Halloween costume shopping If there is one inevitable it is that we grow older each day. However, there is one day of the year where aging seems to have no effect --- Halloween. With Oct. 31 approaching fast, the University students are hurrying to find outfits and costumes to honor the day.
According to second-year College student Danielle Magee there is a progression from high school to college when it comes to costumes.
"In high school Halloween costumes are about looking sexy," Magee said. "That part in 'Mean Girls' is definitely true. But I think in college you are more interested in going for a laugh."
Magee, whose one outfit possibility includes Oprah this year, said her costumes tend to reflect her own sense of humor.
"I try and think of the funniest thing in my closet and what or who I would look like when I put it on," Magee said. "Last year though I found this inflatable cop car and went as an ABC officer."
Magee said although she tries to go for homemade outfits more often, there are plenty of choices in Charlottesville for costumes.
"Party Starts Here on [Rte.] 29 or Wal-Mart are pretty good places to look for outfits," Magee said. "I especially like the kids section."
Third-year College student Taylor Lavender said the newer ways of purchasing costumes such as online stores or E-Bay are not ideal.
"The stuff you can find online is not only more expensive, but they also don't fit the way they should," Lavender said.
Another concern for Halloween costume shopping is the choice between individual and group costumes.
"With Halloween you also have the question of whether choosing to do something individually or be a part of a group outfit," third-year College student Ashley Greff said. "I personally prefer doing something on my own because with groups it gets really stressful trying to coordinate and making sure that everyone looks the part."
-- Compiled by Defne Gunay
Fall Foliage
Although the weather has turned colder and the late-semester crunch is right on the horizon, there are many ways to enjoy the fall semester's namesake season.
Most noticeably, one can view and discover the colorful fall foliage.
But where can it best be noticed?
Fourth-year Architecture student Rachel Kammerer said it is easy to experience the season.
"Everywhere is nice for looking at trees," Kammerer said.
She suggested a few of her favorite locales.
"I find that Rugby is quite pleasant," Kammerer said, adding that the trees there are "actually quite striking."
Kammerer said the foliage has been particularly interesting while driving.
"The leaves are showering down with the breeze as people walk and bike and cars drive," Kammerer said. "It's almost like one of those tacky snow globes."
Kammerer also suggested checking out the path leading to the Gooch dormitory.
Some students may wish to venture off Grounds. Kammerer had a suggestion for them as well.
"Monticello is also gorgeous," Kammerer said. "T.J. loved his trees."
Even without a car, students can experience Jefferson's environmental aesthetics.
Second-year College student Tyler Spivey said the Lawn was obviously the first place to look for fall foliage.
Spivey said the Lawn stands out in particular right now because "some of the leaves have already changed but it still remains green."
Spivey said he has also taken notice of the foliage around Garrett and Minor Hall as well as the Commerce School.
According to Spivey, these trees stand out even though there are many other interesting things to see, like the sudden abundance of squirrels.
Taking in the season's colorful sights does not require much added effort.
The foliage "is kind of hard not to notice," Spivey said.
-- Compiled by Daniel Reinish
Trick or Treat
Once a year, little ghosts, ghouls and goblins overrun the Lawn for a day of haunting and fun. In honor of Halloween, the Lawn residents host Charlottesville children for trick or treating.
The Lawn residents are almost more excited than the children.
"You can be a little kid again," fourth-year College student Allison Murphy said. "You can carve a pumpkin, eat candy corn and get a good perspective on life."
Dorms, CIOs and other student groups can sponsor a Lawn room and help the resident pass out candy. Fourth-year College student Ryan Burke's room is rented out by a dorm.
"They generally tell you to have about $300 worth of candy," Burke said. "You wouldn't believe the number of kids."
Even the faculty members on the Lawn are involved. Murphy, a University Guide, said she is not passing out candy from her room but will be helping the U-Guides in Pavilion Eight, Education Prof. Sarah Turner's residence.
"I think it's a wonderful tradition," Burke said. "It's lots of fun."
Murphy noted benefits other than stuffing yourself with candy and reliving childhood Halloweens.
"I think it's fantastic," Murphy said. "It's one of the best things we do at the University. We never do anything with kids here. It's a great reminder of the world just beyond U.Va."
-- Compiled by Lindsey Wagner
Pumpkin Patches
Carter Mountain Orchard is located in Charlottesville, just about 30 to 40 minutes away from the University. Third-year College student Wallace Gundy recently visited Carter Mountain with some of her sorority sisters to spend a wonderful fall day in the outdoors with the pleasing scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
"It was a lot of fun, and it was a great way to experience the countryside of Charlottesville that we usually don't get to enjoy every day as University students," Gundy said.
One activity at Carter Mountain this fall, besides apple picking, is pumpkin picking around the Halloween season. Gundy and her friends picked pumpkins to decorate their house for this Halloween. One of her housemates arranged a centerpiece for their dining room from the pumpkins and gourds they bought at Carter Mountain. They also plan to carve Jack-O-Lanterns before Halloween, Gundy said.
"Going to the pumpkin patch really made it feel like fall had come," Gundy said. "We had fun taking pictures with all of the pumpkins."
For pre-picked pumpkins, one can go shopping in the big barn right upon arriving at Carter Mountain. But, if pumpkin picking is more appealing, there is a special Halloween pumpkin patch for those who want to choose the perfect pumpkin.
"It was really fun digging through the pumpkins and trying to find the perfect one," Gundy said. "It was kind of like when you look for a Christmas tree."
Gundy said it was also exciting to see all of the young children and other visitors picking out their pumpkins, ranging from tiny to enormous. Back at the University, it is clear that many are getting into the Halloween spirit this fall.
"Walking through Grounds on family weekend, it was really fun to see the changing colors, the leaves on the Lawn, and the pumpkins that Pavilion and Lawn residents have set out as decorations," Gundy said.
A retreat to Carter Mountain this fall may be a way to enjoy Halloween and the crisp autumn weather.
"While we were at Carter Mountain, it was just hard to believe that we were only a stone's throw away from the busy life of Charlottesville," Gundy said. "It was a very relaxing day."
-- Compiled by Nicole Ponticorvo
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