Words From The Editor - by Vivian Heyl

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Spooky Effects
Posted on 2024-04-25

Spooky Effects

Using spooky effects to create a Halloween atmosphere to delight trick-or-treaters or party guests is easier than most people think they are. Here are some easy ways to create that scary, intimidating atmosphere you desire.

Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide. It is a good coolant because it can reach temperatures below that of ice and it will not leave a puddle or damp residue behind. Use dry ice in any other liquid to create billowing plumes of vapor that add to the spooky effects. Just be sure to handle dry ice very carefully and make sure it is inaccessible to curious kids.

Rent or purchase smoke machines, which can be found at party stores or big box retailers, to add to your eerie atmosphere. Dim the lights and have smoke rolling through the party room or by the front door.

Purchase a lightning and thunder kit that combine strobe lights or lighting effects with sound systems simulate the sounds and sights of a thunderstorm.

Purchase spiderweb kits at retailers or make your own with cotton. Pure cotton balls can be pulled apart and stretched over various items in the house to create a spiderweb effect.

Use nonflammable materials to drape a lampshade to cast different hues around a room. This also dims the brightness in the room, creating shadows here and there.

Originally published in The Times Dispatch, October, 2015

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Words From The Editor
by Vivian Heyl 1950-2024

Vivian Running Sound At Blues Fest

Vivian was editor at Delta Boogie since we started the site in 1996. She wrote almost all of our Delta Musicians section, the most popular area on Delta Boogie. She also wrote anything else on Delta Boogie that doesn't have a byline.

She also worked for the Times Dispatch in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, where she contributed many features and some reporting. Her work at the Times Dispatch regularly won awards from the Arkansas Press Association.

Writing was her passion. She wrote for her whole life. Much of it we still have in computer files. I am posting her work here as I find it.

by Larry Heyl

Links

Delta Boogie
Gamer+
Related To Geeks

Gretchen says:

Today we celebrate Vivian Heyl. Mom, Grandma, Viv. Whatever name you knew her by, I'm sure at some point in time she used her gift of nurturing on you. She was indeed a nurturer - of the mind, body and spirit. Her words of encouragement could only be outdone by her quick wit and, when needed, sharp tongue. She loved unconditionally, but she had no problem calling you on your crap. She welcomed ALL to her family - and about the only thing that would get you unwelcome was making someone else feel that way. Today we celebrate the life she lived, the example she set and the love she shared.

Many have asked what they can do for the family or in memory of Mom - I offer these suggestions:

Play a game with your family. There is nothing that would be a better gift than to share joy with your family and in memory of Mom.

Read a book (it can have pictures). Mom loved to go on adventures in books and she led us kids down the same path.

Encourage a kid (preferably one who no else even seems to notice). I promise that is the one Mom would spot first and immediately bring into the fold.

We would also love to hear your stories about Mom. We would love anyone who would like to share stories or memories to do so in the comment thread. Maybe you have a story where you realized, possibly even years later, that you had been molded by a momma's love in the form of Vivian Heyl.

If you would like to make a memorial gift, please consider the children and youth fund at Brookland UMC or the friends of the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library, the Lawrence County Library or your local library.

Lastly, just keep loving us! We are sad, but we are blessed.


Add your words to the comments thread:

Words and Comments

Delta Boogie Newsletter/Gamer+ News - May 2024 - This One's For Vivian

https://gamerplus.org/@hairylarry/pages/1714661546292

My wife Vivian was the editor of Delta Boogie and a regular contributor to Gamer+. She helped me with everything I did including Blues Fest for 25 years, The Bandshell Project, Jonesboro Computer Services, The Jonesboro User Group, and so much more. I don't know what I'll do without her.

On April 18, 2024, Vivian passed on.

She was a writer all her life and I am collecting her writings here.

https://deltaboogie.net/words

She worked at The Times Dispatch in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, for years. Her features regularly won Awards from the Arkansas Press Association.

She wrote almost all of Delta Musicians, the most popular section on Delta Boogie, where she provided Delta Bluesmen with a place on the internet back in the nineties. She also wrote all of the articles on Delta Boogie that do not have a byline.

She played and ran fantasy RPGs with dice and miniatures at ASU Beebe in the early seventies before D&D was published.

We home schooled our children and she saw their love of D&D as an educational opportunity for reading, writing, history, the arts, and, of course, math.

She loved music and games and she raised a family of musicians and gamers.

We have five children and seven grandchildren. I had two boys before we married and she loved them like her own.

She saved my life and she gave me a good life. I love her still and always.

For her, I thank you all, for your continued support of Delta Boogie, Gamer+, Delta music, NEA gaming and whatever else it is that you do to make the world a little bit better.

Please take a minute and say a prayer.

Thanks,
Hairy Larry
https://gamerplus.org/@hairylarry
hairylarry@deltaboogie.com


Comment thread here.