Sept. 29, 2020

Looking at the pictures here got me to reminiscing about my childhood, Halloween, and fall in general.

Fall is my favorite season. I’m a September baby, so there’s that. There’s something about the weather changing, the leaves starting to fall, and a different feel in the air that gives me a happy feeling.

The photos here were taken of my childhood best friend, Margaret, and me at my grandparents house the year we were in kindergarten. The costumes came from the Woolworth’s on Magazine Street, now home to Peaches Records. Halloween was a minor kids’ celebration back then. Trick-or-treating was kept squarely to your own neighborhood (or your grandparents’, as in this case). The candy haul wasn’t that big. We were very happy to have our plastic pumpkins filled one-third of the way. And small parties with classmates, family or neighborhood kids was the norm. Decorations were a minimum.

Funny how these years later – during our Coronavirus new normal – we’ve defaulted to the Halloween norms of my childhood.

You’ll read in the October 2020 issue our suggestions of how you and your family can celebrate Halloween (or “COVID-ween”) this year (“No Tricks, Just Treats!”). The ideas here are a compilation we got from our Facebook friends and they’re terrific! Small, safe groups and socially distanced trick-or-treating will be trending this year. But never fear: I know each of your celebrations will make lifelong memories for your child to cherish.

Also in this issue are some fun annual features. First, there’s our rundown of local pumpkin patches. Some are rural and a quick drive, while others are annual fundraisers for local churches or schools. All provide family fun, photo ops, and a means of starting new family traditions. More festive October happenings can be found in our “Out & About” calendar of events. Make sure you look at these quickly, as tickets to many listed events will go quickly!

And don’t miss our annual Halloween Costume Contest! Start your costume planning early. We’ve got prizes!

Another childhood memory came to me while working on this month’s “Gear to Get.” I still remember my first plastic skull ring. It came from a gumball machine in 1968 and glowed in the dark. Wow! I loved it and wish I still had it. Funny what the mind so acutely remembers and the heart becomes fond of.

This just goes to show that your kids don’t need a big celebration; it’s the little things that count.

Have a safe, terrific Halloween.