Halloween Fun

Whenever the calendar turns to October, I immediately begin thinking about Halloween. Although it has been 65 years since I last went trick-or-treating, I still thoroughly enjoy the fun of it. The 35 years of teaching young children have enabled me to maintain childish enjoyment, such as Halloween.

Over the years, Halloween has transformed into an adult holiday. More and more adults have Halloween parties, and many accompany their children while out trick-or-treating. Our neighborhood has numerous homes elaborately decorated for Halloween. Some have animated monsters, screaming ghouls, and graphic graves scattered throughout their lawns. I am not talented enough to create elaborate scenes, but I do put orange lights and lit pumpkins around our trees and storage shed. During the week of Halloween, I also play scary Halloween sounds on a stereo system located outdoors. The neighbors constantly comment on how much they enjoy our decorations. I always wait for a fantastic, crisp night to walk around our neighborhood and visit gruesome and scary homes.

My childhood Halloweens in the small village of Dorchester meant a night of trickor- treating with my friends. The village merchants also sponsored a Halloween party at Memorial Hall, where kids wore costumes, enjoyed movies, and received a bag of goodies. I recall one particular Halloween when I was twelve years old. Some of my friends and I decided to visit the cemetery and see if we could communicate with the dead. It was a total failure.

One year, when I was teaching in Fall Creek, my wife and I dressed in costumes and walked around town ringing doorbells. And when someone opened the door, we would hand the person some candy, and without saying a word, we would leave. No one knew who we were until some of my students recognized my costume as the one I wore at school, so our little game was over.

Unfortunately, some children no longer experience much of the fun of Halloween. Part of our society now deems Halloween unhealthy for children. Some schools no longer have 'Halloween' parties, and costumes such as witches, ghosts, and goblins are no longer allowed. Personally, it saddens me to see this happen. Halloween is an American tradition and has been a part of our culture for centuries.

One final thought: What would October be without candy corn, Halloween Peeps, bite-sized Snicker bars, and the sound of excited children saying 'Trick-or-Treat'? October 31 would just be another dark autumn day with no excitement or fun.

BE OUR

G UEST

BY

KEN ANDERSON “THE MAYBERRY GURU”