Hallowe'en

[darlene]

Just had a million kids some to my door trick or treating tonight. Some were very small, some were very large. Why do parents take their kids? Is it to get the candy? Is it to get free things? I don't think Hallowe'en is about ghosts and goblins any more, it's about all the free junk? Do you think it is greed that makes them do this or is it just for the fun the kids get out of it?

[Dr. Shane]

Where I live, our local zoo has an event called "Boo In The Zoo". It costs $6 to get in. Local merchants line the walkways with booths giving out free candy with coupons or fliers. It gives them a chance to advertise their business and the kids don't have to worry if the candy is safe or not. But it isn't free.

My wife and I have went twice and it is always packed.

[darlene]

Now, I like that idea. It seems to be more than just kids getting candy, although there is that aspect too. I live in a family type development and I think the whole city comes here because it is a 'safe place' away from most of the traffic. I don't really mind the kids coming, I just wonder what they will be like tomorrow. I know when I was teaching we always planned a very light day following Hallowe'en because the kids were so hyper from their 'sugar high.'

[Amelia]

Out of my apt complex of a bazillion kids, I got 7. Who wants my leftover candy?

[Jeannieb43]

I gave out apples and a little leaflet, "Little Treasure" (published by Primary Treasure).

Had very few kids tonight, however.

[Gail]

Darlene, you have a reputation in your complex for being a friend to children and you care for them. I think that it would only be natural for them to want to include you as part of something that they consider fun

I assume that they don't know anything about the spiritual side of Hallowe'en. What they do know is that they like you and that you are a kind lady

And... like most kids they probably love candy. You don't need much more of an incentive than that

You done good! They are going to miss you when you move, that's for sure!

[Bravus]

Alex, my 11 year old, volunteered at 'Boo At The Zoo' here in Edmonton. Cuteness overload from all the 2-5 year olds in their animal costumes! She enjoyed working with the kids and volunteering the community (she dressed up as a 'Pink Lady' from Grease) and also got to talk to a zoology student about her desire to study marine biology...

[Gregory Matthews]

We had one child come to our door last night, which is typical. Some years, we have now. Yet we live 300 feet from a very large apartment complex, with a lot of children.

[Jeannieb43]

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Gail said:

Darlene,

You done good! They are going to miss you when you move, that's for sure!

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Is Darlene moving away?? --Not away from C/A, I hope.

[Jeannieb43]

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Bravus said:

Alex, my 11 year old,

(she dressed up as a 'Pink Lady' from Grease) ...

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My daughter (now 37) played one of the "Pink Ladies" in Grease when she was in high school. She sang that song ["Beauty School Dropout"??] where all the girls have rollers in their hair.

Among others.

It was a cute play.

[Amelia]

At our harvest festival there were several little calfs. A spiderman. Many princesses. A pooh bear. And a few that looked like they just raided the dress up box.

[darlene]

Harvest Festival and the zoo program sound like good times for the kids. It give a better tone to Hallowe'en.

Yes, and No. Yes, the kids like what I give them to do and no, I'm not moving away from my area, just to a different place in town.

On Sunday we had the final event with the kids in my complex. (before I move) I set up a treasure hunt and they liked that. When that was done they built their own sundaes. Now, that they liked! (I had stuff left over from our Single Adult and Men's Ministries Retreats.)

During the summer and on weekends many of these kids parents turn them out each morning to do whatever they want all day long so if someone does things with them and pays attention to them they really like that person. I guess that's the position I find myself in.