Question of the Week

What is your favorite Halloween memory or tradition?

The answer would have to be my childhood tradition of chili... which I love, and I continue to pass along (because I look for any excuse to have chili). Now, my only tradition, is that I try to hurry and get it over with. Eat your chili and get out the door. I hate it more than Valentines Day. Candy and costumes combined with cold weather has never been an event I look forward to. (Remember, the 4th of July is my favorite holiday!!) Chick Karin

Since I know Chick Karin is talking about the chili, I'll pick a different memory. I'm not sure how old I was, but there was a period of time (for 3 or 4 years) when it seemed like every Halloween I was a gypsy. This was back around 1974-1976 and I think I was around 8, 9 and 10 years old. I don't think my mother (Chick Jeanette) believed in buying costumes for us. They were too expensive and, besides, she thinks Halloween is the silliest holiday next to Valentine's Day. So every Halloween we would put a handkerchief on our head and go through my mother's jewelry box and pick out some big, gaudy, clip earrings. She then would make us up to look as if we were the carnival-crystal-ball-gypies. Then my mother would apply make-up to me and my sister. You felt like you were at the gypsy-beauty-queen-salon for 10 minutes. It was fun to see how funny and somewhat exotic we looked with our big black eyebrows and eyelashes, blue eye shadow, rosy-rosy cheeks and bright red lipstick. I think I'll be her this year. Now if I can just find the crystal ball. Chick Jana

Going to the Erotic and Exotic Halloween Party in San Francisco approximately 12 years ago. It was in a huge warehouse building and cost about $100 a person to get in. I was dressed in a blazar and skirt because we decided at the last minute just to go, walk around and look at all the costumes. I can't even begin to tell you what I saw coming from a small town in Northern Minnesota. Lordy, they have such great imaginations out West! Chick Lynn

Probably my favorite memory is of all the costumes my mom used to make for us growing up. She'd use anything to pull together the greatest outfits! I was the best gypsy ever! None of this running out and buying costumes like we do today... ahhhhhhhh, the good ole days!

My favorite tradition is probably the one we've been creating in our neighborhood these past few years. Two friends and I host a neighborhood "Spooktacular" the Sunday afternoon/evening before Halloween. Since we live in an area called Sherwood Forest, we call ourselves the Witches of Sherwood. It's a potluck with all potions provided... pumpkin carving, costume parade and tons of fun. I can't wait for this Sunday! Happy Halloween Chickies! Chick Cheryl

This is both a memory and a past tradition. There was about 10 years in a row (that's a tradition, isn't it?) that a group of us dressed up in costume and flew from MN to AZ on Halloween day -- had fun on the plane, cavorted all day, and entered costume contests that night. Most years we worked all summer on our costumes -- we were oh, so creative! Chick Jeanette

My favorite Halloween tradition is the night we carve our pumpkins.. so much time and effort and music and laughing and then the Grand Finale -- turning off all the lights and seeing our pumpkins all lit up! It's similar to the Christmas tree thing; there's just something about that anticipation and pride in your hard work! And now seeing my kids do it, it's something I enjoy very much!! My parents would be thrilled to see their tradition passed down to another generation!

Okay... that and hoarding all the Peanut Butter cups... Chick Megan

Yea, an easy question!!! My favorite Halloween experience -- 5 of us gals dressed in costume and flew from Minniapolis to Pheonix. We gave out candy to the passengers and had a ball. I doubt if you could pull that off nowadays!!! Chick Julie

This is a tough one, but I guess for me it would be a Halloween memory. Growing up we lived in a subdivision that was filled with families and lots of kids. However, there was (way back when I was a kid) a family who lived in our subdivision, without children, but something more desirable at Halloween -- they ran a chain of candy stores, much like Karl Bissinge'rs, called Mavrakos. They gave out the most heavenly carmel apples on Halloween. Word obviously got out around the area and carloads arrived, simply to trick or treat at their house. We needed to get there early to make certain they didn't miss us -- the locals. Chick Susie

I grew up in a neighborhood with roomy homes on large lots. One Halloween, my best friend and I hid in some bushes and waited until the gang of neighborhood boys came around. We called out their names and made noises and threw our voices so perfectly that they could not locate us! We kept doing it over and over and we were cracking up! So smart, were we. When they finally gave up, we stealthily snuck up on them and dumped a concoction of eggs and other stuff on their heads and ran like crazy!! It was so much fun being young and free and running around the neighborhood on a school night outsmarting the boys! I think of that memory fondly every Halloween night... Beth

My favorite Halloween memory is dressing up for school and parading around in front of everyone, as well as the class Halloween party at the end of the day with all the goodies! Unfortunately, many schools now a days do not let children dress up for Halloween or even mention the word "Halloween." As a teacher, I feel so bad that these kids won't get to experience the great fun in wearing costumes to school or even to have class Halloween parties! Times have changed I guess!!! Rebecca