ROSE (roz) n. One of the most beautiful of all flowers, a symbol of fragrance and loveliness. Often given as a sign of appreciation.

RASPBERRY (raz'ber'e) n. A sharp, scornful comment, criticism or rebuke; a derisive, splatting noise, often called the Bronx cheer.

We hereby deliver:

• ROSES to all of the returning Oregon State University alumni who will be in town this weekend for a homecoming that promises to be a great time. This year's theme is "Haunted by Orange," a variation on OSU's motto of "Powered by Orange" and a nod to the fact that this also is Halloween weekend.

What's not to like?

Returning alumni can admire the newly restored old buildings and still feel right at home on OSU's timeless red-brick campus.

We hope all visitors will head over to the stadium tonight at 6 p.m. to take part in an attempt to break a world record for simultaneous participation in the "zombie dance" from the music video of Michael Jackson's 1982 mega-hit, "Thriller." You don't really have to know all of the complicated steps; a lot of zombie-like hulking and shuffling should get you through.

A reminder that people get more than a little spooky and monstrous when they drink too much. We are realistic about this, so we hope those with cooler and clearer heads will do whatever they can to assure that everyone's memories of this homecoming/Halloween weekend are ones they'll want to remember.

• • •

• ROSES to Halloween. Although it seems that once we observe Halloween, it's a blink and a nod until New Year's Eve, it's a one of those holidays that doesn't usually involve extensive travel and preparation and expense. (Relatively speaking).

So we hope those who participate get to assume an alternate identity for a little while, hand out candy to little kids and keep a fall tradition alive. Also, watch for those kids crossing the streets Saturday night with a sugar rush - and keep your cats indoors. It's not a good night for them to be out.

• • •

• RASPBERRIES to the rash of robberies plaguing our area and other parts of Oregon. Kudos to the investigators who arrested suspects in the robbery of an Albany lottery retailer and tavern. But now western Oregon may see a band of roving robbers striking Hispanic-owned stores with an ethnic merchandising mix that caters specifically to Latino customers.

In Corvallis, six robbers Monday wiped out the register and jewelry inventory of Joyeria Oliveras, a business at 1839 N.W. Ninth St. owned by Morales and Horacio Oliveras.

Two of the robbers threatened those in the store with a gun and a knife.

We later reported that robberies involving similar suspects and businesses have been reported in October in Woodburn and Medford. We urge anyone with information about these robberies to call police at 766-6975.

• • •

• ROSE-BERRIES to good intentions, misunderstanding and possibly a good time to clear up some mistaken impressions ...

Monday, police received a report about 2:30 a.m. that a suspicious red vehicle was stopping at each mailbox in the vicinity of Northwest Mountain View Drive and Northwest Lewisburg Avenue.

When they went to investigate, they found a 17-year-old young man in a Honda flashing its lights at the red vehicle, following it at a high rate of speed.

It turns out that the person who was stopping at the mailboxes was delivering the newspaper. Alas, the young man who was acting to thwart what he saw as possible mail theft did not realize that not all news is delivered via Twitter. We're sorry that his misunderstanding and good intentions brought a ticket, but we're glad he wasn't injured. And this gives us a good opportunity to repeat that, despite what may be happening elsewhere, plenty of people still receive their news the traditional way: First thing in the morning, fresh from the mailbox.

Of course, we're delighted that an increasing number of readers boot up the computer and read their newspaper online as well. We hope you enjoy what you find at www.gazettetimes.com.

• • •

• ROSES - to the family, friends and the legacy of Leslie Engle of Philomath. Born aboard an airplane that left London during World War II, she grew into an intrepid woman who traveled the world and had a reverence for both history and whimsy.

She was an educator, bookstore owner and she and husband Ken Engle founded of the delightful Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire in 1996. It was held each September, first at the Philomath fairgrounds and since 2002 in picturesque Kings Valley. Ken died in 2004, at 57.

We're sad to say that Leslie Engle, who relished her nickname,"The Shrew," passed from us too soon when she died Oct. 16 at the age of 66. However, her family has pledged to continue the legacy of the Renaissance Faire as living history. It is scheduled for Sept. 11 and 12, 2010. We'll hoist a brimming chalice of birch beer in her honor.