Remembering A Healing Halloween

To the Editor:

After reading coverage of 2007 Halloween events in Newtown, especially on Main Street, I just had to write. My family were longtime residents of Newtown and resided at 14 Main Street before and after my father’s untimely death. He (my father) was a lawyer in town. When he died on October 16, 1966, my whole family was, understandably, devastated, but I felt the tradition of Halloween had to be preserved. I was barely 16 at the time. To try and keep things as normal as possible I made up a bunch of pretty little bags filled with candy and those angels who came to our door that night helped to heal our heart. It was so comforting to open the door to see all the innocent, bright, eager faces, so unaware of our recent loss just beaming with light and enthusiasm and hope. Those little faces healed us that year, immeasurably.

Please don’t leave candy on the stoop. Answer the door each and every time and rejoice in the innocence and the spirit of hope offered by each and every one of these children.

I so loved your item about Ginny Lathrop. She taught me how to dance and to be humble. When I first started in her class (possibly 12 or so) I thought I was “all that” and in her very sweet way she told me that I had a bit to learn. Never harsh. I was put in back of the line more than once but she taught me humility and the benefits of hard work. I eventually made my way to the front and never had so much fun in my entire life since. Mac was the tough old guy that everyone was afraid of, but Ginny tempered him with her sweetness, but we all really respected Mac. He was such a dear. And, so talented. That boy could dance. He reminded me of Fred Astaire. So light on his feet.

I love and miss Newtown. I will be back someday.

Sharon Donahue Emerson

370 Walnut Hills Road, Staunton, VA                 November 5, 2007