Things to do this fall
By: Katelyn Darby
As fall rolls along, you may be wondering what you should be doing with your free time. Fortunately, along with fall comes many activities you’ll want to do.
The first fall must-do is a trip to a haunted house. If Halloween is your favorite holiday and you like a thrill, find a group of friends and head to any haunted house for a scary walk. This activity will be a great bonding experience for you and your friends. “I was reluctant to go to a haunted house, but my friends convinced me,” says Cora Dorman (‘18), “It ended up being really fun, and definitely brought us closer.”
If you’re looking for something more relaxed to do this fall, curl up in your warmest blanket and watch your favorite Halloween movie. If you’re planning on watching a scary movie, make sure you’re not alone. If you’re not a fan of scary movies, there are many other options, try finding a movie you used to watch when you were younger for a fun throwback.
Another necessity is a visit to the pumpkin patch. Grab a friend and go to the nearest pumpkin patch. Once you find the perfect pumpkin, take it home for carving. The sky is the limit when it comes to options for what you carve onto your pumpkin. Whether it be a face or picture, don’t forget to take a picture after you’ve finished. Megan Trainer (‘18) says carving pumkins is her favorite part of fall. “Every year I carve pumkins with my little sisters, we always think up fun faces to carve into them.”
If you’re looking for something simple but memorable to do with your family or friends, try a visit to an apple orchard. Not only will you have fun picking your apples, but you’ll also have freshly picked apples for the next week. If picking the apples isn’t enough, make a pie to continue the fun.
If you’re into baking the pie but picking apples isn’t your thing, take advantage of all the festive fall recipes available. Check out “Pumpkin spice and everything nice” in this issue of the Viking Vault for more recipe ideas.
Whatever your plans are this fall, make sure you take advantage of the fall season and everything that comes along with it.
-Katelyn Darby ('18) is a second-year Vault staff member and Web Editor-in-Chief. [email protected]
By: Katelyn Darby
As fall rolls along, you may be wondering what you should be doing with your free time. Fortunately, along with fall comes many activities you’ll want to do.
The first fall must-do is a trip to a haunted house. If Halloween is your favorite holiday and you like a thrill, find a group of friends and head to any haunted house for a scary walk. This activity will be a great bonding experience for you and your friends. “I was reluctant to go to a haunted house, but my friends convinced me,” says Cora Dorman (‘18), “It ended up being really fun, and definitely brought us closer.”
If you’re looking for something more relaxed to do this fall, curl up in your warmest blanket and watch your favorite Halloween movie. If you’re planning on watching a scary movie, make sure you’re not alone. If you’re not a fan of scary movies, there are many other options, try finding a movie you used to watch when you were younger for a fun throwback.
Another necessity is a visit to the pumpkin patch. Grab a friend and go to the nearest pumpkin patch. Once you find the perfect pumpkin, take it home for carving. The sky is the limit when it comes to options for what you carve onto your pumpkin. Whether it be a face or picture, don’t forget to take a picture after you’ve finished. Megan Trainer (‘18) says carving pumkins is her favorite part of fall. “Every year I carve pumkins with my little sisters, we always think up fun faces to carve into them.”
If you’re looking for something simple but memorable to do with your family or friends, try a visit to an apple orchard. Not only will you have fun picking your apples, but you’ll also have freshly picked apples for the next week. If picking the apples isn’t enough, make a pie to continue the fun.
If you’re into baking the pie but picking apples isn’t your thing, take advantage of all the festive fall recipes available. Check out “Pumpkin spice and everything nice” in this issue of the Viking Vault for more recipe ideas.
Whatever your plans are this fall, make sure you take advantage of the fall season and everything that comes along with it.
-Katelyn Darby ('18) is a second-year Vault staff member and Web Editor-in-Chief. [email protected]
Pumpkin spice and everything nice
By: Katie Applequist
NORTHRIDGE- Fall. Leaves changing, frost falling, and the most important thing, Pumpkin. You know the drill. Carve them up into spooky faces then stick a candle in it and put it by your door until the spooky face turns green and turns into the mangled face that’ll haunt your dreams forever.
But there’s so much more to those round, orange squashes. They can be turned into the most delicious edible creations that’ll really put you into the spirit of the season.
By: Katie Applequist
NORTHRIDGE- Fall. Leaves changing, frost falling, and the most important thing, Pumpkin. You know the drill. Carve them up into spooky faces then stick a candle in it and put it by your door until the spooky face turns green and turns into the mangled face that’ll haunt your dreams forever.
But there’s so much more to those round, orange squashes. They can be turned into the most delicious edible creations that’ll really put you into the spirit of the season.
