Photo credit: Davey Wagner
with Vintage Debbie
As September fades into October, the air grows crisper, the leaves begin to turn, and the spirit of autumn settles in— with Halloween right around the corner. For many, Halloween is a favorite holiday, a time when imagination takes center stage and anyone can become anything for just one magical night. Most of us carry fond memories of childhood, costumes, candy hauls, and neighborhood adventures. As you read the reflections below, we hope they stir your own seasonal stories—and perhaps inspire you to share them with those you love.
What are your best memories of Halloween?
“When trick or treating in my neighborhood with friends— I’m guessing we were about eight years old—we were invited into the home of two elderly sisters whom our parents knew well, so we were permitted to go inside. In their kitchen, they were popping Jiffy Pop on the stove, and watched the aluminum container get bigger and bigger. It was something new that we had never seen before. We were in such awe!”
-Barbara Narcolli Aiken, Pittsburgh
“We had the best neighborhood for trick-or-treat. We’d assemble costumes from old clothes and go house to house, gathering neighbor kids along the way. At Mrs. Anderson’s house, there would be fresh popcorn, candy corn or candy apples. Then we’d go to the local athletic club that our fathers belonged to for a party with snacks, cartoon films, and a costume contest. Is it any wonder Halloween is my favorite holiday?”
-Holly Mathias, Beaver County
“When I was five years old, my cousin gave my mom a clown costume for me. It was way too big, so my mom and aunt stuffed it full of newspapers. I probably fell and rolled down 10 hills that day and loved it because I was so padded. I made everyone laugh!”
-Johnathan Nail, Beaver County
“I remember dressing up with my brother and the neighborhood kids. Our bags were pillow cases that we would fill up and dump out halfway through the night then continue to the other houses.”
-Kathy Steines, Beaver County
“My favorite memory of Halloween was getting all the treats ready for the kiddos in the neighborhood.”
-Annabelle Lea, Pittsburgh
“I loved when the neighbors tried to guess who we were in our costumes. To this day, no one knows!”
-Karen Martino, Butler County
“We didn’t have plastic bags back then, only paper shopping bags. On time it rained and the bottom of my bag tore open from getting wet. Great, fun memories though.”
-Judith Bridge, Cincinnati, Ohio
Vintage Debbie is a vintage history buff and performance artist with a unique style of era-specific music, dance and dress. She entertains area seniors through an interactive and fun music memory experience in Beaver, Lawrence and Butler counties. Debbie’s goal is to amplify the healing power of music through singing, dance and movement to promote senior health and wellbeing. To learn more, follow Walking Down Memory Lane with Vintage Debbie on Facebook, search Vintage Debbie’s music videos on YouTube, or view videos of her performances by visiting pittsburghseniornews.com. To book her for an event, email wagner.debbie@ymail.com.