November 3, 2005

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

Scores of young trick or treaters greet merchants on Lincoln Avenue

By Carol Rosen
Editor

Lincoln Avenue was quite crowded on the morning of Monday, Oct. 31; it was filled with witches, lions, Buzz Lightyears, Tinkerbells, fairy princesses, dogs and cats—real and in costume—and their parents.

Dressed as a witch, a vampire and Count Dracula, Barbara Oerth, Robyn McKeon and Justin Powers greet 8-month-old Cadin Fletcher and his dad Dean. The realtors from Prudential California Realty mentioned they do this every year and have a great time doing it.

It was Willow Glen’s annual trick or treating on the Avenue, and the crowds were so thick it was tough walking! In fact, one merchant mentioned that at least 8,000 kids had visited and it wasn’t even 11 a.m.

These trick or treaters were the younger kids, the baby, toddler and preschool set. Some were anxious to get their hands on the candy, stickers, books and other goodies the merchants were passing out. Others hung back and were kind of scared of the costumed merchants—some of whom were dressed quite appropriately.

For example, the Thrift Box sported a witch in full regalia along with a tinsled blonde Cleopatra in a purple dress. Prudential Realty offered a buccaneer, a clown, a southern belle, a witch and Count Dracula. And in front of Hicklebee’s sat a fairy princess all dressed in pink.

As for the kids, they wore a number of different costumes. There was even a little devil in a stroller whose mom was walking an “angel,” a Boston terrier who was all dressed up. Peter Pan and Tinkerbell showed up along with several Spidermen, a Lion King, a regular lion and Winnie the Pooh was pushing a stroller with a smaller bear inside.

Two evil-looking characters sat in front of the State Farm office on Lincoln. Michael Hartter and Khalil Vourgoub, both 9, were out of school for the day and helping Michael’s mom who works in the State Farm office. The two had great wigs, which matched the colors of their faces, green and blue.

Nearly every business owner was standing near their doorway or outside their shop with a basketful of candy or stickers. One shop was handing out “spider decoder rings,” and some of those handing out treats were also treating themselves.

From 10 a.m. to noon, the street was full of characters and lovely young children, most having a ball. From Peak Travel to Hicklebees, to Eclectic Touch to Spa R and R and from the Thrift Box to Scandalous, they were all out, and everyone appeared to have a great time. The plumbing store again had filled the bathtub in the window with candy, which by 11 a.m. was just about half full.

In fact, the Books for Treats booth, which was under the Garden Theater marquee ran out of books for the preschool set. By about 11, they had given out a large number of books, said Rebecca Morgan. Most of the children realized they could get a book, and many of them appeared to like that prize better than the candy.

“It’s one of my biggest joys to see their eyes light up,” Morgan said in reference to the little kids. “It’s so different from candy and it’s so much better for them.”

Morgan had collected about 2,500 additional books for the afternoon giveaway for older students who would be out between 3 and 5 p.m. City Councilmember Ken Yeager was planning to be on hand to help out.

No matter what, everyone appeared to be having a wonderful time, especially us older folks who were delighted to see the smiles on the kids’ faces.

Snow White, aka Maya Madsen, who is 2 1/2, came from Campbell to get treats. Her mom says she had such a good time last year she had to come back. Here she receives a tasty treat from 16-year-old Bryanna Carlson, who works for Hicklebees.	Rebecca Sell, owner of Barbarellas, stands ready to hand out candy. Sell was dressed as a “60s character who needs my services.”
Sophie, the Boston terrier from Willow Glen, was one of the few youngsters out who didn’t want candy. Her costume corresponded with a young devil in a stroller.	Quin Getz, a 2 ½-year-old who was dressed as an orange and black kitty, got tired and stopped to rest with his father Skip Getz and eat some candy. Oddly enough, this young cat is from Los Gatos.