- Pumpkin Cookies: These cookies are basically a sweet pumpkin, but there’s no actual pumpkin in them. They are simple to make and delicious. To make cookies: First cream 1 cup of shortening, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of canned butternut squash. Then add 1 egg and mix well. Add two cups of flour, one teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon salt. Drop from spoon onto cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Frost warm. To make frosting: Cook 4 ½ tablespoons of butter, 6 teaspoons milk, and ¾ cup of brown sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Cool and add 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla. Stir. Beat in 1 ½ cups powdered sugar. Spread on warm cookies.
- Pumpkin Seeds: Remember that pumpkin you carved into the spooky face? Well, those seeds that you got out of it can make something delicious. Simply save all the seeds (without all the guts on them) and dry them out for a day or so and then toss them in melted butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. Bake at 300°F until golden brown, or about 30 minutes.
- Pumpkin Pancakes: Just like regular pancakes but with a fall twist. Just make regular pancakes and while adding the milk, add about 6 tablespoons of canned pumpkin and some pumpkin pie spice. Cook and serve. Top with whipped cream for a pumpkin pie feel.
- Tea with milk instead of water: This makes your tea richer and creamier. Brew your favorite tea the same way you always do, but using less water than normal and steep it for a little longer than normal to avoid your tea becoming too watered down. Heat your milk* up so that it doesn’t cool your tea down and then add it. Then cuddle up under a blanket with your favorite movie or book and enjoy your cool fall night. *Use vanilla flavored milk for an added twist.
- Kettle corn: For every ½ cup of popcorn melt a tablespoon of butter and mix in a ⅓ cup of sugar then mix that with the popped popcorn.
DIY Halloween costumes
By: Caylee Lindsay
With Halloween approaching, costume parties and other holiday festivities are in full swing. Whether you’re trick-or-treating or dressing up for a fun Halloween get together with your friends, you’re going to need a costume. Although the quick and easy option of buying a costume from a party store might sound tempting, no one should have to spend $40 or more on a cheap outfit that is only going to be worn once. DIY costumes are fun, affordable, and easy. Here are some quick options suitable for any Halloween bash.
GRAPES: Balloons can be a valuable tool when experimenting with Halloween costumes. A pack of purple or light green balloons and green construction paper are the only supplies necessary to become a bunch of grapes. Start out with leggings or jeans and a plain T-shirt that matches the color of the balloons. Next, simply blow up the balloons and tape them all over your body. To top off the look, cut out three large leaves out of green construction paper, tape them together, and pin them in your hair to resemble the stem of the grapes.
WHERE’S WALDO: A character that anyone can become in a matter of minutes is Waldo from “Where’s Waldo?”, the classic search-and-find books. You will need a white/red striped long-sleeved shirt, a pair of jeans, a white/red beanie, circular glasses, and a cane. Simply dress yourself in this Waldo attire, and you are ready to go!
EMOJI: Another easy option for any Halloween function would be an emoji. All you will need for this costume is a plain yellow shirt, black/white/red fabric paint, a paint brush or sponge, a black fabric marker, and a pencil. First, lay out the yellow shirt on a flat surface. With a pencil, draw out the emoji you wish to become. The yellow “face” emoticons work best with this costume. Next, trace over the pencil marks using a black fabric marker. Use the fabric paint to fill in the lines with the appropriate color for whatever emoji you chose. Finally, leave the shirt on the flat surface for an hour until the paint is completely dry.
FIREFIGHTER/DALMATIAN: If you and your significant other are looking for a DIY couple costume, the solution is simple and affordable! A firefighter/dalmatian duo would be perfect for a couple, or even just a pair of friends. What the firefighter will need: a neutral colored T-shirt, black or khaki pants, a firefighter hat (can be found at a dollar store or party store,) and a pair of suspenders. What the dalmatian will need: plain white shirt, white pants (optional,) a pair of plain white socks, a hot-glue gun black fabric paint, a headband, and black face paint. The firefighter is ready to go once they have acquired the necessary clothes. The dalmatian, however, will need to follow a few simple steps. First, using the black fabric paint, cover the white shirt, pants, and socks with black dots. After the paint has dried, attach the socks to the headband with a hot-glue gun to resemble dog ears. Lastly, paint a dog-like nose onto your nose with black face paint.
For the “Snapchat dog filter” pictured above, you just need 5 simple things! A print-out of the dog filter, scissors, tape, a popsicle stick, and a headband. Cut out the ears, nose, and tongue separately. Tape the ears to the headband and the tongue to the popsicle stick. Put all of the items on, and you’re good to go!
Whatever your costume may be, Halloween is all about having fun and being creative. Hopefully these DIY costumes aided you in having the happiest, spookiest Halloween ever!
