* Don't ever let anyone tell you that you are too old for Halloween

In 1847, The State Rural Cemeteries Act was passed in New York, which put an end to the establishment of any new cemeteries in Manhattan so cemetery owners began building in Queens. The area of Queens I grew up in quickly became almost encircled by cemeteries, and was called the “Cemetery Belt”. Today more than 5 million of the departed almost triple the live population of Queens -- are buried in 29 Queens cemeteries -- four Catholic, three Protestant, 14 Jewish and eight nondenominational.




Some of these cemeteries are the resting places of many famous people, including Jackie Robinson, Mae West, and Harry Houdini, at whose tomb devotees gather each year on Halloween to see if he can pull off the ultimate escape trick and return from the grave. On the 50th anniversary of Harry Houdini’s death I went with friends to Machpelah Cemetery to see if he would return from the grave as he had promised, which he did not.

My grandparents and various relatives are buried in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, which opened in 1890 and was just 4 blocks from my house, along with many famed mobsters, including John Gotti and Lucky Luciano.



A few blocks away in the other direction was an old Lutheran Cemetery, established in 1852. We used to go in there and walk around and read the tombstones, it was quiet and peaceful and there was grass and trees so we loved being in there. And it had some interesting crypts and memorials. The only thing that we were afraid of in there was the “Greenies”, that’s what we called the workers because they drove green pickup trucks. They had dogs that they would let loose to chase us out.

The most mysterious cemetery was a small burial ground in the middle of a park. It was overgrown with weeds and fenced in, the stories were that it was an old Indian burial ground and it you went in you would be cursed. I don’t know of anyone that climbed the fence and went in.



When I got married and moved to the other side of the neighborhood, I lived down the block from the Crematory which has been in business since 1893. On certain days of the week you could see the black smoke coming out of the large smokestack.

So I’ve never been afraid of cemeteries or ghosts.

The courts in NJ have ruled that homosexual couples are entitled to the same rights as heterosexual ones. How does our future generation feel about this issue?


Well, I understand that people can’t control who they love or have deep feelings for but you have to think about religion b/c it’s not right for two men or two women to be together according to the Bible. I don’t really care about it b/c im not gay nor do I know someone that’s gay and want to get married. If I did know someone, it would be kinda weird to go 2 their wedding b/c I wonder who would be the "girl" and wear a dress.

Gay Marriage is something I don’t care about. If you’re gay then you’re gay, if you’re not your not.

I really don’t care so it doesn’t matter.

I think it's morally wrong but I really don't care. Ummmm. . . I kind of think that gay marriage is nasty! But what gay couples do is none of my business and as long as they're gay relationships and hobbies don't affect me then I'm fine with it. I just think that people take it a little too far sometimes. The whole world doesn't have to know you’re gay so keep you're sexuality to yourself. Gay couples getting married is fine with me, I guess they can do whatever makes them happy. Straight people get married so why can't gay people get married?

How I feel about gay marriage is I don't support it. It says in the bible that a man shouldn’t marry a man and a woman shouldn't marry a woman. But on the side note to that this is America land of the free. So I feel if they want to get married it shouldn't be a big deal.

I highly support gay marriage because I feel it isn't our job to judge other people decisions. It is what they want to do and what they feel. So why should we judge them? I feel that is hypocrisy and we shouldn't do it.

I oppose gay marriage I think it’s a disgusting abomination and that people should not promote or tolerate the unnatural. I know that all sin is equal but yet we as a society punish some sins more than others. Like when a child lies he is whipped with a rod or belt. But when he or she is a coward the punishment is less severe. I don't think it should be promoted through television or any other media productions that can corrupt a pure mind. And I don't think that the recent rate of coming out of the closet is correct because most seem to be just following the fade or are just desperate and don't want to find their soul mate. That’s sad I'd rather be alone or a nun. But that's just me because when you accept the unnatural corruption has succeeded in poisoning you.

I really don’t care about gay marriages as long as I'm not hurt & they are happy.

