This is the final stop on the Haunted Tour of Citrus and Hernando County, FL. Halloween seems to have it’s origins around 5 B.C in Celtic Ireland. It was then known as Samhain (so-wen). This time period is also known as “All Hallows Eve” by the Catholic Church. Over the years, Oct 31- Nov 1 became known as Halloween.

The Celtic belief was that the “veil” between the living and the passed was at its thinnest or weakest point at this time of the year. Given this idea it was then assumed to be the best time to witness the spirits of those that had passed on.

The Celts would extinguish their fires in their homes to make them less inviting to the spirits. They would also dress up in ghoulish costumes to confuse those sprits that choose to take advantage of the thinning veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead.

The custom of Trick or Treat is thought to originate with a ninth-century European custom called “souling”. On November 2, (All Souls Day), early Christians would walk from village to village begging for “soul cakes,” made out of square pieces of bread with currants. The more soul cakes the beggars would receive, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors. At the time, it was believed that the dead remained in limbo for a time after death, and that prayer, even by strangers, could expedite a soul’s passage to heaven.

Halloween has become a fun and entertaining activity for children. Have fun with it! Go dress up, spend some time with your kids and scare those sprits away.

According to: Fivay,this article apparently appeared in the Brooksville Sun on Aug. 17, 1951. It is reprinted here in it’s orginal text.
By EDITH F. CRAIGIE
Bayport, long a favorite rendezvous of Brooksville people who like its quiet appeal, has undergone a sort of face-lifting in recent years. But one place which has not changed is the old cemetery on the hill, just this side of the Adrian Bell cottage.
Nobody seems to know much about its history, except that it has been there a very long time. Not far from the road into Bayport, and still accessible by foot, the wilderness is creeping up on it, and some of the tombstones are a bit askew. Huckleberries grow in profusion in the vicinity of the old graves, and no doubt snakes find it a happy hunting ground, for very few sightseers visit the place these days. In the spirit of brooding peace, there is a sense of forgotten people and forgotten times, an eerie, out-of-the-world atmosphere that is almost palpable.
The following inscriptions were copied from the headstones in the ancient burying grounds:
• Sacred to the memory of Wm. D. Underwood, born March 15, 1825; died March 28, 1859.
• John E. Johnson, born Rye, New Hampshire, March 21, 1823; John P. Johnson, son of above, born January 28, 1853, drowned at Bayport June 3, 1859. “A widowed mother and her son mourn their loss.”
• Sacred to the memory of the Rev. A. M. Barrington, born April 4, 1820, died March 20, 1886.
• Erected to the memory of Maj. Isaac Garrason, died 1865.
• Rev. Johnson Wright, died May 17, 1877. Age 51 years.
• Marie Nissen, wife of Jens Norskov, born in Denmark July 10, 1850, died at Bayport June 16, 1886. Anne Katherine, her daughter, born in Denmark Apr. 3, 1874 died at Cedar Keys July 18, 1881.
• Hannah Johnson, born February 14, 1814, died July 24, 1899. Greenlief Johnson, born March 7, 1849, died Aug. 17, 1880.
No one knows how the tombstones were transported to Bayport but perhaps they were brought in by water. According to the Hon. H. C. Mickler, a retired Hernando County Clark, [a son of] Maj. Garrason (or Garrison) was the first white male child born in this county. There are said to be more people buried in the Bayport cemetery than are accounted for by headstones, the graves having long since been leveled and eradicated by the inroads of time and nature.

Our economy is running a bit slower than most of us are used to these days. Here are a few tips and tricks to help get every penny out of your dollar.

