Halloween 2020
November 1st-
I'm not one of those people who usually ponder such things, but I think that the year 2020 will probably go down in history as one of the strangest. Covid-19 which caused something called 'social distancing' while folks rioted in the streets. Toilet paper and cleaning supplies became a commodity and it was required that you wear a mask (of any type) before you entered a retail store. They put up 'credit cards or exact change only' signs which raised a few eyebrows. But when you think about it, schools no longer teach counting back change, so it's not all that illogical, I guess.
It was election year which made the run-up to November third even stranger and piled on the conspiracies. I, for one, are still in bewilderment how the world changed in just 10 months.
Halloween 2020 would also get on the history books as one of the more unusual. First of all, Halloween would not only have a full moon, but it was a Blue Moon. Something that doesn’t happen all that often from what stargazers tell us. It was also highly recommended that kids not carry the time honored Halloween tradition of Trick or Treating. Even though masks are usually involved anyway.
A couple of weeks ago I received an email from a radio colleague whom I have known since I started my radio broadcasting career.
Robin Grube could be found on many different radio stations in the Treasure Valley and is a wealth of information on the history of Boise Radio. We became friends when we both worked for a local station located on Cassia Street, and later, worked for many radio stations in several western states. He has since retired from broadcasting (he says its almost possible). Recently, he took a quick drive down one of Boise's historic neighborhoods to see the elaborate Halloween decorations in the daylight. That neighborhood street is famous for handing out the best treats on All-Hallows-Eve. He pulled over to the side of the road where he found a very unique Halloween music tribute decorated in the front yard of one house. He wrote:
-The two attached pictures on this forwarded email are of a yard on Harrison Blvd. in Boise's North End. Halloween is a big deal on Harrison Blvd. Most homeowners put up elaborate yard decorations, dress up in costume and pass out candy to thousands of trick or treating children. Candidates for public office election even campaign there on Halloween night, perhaps the scariest thing of all! As across the country, the horror of coronavirus/covid-19 have changed plans on Harrison Blvd. The North End Neighborhood Association says residents may distribute candy if they want to, but trick or treaters are encouraged to participate in a socially distanced scavenger hunt instead.
Sandy (his wife) and I cruised Harrison Blvd. on Sunday afternoon. The coolest yard display by far is this tribute to dead rock stars. The homeowners put a lot of effort into enlarging photos of dead rockers, many of whom belong to the famous "27 Club" of stars who died at age 27. I won't list them here. Feel free to enlarge these pictures yourself and have your own scavenger hunt to see how many you can identify!
At the top of the page, there are his pictures that he attached. The email went on to explain that we lost three more Rock and Roll artist that didn’t get a lot of attention in the press. He reported that Spencer Davis, the multi-instrumentalist whos band recorded 'Gimme Some Lovin' and 'I'm A Man' died at the age of 81. Even though his name was out in front, he didn’t sing. He left that up to a young Steve Winwood. Tony Lewis, the bassist and singer of the English rock band The Outfield passed at the age of 62. They had a big pop record in the States with 'Your Love.' The last one Robin reported was Jerry Jeff Walker, who was the guy who wrote 'Mr. Bojangles' while he was a guest of the county drunk tank in the mid 60's. He was 78 and was battling throat cancer.
The home owner must be a rock and roll lover and not that death is in any way is ‘Fun’. Just that it was something else to think about during “these difficult times.” Robin had found a way to make Halloween fun again.
To be honest, I’m not really sure who I feel about having Elvis Presley being reduced to Halloween yard decorations.
But what really made the world shudder was when the news on Halloween morning announced that Sean Connery died at the age of 90. I thought, what else can 2020 throw at us? It really is the end of an era.
My friend, Robin, concluded his email by saying that everything happens in threes. Sean had not passed when he wrote that, but I could help but think that there maybe two more surprises around the corner. Thanks for that thought Robin.
Happy Halloween.
