You can be a Secret Phantom in your Neighborhood

Haunt the Corner Where You Are

(reprinted in part from Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion)

"I don't know who started the sehanigans, but one October day several years ago, someone rang my doorbell. By the time I opened the screen they had scampered away, leaving behind a brown bag with a white paper ghost peeking out. I quickly scanned the nearby bushes: not a leaf fluttered. 'Who is it?' my 9-yr-old and 5-yr-old called in unison, hoping for playmates. 'A ghost,' I answered honestly enough.

"Inside the bag, we found a Halloween candle, two coloring books, a black-and- orange mug stuffed with an envelope of hot chocolate, and a poem:

The Phantom haunts you happily from now through Halloween And was delivered by a friend who (hopefully) was not seen.

The spirit of the neighborhood has come to wish you well Someone, somewhere, selected you to receive this happy spell!

You must display the Phantom on you door so all can spy That you're already haunted by this happy little guy.

Then fix three sacks with goodies like the one given to you, Ring someone's bell and leave a bag and make them happy, too!

"We immediately taped the white paper ghost on our door, and set to work filling three more sacks. The kids were giddy and breathless, ringing friends' doorbells then running away -- a prank that's usually punishable!

"Within three days, I could look out the front window at dusk and see half-a- dozen children streaking across yards gripping bulging paper sacks; it seemed every door was posted with the Phantom. I wondered how many other neighborhoods were seeing the same sight as families took sacks to classmates and friends on other streets, exponentially multiplying the fun.

"Even the families who don't participate in traditional Halloween trick-or- treating love the Phantom. It's a no-fail neighborhood warmer-upper -- everyone gets involved. You can't pass anyone on the street without thinking, 'Maybe he did it!' or 'Did she leave me that sack?'

"Evidently, the Phantom's generosity is contagious. As you watch your children wracking their brains to think of suitable treats for the sacks, you'll have to keep reminding yourself that these are the same kids who, Halloweens before, were stuck in the 'receive' mode: How much candy would they get? Now here they are, concentrating on how they can give and hwat they can do for others. Spooky, huh?"