Halloween

NO MATTER how many adult Halloween parties I've been invited to, I can't help thinking that this festival really should be left to children. It's the time of year to hear stories of black cats and noises in the night, then settle your nerves with a Goetze's caramel creme. My favorite Halloweens were those of 40 years ago, when, under the guidance of a couple of adults, we took off for the darkest corners of the old neighborhood. Our haunted house in Charles Village was a fine, empty mansion called the Vineyard, an 18th-century mansion with its own ballroom and plenty of lore.

The manager of the fabric store called. My friend was back, would I please come and get her? She had been found in the fake fur department, clutching a bunny costume pattern and softly singing, "Five little pumpkins, sitting on a gate."My friend was experiencing Halloween withdrawal. Her 12-year-old son's cute years were over. She would never again be found at the Singer, sewing seam tape on a bumblebee wing. From this point on she could only hope for costumes that were not too tasteless.

I admit it. Halloween gives me the shivers.Even as a child, it was not one of my favorite events. Oh, I thought the candy was great, but having to dress in some silly outfit and go door to door asking for the goodies was not really my idea of fun.After all, you didn't have to look silly to receive candy from the Easter bunny.As a mom, this event looms even larger on the horizon. Although I no longer put on a costume and ask for candy, I must now provide the candy for countless neighborhood children.

ON A CRISP fall night last week, more than 500 people marched down Westminster's Main Street in the 57th annual Halloween Parade. Fairies, spiders, brides, butterflies, Indian princesses, Westminster resident Greg Williams walking as a "chick magnet" and many other characters took the traditional stroll for hundreds of onlookers. More than 20 members of the GFWC Junior Woman's Club of Westminster perched on a rollback truck (donated by Leckron's Towing employee Bobby Westerfield) and wrestled with decisions such as which costume was the most original, the most comical and the most elaborate.

We're looking for "high-concept" Halloween costumes - ones that are more abstract than literal. Dressing like a "Freudian slip" or as "static cling," for instance, takes a bit more imagination than going as an M&M. Think more in terms of ideas or states of mind than the usual ghosts, goblins and politicians. The most clever costumes will be considered for inclusion in an article in The Sun's Modern Life section. E-mail jpg photos - with your name, phone number and a brief explanation of your costume - to sun.features@baltsun.

Last time, we asked: Should Halloween be observed on the last Saturday of October? Some people think so. When Oct. 31 falls on a weekday, children and parents must squeeze trick-or-treating and festivities in after school and work, often after dark, raising a safety issue. Celebrating on Saturday would allow earlier trick-or-treating and give families time to schedule other Halloween events, such as parties. What do you think?I definitely don't think that they should switch it to the last Saturday.

Be afraid. Be very afraid. Of ghosts and goblins. Of witches and black cats. Of Frankenstein's monster. Of things that go bump in the night. Halloween is nigh, and all manner of macabre events await the unprepared. So get a clue by reading this roundup of frightful Halloween events. But fear not; we've also included many happenings of a gentler nature, such as trick-or-treating, pumpkin-carving and apple-bobbing for kids of all ages. Anne Arundel County Halloween celebration. Oct. 28, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Historic Annapolis Foundation, William Paca Garden, 186 Prince George St., Annapolis.

ATLANTA -- On Halloween, Tasia Katapodis will dress as a witch to thrill young trick-or-treaters in her neighborhood. Ross Marland plans a resurrection as "dead Elvis" in sideburns and a sheet. And Ron Watson will transform himself into a singing Hank Williams Jr. -- with the help of a Stetson, some shades and a beer.In Atlanta and across the country, Halloween has become an excuse for adults to party."In the mid '80s, we began seeing a trend for adults and teens," says Betsy Helgager, a spokeswoman for Hallmark Cards.

The Baltimore SAFE KIDS Coalition and University of Maryland Medical Center are urging parents to take precautions to make sure children have a safe Halloween.Parents are being urged to accompany children who are under 10 years of age, to use light, brightly colored costumes that are more visible, to teach children not to dart into streets from between parked cars and to keep candles, lighted jack-o-lanterns, matches and lighters out of their reach.Pedestrian injuries, burns and falls account for the majority of injuries on Halloween, which safety experts say is one of the most dangerous nights of the year for children.

It's not too late to hit the Web and spin yourself a great Halloween. Click on these eight, great not-too-late sites. www.pcjackolantern.com The ultimate in pumpkin carving, this site lets you design your own jack-o'-lantern face and print it out for $9.95. For another $5, they'll mail you all the tools to get the job done. Great free tips on how to make your pumpkin look good and keep its shape, like wiping the sides of the cutout eyes and mouth with petroleum jelly to keep the moisture in, and how to carve safely.