Submission from Lil Caplins--Halloween

Halloween

Halloween has always been one of our favorite times of year. We went to great lengths to decorate the house and make it fun for the trick and treaters. Children came to strut in their outfits and were loaded down with goodies.

Yearly our neighborhood group got together for fun. This time we decided that eight of us would go as hill-billies. Appropriate clothes of the times and area was collected. The women blackened some front teeth; hair braided into pigtails with clodhopper shoes on their feet and gingham clothes. Our men folk were dressed in worn overalls, some barefooted with straw hats.

The decision was made to arrive late, making a noisy entrance into the hall. When the time was right we barged in loudly, causing confusion. The intent was to appear as backcountry hicks.
Our spokesman with noise and commotion proceeded to clear a table of all decorations such as centerpieces etc. Then the men with mountain exclamations declared a “still “ needed to be positioned in the center of the table. Fake fire was ignited under a copper kettle filled with dry ice making steam to come out of coils in the still. It was down right impressive! Then dancing music began. The hall was alive with Clopping and stomping of feet. The dancers twirled and swirled with laughter. Later, in the evening, instruction came forth to parade around the hall for the judging. One of our country boys threw a rubber chicken in the air, another shot it down. Here again a truly mountain scene took over.

Finally on the stage the judges requested all to come front and center. The announcer proclaimed, in the history of their contest never had it been necessary to award a group prize. Unprepared, they came up with a suitable gift. It was one dozen-radiator caps for our cars. Our leader declined the generous token. He politely informed them the tremendous prize was far too valuable to accept. We donated it back for next year.

Lill Caplins 11-06