Loudoun Notables Offer Sugary Halloween Sweets

Area Residents Have Tasty Treats Up Their Sleeves

By Cara McCoy

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Residents shouldn't be surprised to see Hannah Montana or Harry Potter standing on their doorsteps tonight greeting them with a toothy grin and the ubiquitous phrase of "Trick-or-Treat!"

Halloween only comes once a year, and people all over the county will be celebrating the Great Pumpkin's annual arrival. From trick-or-treating in towns and neighborhoods to the commonwealth's oldest parade taking place in Leesburg, there are plenty of options for kids and candy aficionados in Loudoun to get their yearly fix.

LoudounExtra.com got in touch with some of the area's notable residents to get the skinny on where to find the best goodies.

Many folks -- especially local politicians -- said they would be tossing out treats at the Leesburg parade. For non-trick-or-treaters looking for some serious sugary satisfaction, the parade route might be the place to be.

Either at the parade or from their homes, here's the loot some of Loudoun's residents will be handing out.

Leesburg Mayor Kristen C. Umstattd

Umstattd will have a regal escort in the Leesburg parade. On any other day of the year, you might think the 10-year-old girl by her side was her daughter, Kendrick. However, Wednesday night Kendrick will be known to all as Lady Gwenevere. The two will be tossing candy from Kendrick's red wagon along the Leesburg parade route. After the parade, the mayor and her daughter will return home to pass out Snickers bars, Almond Joys and Kit Kat bars.

Purcellville Mayor Robert W. Lazaro Jr.

Lazaro said he will be handing out Tootsie Rolls, Smarties, Kit Kats and Snickers, "all the stuff that Caroline and I –- my wife -- like." Lazaro said he only gets quality treats because, "Whatever's left over, we enjoy."

Hamilton Mayor Ray Whitbey

Whitbey said he tries to hand out a variety of treats, including candy and pretzels, "because that's what kids like," he said. "I notice this year on the market there's some single-serving microwave popcorn pouches, which we probably will buy."

Lovettsville Mayor Elaine Walker

The mayor will be accompanying her grandson trick-or-treating. She recommended residents check out the "Trunk-or-Treat" event at the Lovettsville Community Center after trick-or-treating is over.

Middleburg Mayor Betsy Davis

Davis, who lives in the Ridgeview area, said her house gets so busy that she just stands outside with candy.

"My mother got pretzels for the kids who can't have sugar," Davis said. For children looking for a sugar buzz, her house is also the place: She will be handing out miniature candy bars, including Mars bars, Hershey bars and Baby Ruths.

"We really have a good time," she said. "All the children are so polite."

U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R)

"Generally, he's not home for Halloween because he's at the Leesburg Halloween parade," Wolf spokesman Dan Scandling said. Wolf will not, however, be participating in the parade this year. Scandling said the Wolfs will be handing out M&Ms and Three Musketeers bars at their Vienna home tonight.

Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs

Gibbs will be working Wednesday night and won't be handing out candy, a Redskins secretary said. When asked about the type of candy one might expect at the Gibbs home, the secretary said, "I value my job too much to bother him with that sort of question."

Jason Bishop, a.k.a. "Lurch," one of the Junkies on WFJK

Bishop, commonly known by his moniker "Lurch" on the Junkies radio show on WJFK 106.7 FM, will be offering up Reese's cups, Hershey bars and Mike and Ikes – "all the essentials," he said. Bishop said his in-laws would probably be handing out the candy from his Broadlands home while he and his wife trick-or-treat with their two daughters, who will be dressed as Hannah Montana and Alice in Wonderland.

"I'm just going to be plain, old Dad," Bishop said.

Sheila Johnson, business owner and billionaire

Johnson, owner of the Washington Mystics, Salamander Hospitality and co-founder of BET television, is away on travel and won't be participating in Halloween events in Loudoun County, according to her staff.

Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce President Tony Howard

"I was planning to hand out whatever it is my wife thinks is best," Howard said, laughing. "We're both big fans of Halloween." Trick-or-treaters who venture to the Howard home in Leesburg will most likely be treated to "good old-fashioned candy bars" like bite-sized Snickers, Milky Ways and Reese's.

Pediatric Dentist Ajit A. Patel

"Unfortunately, I have to hand out candy because they might egg my house," said Patel, a pediatric dentist who lives and practices in Ashburn. Patel has seen his share of candy damage first-hand, saying he has had patients who eat candy every day come into his office needing 15 cavities filled at once.

"I stay away from (handing out) sticky, chewy candy because it's worse on the teeth," he said. But to reinforce good dental hygiene, Patel also hands out toothpaste and toothbrushes along with the chocolate treats.

LoudounExtra.com Blogger Tammi Marcoullier

Young children who knock on Marcoullier's door will be treated to a delicious selection of broccoli and carrots. Actually, it's a joke her husband likes to play – offering up overly healthy treats to watch the kids' reactions before handing them a big scoop of candy, she said. Her husband will be at home giving out treats while Tammi takes her two young daughters around the neighborhood.

What will the girls dress up as?

"They both picked the same costume – Jasmine (from the Disney movie 'Aladdin')," she said.

Scott York, chairman, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors

York will be tossing out candy at the Leesburg Halloween parade. "Hard candy mints and probably York peppermint patties," he said.

Will he be dressing up? "Some say my natural costume is scary enough," York said, laughing. Although he will be at the parade, he said his wife will be giving out candy at their Sterling home, although he isn't sure what kind.

