When I was a child growing up in my hometown, the holidays seemed so enchanting and full of wonder. Like most kids, it all seemed so real.

My memories of Halloween bring back a simpler time when the whole town would get into the spirit of it by decorating the town square in the traditional way. All the stores would decorate their windows with witches and goblins and all sorts of spooky things. During World War II, store-bought costumes were rare and, if available at all, very expensive.

On Halloween, we would dress up in costumes handmade by mom, from old bed sheets, or hand-me-down baggy pants. She would paint our faces with homemade washable paint or lipstick and rouge. An old, but clean mop rag made a terrific wig. An old battered hat, oversized beat-up shoes and baggy pants with a scrubby old coat was the perfect hobo outfit. We were really living if mom or grandma would sew and create a clown suit or some other character outfit from things we already had lying around. Not much ever came from a store.

We could go out about the neighborhood, anywhere in our community, and feel safe. We never had to worry about kidnappings, child molestation, or other harmful things happening to the children who roamed the streets in droves.

If the evening happened to be a bit cool, when we knocked on doors we were often invited in to have a homemade treat by a warm fire. Yes, the treats were mostly homemade -- everything from fudge to divinity, popcorn balls or cake and ice cream. If we just came to the door, we would get homemade candy, popcorn balls, apples or oranges, and maybe chewing gum or an occasional candy bar, when they were available. They were all safe with no fear of pins or needles or other harmful things being imbedded in them. Often we would get an extra special treat if our costume was exceptionally clever and original.

The tricking part of "trick or treat" was never intended to be permanently harmful or destructive. It consisted of writing on car windows or houses with wax or crayons or a bar of soap. Maybe an occasional trash can might be tipped over, or a car pushed up on the lawn, but nothing more serious than that. I realize there were always a few of the older kids who would cause more serious damage, but that was not the norm, and they were usually caught.

On the outskirts of town, usually the night before or just after Halloween, the city would sponsor a big bonfire with fun and games. There were marshmallow and wiener roasts, and games for the kids and their parents. And there was always a contest with neat prizes for the winners who had the funniest, craziest or spookiest costumes.

There was a special time at the local elementary school, when they would have their Halloween parade. The children would all come dressed in their brightest and cutest outfits, and parade around the recreation hall as proud parents watched from the sidelines.

These are memories of simpler times, when Halloween was meant to be full of good, clean fun. I wish we could bring back those wonderful days when safety and trust and a common bond was shared by all in the community. When anxieties and fears were at a minimum, if not altogether nonexistent, and it was all done just for the fun of it.

Gerald Hill is a Tooele resident.