By Staff
READY FOR HALLOWEEN Heather Lewis, 11, places a pumpkin in front of her home on 37th Avenue, a favorite trick-or-treating neighborhood in Meridian. Photo by Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
By Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
Oct. 30, 2001
To trick-or-treat, or not that is the question some families are facing during this Halloween season of heightened awareness.
Many homes decorated for Halloween this year are draped not only in black and orange but also red, white and blue.
He and his fiance have four children between them, ages 1-12. The couple has not decided what they will do Wednesday. They have considered renting some scary movies and staying home, but Cullum said the closer it gets to Halloween, the more the kids want to go trick-or-treating.
Helen Stufflebean, 28, of Meridian, is taking her 2-year-old daughter trick-or-treating in her old neighborhood along 37th Avenue. It is where Helen's mother lives and where she did her trick-or-treating as a child.
Sachiko Walters, 24, who lives on 25th Court, said she is taking her three children, ages 3-7, trick-or-treating in the Dogwood Hills neighborhood. She said she doesn't have any reservations about going door-to-door this year.
Walters said her children have received five invitations this year to Halloween parties, a sign that more families are planning on staying home this year.
City regulations
In Meridian, trick-or-treating is limited by city code to children under 12 and must be completed by 10 p.m.
He advised motorists to be particularly cautious and said trick-or-treaters should wear protective clothing and use glow sticks so they will be more visible.
Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center is continuing its Halloween tradition of supplying free X-rays of Halloween treats as a safety precaution. X-rays will be done from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. in the radiology department. Trick-or-treaters should enter the hospital through the "All Patient Services" area with an adult and follow the orange and black balloons to the radiology waiting area.
Halloween alternatives
The following events are free and open to the public Wednesday:
Bonita Lakes Mall will hold a costume contest at 5 p.m. in Center Court. Gift certificates will be awarded to the winners. Mallwide trick-or-treating will follow from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at participating retailers. Some retailers, in lieu of buying candy, have made donations to the September 11 Fund, according to Tommy White, director of marketing for the mall.
A Halloween party will be held on the grounds of the Church of the Mediator, 3825 35th Ave., beginning at 5 p.m. Candy will be available for children and scary displays are planned.
Steve Gillespie is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3233, or e-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.