MONROE - Whether making costumes or taking part in practical jokes, Halloween conjures up lots of memories for people.
Maggie Parmer, Mary Ann Mau, Gwenie and Wes Krupke, and Marvel Steindorf remember the fun times they had as children and teens Halloween.
They have long since retired and live at Twining Valley Retirement Community, but the thoughts of those Halloweens so many years ago brought back stories and tales that would amuse, rather than frighten, the listeners.
They used to play lots of games at Halloween parties. A popular game was bobbing for apples, they said.
And they used to get treats, but not a lot of candy. Candy was too expensive in those days, so they received homemade cookies and popcorn balls. In addition, it wasn't uncommon to have a glass of cider and some doughnuts available, Steindorf said.
"One year a couple came to our door and offered us cider and doughnuts," she said. "That was unusual."
Wes Krupke remembered the pranks he and his friends pulled when they were teens.
"It wasn't anything that caused damages," he said.
He laughed when he told of how he and some friends hid the neighbor's milk buckets one Halloween. They were able to milk their cows the next morning, but it took them a little longer to get started, he added.
But most of their memories were about making their own costumes. It took a few days to make them because everything was done from scratch and they made everything themselves, the women said.
"We used whatever we had at home," Gwenie Krupke said.
Parmer said she made a pumpkin costume by dying two sheets orange and making pockets for hula hoops. It was one of her favorite costumes.
"It was hard to get through the door," she laughed.
They plan to dress up again this week when Twining Valley has its Halloween party Wednesday. Their costumes remain a secret, but they're looking forward to showing them to their friends, they said.
Maggie Parmer, Mary Ann Mau, Gwenie and Wes Krupke, and Marvel Steindorf remember the fun times they had as children and teens Halloween.
They have long since retired and live at Twining Valley Retirement Community, but the thoughts of those Halloweens so many years ago brought back stories and tales that would amuse, rather than frighten, the listeners.
They used to play lots of games at Halloween parties. A popular game was bobbing for apples, they said.
And they used to get treats, but not a lot of candy. Candy was too expensive in those days, so they received homemade cookies and popcorn balls. In addition, it wasn't uncommon to have a glass of cider and some doughnuts available, Steindorf said.
"One year a couple came to our door and offered us cider and doughnuts," she said. "That was unusual."
Wes Krupke remembered the pranks he and his friends pulled when they were teens.
"It wasn't anything that caused damages," he said.
He laughed when he told of how he and some friends hid the neighbor's milk buckets one Halloween. They were able to milk their cows the next morning, but it took them a little longer to get started, he added.
But most of their memories were about making their own costumes. It took a few days to make them because everything was done from scratch and they made everything themselves, the women said.
"We used whatever we had at home," Gwenie Krupke said.
Parmer said she made a pumpkin costume by dying two sheets orange and making pockets for hula hoops. It was one of her favorite costumes.
"It was hard to get through the door," she laughed.
They plan to dress up again this week when Twining Valley has its Halloween party Wednesday. Their costumes remain a secret, but they're looking forward to showing them to their friends, they said.