What happened to Halloween? The last day in October at one time gave us a fun way to usher in the holiday season. As a child, wearing a costume to go trick or treating meant finding clothes and items around the house to turn ourselves into cowboys, hobos or with an old beach towel pinned around our neck and a mask we would become a superhero.

You traveled with others dressed like hobos or bath towel wearing superheroes, but only during daylight. You went door to door opening your bag as neighbors gave you a sweet treat. The trick was to get home before dark. On Halloween night it was a good idea to be home before the costumed high school age gangs made their rounds in your neighborhood. While you were home cataloging your candy haul, the older kids were out practicing becoming vandals. Armed with cartons of eggs and rolls of toilet paper they searched for victims. Occasionally, you would hear terrified screams and were glad to be inside as you ate some peanut butter cups.

I enjoyed going trick or treating, but I did that as fast as I could. I really liked to stay home and give out the candy to my costumed neighbors. Usually over a hundred costumed trick or treaters would go house to house collecting a variety of candy. Soon they spread the word telling their friends which house, not a “witch” house, was giving out the best treats. Unlike the miniature pieces most of us dispensed, some houses gave out full sized candy bars. Our Halloween bounty kept us in a sugar rush for weeks.

Halloween seems to have changed. I prepared for it in my usual way. I took “Otto” my straw figure out of storage and fastened him to my railing inviting the expected throngs of candy seekers. A month ago, I went to various discount stores and stocked up on the bags of candy that I would need. Those bags had miniature versions of well-known treats. I liked seeing the smiles when I put them in their treat bags by the handful.

This year there was a sense that the traditional rituals of Halloween were over. Very few trick or treaters came in the afternoon after school. I spent the afternoon watching television while occasionally scanning the street to no avail.

I phoned my neighbors who were also confused. The local news had a segment about the new way the revelers got their Halloween candy. Welcome to what is called “Trunk or treat.” Instead of walking around neighborhoods, there were several areas in the county where cars would park in a semi-circle. With piles of candy in the car trunk, it was easy for the costumed hordes to fill up their bags with treats.

I found a unique way to offer them candy without me hovering near my door. Weeks ago, I installed a security camera near my front door. It alerts me if someone approaches my house. It also allows me to have a conversation with the person. 

Eventually I decided it was time to end my in-person candy distribution. I filled a plastic container with some of my treats. I left my porch light on and went upstairs to continue my nightly obsession of watching Jeopardy.

When my security camera alerted me that someone was approaching my porch, I grabbed my cell phone. I startled them by wishing them a happy Halloween in my best scary voice and telling them to take some candy. It was a big surprise for them and a success for me.

Because of trunk or treat I have too many unopened bags of candy. I will donate them to various food and toy drives around the county.  There will not be any tricks involved just some treats.

Hudson Cooper is a resident of Sullivan County, a writer, comedian and actor.