Halloween Memories

When I was little, I loved to go Trick-or-Treating! My brothers and I would get to pick out our new costumes at Woolworth's (usually flammable nylon things with molded plastic masks). We rushed home from school so we could Trick-or-Treat well into the evening. Our haul was so big, we had to go back home to dump out our loot a couple times throughout our quest.

We knew the houses that gave the best candy. Some people gave big sized candy bars! Others gave small toys. Some gave pennies. One man who lived around the block gave out pads of paper (he must have worked at a paper company).

There were always those who didn't answer their doors. We knew they were home, because we could see their shadowy figures lurking around the darkened rooms! To us, these houses were a waste of our time. Now, I think these folks were probably too poor to afford to hand anything out, or maybe were too old or afraid to answer their doors.

I remember asking my grandma what she did for Halloween when she was little. She told me that Trick-or-Treating for candy wasn't around in her day! Back in the 1920's-30's, she ran with a wild group of kids that pulled very mean tricks on people... no candy involved! They soaped the windows of businesses, turned over cars, and had bonfires. Gramma!! I couldn't believe my own sweet grandmother could commit such heinous crimes!

However you celebrate, have a safe and Happy Halloween!