Wrenshall news

Halloween is arguably one of the most creative holidays, and this year that spirit (pun intended) will have to go toward figuring out new ways to celebrate. Luckily, Wrenshallites are figuring out some safe alternatives.

The city of Wrenshall is hosting scarecrow scenes in Hugh Line park over the weekend. Visitors can walk through the park and pose for selfies, then vote for their favorite creation. Votes are due to City Hall by Nov. 3, with a winner announced on Nov. 4.

Wrenshall school is hosting a drive-thru Halloween parade 2-3 p.m. Friday in front of the school. Teachers will be lined up on the sidewalk and hand out treats. Have your window down, and a costume plus mask. In keeping with the recent activity at the school, teachers will be wearing costumes with a "construction workers" theme.

On Saturday, the Sonlife Church is hosting Trunk or Treat in their parking lot 5-7 p.m. People will have the trunks of their cars decorated, and kids can walk by to trick-or-treat.

Given the season, I thought it would be a good time to check in with resident Halloween expert James Sheetz. Among his extensive antiques is a special collection dedicated to Halloween decorations of years past.

"I have been an avid fan of collecting vintage Halloween since discovering a Munsters lunchbox at a tag sale for 25 cents when I was very young. Now, 50 years later, my collection has grown considerably, including papier-mache, pumpkins, metal noise makers of all shapes and sizes ... One of my treasured pieces is a paper napkin from a party held in 1911 and signed by all of the guests. I discovered it tucked into a book."

Sheetz has always been a fan of Gothic horror and creepy tales. He was obsessed with the TV show "Dark Shadows" and his favorite book was "The Haunted Looking Glass" by Edward Gorey.

"One of my favorite times at Wrenshall Elementary in the 1960s was the annual Halloween classroom parties. We would dress up in our favorite costume and then each class would proceed to the gym for the Halloween parade."

Kathryn Sheetz Nisula, Jim's sister, also remembers that following a parade there was always a party in the cafeteria. Their father was a distributor for Skelly Oil company and her grandmother adapted one of his uniforms for her to wear in the parade.

"When you're little, or even a bit older, it's fun to become an imaginary person or a colorful character and be creative. To me, that is the delight of Halloween," she said.

Tell me your Wrenshall Halloween stories.

Send Wrenshall-related news to annes [email protected] or call 218-310-4703.