This Saturday is Halloween, which is the eve of All Saints Day. Although trick or treat was held in our community last Sunday, I chose to wait until this weekend to write about Halloween.

As kids we dressed up in old clothing, painted our faces or wore a cheap plastic masks held on by a thin elastic strap. I remember being a gypsy one year and an Indian another. No doubt my long dark hair had something to do with my mother’s costume selections, since the masks never covered the hair. Trick or treat was always in the early evening and sometimes it was cold, damp and rainy but it was always safe. Everyone had their porch lights on and the mayor and police had their vehicle headlights shining as they blocked traffic.

No one feared the goodness of homemade popcorn balls or candied apples. Of course I’m reminiscing about the days when everyone knew each other and we kids were required to reveal our identity if we weren’t correctly guessed. I also remember being allowed to eat what we received. There were no food restrictions or allergies, at least not within our household. Sometime it seems like a lifetime ago, when in truth for today’s pre-teens it was actually five lifetimes ago!

It was probably six years ago when I joined my mother at the Versailles Health Care Center for trick or treat and what a treat that was for me. The residents, which my mother was, were given bowls of candy to pass out to the costumed youngsters that went room to room begging for candy. I was spellbound by some of the creative and elaborate costumes, although most of them were store bought. I specifically remember one little guy that came down the hallway dressed as a car and he was behind the wheel.

Besides trick or treat, typical Halloween activities include carving or decorating pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, playing pranks, visiting haunted attractions, telling ghost stories and watching horror films. Over the years Halloween parties have become most popular amongst adults because everyone loves a theme party. In fact the Versailles Vet’s Club is sponsoring an Open to the Public Halloween Party (downstairs) from 8 p.m.– midnight with music by disc jockey Bob Condon. And of those who wish to dress up their will be costume judging at 10 p.m.

FYI: You might be interested in knowing the custom of begging for candy comes from the poor visiting homes offering prayers in exchange for food. The wearing of costumes comes from pageants aimed at telling the story of life, death and purgatory. Over the years consumerism and culture has created the dark, creepy and evil themes but Halloween is actually an occasion of joy so celebrate.

Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before you retire Saturday evening. Daylight Savings Time official concludes at 2 a.m. on Sunday.

Upcoming events:

Saturday beginning at 8 p.m., there is an Open to the Public Halloween Party downstairs in the Versailles Vet’s Club Bunker.

Sunday at 3 p.m. consider participating or simply attending the third annual Great Webster Shootout. This is an open to the public Skeet shoot competition taking place in the parking lot of the Webster United Methodist Church. There will be a BB gun competition for the kids. There will be a supper afterwards (5:00 pm), you are invited to bring a covered dish and RSVP by calling Dan Brown at 417-0586.

Tuesday is Election Day, please be a responsible voter by educating yourself on the issues before casting your ballot. The polls are open from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Please note that your polling place may have changed. Versailles and Wayne Township will vote at the K of C Hall this year.

Beginning Nov. 5, the Vets Club will also be hosting a weekly bid euchre tournament beginning at 7 p.m. The games are open to all men and women. Questions can be directed to Ralph or Diane Kunk at 526-3358.

The Versailles School is inviting local veterans and active service personnel and their spouses, as well as, surviving spouses of deceased veterans to a Veterans Dinner on Nov. 4 from 5-7:30 p.m. You must RSVP to 526-4427, ext. 3000 by Oct. 31.

Nov. 7 is Karaoke at the Versailles Vet’s Bunker and Nov. 8 is a Chicken Fry at the Vets Club from 4-6 p.m.

Happy 80th birthday to Orville “Bud” Watercutter, as well as birthday wishes to Catherine Grow, Danielle Meyer, Kevin Crawford, Debbie Richard, Bob Nixon, Amy Harman, Martha Oliver, Judy Marshal, Madison Henry, Shelby Marie Smith, Jerry Paulus, Dorvan Phlipot, Marge DeLaet, Noreen Wendeln, Kathy Schulze, Lisa Zumberger, Renee Dirksen, Marilyn Schmitmeyer, T.J. Suter, Jana Francis, Mercedes Fellers, Bonnie Paulus, Louie Huber, Rose Whittaker, Doug Schmitmeyer and Mark Barga. Wedding wishes to Amanda and Ryan Borem (1), Hayley and Brian Francis (5), Amy and Brian Wagner (20), Janet and Don Pothast (23), Vicki and Steve Buschur (24), MaryAnn and Randy Grilliot (25), Renee and Phil Stickel, Cindy and Tom Schulze, Karen and Jim Raterman (40), Mary and Joe Larger (40), Karen and Frank Fullenkamp (43!!), Donna and Tim Wagner (45) and Jean and Jack Turpen.

Healing prayers and get well wishes to Janet Pitsenbarger, Kelly Bruns, Steven Youngker (shoulder surgery), Nicole Smith (appendicitis) Bob Homan, Dave Francis, Marge Langenkamp, Dan Simon, Iris Nickol, Joann Ingle, Eileen Rahm, Michelle McClure, Judy Yoder, Dan Trostel, Dave Gibson, Boots Breaden, Robert Longenecker, Karen Coverstone, Rita Wuebker, Shirley Davis, Yvonne Ridenour, Wayne Pittsenbarger, Michelle Ullom, Thelma Schultz, James Youngker, Glenn Monnin (prostate cancer), Isabella Yakos, Brian Voisard Barb and Jon Agne, Samantha Smith and all those dealing with cancer or any one of life’s many challenges, as well the hospitalized or homebound in need of our prayers but not mentioned by name.

Sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Joe Eilerman (64) and Dennis Cruse (74), also remembering the lives of Tom Magoto, Sr., Norb Schlater, Bill Thompson, Bonnie Gilmore, Ralph Winner, Barney Barnhardt, Vicki Kindred, Marge Giere, Joe Schmitmeyer, Denny Petitjean, Frances Williams, Ruth Brown, Marie Meinerding, Nancy Heitkamp, Paul Barga, Patricia Heath and all those who are in our hearts but not mentioned by name at the anniversary of their passing.

“When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam; may luck be yours on Halloween.” ~Unknown

“Hallowe’en is a contraction for “All Hallows’ Evening.” ~Wikipedia

“Daylight Savings Time is government’s attempt to control time…how’s that working out?” ~Unknown