NIGHTMARES: There is still time to have one! Putnam Parks and Recreation Commission has offered the areas' scariest haunted attraction: "Nightmares," held at County Fairgrounds in Eleanor, and you still have time to attend the final two from 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31. Admission will be $5 for adults and $3 for kids 12 and younger. On Oct. 31, there will be a costume contest, which will be a real hoot for contestants and spectators alike! For more information on being a part of Putnam County's "Nightmares," call 304-562-0518 ext. 14.

TRUNK OR TREAT: Area children are invited to "Trunk or Treat" Saturday, Oct. 31 at Teays Valley KMart from 5 to 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by Teays Valley Church of God and will feature a couple dozen decorated cars and characters in friendly costumes to give out candy to children. This has been a real hit in years past. Kudos to the Rev. Dr. Melissa Pratt, Teays Valley Kmart and sponsors for creating a safe environment for children to celebrate!

SPOOKTACULAR: Generation Putnam's Spooktacular 5K Run/2 Mile Walk, will start at 9 a.m. at Valley Park (Wave Pool) on Saturday, Oct. 31. Costumes are not required, but welcome! A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Putnam Animal Relief Fund. The first 35 dogs to enter will be given an absolutely adorable Spooktacular bandana. Contact Rebekah Greene at reachpersonalfitness@yahoo.com or 304-610-7765.

HOUSING 101 EXPO: Interested in buying, selling or learning about real estate in general? Kanawha Board of Realtors will present its first, free Real Estate Expo from noon to 6 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center on Nov. 1.

Meet with mortgage lenders, Realtors, home inspectors, real estate attorneys, contractors and more! Learn from start to finish how to buy or sell a home. There will be giveaways throughout the day.

ROYAL BREAKFAST: Dine with Disney royalty at 9 a.m. on Nov. 14 at the Teays Valley Community Center (Wave Pool) in Hurricane. Come dressed as your favorite princess and have breakfast with Disney Princesses. Girls aged 2 to 10 are invited to partake of pancakes sprinkled with fairy dust and fruit in the company of princesses. The minimal charge of $5 will be applied to next year's Princess Tea Party. For more information, call Karen Haynes at 304-757-7584.

REACH APPLICATIONS: The City of Hurricane is now accepting applications for the 2010 REACH program. REACH is a Christian-based service program that helps people with the rehabilitation of their homes. The program is not income based, rather need based. Volunteers will be in our area July 18 to 31, 2010. If you would like an application or would like to be a sponsor, please contact the City of Hurricane at 304-562-5896.

SPAS TO SAVE PAWS: Come get pampered or get a jump start on Christmas shopping Nov. 21 at the Hurricane Community Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Twenty-five percent of proceeds will be donated to the Putnam Animal Relief Center new building fund. For more info call Shelley Gaines at 304-881-1578 or e-mail shelleygaines@usa.net.

MERRY CHRISTMAS: Now here's a way to think ahead! Putnam Parks and Recreation is offering a way to get a jump on the holidays and a jump on next summer! 2010 pool passes are now available in time for holiday giving. Often by summer, Christmas gifts are forgotten, but here's an opportunity to give a gift that will allow sweet anticipation for summer! And you'll get a 25 percent discount! Family (2 adults and 2 children) passes for Waves of Fun Water Park are priced at just $396 for holiday giving! Family passes (2 adults and 2 children) for the Putnam County Pool in Eleanor are an amazing $146. Individual prices are also available, call the park office at 304-562-0518 for details!

REINDOG PARADE: Do you love a parade? Then mark you calendar for this must-attend event. Guaranteed to bring smiles. Parks and Recreation will have its annual Reindog Parade Dec. 5 at the Hurricane Community Center in Valley Park (Wave Pool) at 10 a.m. Registration will start at 9:30 a.m. This is a Christmas Dog Costume Contest. All canine contestants must be in costume to walk in the parade. All dogs must be on a leash. One dog per handler. Handlers younger than 14 must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a $10 entry fee, which will go toward the new Putnam County Animal Shelter. The event will take place rain or shine! Call Parks and Recreation at 304-562-0518 ext. 10 for more information and to register in advance for a dog-gone good time.

IN MEMORY: I've been writing for the Putnam Herald since its first edition. Always when covering an event that was publicized, there was one thing I could count on; I would see Shelby Young, who virtually single-handedly put together the Metro Putnam, a Charleston Newspaper.

While we were pretty much competitors, I always looked forward to seeing Shelby. I remember the first time Shelby and I were covering the same story, I introduced myself to him. I was a little intimidated meeting the seasoned reporter and confessed I was a neophyte. Rather than being smug, he smiled, recalled interviewing me some 15 years earlier (how did he do that, I had totally forgotten) and proceeded to give me tips!

I learned a lot from Shelby, and when he would compliment my work it meant so much to me, for I certainly held high regard for his work, and so glad I told him so.

Shelby suddenly passed away last week. He will be missed and never forgotten.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "When good men die, their goodness does not perish." -- Euripides.

Let Jill Oxley, Putnam County's resident community newshound, know about your events by leaving a message at 304-757-9579 a week in advance.

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