Nighttime Trick or Treat

This was an article on Yahoo! today. Can't believe Oil City, PA made national news with this, but it is interesting. I'm so thrilled the towns in that area are going back to "night-time" trick or treat. Everything is so much more exciting in the dark. The kids can use flashlights and be spooked in the dark, and that's the thrilled of Halloween. So glad my boys will be able to know the joy of trick or treating in the Dark.

Real Halloween back for long traumatized Pa. town
Print By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI, Associated Press Writer Ramit Plushnick-masti, Associated Press Writer – Wed Oct 29, 3:14 pm ET AP –

Buildings of downtown Oil City, Pa. are reflected in the windows of a 'Haunted House' with a Dracula … OIL CITY, Pa. – For 16 years, real horror overshadowed the make-believe terror of Halloween in this Pennsylvania town, where trick-or-treating after dark was banned after an 11-year-old girl was abducted off the street and murdered.

But on Friday, pint-sized witches, princesses and vampires will once again be shuffling from house to house at night, thanks to a petition drive by a fifth-grader.

Elizabeth Roess gathered signatures, wrote an essay outlining her argument, and persuaded City Council two months ago to bring back nighttime trick-or-treating.

"I was a little scared that happened," Elizabeth said of the 1992 slaying of Shauna Howe, who was kidnapped while walking home from a pre-Halloween party. But she added: "I did this and now I'm so happy."

For weeks now, children and their parents in this struggling, working-class town of 10,000 about 80 miles north of Pittsburgh have been eagerly anticipating Halloween's return, though not without some trepidation.

Shannon Goodman got a tether to make sure her 2-year-old daughter, who will dress as a witch, doesn't wander off while they go door to door. "It's going to be a lot of fun, but every parent who cares about their kid should have that fear," she said.

Fifteen-year-old Braden Craig said: "I have a gut-wrenching feeling something bad's going to happen."

The police department plans to have seven officers on duty Friday night, or about twice the usual number, in addition to four school security guards and all 10 of the town's crossing guards.

"If this all goes well, that's great, that's fantastic. I long for those days, too. But the world has changed," said Police Chief Robert Wenner, a father of five who was a patrolman when the murder occurred.

The local radio station has been running a public service announcement by Wenner urging parents to accompany their children, examine any candy before it is eaten and make sure kids wear reflective material.

The police chief said Shauna's murder shattered the "Mayberry attitude" many people in Oil City had toward their hometown.

Shauna, whose family no longer lives in the area, was abducted on Oct. 27. Three days later, her battered body was found under a railroad trestle eight miles away.

With the town gripped by fear that a child killer was on the loose, trick-or-treating the next day was held in daylight for the first time. Police watched from helicopters as parents led their children from house to house along quiet streets.

Residents also began locking their doors and driving their children to school. And every year afterward, the City Council voted to allow trick-or-treating in the afternoon only, a move duplicated around the same time by many other U.S. cities and towns worried about children's safety.

The Oil City murder remained unsolved until a witness came forward four years ago and police turned to DNA evidence. Two brothers were arrested and convicted of murder and sexual assault. A third man pleaded guilty to murder.

Hoping to move Halloween back to night hours, Elizabeth, her mother, grandmother and family friends gathered 175 signatures. The 10-year-old also wrote a paper in which she made her case. Among her reasons: Halloween decorations are best appreciated at night, and many people aren't home during the day to give out candy.

The council vote was unanimous. Elizabeth plans on dressing up as a Goth princess bride.

"Unfortunately, Shauna's tragedy seemed to define Oil City for many years," Oil City blogger John Noel Bartlett wrote on his Web site. "It's time to move on."

When did you get so big?

They grow up too fast. I'll post more later, but for now here are the pics. Notice Johnathan's look of contempt. Love that face. And Jacob. . . when did he get to be such a little man?

Tricky Treats

Here is our model, Jacob, sporting both his and brother's costume. Jacob is going to be Batman, and Johnathan is going to be the red Power Rangers, of course. If you know Johnathan, he eats, sleeps and breathes Power Rangers. Although, Jacob wanting to be Batman was a total shock. I think the mask and the cape sealed the deal for him.

Wreck

Well, the good news is that Zachary and Michael are o.k., but the car is trashed.

Friday morning on their way to school Zach fell asleep at the wheel and rolled the car three times. Fortunately they walked away from the accident with cuts and bruises only. It could have been a lot worse.

Congratulations!

