Staff Notes

STAFF NOTE: It’s All Just a Bunch of Chippewa Valley Hocus Pocus

why this is the most exciting issue of the year (for me)

Sawyer Hoff, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

I’ve been waiting for this issue all year. Why? Because it’s the Halloween Hauntings special section issue of course! Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday and I made sure everyone in the office knew it.

Not only is this the Halloween Hauntings issue, but this also happens to come out on my birthday, Oct. 6. Coincidence? I really don’t think so.

People often ask me what it is about Halloween that I love so much and I actually struggle to come up with concrete answers. I don’t believe in ghosts or goblins or monsters (I definitely think someone beer-goggled the Water Street Monster – check Halloween Hauntings for more details), but there’s just something about the vibe of it all that’s so fun and nostalgic.

The changing leaves, the cold weather, the spooky decorations everywhere, and getting the crud scared out of you by teenagers in costumes. Watching Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown for the millionth time while sipping on some sort of pumpkin spice beverage (also check out the Coffee Culture special section) is truly the highlight of my year.

Hopefully all you readers have just as much fun this Halloween season as I will be having and remember: For no mere mortal can resist the evil of the thriller! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!