Before Halloween, I read Jim Dodson’s column about how he had no children coming by his house to trick-or-treat. I was deeply puzzled by that.

I don’t know where he lives, but I spend Halloween at the home of Pete Gulley, on East Indiana Avenue in Southern Pines, where literally hundreds of children and their parents tromp by annually to see the goblins, skeletons, ghouls, spiders, cobwebs, boiling cauldrons, torches, grim reapers, jack-o’-lanterns, tombstones and a witch whose eyes light up and who talks to the children, and to collect their treats from the huge bags of goodies that are always available.

Many of the parents who bring their children were once brought by their own parents to trick-or-treat at the Gulleys.’

The process starts in early October, when the first of numerous props are placed in the front yard. Halloween is a Gulley family affair, and each year all of them of every age — parents, grandparents, grandchildren — get involved in preparing the spooky display that seems to grow larger with each passing year.

On Halloween night, the fun continues with a full family and close friends get-together, and later with the grandchildren dressed in full costume handing out the treats to all who come by.

We were all concerned that Mr. Dodson was missing out on a truly fun time, so he was invited to come by and have pizza and see how Halloween is done on East Indiana Avenue.

I waited to write this until after Halloween to give Mr. Dodson a chance to see Halloween as we do. He didn’t get to come, but I can assure you he missed out on an opportunity to witness a spectacular Halloween night.

Doris Smith

Pinehurst