COLUMN: Halloween good will saves the night

Christmas may be the most wonderful time of the year to most people, but to Judy Hinchey, Halloween runs a really close second.

The Hincheys have lived on the east side of Kalispell for 20 years and have always had their door open for All Hallows’ Eve.

“Halloween in Kalispell is always bewitching and surprising — a night I love,” Judy said.

The entire neighborhood gets in the spirit by decorating and, come Halloween, things are hopping in the ‘hood. The Hincheys estimate they had about 1,200 trick-or-treaters this year, with Judy on duty dressed up in her favorite witch costume and standing on her porch to hand out candy.

“It’s always so much fun. The little kids are so adorable, but I just love seeing the junior high and high school kids,” she said. “They’re so sweet, respectful and polite.

“Some people think they’re too old to go trick or treating, but I say ‘No you’re not. Until you’re pushing a stroller, you’re not too old,” she joked.

This year’s rainy weather was a bit of a wild card, however. The Hincheys debated whether the numbers would be down.

About 5 p.m. the trick-or-treaters started trickling in ... and loyal and true to their dogged quest for candy, they kept coming.

Judy knows well that as a Halloween hostess you’re on call for the duration. It makes for a long night but she always eagerly anticipates the night — and always has a good time handing out those good-sized Snickers bars.

This year, as the line of kids streamed up their porch, a little 3/12 year-old Minnie Mouse stepped up just as Judy discovered she had unfortunately run out of candy.

“I said to her, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m out of candy.’”

As Judy tells it, Minnie’s face fell and then, overtaken by sorrow, she just sort of doubled over.

“I used to work at Disneyland and I thought, ‘Oh boy, you’ve done a number now,’” Judy said.

Dejected, Minnie Mouse departed, but the line was still streaming onto her porch.

Then, from the side of the porch a beautiful, young girl with long, golden hair approached and did a beautiful thing, Judy said.

“She upended her own treasure onto the front porch table, saying ‘Now you won’t be out anymore!’”

Judy was stunned and tried to give the candy back but the 12-year-old was already on her way.

Her easy generosity had a ripple effect on some of the kids standing in line who saw what had happened, and they reflected similar generosity with each other.

It was a Halloween miracle.

“This was the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time,” Judy said. “Thank you, sweet girl for making this my best night of magic yet!”

Esther Chrisman dropped the Inter Lake a note to let us know how Kalispell Middle School students, together with the Montana Conservation Corps, showed up in force in her Kalispell neighborhood to pick up trash and rake leaves.

Chrisman was impressed, thanks them for their volunteer efforts and hopes their enthusiasm is an inspiration others.

Community Editor Carol Marino may be reached at 758-4440 or community@dailyinterlake.com.