Boo on you, Halloween thief | Napa Valley Register

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Boo on you, Halloween thief

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

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Dear editor, I am so annoyed, I have to write a letter to the editor right now at 7:45 p.m. on All Hallows Eve!

Halloween night I was tired from volunteering at Community Projects getting ready for the big "Treasures of Christmas Past" sale the following day, so I put a plastic pumpkin filled with candy on my front porch with a note that said: "Please take only one piece of candy so there is enough for everyone. Happy Halloween!"

Within half an hour, when I answered the doorbell to a darling little trick-or-treater, I discovered not only was all the candy gone, but the container, too! I could not believe it! The container had some sentimental value, in that my late husband had painted it with fluorescent paint so it would glow under the black light he always put on the front porch. He would also put up a mirror so all the kids could see themselves "glow" under the light.

Well, to the person who not only took all the candy, but the sentimental plastic pumpkin, boo on you!

Judy Thomas / Napa

9 comment(s)

JustMyyOpinion wrote on Nov 4, 2009 7:19 AM:

" I heard a similar story on a Sacramento radio station. Sadly, times have changed and it's not the 50s anymore. If people see an opportunity they go for it. It's sad that you can trust people with something as small as a pumpkin filled with candy, but it's the way it is these days.

It'd be nice if they would at least return the pumpkin. "

tsgets wrote on Nov 4, 2009 8:01 AM:

" Ahahahahaaaa...

This is the oldest trick in the book. I do not know what kind of reality you live in when you think you can place a whole bucket of candy on your porch and not think that it will be gone after a few visitors. Even though I have NEVER done this, or did this for that matter in my young years, I still know it's not a great idea. Some people never amaze me. In this case the writer. I expected this kinda conduct from the kid who stole it. Next time just turn the light off and wait for the next 10-31 to come around.

Final note...There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer. Sorry about your candy and I admire your community contributions. "

Debbie wrote on Nov 4, 2009 8:09 AM:

" I tried this method, too. (It works so well for my parents in Browns Valley). However, I had the same result. Fortunately, I didn't put all the candy out at once; so kids that came later could get some. "

napamouth wrote on Nov 4, 2009 9:31 AM:

" Next year place a mouse trap inside and wait for the scream! "

noseyrosie wrote on Nov 4, 2009 12:01 PM:

" It's so unfortunate that we can't trust kids to take one candy only. Where is the moral compass for these kids? If they can take the whole bowl, and not feel any guilt, this is DISGUSTING! Speaks volumes for parental misguidance! "

pharper wrote on Nov 4, 2009 1:27 PM:

" Moral integrity and all that is great, sure, but we're talking about kids here! If you were eight, nine, ten years old, out in your neighborhood with your friends, and there's a big bowl of candy there with no one to stop you from taking it, chances are pretty good that you would. Even a generally honest, ''good kid" might do it and I really wouldn't be surprised. I'm not saying the kids should do it, but it has nothing to do with the "times we live in" or dishonest children. It's just kids on Halloween. Does that really surprise anyone? "

Jenn wrote on Nov 4, 2009 3:30 PM:

" I remember walking up to a house that just had candy sitting out. Whichever adult was taking us around made sure that we each only took one, but I always remember thinking (at about age 7 or 8) that it wasnt fair because I knew the kids to come after us would just take it all.

Makes me sad that they took your pumpkin that held the candy though instead of just dumping the candy into their bags. That is more messed up that just taking all the candy! "

4gnapan wrote on Nov 4, 2009 3:43 PM:

" In this selfish, "Me First" society that we live in today, this isnt suprising at all... Sad, yes, surprising, no.

Moral behavior seems to be a thing of the past, apparently parents just dont have the time to instill it. "

noseyrosie wrote on Nov 5, 2009 8:51 AM:

" Pharper, sorry! I went with my kids and there were lots of homes that had candy out, and I saw more than a handful of kids take ONE candy only. Including my own. At 5 my kids knew right from wrong. Excuses, excuses. Stop making them for our youth. Accountability people. Integrity people! "

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