News and Notes: Halloween

We hope Lindsborg families are set to enjoy Halloween 2017 because options abound this Tuesday, Oct. 31.
     Please be aware of new and returning features this year:
      New:  Ahoy, Captain Sugar Beard! Find the Capt'n buying unwanted candy at $1 per pound in gold doubloons (up to $200 for the night) from 7:30-9 p.m. Oct. 31 at Soderstrom Elementary's east entrance. Collected candy will be shared with the Fort Riley USO team. Thank you to Lindsborg Community Hospital and First Bank Kansas -- and to that clever Captain.
       Back in the lineup:  The Witches Wail at American Legion Post 140, 524 E. State St., is on this year. Little goblins may stop by for hot dogs and treats from 6 to 8 p.m.  At 9 p.m., the City will sound emergency sirens known locally as the witches wail.  It's a signal that all trick or treaters should be home for the night. Thanks to everyone at Post 140!
       Soderstrom downtown trick or treating:  It is a years-long custom for pre-K through 4th graders at Soderstrom Elementary to parade in costume in the downtown area each year. This year, the parade will start at 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31. If merchants wish to hand out treats, plan please for 309 children. This year, merchants may hand treats individually to each child -- OR they may pre-bag the correct number for each classroom as has been requested in past years.  The school believes that one reason to return to individually handing the treats:  It's a good opportunity for students to practice using those magic words, please and thank you. If you want to pre-bag, contact Kathy Richardson, who will have classroom counts available at midweek.  Meanwhile, we hope that parents and grandparents and other family members will join in the fun.  Bring seating and hang out.
      Early birds:  The Sprout House gang of 14 students will be parading on Main Street sidewalks starting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31. Director Christy Mai says it's fine to go light on candy and heavy on smiles, waves and greetings to each of the cuties as they go by.  It's worth coming in a bit early if your opening starts at 10 a.m.
    And at Bethany Home:  Residents and staff at Bethany Homes love to see all the kids on parade through their halls. The event is equally popular with parents and kids for one-stop, all-under-one-roof fun. Bethany Home offers treats for all starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31. Thanks to everyone at Bethany Home for continuing a wonderful tradition. 
     And clearly in the "treat" category is Bethany College's Luther 500 campus-wide day of service, which also happens to be on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Luther 500 celebrates the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's posting his theses on the Wittenberg Cathedral door. Please greet any student you see lending a hand that day. We are grateful for their help.

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