-Caylee Lindsay (‘18) is a second-year staff member and Print Editor-In-Chief for the Viking Vault. [email protected]
By: Caylee Lindsay
With Halloween approaching, costume parties and other holiday festivities are in full swing. Whether you’re trick-or-treating or dressing up for a fun Halloween get together with your friends, you’re going to need a costume. Although the quick and easy option of buying a costume from a party store might sound tempting, no one should have to spend $40 or more on a cheap outfit that is only going to be worn once. DIY costumes are fun, affordable, and easy. Here are some quick options suitable for any Halloween bash.
GRAPES: Balloons can be a valuable tool when experimenting with Halloween costumes. A pack of purple or light green balloons and green construction paper are the only supplies necessary to become a bunch of grapes. Start out with leggings or jeans and a plain T-shirt that matches the color of the balloons. Next, simply blow up the balloons and tape them all over your body. To top off the look, cut out three large leaves out of green construction paper, tape them together, and pin them in your hair to resemble the stem of the grapes.
WHERE’S WALDO: A character that anyone can become in a matter of minutes is Waldo from “Where’s Waldo?”, the classic search-and-find books. You will need a white/red striped long-sleeved shirt, a pair of jeans, a white/red beanie, circular glasses, and a cane. Simply dress yourself in this Waldo attire, and you are ready to go!
EMOJI: Another easy option for any Halloween function would be an emoji. All you will need for this costume is a plain yellow shirt, black/white/red fabric paint, a paint brush or sponge, a black fabric marker, and a pencil. First, lay out the yellow shirt on a flat surface. With a pencil, draw out the emoji you wish to become. The yellow “face” emoticons work best with this costume. Next, trace over the pencil marks using a black fabric marker. Use the fabric paint to fill in the lines with the appropriate color for whatever emoji you chose. Finally, leave the shirt on the flat surface for an hour until the paint is completely dry.
FIREFIGHTER/DALMATIAN: If you and your significant other are looking for a DIY couple costume, the solution is simple and affordable! A firefighter/dalmatian duo would be perfect for a couple, or even just a pair of friends. What the firefighter will need: a neutral colored T-shirt, black or khaki pants, a firefighter hat (can be found at a dollar store or party store,) and a pair of suspenders. What the dalmatian will need: plain white shirt, white pants (optional,) a pair of plain white socks, a hot-glue gun black fabric paint, a headband, and black face paint. The firefighter is ready to go once they have acquired the necessary clothes. The dalmatian, however, will need to follow a few simple steps. First, using the black fabric paint, cover the white shirt, pants, and socks with black dots. After the paint has dried, attach the socks to the headband with a hot-glue gun to resemble dog ears. Lastly, paint a dog-like nose onto your nose with black face paint.
For the “Snapchat dog filter” pictured above, you just need 5 simple things! A print-out of the dog filter, scissors, tape, a popsicle stick, and a headband. Cut out the ears, nose, and tongue separately. Tape the ears to the headband and the tongue to the popsicle stick. Put all of the items on, and you’re good to go!
Whatever your costume may be, Halloween is all about having fun and being creative. Hopefully these DIY costumes aided you in having the happiest, spookiest Halloween ever!
-Caylee Lindsay (‘18) is a second-year staff member and Print Editor-In-Chief for the Viking Vault. [email protected]
Halloween: Then vs. Now
By: Kayla Butler
I’m sure you remember it: the crunching leaves beneath your feet, the whistling of cool air, the weight of your bag as it gets filled with more and more candy.
These are all important aspects of Halloween, but as we age, the way we celebrate holidays inevitably changes.
Here is Halloween: Then vs. Now
Then:
You anticipate Halloween before the first leaves even fall. You flip through costume magazines and walk the aisles of the supermarket, searching for the perfect costume. You daydream about the mountain of candy that will be created after you dump your bag on your living room floor. You think of all the candy your parents will “need to inspect,” before you can finally dive into the fruit of your labors. Pumpkins are collected and the guts scooped out, ready for you to carve a face or a character into the orange flesh. Hocus Pocus or The Nightmare Before Christmas are playing on the TV, and you watch with a bowl of candy corn in hand. When Trick-or-Treat night finally comes, you are ecstatic.
Now:
You hardly pay attention to when Halloween is, unless you have a big project or assignment due that day. The only prepping done around Halloween is studying for tests. If you’re lucky enough to have any free time, you’ll probably catch up on sleep. If you choose to forego those much needed “Zzzs,” you might choose to spend it with some friends. Haunted houses or a friend’s room are both suitable options, depending on how much effort and money you’re willing to spend. Halloween can also be spent at home, in your sweats, still watching a movie playing on Freeform’s, (formally ABC’s), “13 Nights of Halloween.”
Even with all those changes, you can probably catch a 17-year-old and a 9-year-old bonding over a pile of candy and the screams of a terrified movie character on TV, the teen in sweats, the child in costume.
