From Mischief to Mindfulness: Halloween 1985 vs. 2025

 🎃 From Mischief to Mindfulness: Halloween 1985 vs. 2025 🕯️ By April James Holdridge, Kind Voice Communications    

As the veil thins and the pumpkins glow, Halloween arrives once more—this time with a twist of nostalgia and a dash of digital flair. Let’s take a walk through memory’s haunted halls and compare Halloween in 1985 to the way we celebrate it in 2025. What have we gained, what have we lost, and what still lingers like a ghost in the autumn air?

👻 Costumes: From Cardboard to Curated Aesthetics

• 1985: Costumes were often homemade, crafted from cardboard, plastic masks, and whatever was in the junk drawer. Pop culture icons like Freddy Krueger and Ghostbusters ruled the night.

• 2025: Today’s costumes are thrifted, aesthetic, and algorithm-approved. TikTok trends like “Pinkoween,” K-Pop Demon Hunters, and vintage glam dominate feeds. Many opt for DIY looks from their own closets, blending creativity with sustainability.

🍬 Trick-or-Treating: Then and Now

• 1985: Kids roamed neighborhoods unsupervised, pillowcases in hand, collecting homemade popcorn balls and caramel apples. Mischief—like soaping windows or TP-ing trees—was part of the fun.

• 2025: Safety is paramount. Trunk-or-treats, curated candy bags, and reflective gear are the norm. Parents often accompany kids, and homemade treats have been replaced by individually wrapped, store-bought candy.

🕯️ Décor: From Jack-o’-Lanterns to Haunted Home Sets

• 1985: Decorations were simple—carved pumpkins, cotton cobwebs, and construction paper ghosts. The vibe was spooky but sweet.

• 2025: Halloween is now a month-long immersive experience. Homes are transformed inside and out with gothic romanticism, witchcore, and neon nostalgia. DIY décor is booming, and every room—from kitchen to bathroom—is part of the set.

📺 Pop Culture & Media Influence

• 1985: Horror movies like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th shaped costume choices and party themes.

• 2025: Pop culture still reigns, but now it’s interactive and viral. Social media drives trends, from “Wicked witchcore” to plush-themed décor. Halloween is as much about sharing the moment online as it is about living it.

🧡 The Spirit of the Season

Despite the changes, one thing remains: Halloween is a celebration of imagination, community, and transformation. Whether you’re lighting a candle in a carved gourd or staging a spooky charcuterie board for Instagram, you’re participating in a ritual that bridges generations.

So this year, as you don your costume—be it a thrifted ghost or a glam ghoul—remember: Halloween isn’t just about what you wear. It’s about who you become for one magical night.

Discipline, Please Tell Me!

 What are your thoughts about discipline in our schools today? I would really like to hear what your thoughts. Some issues lately has brought the issue to my attention. I had four children go through and a grandchild I raised. I defiantly have my own thoughts but I will stay bias in this blog.  I want to share with you some things I have learned while doing my research. I hope to here your thoughts and ideas for a solution that agrees with parent, teacher and state. 

Upon researching I found this information on State Discipline Law Compilation: The Alabama Compilation of School Discipline Laws and Regulations offers a categorized overview of legal frameworks governing school discipline statewide. It includes:

• Corporal punishment policies

• Suspension and expulsion procedures

• Due process rights

• Reporting requirements

Statewide Discipline Data: According to a 2023 analysis by AL.com, Alabama schools report discipline and safety incidents to the state, including:

• In-school and out-of-school suspensions

• Expulsions

• Fights, threats, and weapons-related incidents

• Bullying and harassment reports

District Website Resources: The Tallapoosa County Board of Education provides a general Code of Conduct and policies on its . While it outlines behavioral expectations and consequences, it does not publish detailed annual statistics directly on the homepage.

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Parental involvement is paramount to the success of students in school. Therefore, it is important that

parents have the opportunity to know what is happening with their children on a regular basis. Parents

can stay informed about their child’s progress through regular progress reports and report cards, weekly

folders at the elementary level and daily agendas at the high school level.

 Parents are encouraged to

review this policy booklet with their children regularly. It is the responsibility of the school to make

parents aware of situations affecting their child pertaining to discipline and provide support for

correcting the problematic behavior. Additional notices will be sent home with students when they are

referred to the principal or assistant principal for violation of the handbook guidelines. The Code of

Alabama, 1975 revised, 16-28-12, places responsibility on the parents/guardian for the attendance

and conduct of their students.

At any time, a parent may request a conference with the principal, assistant principal or teacher, to

discuss issues related to discipline and the handbook. This Tallapoosa County Handbook outlines

expectations for each of these parties. When parents, teachers, administrators and students work

together our students can become fully prepared for life beyond school. 

In order to facilitate proper school to parent communication, it is necessary for the school to be notified if and when any telephone numbers change, there is an address change, or anything that might have an effect on communication between the school and parent. Conferences should be scheduled through the school principal or assistant principal.

“The curriculum of the home is twice as predictive of academic learning as family socio-

economic status. This curriculum involves informed parent-child conversations about everyday

events, encouragement, and discussion of leisure reading, monitoring and joint analysis of

television viewing and peer activities, deferral of immediate gratifications to accomplish long-

term goals, expressions of affections, interest in the child’s academic and other progress as a

person, and parental influence is no less important in high school years.”

I feel from the start the parent takes the fall no matter what. Where is the school accountability. Doors always swing both ways. If you can have a unruly child, a parentless parent; you can have a broken system, or teaching staff. Let us look through the eyes of all parties equally. 

Is Raw Honey the Sweet Fix for Your Dog’s Allergies?

 

🐾 Is Raw Honey the Sweet Fix for Your Dog’s Allergies?

🍯 The Buzz Behind the Remedy

Raw honey has long been praised for its natural healing properties—but lately, it’s gaining traction as a potential allergy aid for dogs. Why now? Social media. Pet influencers and everyday dog parents are sharing their success stories, turning raw honey into a trending remedy. But is it safe? Is it effective? Let’s break it down.

✅ Pros of Raw Honey for Dogs

• Natural antihistamine: Contains quercetin, which may help reduce allergy symptoms like itching and inflammation.

• Local pollen exposure: Small amounts of pollen in local honey may help desensitize your dog’s immune system over time.

• Gut health support: Honey’s prebiotic properties can aid digestion, which is closely tied to immune function.

• Topical healing: Can soothe minor wounds, hot spots, and insect bites when applied externally.

⚠️ Cons and Risks

• Sugar overload: Too much honey can lead to weight gain or worsen diabetes.

• Allergic reactions: Some dogs may be allergic to honey or the pollen it contains—watch for vomiting, diarrhea, or skin irritation.

• Not a cure-all: Honey may help with mild seasonal allergies, but it’s not a substitute for vet care.

📲 Why It’s Trending Now

Social media has amplified the buzz. Viral videos show dramatic “before and after” results, and hashtags like #rawhoneyfordogs make it easy to find anecdotal advice. But not every trending tip is backed by science. What works for one dog may not work for another—and not every “natural” remedy is automatically safe.

🧪 Is It Worth the Risk?

If your dog has mild seasonal allergies and no known sensitivity to bee products, a small daily dose (¼ to 1 tsp, depending on size) of raw, local honey might be worth trying. But if your pup has a history of food allergies or bee sting reactions, the risk may outweigh the reward.

🐶 Final Thoughts

Raw honey can be a gentle, holistic tool—but it’s not magic. Think of it as a complement to vet care, not a replacement. Always consult your vet before introducing new remedies.