Costumes, Pumpkins, and Candy, Oh My! It's that time of year again when ghosts roam freely, pumpkins glow warmly, and a sense of mystery fills the air – Halloween is finally here! This cherished holiday has undergone a spooktacular transformation over the past few decades, evolving from a tradition primarily enjoyed by children to becoming a beloved celebration in households all across Canada.

But Halloween was not always such a haunting ordeal. It wasn’t until the mid-1800s, when Irish and Scottish immigrants came to Canada in the thousands, bringing with them their traditions and customs.

The exact origins of Halloween are up for debate, but many believe that it derives from the ancient Celtic festival Samhain. The Celtics believed the evening of October 31st marked the divide between the light and dark halves of the year when the boundary between the living and the dead was its thinnest, allowing all manners of ghosts, ghouls, and demons to run free in the land of the living. To protect against malevolent spirits, people would disguise themselves by wearing costumes and masks. As well as leave offerings, typically food, out to appease the spooky trespassers, who would otherwise bring bad luck to the home and community.

In North America, the first instance of anyone dressing in disguise on Halloween was in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1898. The first recorded use of the iconic “trick or treat” was in a newspaper article in Lethbridge, Alberta, in 1927.

During our most recent All Hands Day the Learning and Development department gathered the whole team to carve pumpkins and most importantly, solve a murder. The night prior, a local pumpkin patch owner was found dead on his farm, clearly murdered in cold blood. With a host of suspects milling about the Civiconnect team had to put their critical thinking and problem-solving skills to the test in determining who the killer was.

Using several clues left at the crime scene, like an audio clip of the deceased talking to the murderer, a note in the victim's pocket, a photo of the perpetrator, and results from the crime scene investigation, the Civiconnect team discovered that the killer was the neighbour, Nigel Eastwood. Nigel was involved in a criminal enterprise. The beloved pumpkin patch owner discovered Nigel's dark secret, and to keep the truth from getting out, Nigel knew he had to silence his neighbour.

A very special thank you to the Learning and Development team for launching us into the spooky season and providing a testament to the vibrant spirit of camaraderie that defines our workplace. We wish everyone a spooky and safe Halloween! 🎃👻