October 28, 2009

The joys of dressing up

By Sam Craig
The Chronicle

     Halloween is creeping ‘round the corner and the crooked-smile pumpkins, Styrofoam tombstones and fake, nylon cobwebs are popping up like zombies at an all-you-can-eat brains buffet.
     Trick-or-treaters are still looking for the biggest bag possible to collect their loot and mapping out the path to the candy bonanza.
     In The Dalles, those still looking for the perfect Halloween costume just a few days beforehand have found at Costumes to Suit Your Fancy on First Street, there are still plenty to choose from. There’s more than just out-of-the-box designs. They’ve got rentals of all sorts, meaning you can mix and match, creating a dream costume, like a gorilla-viking-fairy, a pirate-ballerina-werewolf or a hobo-wizard-king. Anything you want, they’ll be able to help you.
     “Someone requested a refrigerator,” said Suzi Eatwell, who works at the shop. “They want to have it so their head is in the refrigerator.”
     “We had someone who wants to be a hot water heater,” added Jason Eatwell, Suzi’s husband. “Which is totally doable. We try to make anything possible.”
With a great costume on, you can’t just sit at home watching “X-Files” reruns and passing out Fun Sized Baby Ruths, you’ve got to get out there.
     Got no Halloween plans?
     See all the choices below.
     Hallows Eve, with events across the gorge.
     Check out some of these events:

     Oct. 30:
     -Haunted Mansion Tour, 11 a.m., Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation tours ghostly architecture in Portland. A no-school Friday activity for older youth. Cost is $25. Sign up with Parks and Recreation, (541) 296-9533.
     -The Boo Ball, 8-11 p.m., DJ and dancing, 21 and older, 206 Madison St., The Dalles, a fundraiser for the future home of Wonderworks Children’s Museum. Tickets $20 available at Klindt’s and Wonderworks Playstation in The Dalles and Waucoma Bookstore in Hood River, include music and one free drink if you come in costume. (541) 993-3573 or www.wonderworkschildrensmuseum.org.
     -The Dalles downtown Trick or Treat, 3-5 p.m. (541) 296-2231.
     -Trunk or Treat by Mid-Columbia Car Club, 3-5 p.m., Burgerville parking lot, downtown The Dalles.
     -Stevenson Halloween Costume Party, 8 p.m.-midnight, Skamania County Fairgrounds. $10 singles, $15 couples. (509) 427-8911.
     -Spookhouse at Shaniko. bring the family, dress up & be spooked; pot luck & music; 6 p.m. at the School House. Call Shirley for more information, (541) 420-3751.
     -Mill Creek Point residents will welcome trick or treaters on Friday, Oct. 30, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Mill Creek Point is at 1201 W. 10th St.
     -There will be a Halloween Haunted House in Moro on Friday and Saturday, starting at 6 p.m. It is at 108 Scott St. in Moro. Admission is free but donations of non-perishable food for the Sherman County Food Bank are appreciated. There will be hot dogs on Saturday night. There will also be the Second Annual      Halloween House at the Wasco Railroad Depot.
     -Members of the Mid-Columbia Car Club will hand out goodies from their trunks in the Burgerville parking lot during the downtown merchants' trick-or-treat from 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30.
     - The Arc of the Mid-Columbia will present the Fourth Annual Monster Ball at Mid-Columbia Senior Center on Friday, Oct. 30, from 7 to 10 p.m. The cost is $3 per person or $5 per family. There will be prizes, dancing, costume judging and refreshments. For more information call (541)399-6802.
     - Cherry Heights Retirement Community at 910 Cherry Heights Road, in The Dalles will hand out candy to all the little ghosts and goblins of the community. Cherry Heights would also like to advise all the little wolfmen, and princesses to be very cautious, obey all crosswalk signs, and go home safe and sound to your moms and dads.
     - Haunted House at The Civic Auditorium from 6-9 p.m. Sponsored by The Dalles Wahtonka H.S. Key Club and The Dalles Middle School Builders Club. New this year is a “Tiny Tot” area with carnival games, so adults can enjoy the scary event. Cost is $1 and a can of food. All proceeds go to UNICEF.

     OCT. 31
     –Great Catsby Festival of Fleas casino night, 7-11 p.m., The Dalles Country Club, 4550 Hwy. 30, The Dalles, $25 per person. Tickets are limited and available at Home at Last Humane Society. (541) 296-5189.
     –Classic rockers Blue Tattoo play Halloween night costume party at The Vault, downtown The Dalles, 9:30 p.m., more than $1,000 in contest prizes.
     -Halloween costume party, Zim’s Brau Haus in The Dalles, 8-midnight, cash prizes, karaoke.
     –Goldendale Halloween Trunk or Treat, 5-8 p.m., downtown Goldendale, truck or treat, haunted house, hot dog feed. (509) 773-4941.
     -Fifth annual community safe Halloween event, Jewett Boulevard, White Salmon, 5 p.m. at the United Methodist Church. (509) 493-1309, wsumc@embarqmail.com.
     –Squrl’s Halloween Party (wear a constume), feature Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers, 8-11 p.m., The Pines, Second and State, Hood River. Costume contest with prizes. 21 and older. Tickets $25 in advance at The Pines and Waucoma Bookstore.
     -Ben Bonham Trio performs at the Rivertap Pub, 703 E. Second St., The Dalles, 7 p.m
     -Halloween Party at Mt. Adams Lodge. Kids costume contest 6-7 p.m., treats, prizes, decorations, potluck dinner, ghouls, goblins, black cats and more.
     -All trick-or-treaters are invited to Flagstone Halloween night to tri ck or treat from 6 to 7:30 p.m. There will be apple cider to quench the thirst of all those treaters, hot chocolate and coffee to warm up the adults and lots of lots of treats. For more information call 298-5656.
     -Halloween Haunted House in Moro on Friday and Saturday.
     -Second Annual Halloween House at the Wasco Railroad Depot.
     -A Halloween Haunted House and party will be held at the Rufus Community Center on Oct. 31. The cost for the party is $1 and admission to the haunted house is $3. Hours are 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. There will be free food and punch, candy and games.
     -There will be family fun at “The Good Life Harvest Festival” at Maryhill Museum. It will feature artist demonstrations, kids activities and some spooky surprises. It will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The art demonstrations will be from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4. Five artists, an alpaca owner and members of the Bowman Creek Fiber Arts will share talents with visitors. There will hands-on arts from 1 to 4 and storytelling from 1:30 to 2:30. There will be prizes for the best costumes.
     -Haunted House at The Civic Auditorium from 6-9 p.m.
     - Shaniko Spook House. Call Shirley for more information, (541) 420-3751.
October 31 - Trick or Treat @ Cherry Heights Retirement Community; 910 Cherry Heights Rd.