Mike Firetti, candidate for chairman, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors

Firetti is known in certain circles by the nickname "Fireball." Fittingly, Firetti said he and his campaign staffers will be handing out Atomic Fireball candies that read "Firetti for Chairman" at Leesburg's Halloween parade. Firetti said he lives in an area where children don't trick-or-treat, so children should get their "Firetti Fireballs" at the parade.

Eugene Delgaudio, Sterling supervisor

No, that's not a pumpkin going door-to-door in Sterling –- it's Eugene Delgaudio. Complete with an orange tie, hat and cape, Delgaudio, whose campaign color is orange, said he will be handing out orange-wrapped Twix and Reese's as he goes door-to-door with his children tonight.

"I always buy candy, and ... it's got to have an orange wrapper," Delgaudio said.

"I'll also be handing out Kit Kats, even though they have a red wrapper," he said, adding that he likes Kit Kats because they have a nice jingle -– and even sang a few words.

Jeanne West, Sterling supervisor candidate

West will be giving out candy and balloons at the Leesburg Halloween parade to promote her campaign for Sterling supervisor.

"We wanted to get glow-in-the-dark (balloons) but couldn't on such short notice," she said. West said that where she lives, there are only sidewalks on one side of the street, so children tend to overlook her house. Although she won't be home this year, she said she will leave a basket of candy on her porch.

Loudoun Sheriff Steve Simpson

"We don't get trick-or-treaters because we live in the country, but I'll be in the parade in Leesburg throwing candy," Simpson said. He will be handing out Junior Deputy badges in addition to miniature Butterfinger bars and Baby Ruths.

"You can't really throw chocolate at the Fourth of July parade," he said, because chocolate bars melt in the summer heat.

Sheriff candidate Mike George

George said he lives in a townhouse, so trick-or-treaters have to go up a good flight of stairs to get to his door. He promised that it's worth the trek because he gives out good candy.

"I usually give out mini-Twixes, Milky Ways … stuff like that," he said. "Those are my sweet tooth. I had to buy stuff I like in case I don't give it all out." George will also be giving out candy at the Leesburg parade.

Sheriff candidate Greg Ahlemann

Ahlemann said he is giving out lollipops, Starbursts and temporary tattoos in the shape of a sheriff's badge at the Leesburg parade.

"We got a bunch of them made. I got the idea from my son who used to be big into temporary tattoos. And of course my son's almost 6 … he still loves them," Ahlemann said. He added that the tattoos were made in America so there is no lead paint to worry about.

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward

Residents across Loudoun County tonight will find trick-or-treaters, candy and jack-o-lanterns, such as this carved pumpkin near Aldie. (File photo)

Tom Reed, At-Large school board member

"I'm one public servant who keeps his promises, so that's what I'll be handing out," Reed said. At the Leesburg parade he will be dressed as Uncle Sam, handing out chocolate Dove Promises, along with ice scrapers that have the address of his Web site printed on them.

"It's better than handing out paper," he said, adding that people are less inclined to throw ice scrapers in the garbage.

Herb Bryan, At-Large candidate for Loudoun County School Board

Bryan said kids will be treated to Hershey bars, Snickers and gum at his house.

"We usually hand out the fun-sized, bite-sized candy that's individually wrapped so there's no question that anyone could have tinkered with it," he said.

Avis Arnshaw, owner, Mom's Apple Pie Bakeries

"I live 4.6 miles down a dirt road and have never had a Halloweener in 10 years," Arnshaw said, chuckling. Arnshaw, who called herself "more of a fall-celebrator than a Halloween-celebrator," said the pumpkins grown on her farm in Lucketts are used to make the pumpkin pies and cookies served in her stores. She said some lucky customers – mostly kids or "whacky adults" – are treated to candy corn or a pumpkin cookie in her stores on Oct. 31.

Lyle Werner, executive director, Good Shepherd Alliance

Werner said she and her husband don't hand out much candy.

"I'm blessed enough to live on the main route of the Halloween parade in Leesburg," she said, indicating that plenty of candy comes to them. Werner said that the two of them dress up –- she wears a fancy witch hat and he wears a full-sized Tigger costume -– and host a Halloween chili and hot dog party during the parade. The party has been a tradition at the Werner house for 10 years.

Maria Hardy, allergy blogger and mom

Maria Hardy, the mom behind the Allergy-Free in Loudoun blog, said she has a variety of candy ready to hand out at her Lovettsville home.

"I have Smarties, lemonade hard candy, gummy LifeSavers and Dum Dums," she said. Hardy's daughter has severe food allergies, so she pays a lot of attention to the ingredients in food. She recommends the Web site www.kidswithfoodallergies.com for more suggestions.

Mike Taylor, childrens pastor, The Community Church

"This year on Halloween -– although we do not celebrate Halloween -– we are telling our congregation that the lights will be 'out at church and on at home,'" Taylor said. "We're going to take that opportunity to get to know our neighbors and be there to bless the children who might come to the door looking for candy." Church members will be putting stickers on the candy they pass out that read, "We Love Kids." Taylor said he usually gets big chocolate bars or packs of Skittles at Costco or Sam's Club.

Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Unitarian Universalist Church in Sterling

Sammler-Michael said she and her husband don't expect too many trick-or-treaters this year because of where their house is.

"We have a long driveway off a busy road, but we will be there with the light on," she said. The congregation at her church sells fair-trade coffee and recently started offering fair-trade chocolate, so Sammler-Michael said she will buy some of the chocolates to hand out to children who might stop by.

Your Thoughts...

Are you happy that the school year is over?