Ghosts and goblins are afoot on neighborhood lawns, reminding me that one of America’s favorite holidays is just around the gravestone.

Back when we all trusted one another — perhaps 30 or 40 years ago — kids and teens looked forward to trick-or-treating going door to door.

Now — partially due to changing neighborhood dynamics and organized activities — trick-or-treating is not the only option for Halloween celebrators.

Halloween looked vastly different in the 1940s when I was a kid growing up in New York,

Trick-or-treating had not yet debuted in our neighborhood due to World War II shortages. Ready-made costumes were unheard of, and candy was scarce.

But to my 8-year-old mind, Halloween was a night of magic and fun.

I walked with my dad to my friend Colin’s house, where his parents

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