A friend of a friend who has been trying so hard for so long to have a baby has finally been blessed. Baby Owen Beale arrived today. He's just beautiful and I'm so very happy for this couple and their new little family.

My grandmother

Helen L. Sumosky

Helen L. Sumosky, 88, of 7 Vo-Tech Drive, Oil City, died at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, at UPMC Northwest, Seneca.

Born Jan. 8, 1920, in Oil City, she was a daughter of Leadum Denver and Anna Sherman Fox.

Mrs. Sumosky attended the Oil City schools.

She worked for many years in the cafeteria at Pinegrove School and retired from there.

She loved cooking and baking and was well known for always having something coming from the oven until her vision no longer allowed her that pleasure.

Helen’s biggest joy was her family and friends and nothing made her happier than a visit from her children and grandchildren. She loved music and playing cards with family and friends and especially enjoyed her Tuesday Card Club.

Mrs. Sumosky was a member of St. Venantius Church.

She was married April 18, 1937, to Edward A. Sumosky, who preceded her in death May 9, 1996.

Helen and Ed resided for most of their lives in the home they built at Kahle’s Corners, Fryburg Road, and loved the Perret’s Flats neighborhood.

Surviving are five children, Nancy Scierka and husband, Andy, of Rush City, Minn., Edward Sumosky and wife, Barbara, of Edinboro, Daniel Sumosky and wife, Sharon, of Franklin, Sally Albright and husband, Jeff, of Oil City, and Patty Huber and husband, Bill, of Rouseville.

Survivors also include 21 grandchildren, Kathy Hermansen, Barbara Scierka, Mary Jane Scierka, Michael Scierka, Andy Scierka, Elizabeth Wellman, Edward Sumosky, Steve Sumosky, Jenny Hull, Tina Zaczyk, Mathew Sumosky, Tracy Sheehan, Beth Campbell, Joel Balot, Jessica Balot, Anna Harry, Elizabeth Huber, Preston Huber, William Huber, Patrick Huber and Jonathon Huber.

Also surviving are 15 great-grandchildren and two on the way; two sisters-in-law, Ceil Jones of Whippany, N.J., and Betty Fox of Oil City; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Among the survivors are also special friends and neighbors, Jennifer Pardee, Kay Thompson, Phyllis Richardson, Shirley Dalton and Vi Shumaker.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by five brothers, Isaac Fox, Carl Fox, Fred Fox, Lloyd Fox and Paul Fox; and two sisters, Suzie Fox Fischer Martin and Marion Fox Porter.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Morrison Funeral Home, 110 Petroleum St., Oil City.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Venantius Church.

Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Venango VNA Foundation, 431 Allegheny Blvd, Franklin, 16323.

With all that has been going on

Just wanted to let you all know that there hasn't been any change with my grandmother. She's still resting comfortably, but it's really just a matter of time. She did not want any extraordinary measure taken to sustain her life, and at 89 years old I can completely understand that, in addition, she watch for seven years while my poor grandfather wasted away in a nursing home. I wouldn't want that for her, me or anyone I know. I'm hoping to get up to the hospital tonight or tomorrow to see her, but it's anyone's guess as to how fast or slow this may happen for her.

I'm just thankful that I had already planned this trip up home. I'm also very thankful, and greatful, that I have such a wonderful boss and work for such a compassionate company. I've only been here a little over a month and everyone has been so supportive and understanding. . . it's the little things, like genuine concern for my grandmother and my family that have been expressed by my co-workers that really make me appreciate this job. It's made a difficult time more bearable.

update

Things aren't particularly good for my Grandmother. She had a massive stroke yesterday and along with that she is in congestive heart failure. Top that off with the fact that they can't give her a drug which would have helped reduce the effects of the stroke and they can't give her Cumadin because it could cause her to bleed out. Apparently the combination of the drug they could give her for the stroke and the Cumadin are a bad mix and she can't have either at this point. In addition they can't put her on a feeding tube, and I don't know that she is able to eat due to the injuries from the stroke. She is being kept comfortable and had a restful night with no changes, but time will tell.

Again, I just ask that you keep her in your thoughts and prayers. This has been a shock to my family, as she was supposed to be released from the hospital the other day for something completely unrelated and was actually doing really well.

so

My mother just called to tell me that my grandmother is back in the hospital and they believe she may have had a stroke. I don't know how bad it is or what is happening yet, but if you read this, please pray for her.

Thanks,
Beth, John, Jacob and Johnathan