Delightfully Dreadful Decorations On Deck For Halloween

By Dottie Evans

Halloween in Newtown was not created in a day.

But after a week’s time and effort, families are focusing on improving and expanding on their decorations, and it looks like Halloween 2004, set to take place Sunday night, October 31, will be a howling success.

The Hillbrow House spider will burst forth from its cloudlike lair brandishing fiery spinnerets as it descends to greet trick-or-treaters at 74 Main Street. Don’t ask how this will be accomplished.

“You’ll have to be there, and the weather has to cooperate,” said the spider’s keeper, Richard Mulligan.

At the other end of Main Street, the Krasnickas’ family skeleton has been hauled out of its closet and hangs on the front porch. If loudly applauded, it will roll its eyeballs and leer at you.

Spider webs decorate both sides of the front porch at 15 Main Street where someone has buried the gardener.

A coal mine is under construction at 12 Main Street and the McManus and McDonald families are warning visitors not to bump their heads on the stalactites as they dig for candy corn.

On Mt Pleasant Road, Laurena and Brandon McCarthy have turned over their front yard to a family of zombies, and their porch has been taken over by witches.

At 36 Queen Street, colorful ghosts dance in a circle, and at the Sclafanis’ house on Glover Avenue, the ghosts have taken have flight.

Elsewhere around town, the cobwebs are being strung and the pumpkins being carved as Newtown residents relive their childhood while putting together a memorable Halloween celebration.

 

Taking Advantage Of The Weekend

It has been a long time since Halloween fell on a Sunday night.

This happy circumstance means that homeowners have two full days over the weekend to modify and amplify their displays, as they prepare for the expected onslaught of trick-or-treaters. Many of these come from outlying neighborhoods or from surrounding towns.

Last year, between 1,200 and 1,800 children in costume paraded down Main Street. Newtown homeowners dressed for the occasion and welcomed them with candy and special effects.

“We wouldn’t miss it for anything,” said Pat Krasnickas of 12 Main Street.

She and her husband Frank Krasnickas, Newtown’s retired chairman of the Public Building and Site Commission, are looking forward to Saturday when their son Mark will be “carving two or three pumpkins, as usual.”

“I’m going to be dressed as a medieval princess. We’re expecting at least 1,500 this year. I love seeing the children. They’re absolutely precious. And I love meeting the young families,” Mrs Krasnickas added.

Paul Tanski at 13 Main Street has put out a handsome old iron wagon wheel and some pumpkins are propped up on hay bales.

“I have two fog machines and I make a lot of smoke,” said Mr Tanksi, chuckling in anticipation.

“When we moved here ten years ago, it was only four or five that came by. Now it’s gotten huge. I think Newtown must be trying to keep pace with Deer Hill in Danbury –– that street with all the old homes.”

Mr and Mrs Tanski have no children, but that does not stop them from joining in the fun.

“I work the remote from inside the house [on the fog machine]. I wait until they get right up the steps and then I let them have it with a blast of smoke,” Mr Tanski said.

Richard Mulligan, owner and operator of the notorious Hillbrow House spider, keeps the creepy creature under wraps.

“I’m not going to put it up until Sunday, so the kids won’t be tempted to cut it down,” he said.

He is also keeping mum about further enhancements except to say there will be sound and light and movement aplenty.

“I hope the police will be out again this year directing traffic. They did a terrific job last year,” Mr Mulligan noted.

The Mulligans have bought 75 pounds worth of candy and they plan to buy more.

Since all Main Street residents who open their homes to trick-or-treaters should expect large numbers of visitors, a collection point has been established for donated candy at the home of Shane and George Miller at 50 Main Street.

A basket set out on the Millers’ front porch will be emptied periodically and the candy will be distributed to homeowners in preparation for Sunday night.