The date: October 29, 2026 – The place: Russell Street, St. Paul, Virginia

IT HAPPENS EACH YEAR – – – Local citizens of tomorrow from the J. Fred Matthews Memorial Library’s preschool programs visit St. Paul’s businesses in an observance (just for them) of Halloween. Along the way, they are given treats, but the event is also a treat for those of us who get to see them.

This year’s costumes were delightful, and the weather was perfect. All the children exhibited good manners. The St. Paul Police Department was in attendance, making sure the children were safe at all times. The youngest children traveled via strollers with motive power furnished by their parents. The larger kids walked. For them, it was probably a long walk. Even so, none of them looked tired. In fact, most were revved up with a level of energy those of us over 55 years of age no longer possess.

Below, you’ll see photos of the library’s Trick or Treaters and their family members. There’s also an elderly fat man in the photos who is wearing a costume, too. He’s dressed as the editor of a small-town media outlet – and is obviously having a great time 🙂

We’re sharing the photos you see here for the enjoyment of the family and friends of these precious children. Usually, we ask everyone to pose beside the CVT for a group photo. I was so busy handing out treats this year that I forgot to ask them to do so. My bad – maybe next year!

So…in the immortal words of Bugs Bunny, “THAT’S ALL, FOLKS!”

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Photo Credit: Cody Forsythe