Despite being right outside of Orlando, my hometown of Winter Park can be quite small sometimes.. I grew up in a really great neighborhood, one filled with old gorgeous homes and some old money families. (mine not being one of them- we had a nice average home on the outskirts of this world).
Halloween was a huge deal to these people, and every year we brought home pillowcases of the best candy you could ask for. There was the large plantation style home on the corner that always handed out full packs of gum. Several houses that gave out king-size bars. An older woman, whom with the help of her aid, gave out goodie bags with hand-baked and decorated treats. My favorite was the dentist and his wife, who was about halfway along the trick-or-treating path, that left their front door open as a pit stop for weary feet and tired parents. It was always a mini-party at their place, filled with people coming and going. They liked to hand out fresh popped popcorn and grape kool-aid.
This was all before people became crazy about candy and strangers. I can only hope to recreate this atmosphere with my children one day.
I don't have one particular year that stands out in my mind because from Pre-K to probably 7th or 8th grade because it was the same each year, the same friends, houses, and wonderful neighbors that made Halloween a joy to celebrate. People who made Halloween a community event, where we said our hellos, welcomed us into their homes and made it as fun as Halloween should be.
My best costume over the years though- they year I was a sandwich. That's right, a sandwich. Oh boy, do I wish I had a picture for you. Maybe I will find it someday to share with...
