Safe Halloween: It's a hallowed tradition in Westhampton

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

As it has for many years, the Westhampton Women's Club seeks to ensure that all local children enjoy a fun and safe Halloween by arranging for trick-or-treaters in Grade 8 or under to celebrate the holiday together.

This year's Safe Halloween, which organizers say will take place rain or moonshine, will begin at 6:15 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31, in the parking lot of Hampshire Regional High School.

At 6:30 p.m., participants, who are encouraged to bring a flashlight and a bag for collecting treats, will parade to the Town Common and begin trick-or-treating at nearby homes.

From 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, portions of South, Stage and North roads will be closed to traffic and the Town Hall will be open as a warming center where volunteers will serve seasonal refreshments. At 8 p.m., the church bell will ring and will signal the end of trick-or-treating.

In support of the event, town residents are encouraged to donate approximately 30 pieces of candy or alternative treats for each child in their household who will be trick-or-treating.

Donations can be dropped off at Outlook Farm on Main Road or at the Memorial Library in the center of town until Oct. 24.

Oscar Wilde production

This November, The Hampshire Regional Drama Company will present Oscar Wilde's classic drama, "Lady Windermere's Fan."

The production, directed by Michael Braidman, the company's advisor, will feature junior Sarah Labrie as Lady Windermere and junior Matt Boucher as Lord Windermere. "Lady Windermere's Fan" is described as a comical production with a dramatic twist.

The play is produced by junior Lucas Fitzpatrick and sophomores Alyssa Labrie and Cam Cote and the 30-person cast, stage crew and tech crew are made up of middle and high school students at the Stage Road school.

Hampshire Regional serves students in Grades 7 through 12 from Westhampton, Southampton, Williamsburg, Goshen and Chesterfield.

Performances for "Lady Windermere's Fan" will be held Nov. 4, 5, and 6, all at 7 p.m.

Tickets will be sold at the high school and are $5 for general admission and $3 for senior citizens, HRHS students and children age 10 and under.

For information about the play and drama company, residents are encouraged to contact Fitzpatrick at 695-9293 or by email at lucaszfitzpatrick@gmail.com.

Free flu clinic for seniors

The Board of Health and Council on Aging are offering their annual free flu clinic to all Westhampton seniors next week in the Community Room of Westhampton Woods on Main Road.

Board of Health member Mary Montague said the vaccines will be made available on Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. to all town residents over the age of 65.

When receiving the vaccine, Montague said recipients should wear short sleeves and be prepared to stay an additional 15 minutes after the vaccine is administered.

"We just want to be able to make sure everything is all right and everyone is feeling OK," Montague said.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com .