Scary Times in the Valley

Though politics and global warming – oops, climate change – can frighten the bravest of the brave, in Crescenta Valley we are approaching a time when even the most stalwart will feel a shiver travel up their spine. I’m talking Halloween.

Halloween has a fascinating history (read Charly Shelton’s piece on page 17 of Travel and Leisure for an insightful look into the background of Halloween). Here in the Crescenta Valley, many of us embrace this time to celebrate all things ghoulish and, of course, collect candy.

The fun kicked off last week with the CV Sheriff’s Station haunted jail. Hundreds showed up to get the daylights scared out of them – much to the delight of organizers who put the show together. Mary O’Keefe’s story on page 3 details the haunted jail as well as spotlights another local favorite: the Nightmare on Whiting Woods.

Looking at the work that homeowner David Krohn does to transform his home into a spook palace is truly awe-inspiring. Armed with a team of professionals – builders, designers, etc. – he has, for 17 years, let his imagination run wild in creating a fun place that is open to the public for one night only: Halloween. And it’s free to attend.

Driving through the Crescenta Valley, you will come across other homeowners who enthusiastically decorate (see 3926 Los Olivos off Lowell Avenue) that either attract or scare away trick-or-treaters. At the corner of Cloud and Community avenues, the homeowner has an array of skeletons on display – all painstakingly poised. Of course, there are some who are content to put outside a pumpkin or two while inside have a bowl brimming with sweets.

I am a lover of Halloween and, until just a few years ago, worked side-by-side with my sons as we drew diagrams of what needed to be built to make our home “spooktacular.”

These days, in order to achieve the spooktacular, we head to Montrose where the shopping park association hosts its own Spooktacular. Costumed revelers of all ages can be found in the 2200, 2300 and 2400 blocks of Honolulu, most shepherding young children from store to store so they can gather candy, but some just wanting to be around like-minded Halloween enthusiasts. We took my granddaughter down there last year and had a blast.

I hope you take the time to not only read Mary’s story on page 3 but to also check out the pictures online we just didn’t have room to put in the paper. They’re fabulous and will surely get you in the Halloween spirit.

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I want to give a quick “shout out” to my friends at the VFW and American Legion. In typical fashion, not only were members of both organizations at the CV Chamber 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, they also joined my family and friends at a special event this past Sunday.

I’ll share details with you next week.

  robin goldsworthy