1. When you are doing your weekly grocery shopping buy raw ingredients instead of prepackaged goods, along with a good cookbook. Preparing your own food may take a bit longer but it is significantly healthier and also a great way to save money.
2. Bulk purchase those items that you use most often, maybe ask your neighbors and friends if they would like to split the purchase with you.
3. Farmers markets and road side stand generally offer better produce at a cheaper price. This also helps to support your local economy.
4. Use those leftovers, have a left over night.
5. Watch the price per pound of what you buy, many stores now include this information on the price tag of the products. This can be an excellent way to be more aware of the price you pay for food.
6. Your home can be a real drain on your budget. Be sure that your house is being as penny pinching as you are. Seal those doors and windows, lower the temperature on your hot water heater, bump the thermostat up a notch or two, water only when necessary.
7. Close off any unused rooms and shut the A/C vent in that room.
8. Using the oven? Plan to cook several meals at the same time and refrigerate the finished meals for future use.
9. Going out of town for a few days? Flip the breaker on your hot water heater while you are gone.
10. Replace your light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs (CCFL’s)

Discontinue your Internet service and utilize a wireless “hotspot” where you can connect to the Internet for free. Even the smallest towns tend to have at least one.

Rediscover the radical notion of the library. Imagine Internet access and thousands of books, CDs and DVDs for free!

Volunteer to usher for concerts, plays and other events.

Find low-cost fun in your local paper. Take full advantage of free concerts, events and movies. Check your local newspapers, St. Pete Times and Hernando Today.

When at a concert or movie, avoid buying anything to eat or drink. Some places even let you bring your own snacks. Or visit the “dollar” movies on US 19.

Take turns entertaining with friends holding parties, potlucks or music nights. We had a group that did themed dinner parties that were great fun. The rules were simply, you had to dress the theme and bring a covered dish that matched the theme.

Occasionally, go ahead and spend the money. Saving money’s like going on a diet: If you try to starve yourself, you’ll end up consuming more in the long-run.

For the 2008 School year, Citrus County has promoted new ways to do it’s part in energy conservation, and boy, has it paid off! For the month of July alone the school district used 323,864 less kilowatt-hours than July of last year and in August, 543,121 less than the year before. In terms of dollars, the school district has saved $67,531 during the first two months of school.

How are they doing it? By excersizing energy awareness the same way that all of us, even at home, should be practicing.

Keeping the thermostat set between 74 and 78 degrees while the A/C is being used (at home keep the thermostat at 76 or 78).

Turning off lights in rooms that aren’t being used (at home, keep the doors shut, also).

Turning off copy machines and other office equipment at night (at home, make sure all your computers and T.V. boxes are shut off before you leave the house or go to sleep).

Making sure that all the energy-consuming equipment is working correctly.

These little changes can add up to huge savings in both energy consumption and money! The maintenance workers at the school district, the administrators and the staff members of the school are all working together to reduce the energy consumption to reach their goal, and it appears to be working!

Listed below are a few of the haunting celebrations that Citrus County, Florida has to offer throughout the remainder of the Halloween season.

Haunted Tram Rides at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park will scare the life out of you! Ticket prices are $5 for adults; $3 for children under 12 years of ages and additional $2 for a trip through the Alien Encounter Haunted House. Child identification services will be offered on site through the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.

There is rumor circulating that the “Castle Keep Resort” is opening its doors once again….The Barton family built this castle in 1407, but it was not until 2007 that the entire castle ,family cemetery and all, was moved to the Inverness area! The doors will open from 7:00 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays at the Citrus County Auditorium. Ticket prices are $5. For more information, call 352-563-0450.

This Friday and Saturday night from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Crystal River State Park is hosting a Haunted Halloween Event. This event will be including “Terrifying Tram Tours” that will take you through the “F-f-f-fearsome Forest” and the “Ghastly Graveyard”. If you prefer taking to the waters, the “Beastly Boat Ride” will be pleased to direct you through the “Creepy Crystal River” and “Marooned Manor”. But worry not, my friends, if you feel the need to feed our hosts will be offering “stuffed intestines and “brains soup”! Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $5 for children. For more information, call 352-563-0450.

Happy Hauntings!

Welcome to the seventh stop on the haunted tour! Today we’ll take a look at 122 W. Fort Dade in Brooksville, Florida in Hernando County, it has been known by locals as the “old Weeks house” or “the yellow house” but most of all, locals call it spooky! Built in 1882, this typical Brooksville home comes fully equipped with the tin roof, squeaky doors and century old oak trees amidst the property.

