It was a big Trunk and Treat this year | Life in Ludlow

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Last weekend was really special in so many ways. 

Most importantly we absorbed an additional hour before 2020 comes to an end without too much trauma and it happened with a “blue moon” and fabulous October/November weather. 

The Kansas City Chiefs, with last year’s “most valuable player,” (MVP), at quarterback and the Seattle Seahawks, with this year’s odds on favorite to be MVP, both won over the weekend taking their records to six wins over one loss. 

It would be such fun for BJ and me if they met in the Super Bowl. Yeah, I know, the Pittsburgh Steelers with their gaudy unbeaten record stand squarely in the way. If the NFL continues to manage around and through the pandemic it could still be kind of fun, in spite of the empty or near empty stadiums. 

The annual “Trunk and Treat” in the heart of Port Ludlow was a scary success. 

Over the years the event was conceived to facilitate a safer and more convenient process to celebrate Halloween. The folks who wanted to continue to distribute treats to the children were encouraged to dress up and bring their goodies to the parking lot near the El Molcajete restaurant and the recycling center. (No real connection.)

Area goblins, witches, princesses, mummies, etc, etc. were encouraged to visit and take advantage of several sources of Halloween treats without traveling to multiple neighborhoods and unknown homes. 

In past years when this event was not available BJ and I would monitor the front door to give out candy to the six or eight children who came by. Not anymore. For the past several years when this event was organized BJ would dress up like Minnie Mouse and drive her Mini down to distribute the spoils of Halloween from the trunk!

This year’s “Trunk and Treat” was flat-out amazing. It seems as if there were few if any other options in the area and the event was publicized better than other years. 

Michelle Pelkey did a great job of getting the word out and organizing the folks to come down to distribute treats. She arranged for the Port Ludlow Fire and Rescue to bring a truck and some of the folks who hang out there to protect us. 

They were a big hit with their treat delivery system involving a fire hose. 

For the second week in a row I am compelled to mention State Trooper Ali Gruszewski as she was in attendance with a cohort passing out treats from their official state patrol SUVs. Ali was also pressed into service at the end of the event to provide a battery jump to Bev Smith since her car wouldn’t start. Ali seemed excited to use the device she had for this purpose for the first time. 

Judy and Richard Smith were easily identifiable, at least he was. Judy’s bright blue hair coupled with her original Japanese Kimono kept her somewhat less identifiable. 

Fran Gross told me ahead of time that she was going to dress as an old witch so I recognized her fairly quickly. 

Michael Haberpointer and his family were wandering around trying to keep their daughter’s COVID mask in place. My friend and Chimacum High teacher Brian McKenzie was there with his “mummy dressed” son. He said he was there because he saw my column from last week mentioning the event and came from Port Townsend since there were no other attractive options. Stephanie Buehler was there looking like a cat, kinda. 

There were many more costumes and people this year. BJ took 35 snack bags to give away and was done after the first hour of the planned two hours. 

My non-scientific estimate is at least
30 cars were part of the event with well over 50 children from all over the area. An incredible success. Congratulations to all participants, no matter your size!

And yes, the scary event known as our Presidential Election is also over. Nothing was more scary this Halloween than all the political promises. 

Love a curmudgeon, wear your mask, test negative and stay positive!

(Ned Luce is a retired IBM executive and an MVP on The Leader offense.)