Haunted Front Porch

By CHRISTINE JOHNSON

Photo by HATTIE FOOTE

It’s that time of year again when we put away the beach chairs and umbrellas and break out the pumpkins. We’ve experienced an odd weather pattern with heat lingering, but we must push those last days of summer aside and prepare for the leaves to change and cool air to appear.

Coronado takes on a different spirit in October. Local shop windows become showplaces of creativity, and coffee shops smell of pumpkin spice (does everyone really like that?). There’s just something magical about the fall season. Let’s not forget that October also ushers in the best and scariest day. Kids start to plan their costumes, parents decorate with the perfect skeletons and witches, and every generation seems to put together an elaborate plan to make their house stand out on the street. Halloween allows us to be something we are not. It is a night to dress as a character you love or simply decide you want to scare everyone with oozing blood and green slime. And let’s not forget the candy! I think Halloween was the only day of the year when my parents didn’t tell me to stay away from sugar, it was a free-for-all.

Halloween has both Celtic and Christian influences. It began as a celebration to welcome the harvest at the end of summer, with bonfires lit and people wearing costumes to ward off ghosts. In Christianity, it’s the evening before All Saints Day. Regardless of the history or the endless tales of how it became a night of tricks and treats, it is a night to come together and spend time with family, friends, and your community. Coronado has a way of doing all of that with the various festivities planned for all ages each year.

My absolute favorite Halloween ritual is dressing up and sitting on my front porch passing out candy. No longer having a younger one in my house, I love to see what the kids have chosen as their costumes and how their parents join in the fun dressing up, too. Is there anything more fun than going house to house to see who gets the most candy? Or hearing the breaking news that there is a house on B that is giving out whole candy bars!?

If you are planning a Halloween party or just sitting on your porch contributing to the community’s dental bills, I have an elixir that will go with your night. It’s a drink that is adult and kid-friendly and made even more fun by adding dry ice for effect. Here’s to the community of Coronado, the creative kids, and the fun adults who make this night special ◆

Place fresh blackberries in a large bowl — mash until fully broken. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing the pulp to release the juice. Discard solids.

Pour blackberry juice into a large punch bowl. Stir in sweet tea, water, and lime juice until well combined. Gently stir in ginger beer, bourbon, and frozen blackberries. Serve over ice. Garnish with lime slices.

October is for ghouls and goblins, so you can add dry ice to the punch bowl for an extra Halloween spook.

Make this Kid-Friendly for Halloween by Leaving Out The Bourbon