Before we turn the calendar page from November to December, enjoy some photos of the community event that kicked off the month…
On November 1, 2025, the Linden and North Woodside civic associations came together once again to host a festive neighborhood Halloween celebration filled with fun and seasonal cheer. Families, kids, and pets showed off their costumes in lively parades, while live music set the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of relaxed, community-centered fun, with great food, happy neighbors, and plenty of chill vibes. At a time when togetherness matters more than ever, the event was a great reminder of the importance of the strength that comes from being united and supporting one another. Thank you to everyone who participated in the event and made it a memorable time. — Mona Alzate, NWCA event volunteer
And a gallery of some of the costumed canines (and other furry friends) who attended:
October is here, and with it comes the coziness of fall and the spookiness of Halloween! We’re excited to announce our neighborhood Halloween Fall Funfest2025 is coming up!
Similar to last year, North Woodside is teaming up with Linden Civic Association to co-host this event. Everyone is encouraged to dress up, bring a neighbor or a friend, and enjoy the spirit of the season together. Event is rain or shine, so please dress according to the weather. Read on for more info and scroll down for a downloadable flyer.
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: November 1, 2025 Time: 1:00-4:00pm Location: Montgomery Hills Park, 2103 Seminary Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Join us for an afternoon of seasonal fun with activities:
This past Sunday, October 27, the North Woodside Citizens’ Association and the Linden Civic Association teamed up to organize the first annual Halloween Fall Funfest in Montgomery Hills Park. Lots of neighbors, both human and canine, came out for the event. Check out some photos:
North Woodside and Linden Civic Associations will co-host their first annual Halloween Fall Funfest on Sunday October 27, 1:00-3:00pm, in Montgomery Hills Park. (Corners of Seminary Place, Road and Second Avenue) Highlights include a costume parade for children and pets, prizes and treats, a food truck, and live music. Rain or shine. Bring a blanket to sit on. Dress accordingly.
Parking is limited, so we encourage folks to walk to the park. If you must drive, we recommend parking in the Aldi’s lot, a short walk down Seminary Place. Friends and families welcome.
For further information, contact Melinda Frederick, NWCA Program coordinator.
From Jason and the Argonauts: Orpheus charming the serpent that guards the Golden Fleece. Photos by Barry Galef
As a boy, I loved Halloween—especially the part where you carved a pumpkin. I wanted my jack-o’-lanterns to be special, but never felt like they stood out. Then in 1970 I tried something a little different: I added some delicate details carved just through the surface of the skin but not the flesh. To my surprise, they showed up in the dark, even though the only light I was using was a candle. It turned out that only the skin of the pumpkin is opaque; the flesh is very translucent and lets light through even if it’s an inch or two thick.
I used that idea the next year, and the next, adding more and more surface detail and minimizing the places where I carved all the way through. Eventually, I realized I was mimicking the technique of woodcut or linoleum block prints—and started using the gouge-like tools designed for that art. Now I can get as much detail as I want, and if I use a bright LED bulb the design shows up to brilliant effect.
From Kalevala: Ilmarinen, a hero of the Finnish epic, forging a key to unlock the prison of the sun and the moon
I take my time in planning an image on paper before transferring it to the pumpkin. It takes only a few hours to cut around the shapes and carve away the areas I want to show up bright on the jack-o’-lantern. Once I have the design, it takes perhaps ten hours of work to finish the job.
Rather than showing just a single face or monster, I like illustrating complex and dramatic tales. That gives me a chance to tell a story. And if I take good care of them, the jack-o’-lanterns can last surprisingly long—a month or even two! I’ve found that it’s important to keep them cool, to spray them occasionally with a weak solution of bleach to avoid mold, and to cut away any bad areas as they appear.
In recent decades, I’ve tied the story on my jack-o’-lanterns to the theme of the Christmas Revels, a pageant-like show presented each December at GWU’s Lisner Auditorium. This year, the connection is particularly close: We’re both using Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It’s a story of honor, wonder, danger, and redemption in King Arthur’s court, perfect for both Halloween and Christmas.
In addition to showing the jack-o’-lanterns at parties and rehearsals for the Revels, I display my jack-o’-lanterns outside my door at 2020 Lanier Drive for the night of Halloween. Come by to see it this year—and then come see the show that shares the same story. You can get tickets to see the show at www.revelsdc.org and see more of my jack-o’-lanterns (and other art) at www.barrygalef.com.
From Beowulf: A thief stealing gold from a ship burial that is part of a dragon’s treasure hoard. I’ve used my own face as the thief.
Date: November 1, 2025
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Location: Montgomery Hills Park, 2103 Seminary Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Welcome to North Woodside 