Halloween is over

Driving around town this weekend, there were still many people who had jack-o-lanterns, some of them rotting, on their porches, etc.  (Uncarved pumpkins are fine as fall decorations, in my opinion).

C’mon folks, is it that difficult to pick it up and put it in the trashcan?

With Christmas season gearing up at local malls and retailers its past time to toss your carved pumpkins (jack-o-lanterns) in the garbage.

Halloween Safety

Safety is mostly about common sense. But, the excitement over Halloween can make both kids and adults less careful, leading to accidents and injuries. Here are a few things to keep in mind this afternoon and evening as you and your children are trick-or-treating, or you may be driving around town:

Designated hours for trick-or-treating in the Village are between 3pm and 7pm.

Excerpt from the National Safety Council:

• Stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never enter a stranger’s home. It’s also recommended to stick to your own neighborhood, since you know it. It’s best not to load up all the kids into the van and cart them all over the town.
• Establish a return time. (Let them know when they must be home, and when you’ll expect them)
• For smaller children, under around age 12: Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing
• Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. (Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.)
• Make sure kids can see and breath adequately if masks or face coverings are worn
• Walk on sidewalks, not in the street. If there are no sidewalks available (as in a few areas), walk on the left side of the street, facing oncoming traffic.
• Inspect all treats, telling kids not to eat any treats until they get home. “When in doubt, throw it out.”
• Temperatures are expected to drop in the late afternoon to early evening hours. Make sure kids are dressed warmly enough.
• Motorists are also reminded to watch for kids running out between parked cars or walking along the sides of streets, etc.

And, here are a few words about courtesy:

• Say “Trick or treat”.
• Say “Thank you”.
• Use the sidewalks and driveways. Don’t cut through yards. (Important for safety as well)
• Take one or two pieces if the person holds out the bowl for you to choose a favorite; don’t grab a handful (although, if you hold out the bowl, expect some kids to take a bunch).

Finally, a note to treat givers: Give something pre-packaged (unless you’re famous in your neighborhood for giving out something special); if you give out ziploc baggies of popcorn, apples or other such things, expect that some will end up on your roof, lawn, etc. — Kids, just dispose of these at home, if you don’t want them.

Have a safe and fun Halloween!

Halloween treats

Just a few things to note …

The Village has announced that Halloween trick-or-treating hours will be from 3:00pm to 7:00pm on Wednesday, October 31.

Also, the Village is planning to go door-to-door to “treat” those in the Morningside neighborhood to information about low-interest loans and grants available, totaling $600,000. State and federal dollars are available for residents to make improvements to their homes.

Only 3 applications have been submitted, with only 1 renovation started, thus far, in a program that started in January. Such low response has been attributed to debate over the proposed illegal immigration ordinances as well as some of the stipulations of the loans, such as the requirement to pay the money back if one moves less than 5 years after the money was granted.

Revitalization of the Morningside neighborhood, just off Rt 68, considered an entryway to the Village, has long been targeted for improvements. In fact, Tom Roeser, president of Otto Engineering, has bought and helped to renovate a few homes in that area to begin the process.

Any monies not applied for by January will be taken back, which would really be sad to see the money just remain unclaimed.

Final haunt for a good cause

For the past five years, the Zarrillo family of Carpentersville has transformed their very normal-looking home in the Kimball Farm subdivision into a haunted house that they open to the public for six nights during Halloween.

This is going to be the final year of their haunted house.

Admission into the house is free with a nonperishable donation that the Zarrillo’s deliver to the F.I.S.H. Food Pantry in Carpentersville.

The Zarrillos’ Haunted House is at 5726 Breezeland Road in the Kimball Farm subdivision next to Liberty Elementary School. It will be open today through Sunday and Oct. 26, 27, and 28. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays.

The Haunted House will not be open on Oct. 31 because the cast wants to go trick-or-treating.

[Read more of the story at the DailyHerald.com: Zarrillo’s haunt their house for last time this year to aid food pantry]