Nine different owners have occupied this home since the original owner, G. Gordy. From the 1930’s up until the 1970’s it was owned by Joe Weeks. According to local folklore a gentlemen showed up at the Weeks home insisting that Gordy had left his fortune hidden somewhere among the bricks. The Weeks family allowed the man to tear apart the old fireplace, when the man came up empty handed, he left town. Another owner in the late 1980’s bought the home only to dig for the alleged fortune that was rumored to be hidden on the property. This homeowner would dig up the ground and tear apart the floorboards, he was the first to acknowledge the hauntings. He experienced the door knob moving on it’s own one afternoon.

The current owner of the home has experienced several occurances including the downstairs bathroom door opening on its own, the attic door was opened one day when coming home and the eye-hook lock was broken and lying on the floor! He repaired the lock and shut the attic door only to receive a phone call shortly after from his home security company informing him that there was movement in the home. By the time he arrived back at the house the police were already on the scene. Upon searching the home, the officers and the homeowner found no one….at least not anyone that was alive….

With the gas prices continually dropping, this weeks lowest gas prices in the area are listed below.

Gas Stations in Citrus County

Sunoco
1211 N Florida Ave.
Hernando, Fl. 34442
Regular $3.059 - Plus $2.799 Diesel $3.759

Sunoco
1017 SE Highway 19
Crystal River, Fl. 34429
Regular $2.799 - Plus $3.259 - Premium $2.979 - Diesel $3.539

Unbranded
16 NE US Highway 19
Crystal River, Fl. 34429
Regular $2.749

BP
6825 W Gulf To Lake Hwy
Crystal River, Fl. 34429
Regular $2.899 - Premium $2.899 - Diesel $3.999

Gas Stations in Hernando County

7-11
15310 Cortez Blvd.
Brooksville, FL, 34613
Regular $2.899 - Plus $2.999 - Premium $3.099

Sunoco
30431Cortez Blvd.
Brooksville, Fl. 34602
Regular $2.809 - Plus $3.169 - Premium $3.329 - Diesel $3.629

Racetrac
30480 Cortez Blvd.
Brooksville, Fl. 34602
Regular $2.819 - Premium $3.029

Circle K
3275 Broad St.
Brooksville, Fl. 34604
Regular $2.869 - Plus $3.329 - Diesel $3.409

Five incredible buildings all over a century in age with history that speaks for itself; combined, is a haunting combination. Roger’s Christmas House and Village located in Brooksville, Florida in Hernando County specialize in the sale of unique Christmas household decorations. Although this establishment is geared for the Christmas holiday, the rumors of strange occurrences within these walls, makes it incredibly interesting during the Halloween holiday!

There are tales of a murder taking place during the 1930’s at this very location. It is said that the Roger’s Christmas House was once the home to a married couple that engaged in a heated argument one evening. During the course of this disagreement, the wife stabbed her husband to death as well as a police officer that arrived on the scene. This prompted the other officer on scene to retaliate and shoot the wife to death.

Witnesses have reported seeing the apparition of a woman carrying a shotgun wondering aimlessly throughout the halls of Roger’s Christmas House. Other reports include items being found on the floor upon the opening of the store in the morning, when the store was tidied up with nothing out of order the night before. Tales of dark shadows and unexplained bangs and bumps makes Rogers Christmas House and Village a chilling spot to shop for the chilly holidays!

It’s Brooksville, Florida in Hernando County’s’ 153rd birthday! Today, October 17, 2008 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., folks will be gathering at 131 S. Main St. for a Victorian Tea, held by the Brooksville Woman’s Club. From 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. join the Bell Letters Writers Group for open mic night at the U.U. Pines Retreat Center at 7029 Cedar Lane, bring an instrument, watch a Civil War Reenactment and listen to the Family Fireside Storytelling, refreshments will be made available. The fun and activities will run throughout the weekend with the Saturday Morning Market and Art on Main St. between Broad and Liberty. The Morning Market will include gem mining, a Farmer’s Market, dozens of vendors and a walking tour of the historical Brooksville murals!

Come on down and participate in the celebration of the birthday of Brooksville, a town rich in history and full of life.