-Kayla Butler (‘17) is a second-year Vault staff member and Assistant Web Editor [email protected]
By: Kayla Butler
I’m sure you remember it: the crunching leaves beneath your feet, the whistling of cool air, the weight of your bag as it gets filled with more and more candy.
These are all important aspects of Halloween, but as we age, the way we celebrate holidays inevitably changes.
Here is Halloween: Then vs. Now
Then:
You anticipate Halloween before the first leaves even fall. You flip through costume magazines and walk the aisles of the supermarket, searching for the perfect costume. You daydream about the mountain of candy that will be created after you dump your bag on your living room floor. You think of all the candy your parents will “need to inspect,” before you can finally dive into the fruit of your labors. Pumpkins are collected and the guts scooped out, ready for you to carve a face or a character into the orange flesh. Hocus Pocus or The Nightmare Before Christmas are playing on the TV, and you watch with a bowl of candy corn in hand. When Trick-or-Treat night finally comes, you are ecstatic.
Now:
You hardly pay attention to when Halloween is, unless you have a big project or assignment due that day. The only prepping done around Halloween is studying for tests. If you’re lucky enough to have any free time, you’ll probably catch up on sleep. If you choose to forego those much needed “Zzzs,” you might choose to spend it with some friends. Haunted houses or a friend’s room are both suitable options, depending on how much effort and money you’re willing to spend. Halloween can also be spent at home, in your sweats, still watching a movie playing on Freeform’s, (formally ABC’s), “13 Nights of Halloween.”
Even with all those changes, you can probably catch a 17-year-old and a 9-year-old bonding over a pile of candy and the screams of a terrified movie character on TV, the teen in sweats, the child in costume.
-Kayla Butler (‘17) is a second-year Vault staff member and Assistant Web Editor [email protected]
Interview with a Clown
By: Austin White
It’s nearly impossible not to have heard all the talk about the clowns walking down the road and scaring people. There have been reports of scary-faced clowns in dark outfits springing from behind trees and banging on windshields. Clowns just loitering along rural roads. Clowns lurking in the shadows of high school football games. It all leads you to wonder … what’s the point? Like any good hard-hitting journalist, I did what I had to do to secure an interview with a clown.
The clown wishes to remain anonymous and would only meet with me from the other side of a tree in the middle of nowhere. I was not afraid.
Me: Why do you go around dressed like this, causing panic and also putting yourself in danger?
Clown: Well, seeing the terror on people's faces is funny to me. It’s not like I have a job or anything else to do. I get tired of walking around having people not notice me. Paint my face like this, and I get noticed. And, as for the danger? I think people know it's just a joke.
Me: Lots of people are saying what they would do if they saw a clown, and none of those things really sound like they’d be fun for you. I mean, you've got a family. Do you really want to put yourself in that kind of danger?
Clown: People are all talk and no walk. They may see me on the road, but they aren't going to actually hurt me.
Me: What about the police? They said they were going to arrest people in clown costumes.
Clown: How can they arrest me for dressing in a clown costume and walking down the road? As long as I’m not carrying a weapon, I think I’m fine. Now, I need to get back out there on the road. Back to work.
The clown turned and walked away.
-Austin White (‘17) is a first-year Viking Vault reporter. [email protected]
By: Austin White
It’s nearly impossible not to have heard all the talk about the clowns walking down the road and scaring people. There have been reports of scary-faced clowns in dark outfits springing from behind trees and banging on windshields. Clowns just loitering along rural roads. Clowns lurking in the shadows of high school football games. It all leads you to wonder … what’s the point? Like any good hard-hitting journalist, I did what I had to do to secure an interview with a clown.
The clown wishes to remain anonymous and would only meet with me from the other side of a tree in the middle of nowhere. I was not afraid.
Me: Why do you go around dressed like this, causing panic and also putting yourself in danger?
Clown: Well, seeing the terror on people's faces is funny to me. It’s not like I have a job or anything else to do. I get tired of walking around having people not notice me. Paint my face like this, and I get noticed. And, as for the danger? I think people know it's just a joke.
Me: Lots of people are saying what they would do if they saw a clown, and none of those things really sound like they’d be fun for you. I mean, you've got a family. Do you really want to put yourself in that kind of danger?
Clown: People are all talk and no walk. They may see me on the road, but they aren't going to actually hurt me.
Me: What about the police? They said they were going to arrest people in clown costumes.
Clown: How can they arrest me for dressing in a clown costume and walking down the road? As long as I’m not carrying a weapon, I think I’m fine. Now, I need to get back out there on the road. Back to work.
The clown turned and walked away.
-Austin White (‘17) is a first-year Viking Vault reporter. [email protected]