Chocolate, Non-Chocolate or Mixed
Halloween in the Poconos, or at least in my township, is different than what I am used to in NJ. Here, the houses are farther apart. Since I live on a private drive, we don't get any trick or treaters. And while I appreciate the fact that it is a cost savings to me, I do miss seeing all the kids (and in some cases adults), dress up and show off their creativity.
With that said, there is
a family in my neighborhood (not on my block) who are incredibly
creative. They've turned their lawn into a maze of horror scenes with
lights, backdrops, animatronics, displays...I could go on, but let me show
you. (And my photos don't do it justice.) Last year, we could hear
"screams" on Halloween coming from the vicinity and I wasn't going
out to investigate!
This year, the family turned to
local social media to ask for help. Not for putting up the displays
(which take about 6 weeks to complete) or monetary assistance (which would be
understandable as prices have risen this year and I was told they spent approximately
$1000 just for candy). They were looking for locals who might be willing
to be "actors" in some of the scenes that are set up. Now, I am
a dramatic person (overly so some times), but I didn't think being a scary
actor would be something for me. However, when later when help passing
out candy was asked for, I was all in. Even though I didn't really know
them (I had spoken to the husband, Eric, once when I was walking by and he was
"re-dressing" the giant skeleton that stays in front of their house
year round, but who's appearance changes by the season), I was warmly
welcomed. "Hello, we do have one other person, but that would be
great to have you as well. That way Eric can take a break and then you could
take a break and then the other person can take a break. We were looking at
about getting here at 5:30 so that everything is set up we can go over like how
it works.... this will also help Eric have two people do riddles and someone
help with watching the candy and making sure the kids are appropriately taking
the candy...you can dress up you can have regular clothes whatever you prefer.
This will make Eric’s stay because he gets so overwhelmed....I am so excited
and now you’re gonna be part of the tradition."
I was thrilled to be part of
the tradition too. Plus what a warm welcome!
What actually ended up
happening, was that we arranged for me to go to their house on Thursday evening
(during the torrential rain) and meeting with them to go through "the
plan." Eric and Jen are such caring people. As they made candy
bags (chocolate, non-chocolate or mixed), we talked about what to expect.
But that evolved into more general chat and even though they are a good 10-15
years younger than I (we) are, we have a good deal in common. (Including
the fact that Jen and I both went to the same college. Not at the same
time, but...) What I thought would be a 10 minute conversation was nearly
an hour long and probably would have been longer if I didn't have to head back
home and fix dinner and they didn't have a previous engagement that
evening.)
Halloween proper dawned windy
and damp. I turned on the local news because Jen had told me that they
would be on. (Apparently the media shows up just about every year.)
I didn’t' have to wait because I tuned in just as they were being interviewed,
in full costume! (
The day was quite busy for me
workwise. It rained several times and was very windy, making it feel
colder than it was. I was going to wear my Halloween costume which I had
worn to work (60s/70s chick) or possibly by Haunted Mansion garb, but it was
just too cold. So instead, I dressed in black, made a "tape
tag" that said: "Stage Manager: Bfth" and took my
headset from work and put it around my neck. I figured I could claim to
be the show manager (go cue 5) and if necessary be a "b*tch" if
anything got out of hand. I didn't need to, everyone was really well
behaved!
The official trick or treating hours in town are 6-8. So dressed in multiple layers, including a down vest, gloves and a scarf I walked up to their house at 5:15 with my husband (so he could meet our neighbors and say hi.) Family and friends were inside eating pizza (I didn't have any, and I should have) and getting dressed. Trick or treaters were showing up around 5:40. I went outside with Eric to check out the candy station and see the display before it got dark (and too scary for me!).
Before I knew it, 6 o'clock had arrived and people were lined up to get in.
The set-up is clever. You enter and walk through mazes of scenes.
You reach the candy tent when you are about three quarters through. There is a table with a riddle. If you can answer the riddle, you whisper (so that no one else can hear) the answer to the riddle man (aka Eric). If you are right, you can pick your choice of full sized candy. If you're wrong or you opt not to try and answer, you would come around to the other side of the "booth" where I and my partner would offer a bag of goodies. (Chocolate, non-chocolate or mixed. Don't eat candy? There were silly bandz as well.) Then you would continue on through a few more scenes to a final tent that led to the exit. Along the way there were various ghouls who would scare you, OR guide you. (What I really liked is how focused the family is on making everyone comfortable. If it was too scary for someone, everything got toned down and friendly.)
I have no idea how many people
wandered through last night. It was a constant flow. The street on
which never has ANY traffic (maybe one or two cars an hour...at least that I
can see) was backed up like a city street during rush hour. I know that over
1000 bags of candy were put together, but some kids just ran on to the rest of
the display (even as we called for them to come get candy) and there were lots
of adults who passed. (EVERYONE is welcome to candy; again a great sign
of inclusiveness to all.) People were amazed and thanked us, we just
pointed to Eric and said, "it's all him." We were even
"treated" by a "Silent Bob" (who was not silent) to select
a small liquid libation from his goodie bag. (I ended up giving mine to
my partner; I couldn't see what the selection was and root beer flavored
alcohol isn't my thing...even though I generally like root beer.)
While we were there to give out
candy, we were also there to give Eric a break. But that never
really happened. He was swapping out riddles (so if you shared your
answer with someone, it wouldn't help) and encouraging people. As I said,
it was non-stop. After an hour in, I was freezing and my voice was
getting hoarse. (Chocolate, non-chocolate or mixed.) There was
music, so I was moving around trying to keep warm. I suppose I could have gone
inside and grabbed a slice of pizza to warm up, but it was really
busy!
Eight came and went and the
people kept on coming!
By eight thirty it had slowed
down a bit. I was beyond cold, so I called it a night. You'd think
I'd be hungry and/or thirsty (since I hadn't eaten since lunch). I was a
little, but mostly I was just cold and a bit achy from standing and trying to
keep warm. I made my way home with easy until I got to my street, which
is completely dark. (Thank goodness for the phone flashlight.) I immediately
got into a hot shower (ok, I did strip down first) and my husband made me a mug
of soup. My feet wouldn't get warm (no matter how long I stayed in the
shower) and I found that I couldn't really drink all the soup. In the
end, I jumped into bed, covered with an extra blanket and eventually turned off
the light by 10:15 or so. (Late, if you know me.)
I'm so grateful to my neighbors
for creating this wonderful Halloween tradition. I'm thankful that they
allowed me to be a part of it. I appreciate how well behaved most
everyone was. (No one tried to take more than their share of candy...at
least that I could tell.) I saw caring and sharing in the midst of scary
and spooky. Isn't that how it SHOULD be? Shouldn't every town have
something like this?
If they'll have me, I'd be
honored to help out again. Although I do think that next year I'll have
to come up with a plan to stay warmer longer. Maybe invest in some heat
warming foot and hand packs. Because if I do, you know next Halloween we
just might get a heat wave! Or maybe we'll have snow! I've got 365
days to plan!
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