoy all the parties the community
has to offer, take a tour through the
Haunted Caves, presented by Central
FFA, and don’t forget to trick-or-treat in
your local neighborhood. It may be the
only interaction some neighbors get
with each other.
Monster treats for a spooky-good time
Halloween doesn’t have to be all about the candy —
though of course plenty of sweets will be available. Here
are some ideas from the Independence Public Library’s
Teen Cooking Club to complement your spooky fare
and keep you snacking on (somewhat) healthy tidbits:
Bloody Bites:
Ingredients: Pillsbury bis-
cuits in the pop open can, cher-
ry pie filling, marshmallows.
Directions: Flatten out bis-
cuits on a cookie sheet. Fill
each with a spoonful of cherry
pie filling. Fold over on itself.
Bake according to directions. Add a bit more cherry pie
filling for that bloody effect. Stick on marshmallows for
eyes or teeth.
Monster Veggie Plate:
Ingredients: Celery, carrots, cucumbers, bell pepper,
olives, ranch dressing (or other
veggie dip).
Directions: Chop celery, car-
rots and cucumbers into
sticks. Arrange on the plate to
make monster’s hair, eyebrows
and mouth. Slice bell pepper
in half; clean out insides. Fill
bell pepper with veggie dip or
ranch dressing. Place on plate
for monster’s eyes. Use olives to garnish.
Monster chocolate bark:
Ingredients: Milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate
chips, miscellaneous candies.
Directions: Melt chips together in microwave or dou-
ble boiler (careful not to overcook in microwave!).
Spread on wax paper on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with
miscellaneous candies and refrigerate until firm.
Halloween Happenings
Halloween spectacular
Wagner to host special program
Halloween Fest at Trinity Lutheran
The Independence and Monmouth public libraries will host a
Halloween Spectacular event from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday.
Children may come to the library to decorate a Halloween
bag, and then go downtown in both cities to visit local business-
es for trick-or-treat fun, beginning at 4.
In Monmouth, trick-or-treat bags also may be picked up at
Petals & Vines, 410 Main St. E.
The program is sponsored by the Independence Downtown
Association, Monmouth Business Association, and both the
friends of the Independence and Monmouth public libraries.
Wagner Community Library, 11 N. Main St. in Falls City is hold-
ing a Halloween-theme last Saturday program for children from
noon to 2 p.m.
This month’s program will be led by Sandra Parks, an inter-
vention specialist with a special education endorsement. Chil-
dren may dress in costume and hear scary stories, make masks
and build their own treat.
Trinity Lutheran Church invites all to its Halloween Fest from 6
to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
The event is free and open to the community.
Lots of candy, prizes, a cupcake walk, bounce house and
games will be available.
The church is at 320 SE Fir Villa Road, Dallas.
Morrison Trick-N-Treat is Friday
Get out your costumes and get ready for a Dallas Halloween
tradition Friday at Morrison Alternative Campus, 1251 Main St.,
Dallas.
The free and indoor event features costume contests, prizes
and treats. Trick-N-Treat takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. and is open
to children up to 12 years old.
The event is hosted by Morrison and sponsored by the Dallas
Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center.
For more information: 503-623-2564.
Spooktacular Bingo
The Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce will
host its second annual Spooktacular Bingo from 4 to 7 p.m. on
Friday at Volunteer Hall, 144 Warren St. S., Monmouth.
Bingo cards are $1 each, or 12 for $10.
The event is open to the whole family.
Prizes will be available. Costumes are encouraged.
For more information: micc-or.org.
Hallo-Wine at Left Coast Cellars
Wednesday (today) through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., Left
Coast Cellars will host Hallo-Wine, trick-or-treat for adults and
kids alike.
Come see a giant pumpkin and experience wine and Hal-
loween candy pairings. Wine tasting fee is $10. The café will be
open on Saturday and Sunday.
The winery is at 4225 N. Paciic Highway (99W), Rickreall.
For more information: www.leftcoastcellars.com.
‘Howl @ the Moon’ Party at Pressed
Ready for a “scaryoke” contest? That is just part of the fun at
Pressed Cofee & Wine Bar’s “Howl @ the Moon” party on Hal-
loween night.
The Dallas bar, 788 Main St., will celebrate the occasion with
karaoke renditions of scary songs, a costume contest, “monsters’
bash” late night karaoke dance party, spooky giveaways, creepy
drinks and Scooby snacks.
Those younger than 21 are welcome until 7 p.m. The party
will continue until 2 a.m. for those 21 and older.
For more information: 503-751-1666.
Charter school to host Harvest Carnival
Kings Valley Charter School’s Parent-Teacher Organization will
host a free family-friendly carnival with games, prizes, trunk-or-
treating, a selie booth and cake walk. The harvest carnival is
from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the school, 33840 Kings Valley
Highway, Philomath.
Costumes are optional. Donations and volunteers are still
needed. Contact Cindy Simmons csimmons@kvschool.org or
Alicia Warren at pto@kvschool.org to volunteer.
For more information or to volunteer: 541-929-2134.
Faith Evangelical to hold Trunk or Treat
The Dallas FFA Chapter will hold a Halloween Food Drive on
Saturday.
FFA members will also be going door-to-door on Halloween
asking for donations. People can leave food outside for pickup.
In association with Les Schwab Tire Center, food donations
may be made at any Les Schwab Tire Center or FFA Chapter.
Food will be donated to the Oregon Food Bank.
The food drive is part of a statewide hunger initiative during
the month of October by the Oregon FFA and Les Schwab
stores.
For more information: www.oregonfa.com or www.fa.org.
Faith Evangelical Free Church, 2290 E. Ellendale Ave., Dallas
will host Trunk or Treat on Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The free event includes “trunks” with games and candy, a car-
icature artist, face painting, a
photo booth, free dinner, hot
cider, hot chocolate, popcorn and cotton candy.
All are welcome.
For more information: 503-623-8034.
Community Carnival at VLC
Valley Life Center in Dallas will hold its
annual Community Carnival on Hal-
loween from 6 to 8 p.m. at the
church, 1275 SE Miller Ave.
The event is for children in
grades 5 and under. Features
inlatables, pony rides, hay rides,
games and candy. Admission is free.
For more information: 503-623-4116.
DRV to host trick-or-treat
Friends and family of residents and
staf at Dallas Retirement Village may
bring your costumed children to trick-or-
treat with residents from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on
Saturday.
Little ghouls and goblins may come to any
of the three lobbies on campus: health care, as-
sisted and independent living. Each will have
residents eagerly awaiting them.
DRV is at 340 NW Brentwood Ave., Dallas.
• Bring a flashlight • Wear bright colors • Don’t accept unwrapped candy
• Carry a cellphone
Dallas FFA to host Halloween food drive
• Plan your trick-or-treat route
• Trick-or-treat with friends
• Make sure you can see through masks
• Don’t enter someone’s home
• Do not approach strange vehicles