THS October 2026 Calendar Fun Facts

OCTOBER

Moon of Falling Leaves  (Cherokee)

Welcome to the October QR Pages!  The themes for October are Pumpkins, Chowder, Brooms and Gravestones

Old English proverb;  “Don’t Dig  Your Grave With Your Knife And Fork”

October Trivia Questions:  1. Pumpkins are native to the Americas. So, is it true that the earliest settlers would never have heard of pumpkin until they came to America?    2. How might a member of the Reed family have killed a “felon”?  Hint: Think “Old Remedy”

 Historic Pumpkin Pie recipes:    1796 recipe to try           1841 recipe – fun to read          1861 Recipe to try

Cod Fish Chowder  (Prevention Magazine; adapted by C. Barnacoat)

Boil 1lb peeled diced Russet potatoes till just tender, set aside

Dice one leek; sauté with 1 tbsp oil in a medium saucepan.

Add 3 peeled diced carrots and ½ lb. peeled diced sweet potato

Add salt/pepper to taste, then sauté 5 min.

Add 3 and 3 ¾ cups vegetable broth and bring to a simmer, cook for about 8 mins.

Add ½ of the potatoes

Puree the other half with remaining broth and add to the pan.

Reduce heat to low.  Add 1/4c 2% milk, stir.

Add 1lb. cod cut into 1” pieces. Cook for another 5 minutes and serve!

Information on early American gravestones in New England: Early gravestones

Note – The picture on the October page is the headstone of Ebenezer Ball, a direct ancestor of Carol Wright Kilbourn, one of the creators of this calendar!

October-related Articles:

It’s October – Care for your Broom!  Who knew there was a history of brooms?  The Reed House has several of these brooms ready for any volunteer to help with the sweeping

Care of Your Broom

It’s Oktoberfest month – Here is a link to info about the first canned beer!   First canned beer   Wonder who consumed the first canned beer to reach Townsend? We’ll never know!

Townsend Historical Note: The construction of the Meeting House (which is still standing) was completed in October, 1771. It is pictured in January of this calendar, in its current location. Query: Has anyone ever seen an etching or engraving or sketch of it being moved? There would be 40 oxen pulling in front, and 40 resisting a runaway meetinghouse in back! One of us is sure it exists, so PLEASE let us know!

Battles of the Revolutionary War:  Battle of Valcour Island  Battle of Valcour Island 1      Battle of Valcour Island 2

Battle of Mamaroneck  Battle of Mamaroneck

Battle of White Plains  Battle of White Plains and the Headless Horseman More on the Headless Horseman

Grievances:For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.