There’s a sweet tradition that takes place around Halloween in communities around the Upper Valley.
Residents who live in the more rural parts of towns — including Norwich and Strafford — donate candy to those who live in village centers and get the majority of trick-or-treaters each year.
In Norwich, Marion Cross Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization passes out 91 bags of candy containing at least 100 pieces to households on Main, Hazen, Cliff, Trumbull, Church and Carpenter streets and the Norwich Fire Station. Households on Elm Street, Jones Circle and Lary Lane each get a one or two small bags of candy.
“Interestingly to me, every year we’re able to fill those exact numbers,” said Molly Munsterer, of Norwich, who has coordinated the candy collection for the PTO the last four years. “It always comes out that we can give at least that much, which is neat.”
During October, residents drop off candy at Marion Cross, Dan and Whit’s, Norwich Nursery School, the town clerk’s office and the Norwich Public Library. About once a week, Munsterer, along with fellow PTO members Liz Gemignani and Katharine Navins, stop by to pick it up. The candy is distributed to homes the Friday before Halloween.
“Everything gets busy the week before Halloween,” said Munsterer, whose children are ages 5, 7 and 9. “It does get to be a lot. My trunk is always full of candy because I’m always picking up and bringing it home.”
Each year, hundreds of trick-or-treaters descend on downtown Norwich. The fire department passes out hot dogs, and there’s a festival at the Norwich Inn, which is co-sponsored by the Norwich Recreation Department. The Boy Scouts and members of the American Legion put together a haunted house at the post.
One Carpenter Street resident keeps track of the number of kids who stop by his home and reported his findings to Munsterer.
“He said over 500 is pretty much guaranteed,” she said. “The people that live downtown are still going overboard and buying more to fill the demand. We are so appreciative of what they do.”
This year, Canaan is trying out the tradition for the first time, after a resident mentioned that her mother, who lives in Canaan Village, gets overwhelmed with trick-or-treaters to recreation coordinator Chelsea Martin.
“I thought it was just such a great idea,” Martin said, adding that it’s a good way to “try to take the pressure off people who are downtown,” especially those who might live on a fixed income and still want to give out candy to trick-or-treaters.
While Martin said she was unsure how many trick-or-treaters visit the homes around the village, she was certain that it is in the hundreds, as Canaan Elementary School is nearby.
Candy can be picked up by contacting Martin at Canaanrec@gmail.com or 603-359-6926. It will be distributed at the Canaan town offices from 6-7 p.m. Friday and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30.
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
