The witch of Halloween House is a tale that has been whispered by children for generations. Legend has it that a mysterious witch resides in a centuries-old house on the outskirts of town. The house, shrouded in dark shadows and overgrown with twisting vines, evokes an eerie and foreboding aura. According to local folklore, the witch of Halloween House is said to possess formidable magical powers. It is believed that she spends her days concocting potions and casting spells, hidden away from society. The town's inhabitants are cautious not to venture too close to the house, for fear of falling under her spell or incurring her wrath.

Our Mascots: Lady and Joy

Baylor University celebrates many beloved traditions, but few bring as much joy to students, alumni and friends and as many rich opportunities to interact with and educate young people in Central Texas as our live bear mascots, Joy and Lady. They are a cherished part of the Baylor Family.

During a recent, routine examination by our outstanding veterinary care team, we received some news about Lady that I want to share with you.

Lady, who will turn 18 on January 31, has been diagnosed with what appears to be a benign mass in her chest called a thymoma. In concert with our exotic animal veterinarian Dr. Sharman Hoppes and zoological medicine specialist Dr. Jill Heatley, Lady is receiving follow-up care through our partners at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences in College Station.

The veterinarians have begun a course of tomotherapy we hope will reduce the size of the tumor – a treatment that is believed to be the first ever done on a bear. This science is an area of growing interest among zoological specialists, and we are grateful to have access to a remarkable team with the expertise needed for Lady’s care.

The tomotherapy treatments offer an innovative yet noninvasive approach to care. Our priority is Lady’s comfort and wellbeing. Following the treatments, we will visit again with the veterinary team. We are optimistic about the results and Lady’s health.

Caring for our bears is a campus-wide commitment. Our Baylor Chamber of Commerce student leaders are responsible for the daily care of our live bear mascots. The students selected for the Bear Program receive hours upon hours of training and mentoring by leading zoological experts and veterinarians across the country. Alongside our School of Education, the Bear Program has developed educational curriculum to enhance the experience for young visitors, and our School of Engineering and Computer Science has partnered with the Program to design hydraulic and transportation systems to assist in caring for the bears.

I ask that you pray for our Chamber students who interact with Lady and Joy on a daily basis. They are understandably concerned by this news and are committed to following the course of care prescribed by Lady's veterinarians. I also ask that you lift up the veterinary team as they guide us through Lady’s treatment. These are remarkable people who care deeply and recognize the future impact on zoological treatment by what they may learn through this process. Finally, please pray for Lady as her treatment progresses and for her return to full health.

If you visit the Habitat in the next day or two, do not be concerned if Lady isn’t outside playing or napping with Joy. She completed a treatment today and will enjoy a little R&R, resting in her own bed, enjoying her favorite soft foods and receiving tender loving care from her Chamber friends.

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

Baylor Bear Habitat

Located at the heart of the Baylor campus, the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat is home to our beloved live bears. Since first arriving on campus in 1917, the American black bears have embodied Baylor's spirit and tradition.

The town's inhabitants are cautious not to venture too close to the house, for fear of falling under her spell or incurring her wrath. Children, especially during the Halloween season, are both intrigued and frightened by the witch's presence. They gather around campfires, telling chilling tales of her wickedness and the misfortunes that have befallen those who dared to cross her path.

Meet Our Bears

A Baylor tradition since 1917, the Baylor Bear Habitat is committed to providing excellent care for Baylor's bears and serving the larger community by presenting unique educational experiences with the Habitat's American black bears.

Respecting God's creation by providing state-of-the-art care for our American black bears, forming strategic partnerships throughout the campus community to help the Habitat caregivers meet and exceed industry-leading standards of animal care.

Impacting people throughout local, state and national communities by offering unique educational experiences to learn about and interact with American black bears.

Protecting our global community through preservation and advocacy efforts, contributing to the continued support and health of wildlife around the world.

It is said that she can transform anyone who enters her realm into a toad or a black cat with a flick of her bony fingers. Some brave souls claim to have seen glimpses of the witch through the dusty, cracked windows of Halloween House. They describe her as an old hag with gnarled hands and a pointy hat, her eyes shining with an otherworldly glow. These sightings fuel the imaginations of the townspeople, and the legend lives on. Despite the fear and caution surrounding the witch, there are those who believe that she may not be as malevolent as the stories portray. Some say that the witch of Halloween House is merely a misunderstood soul, seeking solace in her solitude and a connection to the mystical energies that surround her. As Halloween approaches each year, curiosity entices a handful of daring individuals to venture closer to Halloween House. They hope to catch a glimpse of the infamous witch, to see if the stories have any basis in reality. However, no one has yet been able to verify the existence of the witch beyond the realm of myth and legend. The witch of Halloween House continues to be a source of fascination and fear for young and old alike. The tale serves as a reminder of the enchantment and mystery that shrouds Halloween night. Whether the witch truly exists or not, her legend lives on as a thrilling addition to the folklore of the town..

Reviews for "Discovering the Witch's Halloween House: A Paranormal Journey"

- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to watch "The Witch of Halloween House" after hearing all the hype, but I was extremely disappointed. The storyline was weak and lacked any substance. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and I found myself not caring about what happened to them. The special effects were cheap and looked like they were done on a low budget. Overall, I was bored throughout the entire movie and left feeling like I wasted my time.

- Mike - 1 star - "The Witch of Halloween House" was a complete waste of time. The acting was terrible, with no emotion or depth. The dialogue was cheesy and cliché, and the plot was predictable from start to finish. The scares were laughable and failed to create any genuine suspense. I found myself cringing at the poor production value and amateurish direction. I would not recommend this movie to anyone looking for a good Halloween horror flick.

- Emily - 2.5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Witch of Halloween House" based on the promising trailer, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was slow, and the movie lacked any real scares or thrills. The story was confusing and poorly executed, leaving me feeling unsatisfied by the end. Some of the special effects were decent, but they couldn't save the overall mediocre experience. I would suggest skipping this one and finding another horror movie to watch during the Halloween season.

Mysteries of the Witch's Halloween House Revealed