Happy Halloween, Essex friends and neighbors. The first trick-or-treat crowd just arrived on our front stoop.

“Trick or treat!” they cried in chorus.

They explained patiently and politely (dare I say sweetly) what each of their elaborate costumes represented. Two Broadway-ready Cats characters, several elaborately disguised representatives from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and a sporty Derek Jeter doppelgänger.

They were so nice. So well spoken. So well mannered!

No tricks. And scarcely any treats. They each took a single wrapped treat despite my offers of seconds. I’d been snacking on Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Snickers all day long, unable to resist the temptation each time I passed the bowl. And yet these youngsters exercised restraint, said, “Thank you” and lined up for a photograph.

As they trundled off into the fading daylight I flashed back to a conversation I enjoyed less than an hour before. I’d been gathering maple syrup and other tasty victuals from the Reber Rock Farm Store when Katharine Preston commented on what an outstanding community we live in. I agreed, but my mind was leap frogging from topic to topic, fueled – no doubt – by too much chocolate and sugar.

And then this simple trick-or-treat encounter added an exclamation point to her observation.

There are so many little moments like this in Essex, simple, little happenings, that highlight the exceptionally good people in this community. I could’t summon more perfect children from all of the books and films ever made. Beautiful, interesting, articulate, adult-tolerant and exceptionally polite children. I know it’s not just the fabulous setting or the healthy local food. It’s the parents. And the friends. And the friends of the parents. Even tonight, when devious tricksters abound, Essex does us proud.

Thanks, Essex parents, and to all, have a happy Halloween!

Note: I should have snapped a photo of the costumed trick-or-treaters, but I didn’t. Instead I share with you one of several fun Google Doodles being rotated today at your favorite search engine. You can refresh the Google homepage to see all six, or you can check them all out here.

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