The history of shop window dressing is as old as the history of shop windows - and one Fulton businesswoman has the touch.
Sixteen years ago, Virginia McCoskrie opened Smockingbird's - a gifts and accessories shop at 529 Court St. in Fulton. While her store windows are always creative and fun, her Halloween windows this season are over-the-top spooktacular.
"It depends what I'm inspired for," McCoskrie said, adding she's learned how to decorate as she's gone along. "It's been a learning process."
While there are witches and pumpkins and merchandise in her two front display windows, there is another element that causes passersby to take a pause.
"Her name is Lorelei," McCoskrie said,
Lorelei is a white skeleton reposed in a bathing tub. A fluffy purple hat wraps her head, which rests upon a couple cushy pillows. Around her midsection are cotton puffs strategically spotted with clear Christmas tree ornaments - all meant to look like the world's best bubble bath.
Her name is not an accident. It comes from an old German folktale telling of the nymph Lorelei who lived on a steep rock over the Rhine River. She dressed in white and wore a wreath of stars in her hair. Besides being the subject of paintings and operas, Lorelei also appeared in a 1973 animated Star Trek episode.
"If you Google Lorelei, she's the siren who sang sailors to their doom," McCoskrie added.
Along the way, McCoskrie said she's discovered a thing or two about window decor.
"I've learned over time that it looks better if I have big pieces in there - and lots of color," she said.
Fall is fun to decorate for.
"Christmas is fun, too," she added. "I've used Pinterest a lot for inspiration."
She said when children visit the Fulton Brick District in costume from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 31 for the area's annual trick-or-treating, they may not notice the windows, but she hopes their parents do.
Events for Halloween and early holiday season are already being organized. To add to the list, send your public, non-commercial event to: [email protected].
Oct. 26
Spooktacular Fall Festival, 4-6 p.m. at YMCA of Callaway County. Monster Dash 2K for all ages, 5 p.m. at 1715 Wood St., Fulton.
Oct. 27
Trunk or Treat for Shop with a Hero, 6 p.m., Fulton Jaycees/Callaway County Fairgrounds. Raises money for Shop with a Hero event.
Second annual Monster Dash 5K, family fun run/walk and trunk or treat, Holts Summit's Hibernia Station Park Pavilion to Holts Summit Civic Center.
Fall craft and vendor fair, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 54 Country.
Oct. 29
Little Ones Costume Party, Callaway County Public Library, Fulton. 10-11 a.m. Fall themed crafts and games. Costumes encouraged.
Oct. 30
Eighth annual Pumpkins in the Park, Memorial Park in Fulton. Put your artistic talents to the test and donate a carved punkie to this event, at the gazebo. Pumpkins will be illuminated and displayed through Halloween day. There will be trophies and prizes for the scariest, most-original and largest pumpkin. Sponsored by the city of Fulton.
Oct. 31
Happy Halloween, Brick District Trick or Treating, 4-6 p.m. Photos will be taken by the Fulton Sun's advertising staff and printed in the paper starting Nov. 2 until completed. (No individual photos will be available other than those published in the newspaper.)
Trunk or Treat, Holts Summit Lions Club, 5-7 p.m., 116 E. Hillcrest Ave. in Holts Summit.
Southside Baptist Church Trunk or Treat, 5-7 p.m., candy, bounce house and games.
Nov. 2
Brick District Holiday Sneak Peek. 5-8:30 p.m., the drawing for eight $50 Brick District Shopping Spree gift certificates will be 8 p.m. in front of Smockingbirds. Horse-drawn wagon rides 5-8 p.m. and Turkey Strut prizes donated by Mosers Grocery in parking lot of former Bank Star One, 118 W. Fifth St. Also appearing will be Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus a photo booth, window contest and more.
Nov. 3
National Churchill Museum, Holiday Tea and Resale Treasures, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sip, nibble and shop among the fall and Christmas decor. Free childcare provided. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be on hand.
"Field of Screams" haunted house event, 8:30-10:30 p.m., fundraiser for Live Like Lou charity and Alpha Gamma Delta foundations. Phi Delta Theta House at Westminster College.
Nov. 30
Fulton's fifth annual Festival of Lights at Veterans Park. Starts at 5:30 p.m. Sponsorships, donations welcome.
Dec. 1
Fulton's 70th annual Jaycees Christmas Parade, 1-3 p.m. Theme: "A Vintage Christmas."