By Christine Price
Columnist
Amidst all the stress, anxiety, craziness and bad news, my goal is to spotlight and share the good news in our community.
I grew up in Willowick, and I think it was the best place for any kid to spend their childhood back in the 1960s. Families had lots of kids—three, four, five, even six or seven wasn’t unusual. You could knock on just about any door and there was always someone to hang out with.
The neighborhood felt like one big happy family – bikes scattered across lawns, jump ropes stretched across driveways and the sound of laughter echoing down every block.
The houses in our neighborhood were mostly cozy bungalows. Ours had two bedrooms downstairs—one for my parents and one for my two brothers. My two sisters and I shared the big upstairs dormer.
Just one bathroom for seven people! But we made it work, because that was all we knew. My mother even made us girls a dressing table in our bedroom for hair and makeup. It was simple living and it worked beautifully.
One of the highlights we looked forward to all year was Halloween. Deciding who I wanted to be and watching my mother make my costume was pure excitement. She had such creativity – somehow, with just a few scraps of fabric, she could turn me into anything I dreamed of being.
Our neighborhood was packed with kids, which meant the streets were buzzing with trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. Some kids went out with big bags, but the serious ones used pillowcases and came home with pounds of candy. Since the houses were close together, you could cover a lot of territory in a short time.
When we got home, we’d dump our candy on the floor and sort it into piles. All the Almond Joys were put in one pile. Butterfingers and Clark bars in their own. Of course, mine were arranged in alphabetical order – early signs of my organized nature!
Then came the best part – trading. Everyone had their favorites and negotiations could get serious.
When I was in 8th grade, I was invited to a Halloween party and, for reasons I can’t remember now, I decided I wanted to be Cleopatra. My mother came through in grand fashion. She sewed me a dress from green paisley fabric and the best part was the wig. She bought a mop, dyed it black, and cut bangs into it. With one of her bracelets around my upper arm, I thought I looked just like Cleopatra. Honestly, my mother could have given Martha Stewart a run for her money.
I still love Halloween, though it looks a little different these days. Instead of trick-or-treating, I’m on the other side of the door, handing out candy. Our decorations lean more toward pumpkins and mums than skeletons, witches and spiderwebs, but the spirit is still there.
I love seeing the excitement in the kids’ eyes when they shout “Trick-or-treat!” and hold out their bags with hopeful smiles.
Years ago, we’d have nearly 200 trick-or-treaters (yes, I count them!). Lately, that number has dropped – we only had about 60 last year. There are fewer children in the neighborhood now and I think many parents are choosing community events like trunk-or-treat instead. The world has changed, but the joy of dressing up and collecting candy remains timeless.
Still, when I see little ones dressed as superheroes or princesses racing from house to house, I can’t help but feel that same childhood thrill. Halloween may have changed, but the magic remains.
Last, and certainly not least, there’s one more reason Halloween has always held a special place in my heart. Our first little bundle of joy was born on Halloween night, right at 6:20 p.m. – the height of trick-or-treating! While kids were out collecting candy, we were welcoming the sweetest treat of all.
From that night on, Halloween became more than costumes and candy – it became a celebration of new beginnings and happy memories. And every year since, when the doorbell rings and tiny ghosts and goblins appear, I’m reminded of the best Halloween of my life.
When you see good news, and you will, please let me know. I would love to share it. Please include your name, phone number and city you live in and email cpriceconcord@aol.com.
