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Werewolfs and jack-o’-lanterns: Halloween folklore and legends

Courtesy photo Michael Allison poses with a skull and a werewolf mask. He will present two Halloween talks at the Blair County Historical Society’s Baker Mansion this month.

Michael Allison of Altoona is most well-known for his art and restoration works but his side gig is factually exploring cultural folklore, like why are pumpkins associated with Halloween.

“I am a huge history buff; I just love history,” he said, as a lighted werewolf loomed over his shoulder, and pumpkins decorated his home’s windowsill. The scary, spooky and unexplained phenomena trigger the primordial flight or fright response. “We love to be scared.”

“I truly believe that you know a culture best by delving behind it’s stories that aren’t necessarily true or verifiable, but (stories) tell you a lot,” he said.

And, why are pumpkins turned into jack-o’-lanterns each October? The practice is centuries old and started in Ireland where potatoes and turnips were carved to ward off evil spirits, Allison said, emphasizing that the concept of “evil spirits” and potential ways to keep them at bay is pervasive in nearly all cultures.

Allison presents two talks as part of the Blair County Historical Society’s “Halloween Events: Exploring Haunted History.” The first talk is on Oct. 24 and is entitled “Grimoires and Hexenmeisters: Pennsylvania Folk Magic” and the second Oct. 31 reprises his talk “White Ladies, Hairy Beasts and Things that Go Bump in the Night.” (See box for details.)

“In the few years we have been presenting the speaker series, Michael Allison has become one of the most popular presenters,” said Michael Farrow, president of the BCHS board of trustees.

“As a result, we have also chosen to highlight his presentation from last year, especially since it speaks of the White Lady, known locally as the White Lady of Wopsy, the name referring to our local, scenic outlook, Wopsononock. This particular tale will focus on a distinctly, local legend based in Blair County. As a bonus, the Historical Society will display the painting of the White Lady by local artist Joe Servello,” Farrow said.

The talks are family-friendly, Allison said. He characterizes himself as a “skeptical” cultural explorer fascinated at ferreting out how tales arose. One universal cultural commonality is the “white ladies” and usually arises out of tragedy such as the death of a lover or child. Such stories cross cultural lines as people migrate to different areas and bring their stories with them. The old world traditions and stories become mingled with the new environment.

“We are all mutts, in a manner of speaking,” Allison said, “Culturally, spiritually and intellectually. Those who think they are a pure and unique are fooling themselves.”

In his Oct. 24 talk, Allison speaks about masters of magic, potions, spells and hexes called hexenmeisters, and in particular the Pennsylvania Dutch who emigrated from Germany and settled in eastern Pennsylvania.

For example in 20th century, residents of York and Adams county experienced separate murder-suicides where a person suspected he had been “hexed” or “cursed” and then murdered the person they thought had sent evil their way.

In some ways, he said, those accused of being witches or magicians availed themselves of “hidden wisdom” and were often well-versed in herbal and natural remedies.

“I neither believe nor disbelieve, but if a person who thought they were hexed resorted to murder they obviously believed,” he said. However, further investigation often reveals hidden motives as to why someone would characterize a neighbor as a witch.

“It often was a real estate power grab,” he said. “If someone confessed to being a witch — even if under duress — then their property would not be inherited by the next of kin. Instead, it would be offered for sale for pennies on the dollar. I believe things happen for which we have no explanation for at the time and folklore is a way people tried to explain the unexplainable. ”

Attendees should come prepared to be both entertained and educated.

“Beginning with the German settlements in Colonial Pennsylvania. Folk magic and symbolism have been part and fabric of the state. William Penn promised religious freedom in his territory and many diverse groups of peoples settled the area, including mystics and free-thinkers. This is still true today, especially in rural areas of the state. Halloween seems to be the time when attention is paid to these practices. Michael Allison’s presentation will provide a novel way of both educating and entertaining the audience,” Farrow said.

Allison will also talk about grimoires a term for an instruction-like book often thought to be imbued with intrinsic, special properties. Grimoires, Allison said, can be used for good or evil aka white or black magic. Often, the “spells” contained in a grimoire had “hidden wisdom,” especially about “mysterious” events, such as the phases of the moon.

“In England,” Allison said, “the healers in the village were known as the ‘clever folk’ because of their resourcefulness with herbs and often served as midwives.”

Staff writer Patt Keith is at 949-7030.

Three events coming up

What: “Grimoires and Hexenmeisters: Folk Magic in Pennsylvania” presented by Michael Allison

When: 7 p.m. Oct. 24

Where: Baker Mansion, Altoona

Cost: Free admission; donations welcome

What: “Downtown Haunted Walking Tours” presented by Jared Frederick

When: 7 and 9 p.m. Oct. 26

Where: Meet at the Railroaders Memorial Museum parking lot, 1300 Ninth Ave., Altoona; includes 3/4 of a mile of walking. A flashlight and comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.

Cost: $20 per person (non-refundable) through Paypal; tickets must be obtained in advance via PayPal and the receipt must be brought to the tour as verification of payment.

What: “White Ladies, Hairy Beasts and Things That Go Bump in the Night” presented by Allison

When: 7 p.m. Oct. 31

Where: Baker Mansion, Altoona

Cost: Free admission; donations welcome

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