Ken Mulheran

Ken Mulheran, State Farm Agent, proudly serves the communities of Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox, and the Manhattan-Lincoln Way area. With over 21 years of experience with State Farm, I opened my office in 2023 to provide reliable insurance services to our neighbors.

Our team is dedicated to assisting you with Auto, Home, and Life Insurance needs. We are licensed in both Illinois and Indiana, offering comprehensive coverage options. Whether you’re looking for Renters, Motorcycle, or Condo Insurance, we are here to help.

As a proud State Farm agent, my goal is to build strong community relationships and provide the insurance coverage you need. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and volunteering, reflecting my commitment to community involvement.

I have been a resident of the area for over 20 years and am actively involved in the Lions Club and the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce. I have a wonderful family, including my wife, a speech pathologist, and our three children.

Halloween 2025

The history of Halloween dates back over 2,000 years and has its roots in ancient Celtic festivals, particularly the festival of Samhain (pronounced "sow-in"). Here's an overview of the history:

Origins: Samhain Festival

• Samhain was celebrated by the ancient Celts who lived in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France.

• It marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time often associated with death.

• The Celts believed that on the night of October 31st, the boundary between the living world and the spirit world became blurred. Spirits, both good and evil, could cross over and roam the earth.

• To ward off harmful spirits, people lit bonfires and wore costumes, often made of animal heads and skins.

Roman Influence

• After the Roman Empire conquered Celtic territories, two Roman festivals were combined with Samhain:

• Feralia, a day in late October when Romans commemorated the passing of the dead.

• Pomona, a festival honoring the Roman goddess of fruits and trees. The apple, associated with Pomona, may explain the tradition of "bobbing for apples" on Halloween.

All Saints’ Day

• By the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as All Saints’ Day (also called All Hallows’ Day), a time to honor saints and martyrs.

• The evening before, October 31st, became known as All Hallows’ Eve, eventually shortened to Halloween.

Halloween in America

• Halloween came to North America with European immigrants, especially the Irish during the Great Famine in the mid-19th century.

• It evolved into a community-centered holiday with activities like trick-or-treating, parties, and games.

• By the early 20th century, Halloween became more secular and focused on fun and celebration rather than superstition.

Modern Halloween

• Today, Halloween is celebrated with costumes, decorations, haunted houses, horror movies, and plenty of candy.

• It is popular in the United States, Canada, and many other countries around the world.

Halloween Traditions in the USA

• Trick-or-Treating

• Children dress up in costumes and go door-to-door in their neighborhoods saying “Trick or treat!” to receive candy or small gifts from homeowners.

• This tradition is one of the most iconic aspects of American Halloween celebrations.

• Costume Parties

• People of all ages attend Halloween parties where they wear costumes ranging from scary (witches, ghosts, zombies) to funny or creative.

• Costume are often worn at schools, workplaces, and community centers.

• Pumpkin Carving and Jack-o’-Lanterns

• Families buy pumpkins and carve faces or designs into them.

• A candle or light is placed inside the pumpkin to create a glowing jack-o’-lantern, which is displayed on porches or windows.

• Haunted Houses and Attractions

• Many communities have haunted house attractions where people can walk through spooky setups designed to scare and entertain.

• These can be professional businesses or community-organized events.

• Decorations

• Homes and yards are decorated with Halloween-themed items such as fake cobwebs, skeletons, witches, bats, and tombstones.

• Some neighborhoods have elaborate displays that attract visitors.

• Horror Movies and Themed TV Shows

• Watching scary movies or Halloween-themed shows is a popular activity leading up to and on Halloween night.

• Apple Bobbing and Other Games

• Traditional games like bobbing for apples, where participants try to catch apples floating in water using only their mouths, are sometimes played at parties or school events.

• Halloween Parades and Community Events

• Some towns and cities hold Halloween parades, festivals, or fairs that include costume, live entertainment, and food vendors.

• Halloween Treats and Baking

• Special Halloween-themed treats and baked goods, such as candy corn, caramel apples, and spooky cupcakes, are popular.

These traditions have helped make Halloween a fun, community-centered holiday in the USA, blending ancient customs with modern celebrations.