Seeking Support For A Halloween Committee

By Kendra Bobowick

Snarling sounds coming from the shadows and cloaked figures moving out of sight do not concern Chuck Stofko. His primary worry is keeping the figures — children dressed for Halloween — as safe as he can as they move from house to house on Main Street collecting candy. Above the recorded sounds of make-believe beasts lurking out of sight or the eerie, flickering light cast by jack-o-lanterns, he hopes to hear laughter as trick-or-treaters enjoy their evening.

“God forbid something did go wrong it could dramatically alter Halloween,” Mr Stofko said.

Doorbells ring endlessly especially for Main Street homes, and he has heard from one homeowner that visitors number above one thousand on Halloween night. Foot traffic on sidewalks and the street is unusually heavy, and clusters of children and adults are out that night, he said. His intention is to improve safety, candy supplies, and the overall experience on October 31.

Aiming at safety and a show of gratitude to the people of Main Street, his intentions are precise.

“I love this town. I love all the things in the community…I want to preserve what is — bottom line, you have to consider the foot traffic crossing that street.”

Mr Stofko hopes to enhance revelers’ experience while lending a hand to his hometown, he said.

His answer is a Halloween Committee.

“My intention, my goal, is to form a committee of people who want to participate in enhancing Halloween in Newtown,” he said. “I want to invite the community to participate.” He explained that he has a visions of what he hopes to accomplish, and is “looking for some help,” he said.

Also painted across his mind are the memories his children are going to have when they think of Halloween. He wants his daughters Sarah, Tess, and Jordan, who are 10, 9, and 6 respectively, to enjoy the All Hollow’s Eve year after year.

So far he has held preliminary discussions with Big Y supermarket managers. The store may set up a promotion or incentive program, he explained. He wondered aloud if he might get Big Y to make a contribution to the Halloween Committee.

Main Street 4 To 9 pm, October 31

“You’re kind of like a vending machine by the end of the night,” said Main Street homeowner Brid Craddock.

Confirming last year’s count of 2,000 children, excluding adults, she said the streets are filled with ghouls and monsters from roughly 4 to 9 pm. Some homes set up displays or Halloween “foyer frights” like Ms Craddock’s, which she moved to the driveway for more room.

“It’s bedlam,” she said. “It’s exciting, rather intense, some of the smaller children delight in it and they are dazed.”

The evening often ends when the homeowners run out of candy, she explained.

“There are people who go through $400 in candy, and that’s not always easy,” she said. Ms Craddock also stressed that the residents buy their candy each year, and hopes to clear the misconception that the town helps pay for treats. She also mentioned that collections have helped in the past from residents who want to contribute to the trick-or-treat goodies.

“I gave out 900 bags last year,” Ms Craddock said. “And then I was out. Some people will make runs to Big Y constantly, but you’ll go bankrupt.”

She also sees the potential harm in the increased number of people moving along Main Street during rush hour.

“There are a number of people trying to get home, and they don’t realize that Main Street is having Halloween.” Last year a police officer was stationed at the head of the road, which was a help, she said. Ms Craddock also pointed out that the main strip has sidewalks and is well lit which attracts the little goblins, ghosts, and witches.

“Where else can you go in town that has lighting, sidewalks, and public parking?”

Mr Stofko can be reached at 203-241-2448.