Growing up in Montgomery, I have many fond memories of Halloween. The festivities would start shortly after lunch in elementary school when the afternoon lessons would be set aside to dress up in costumes and participate in the school Halloween parade, a very fun walk that included part of Penn Street, School Street, Warren Avenue, and Lewis Street before arriving back on the school grounds. Residents would line the route as did our parents who waved and took pictures with their choice of high-tech cameras, whether it was a Polaroid, a sleek Kodak 110, or a brightly colored Vivitar with flip flash. Looking back the route was short, but it certainly seemed like a grand event and was one of the most fun activities of the year. Even our teachers dressed up for the occasion and it was always fun to see everyone’s choice of costumes. It was the only opportunity to see everyone’s costumes in daylight, because by the end of October it was dark by the time the town parade and Trick-or-Treating started. It was also fun to guess who the kids in other classes were because most costumes included a plastic mask that covered their entire face and a plastic suit to wear overtop of heavy coats.

After the school parade, we would head back to our classrooms for a Halloween party as well as the costume contest, where one student from each grade was selected as the winner. The prize was a handmade “medal” that was made from a large, embroidered plastic canvas jack-o-lantern with two ribbons trailing from it proclaiming victory. It was always a big moment when the winners were announced.

The town Halloween parade was also a blast, with prizes being awarded by the Lions Club for kids in costumes as well as different floats. I also thought it was really cool to see the marching band dressed up. Anyone who won a prize could pick it up the next day at Dick’s News Stand.

As fun as all the various festivities were, Trick-or-Treat was a blast. When I was little, it lasted until 9 o’clock which was ample time to participate in the parade and cover a good part of town.

The world has changed a lot since then, and if you think back to your own childhood Halloween, it’s amazing how simple things become such beautiful memories. Never underestimate that a little bit of effort to make a holiday special for a child could one day become a cherished memory.

One unfortunate change in recent years is the number of children who have food allergies or medical conditions who can’t eat candy. If you want to do something to help every child have a Happy Halloween, please consider participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project. In addition to the Halloween candy you plan to hand out, you can have a separate bowl of small items that aren’t candy such as stickers, small toys, etc. You can set a teal pumpkin outside of your door to signal that you have non-food treats available for children that need them. For complete information, please visit www.foodallergy.org/education-awareness/teal-pumpkin-project.

THOT “A grandmother pretends she doesn’t know who you are on Halloween.” Erma Bombeck

Happy birthday to Joanna Miller, who will be celebrating her special day on October 28. And congratulations to Novalee Anne Leonard for representing Montgomery at the 70th Flaming Foliage Festival. She is President of her class, on the National Honor Society and plans to attend Penn College and study to by a Physician Assistant. Her escort was Jason Hill.

Montgomery Events

Fri. Oct. 26 There will be a Teen Coloring program at the Montgomery Public library at 4:30 p.m.

Sat. Oct. 27 There will be a soup and apple dumpling church fundraiser from 10 to 1 at the First United Methodist Church.

Mon. Oct. 29 The library will have Baby Story Time for those ages birth to eighteen months and their caregivers at 10:30 a.m. The goal of the program is to introduce early literacy and social skills.

Tues. Oct. 30 There will be a Halloween Party at the library at 6 p.m. This is a family event that will feature games, crafts, and snacks.

Weds. Oct. 31 The Montgomery Halloween Parade will step off at 6 p.m. and will follow the traditional route from Weis to Main Street, turn onto Second Street, and then turn onto Broad Street ending at the American Legion.

Weds. Oct. 31 Montgomery’s Trick-or-Treat will be from 6:00 to 8 p.m.