Greetings to Folks around the world from Northern Nevada, USA!

The Great Reno Balloon Race was held last weekend and what a great sight it was! Balloons in the shapes of Bumble Bees, Bear, Eagle and of course the old familiar balloon shape, all with brightly colored designs floating over the county and it was spectacular! People showed up at Rancho San Rafael park long before daybreak to get a good parking space and stake a lookout spot. On Saturday, from 5AM - 11AM the "Pajama Fest 2008" and "Bed Head Contest" was held. People were treated to movies, hot chocolate and games. What a delightful and fun weekend it was. If you missed this year's balloons, there will be another event next September.

See the following link for some great photos:
www.renoballoon.com
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This weekend promises to be just as thrilling with the 45th National Championship Air Races and Air Show, September 10 - 14, 2008, at the Reno-Stead Airport. Five days of exciting Air Racing by six classes of aircraft will keep spectators on their feet and at the edge for up close viewing of this fast-paced event! Click on the following link for more information:

www.airrace.org/indexJS.php
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From folks around the USA:

From: www.spokanefolklore.org/news.html

Lady of the Lake Fall Music and Dance Weekend-2008

Spokane Folklore Society's Lady of the Lake Fall Music and Dance Weekend will take place on Oct. 3-5, 2008. We hope that you can join us for two great contra dance bands plus instrument workshops, couple dance sessions, and more. Playing for us will be The Syncopaths: a vibrant new band from California with Ryan McKasson, Jeff Spero, Chirsta Burch, and Bill Flores and Idaho's own Out of the Wood with Kathy Bowman and Pat and Vicki Marron. Calling contras and squares for the weekend will be Susan Michaels from California and Woody Lane from Oregon. The camp takes place on beautiful Coeur D'Alene Lake in Idaho Join us for a fine weekend of music, dance, jamming, hiking, sailing, or hanging out on the porch. Applications are available on line at www.ladyofthelake.org.


The Spokane Folklore Society 13th annual Fall Folk Festival will take place Saturday, November 8, 2008 and Sunday, November 9 at Spokane Community College (The Lair), N. 1810 N. Greene Street in Spokane, Washington.
Directions and maps can be viewed at www.scc.spokane.edu/maps/
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It is that time of year again when we start planning for the autumn and winter holidays, crafts and just downright fun! My family is huge and we love our autumn family get-togethers. Now is when I start my crafts for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. We love to scout around the county for the best pumpkin patch and pick out the best or most unusual for our Pumpkin Carving Contest. The winner gets lots of praises and a little gift that we all donated for, usually some Halloween decorations like scarecrows, wreaths, an autumn bouquet in a huge basket or fragrant spice scented candles.

The Saturday before Halloween, we all get together for my Grandfather's donut making night. Grandpa is long gone from us, but his recipe has been handed down and is now being enjoyed by the sixth generation. The donuts are wonderful and the kids love to decorate their own with a choice of frosting and sprinkles - of course most of that ends up on the floor! I prefer mine plain, a few days old, to dunk in my morning coffee. MMM-mmm-mm! What a great way to honor Grandpa's memory!
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Did you know?

If you find your initials in a spider's web you will be lucky all of your life.
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Till next time, may your home be filled with laughter and may it ring from floor to rafter.

Blessings and may you walk in harmony and beauty.
Phyllis
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Here's the latest article from the Folklore site at BellaOnline.com.

Banshee Of Lament
Come read about the legend of the Banshee and decide if she should be feared and shunned or loved and respected.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art15692.asp

Please visit folklore.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Folklore.

To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about Folklore located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=131

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

Phyllis Doyle Burns, Folklore Editor
http://folklore.bellaonline.com

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