Children Have Monstrously Fun Time at "Trunk or Treat"

By DONALD WITTKOWSKI Josie Glassford had been making the rounds for only a few minutes and already her plastic candy bucket was half-filled with chocolate and other sweet treats for Halloween. “What is your favorite treat?” Josie’s mother, Jackie Glassford, of Dennisville, asked her 4-year-old daughter. “M&Ms,” Josie blurted out. Her mother then followed up with another question that brought a smile to the little girl’s face. “Are you going to eat all that candy tonight on Halloween?” she asked. When Josie shook her head yes, Jackie responded, “Oh, my goodness.” Well, who could blame the kid? There were loads of candy for the taking – and eating – at Sea Isle City’s family-friendly Trunk or Treat celebration on Halloween night. Trick-or-treaters dressed as superheroes grab some candy. It was that kind of night – plenty of treats and a monstrously fun time for the local children. In addition to the Trunk or Treat celebration, homeowners throughout Sea Isle also decorated their houses and handed out Halloween candy to the costumed children. One home on 39th Street was transformed into a veritable house of horrors – nightmarishly decorated with a macabre assortment of ghosts, ghouls, skeletons, zombies, witches, black spiders, a scary clown and the Grim Reaper. At Trunk or Treat, the trunks and back compartments of cars, trucks and SUVs were decorated with spooky themes for the candy giveaway, which took place in the parking at the Sea Isle library. “We love it. This is what you live for,” Paul Baldini, Sea Isle’s solicitor, said of the joy the event brings to children. Baldini, his wife, Heather, his son, Paul Jr., and his 18-month granddaughter, Bell, were among the Baldini family members at their candy-laden SUV that was among the decorated vehicles for Trunk or Treat. The rain was only a drizzle, allowing dozens of children to enjoy the outdoor event. Mike Jargowsky, Sea Isle’s emergency management coordinator, and his wife, Lori, set up an elaborately decorated Halloween candy table for the kids. Mike Jargowsky was dressed in a skeleton costume, but Lori stole the show with her scary witch outfit and pointy black hat. To entertain the trick-or-treaters, Lori transformed the back of the couple’s SUV into a gigantic, gaping Dracula mouth complete with big fangs. Dozens of children showed up for the Trunk or Treat celebration, including Josie Glassford, who was dressed in a pink Elmo costume. It was a great day – and night – for Josie. Earlier Tuesday, she was selected as “Student of the Month” in the Dennisville Township School District’s pre-kindergarten program. She proudly showed off a gold medallion she had been given for her award. Her celebration continued into the night at Trunk or Trick with her bounty of candy. A house on 39th Street features an array of spooky Halloween monsters. Children costumed as ghosts, ghouls, goblins and other monsters made the night scary enough. But what was truly frightening was the rainfall that grew heavier just as Trunk or Treat was about to start at 5 p.m., threatening to force the event inside at the library. But the rain lessened to a drizzle, allowing the kids to stay outside. Jose Fraga, 10, of Sea Isle, was joined by his family members while stopping at all of the vehicles loaded with candy. He was dressed in a Stick Man costume topped by a skeleton mask. Jose had a one-word answer to describe the Trunk or Treat celebration: “Cool,” he said, bringing a laugh from his family. City Clerk Shannon Romano hands out candy to the Halloweeners. The back of one SUV is elaborately decorated in colorful pumpkins and corn stalks. The kids make their rounds at the library's parking lot for some candy. A Trunk or Treat sign advertises the event.