One of my main beliefs is my believe in God and the bible and in the bible it says that all sins are equal! The reason I say this is because murder(including abortion), sex before marriage and being gay are all sins, but so is judging! So by voting/saying whether gay marriage, abortion, or anything like that is wrong, you're just as wrong because judging is a sin! Some people have told me by saying that its like I'm not saying gay marriage, abortion, or w/e is okay or that I'm being wishy washy to avoid confrontation or political/religous dispute but what I'm saying is that its not my place to say whats right and wrong neither is it any other human being's place. (What a wise person)

If we say it's okay for two men or two women to marry, why not three men, three women, two men and one woman, or an adult and a child, and I don't mean a 22 year old and a 17 year old. How long before someone proposed legalizing incest? (This is from an adult)

These kids (and the adult) are confused about this issue. They are conflicted about what they feel and what they think the bible tells them. The words "disgusting abomination" are not the words of a child, they are the words of someone who has beaten this child with a rod or belt. I don't understand how people can teach their children hate. What are your feelings?

* Nearly two-thirds (63.8 percent) of consumers will celebrate Halloween this year, a noticeable rise over the 52.5 percent who celebrated in 2005.

* Halloween activities will range from handing out candy (73.4 percent) to dressing in costume (34 percent) and visiting a haunted house (17.2 percent).

* In addition to a rise in celebrations, per-person spending is also increasing: The average consumer plans to spend $59.06 on Halloween, compared to $48.48 last year.

* Maintaining its spot as the second-biggest decorating holiday of the year after Christmas, Halloween continues to have decorations as a strong category, with 67 percent of consumers planning to purchase Halloween décor and almost half (48.6%) planning to decorate their home or yard.

* Additionally, most people (95.7 percent) will be scooping up plenty of candy, with the average consumer spending $18.72 in that category.

* Costumes are also expected to increase in popularity this year with consumers spending $21.57 to dress up as their favorite alter-ego.

* The popularity of Halloween among young adults continues to surge for the second year in a row. This year, 85.3 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds plan to celebrate the holiday, up from 66.8 percent last year. But they aren't the only ones taking advantage of the ghoulish fun -- 76.5 percent of consumers aged 25 to 34 and 71.3 percent of 35- to 44-year-olds will be joining in the fun. The National Retail Federation.


How will you be celebrating Halloween this year?

As I was cruisng along the stream I found a high school class that keeps blogs on here. They get daily wrting prompts and here are some of their answers when asked what they would wish for if they were given 3 wishes. (My notes are in italic).

My three would be:
-Healthy, rewarding lives for my future children
-Enough money for all my family to live comfortably
-For the violent natures of people to be abolished
This is obviously a tough thing to narrow down to three choices, but these would certainly be some that would make me happy. (smart kid)

Well I really feel that I am my own genie because the things I do wish I get. Real Life. So I dont need a genie. I guess im very blessed (lucky kid)

If I had three wishes first I would wish for 10 more wishes or something that can grant any wish. Second I would wish for 90 billion dollars.Third I would wish for School to be out right now and so it would be the summer. (street kid)

I would probably wish for season tickets for life to my favorite teams games home and away. My second wish would probably be for my dream house and the third would be for my family to have a long lasting life and live in peace. (regular kid)

I'd wish for some kind of superpower, an ocean-side villa somewhere in Spain, and world peace due to a sense of concience. (cool kid)

If I had three wishes, the first wish will be: More wishes; the second: To marry Omarion; the third will be: To live life to the fullest. (airhead kid)

Yea, I have been asked this question 1 BILLION times!! But I guess I could answer this question one last time. If I could get three wishes granted. . .and I know this may seem like a pageant answer to the question, but I would wish for cures for ALL sicknesses, non existance of poverty or unhappiness, and world peace!!! Ha ha ha My answers seem kind of corney but that IS wat I would wish for. (popular kid)

1. I would wish to be able to fly by myself.
2. I would wish I could eat everything and not gain anything.
3. I would wish my next door neighbors dog would die. (anxiety ridden kid)

If i had three wishes, they would be:
- i wish for a money tree that never dies.
- i wish for free mcdonalds for life.
- i wish to find the cure for cancer/AIDS.
Those are good wishes... (needs help kid)

If a genie came to me and told me that i had three wishes i would be happy and sad because there seems to always be a catch. But without think i would ask for happiness for my family, lots money and to be known, and for world piece. that is the honest truth because i am tried of hearing about the war and bush. (reality kid)