A few post-mortems from Halloween.
* As opposed to past years, didn’t see any pop-culture-icon “costumes” that made you wince and question adult enablers at home. Indeed, no twerking Mileys.
* We did get, however, a few uncostumed teens. You hate to play party crasher, but someone has to point out that a tank top, shorts, baseball cap and a pillow case is not a costume nor in the spirit of the occasion. It’s an ensemble in search of a low-maintenance, seasonal hand-out. And that’s why there’s candy corn–instead of Snickers, Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups and Butterfingers.
* Some neighbors go minimalist on the decorations, and some go all out. It has a lot to do with what age your kids are. Then there are those for whom going “all out” means turning a lawn and porch into a grisly replica of a drug-cartel crime scene. There’s kid-friendly “scary”–and then there’s “Texas Chainsaw” props.
* Each Halloween we typically get a few University of Tampa students leveraging the occasion to do community service. This year two UT lads represented The Well, based in Ybor City. It operates a free market, Monday through Friday, to share food, clothing and toiletries with those in need. Tuesday and Thursday are open dinner nights, and the first Saturday of each month features open mic night–where stories, songs, poems and food are shared. More information is available at www.thewellybor.org.