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Remember when the worst thing that could happen to you on Halloween night during trick-or-treating was if your treat bag broke or fell into a deep puddle?
As kids, we learned to take precautions such as lifting pillowcases right off our beds to use for collecting Hershey bars, Milky Ways, PomPoms, Butterfingers, M&Ms, Bazooka gum and even homemade goodies such as popcorn balls and candy apples.
Things have certainly changed regarding Halloween since a generation of baby boomers roamed the streets in search of candy. First came the reports of needles or razor blades stuck inside candy bars. That prompted a whole new set of warnings and guidelines for kids and parents to follow.
Then there were the warnings of stranger danger as the demented minds of pedophiles worked overtime on Halloween. No longer did parents set their youngsters free in neighborhoods without closer supervision.
When COVID-19 struck, Halloween was canceled and we were forced to eat all that candy ourselves. It's funny that we canceled an event where most kids were wearing masks anyway. I don't recall one case of COVID being reported after an exchange of Reese's Cups.
Trick-or-treating has returned in most communities with a few changes. Some cities don't encourage door-to-door trick-or-treating but instead hold controlled community parties.
In recent years, there has been a focus on "trunk-or-treating" events sponsored by churches, businesses and civic organizations. Some of these events serve as fundraisers as a fee is charged, and kids can collect plenty of goodies in a safe, well-lit area with adult supervision.
I like this idea especially for the littlest of ghosts and goblins. And parents have the reassurance of knowing who is treating their children.
This idea sounds a lot better than some of the childhood Halloween experiences I can recall. One rainy Halloween night, I had the misfortune of dressing as a ghost in a long, white sheet. I stepped off the curb and fell into a rush of water only to lose my sheet, candy bag and all of its contents. My siblings saved me by collecting extra candy for me while I trudged back home in tears. They made it a happier ending to my ghost story.
This year, parents are being warned of the possibility of dangerous, addictive drugs being passed off as colorful candy. Say it isn't so. How low can some people stoop?
Enjoy your treats, but be careful.
I liked it better when my biggest fear on Oct. 31 was another rainy night.
Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintellligencer.net.