This season's festivities have not missed a beat through the years. The first nippy weekend has long enticed teens to go on hayrides. Pumpkins continue to appear on doorsteps. For years kids have ganged together to rake leaves into crunchy forts and Halloween has consistently loomed in young minds fancying what to dress up as on October 31.

While the attraction to fall traditions persists, some practices have changed. We didn't have the ready-to-wear costumes available today at Target or Wal-Mart. In our family, we had to make do with "stuff" from our closets, attics, or basements. I remember one summer we had gone to Ludington, Mich. where I got a pair of Dutch shoes. Those wooden clogs inspired that year's Halloween costume. We also recycled skating or dance recital costumes. In short, we could be whatever we could cobble together.

We didn't have designer containers to put the sweet loot in either. We toted brown grocery bags. Our treats were simple. Those were the days when you could get an apple, some popcorn, or homemade candy. One neighbor lady gave us nickels. That was a super treat because we could buy lots of things for a nickel at the corner drugstore.

What's more, come to think of it, I have not heard youngsters chirping "trick or treat" when they come calling. We did. Yes, we would ring the doorbell and then exclaim together, "Trick or treat!" It was always a relief when residents responded kindly with a treat.

While going door-to-door has declined sharply in recent years, I well remember being invited indoors to visit with some of the favorite neighbors as we made our rounds. Today's trick or treaters are more inclined to dart from house to house, usually accompanied by a parent or two. All too often the costumed kids don't even take time to introduce themselves and share the fun of their disguise. Halloween in the good old days might just hold some pleasantries that could make today's celebration more meaningful - even with today's cautions.