If you were a rural child of the ’60s, you’re going to love walking along spooky country lanes with Arlene Stafford-Wilson, author of Lanark County Halloween. Her latest rendition of life in Lanark County takes you on the back roads and town streets where youngsters in home-made costumes roamed free for Halloween. By interviewing the people who enjoyed the splendid candy-drenched holiday, Ms. Stafford-Wilson evokes crisp fall nights, dark and maybe a tad scary.
Nearly everyone remembers the pillowcases dragged along from house to house, whether mom was doing the chauffeuring in the country, or kids were in packs together. There is a camaraderie shared when talking about the homemade fudge, the molasses kisses (the dentist’s friend, as so many teeth were loosened on that hard old candy) and apples. There was no fear of tainted treats as everyone knew their neighbours so well. In fact, that’s what comes through every story, the innocent freedom of a bygone era.
Ms. Stafford-Wilson prefaces these tales with historic Halloween lore which influenced the traditions still held to this day: dressing in disguises, offering treats to revellers, hanging onto the superstitions handed down through generations.
Close to 50 people from Fallbrook to Carleton Place were happy to share their Halloween experiences, with nearly all describing costumes cobbled together from the ragbag, mothers who created masterpieces that were prize winners, all from sacking and straw. Tiny goblins wearing plastic masks that blocked their vision hustled behind siblings, not missing out on Mrs. Heartley’s fudge or candied apples.
Maybe you knew the “bad boys” who soaped windows, threw eggs, or hung effigies from the water tower. Were you one of those responsible for the wagon on top of the bank building? There are tales of derring-do with no names mentioned, even though it was many years ago. Memories stay fresh with the shenanigans on Halloween.
It is evident that Stafford-Wilson has a gift for encouraging people to share their lives. With a familiar nod to nostalgia, these tales are our own stories, set in different towns maybe, but similar in many respects, which makes this book a treasure. Readers will practically taste those popcorn balls or candied apples. They’ll remember getting soaked while trying to bob for apples, the thrill of winning the school prize for their costume, the sugar rush of too much goodness for that one night of the year when ghosts, goblins, and treats galore gathered around a bonfire to celebrate Halloween.
Lanark County Halloween is available in Perth at The Book Nook (60 Gore St. E.), Spark Books & Curios (76 Foster Street) and the Perth Museum (11 Gore Street E.), and in Almonte at Mill Street Books (52 Mill Street). For more details, visit staffordwilson.com.