Many people ask me why I would take the time to create a Halloween website. The answer is multifaceted, and needs some background information first.

My love for Halloween grew out of my childhood (early 1960's) autumns in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. The weather there was perfect at Halloween, the leaves on the trees were brilliant shades of orange, yellow and red. When the leaves started to fall from the trees, the wind would sometimes blow them down the streets in swirls of color. The air was crisp and the weather was cool. Leaves were raked up and burned in large bonfires, creating a wonderful smell in the air. I recall trips to various cider mills, along the way passing by farms growing large pumpkin patches. These were all signs that Halloween was not far off. Fall/Halloween became, and still is, my favorite time of the year.

I remember going to Kresge's in the Village and buying Halloween decorations, the designs were bright, mysterious and frightening. I would linger as long as possible at the Halloween section! I remember the early style Beistle accordion dancers, I remember the Halloween hard plastic pieces and I even remember the American pulp lanterns filled with candy on the top shelf at Kresge's. Yes, some pulp lanterns were still being made in the early 60's.

By the late 60's I was too old for trick or treating, but still thrilled with the entire concept of Halloween. I decided if I couldn't go trick or treating, I would make it fun for all the kids who trick or treated at our house. I made amazing spooky effects, each year was better than the previous year. Bill, Jim and Mark, my three younger brothers, joined in this process. My mom would dress up in costume and hand out the treats. Children would come from miles around to trick or treat at our house. By making children happy I hoped (and continue to hope) they might become more happy and peaceful adults. I hope that in some small way I have had a positive effect on their lives.

In 1976 I moved to Los Angeles, and have lived here ever since. I love it here, but in October the weather is usually hot, the only smoke in the air is from destructive wildfires. On October 31st, the temperature may be as high as 90 degrees. People don't seem as intrigued with Halloween here as much as they were/still are in Michigan. I decided I would do my part to change their attitude.

So, in present day Burbank, California, I again overly-decorate my house on Halloween, filling it with cherished decorations of Halloweens past and present. I want to be able to reach as many children of today as possible and hopefully allow them to create their own wonderful Halloween memories. I think it's working - the amount of trick or treaters that I receive seems to almost double every year! And to this day, I don't care how old you are, or even if you don't have a costume, if you come trick or treating at my house you will be most welcome here and will always receive a treat.

Now, back to the original question, why did I create this website? Hmmmm.....Close your eyes and visualize yourself as a child happily trick or treating door to door, or celebrating Halloween. This website was created as a personal gift for that child you see within. And for the adult that you are now.

This website is for all of us. It's a place where we can celebrate Halloween any day of the year, as many Halloweens as we want. Whether you collect all types of Halloween items, only German Halloween, only American Halloween, or no Halloween, everyone is equally welcome here. This is a place where no one is ever turned away - just like at my house, you are never too big or too old to come trick or treating here!

Richard Miller
halloween824@yahoo.com

With loving thanks to my mom and dad, Ruth and Dick Miller, for making my childhood and childhood Halloweens so wonderful and special.

 

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