Overlook Drive Residents Bringing Halloween Fun

Although Gov. Chris Christie may have declared that Halloween is postponed until Monday, residents of Overlook Drive are hoping to give their children a little candy fun amidst the hurricane devastation.

About 10 children, ages 4 and 5, will be trick or treating on Overlook Drive around 3 p.m. Wednesday, according to resident Stacey Friedlander, who said they actually have power there.

"They need a little happiness today," she said. "Even our neighbors are happy to supply some happiness for this short event."

Friedlander said her neighborhood was lucky enough to have no wires or trees come down in the storm. They have power, she said, and the street is clean.

"We were even checked by PSE&G," she said. "There's not even a wire out of place, and one tree down in a backyard."

Because of that, Friedlander and her neighbors are organizing a small trick or treat event Wednesday afternoon in her cul de sac where there is no damage.

"We wouldn't do if it wasn't [safe]," she said. "You can get to our street from North Bridge and Foothill without incident, and anyone who can get here is what we're doing."

Friedlander said it is all about doing something for the kids, especially as they are on their second Halloween in as many years that has been ruined due to weather.

"The kids have been looking so forward to this day for so long, and it's the second Halloween in two years that is pretty much ruined for many," she said. "Whatever we can do to get people out of the darkness, emotionally and physically, for an hour is the goal. Candy and costumes and overall fun is the aim here."

But, Friedlander said, if there was even one wire down or problem, they wouldn't move forward with this 3 p.m. event.

"If the environment is safe and you can even do it for a half hour, let the kids have some fun and get them out of the darkness," she said.

Still, for many residents, they are happy Halloween was officially moved in New Jersey to Monday, and said they are not planning to take their kids out Wednesday.

Resident Melissa Rodriguez Musto said she has a 6-year-old daughter, who looks forward every year to visting relatives down at the shore for trick or treating. That, she said, is obviously not an option this year.

"I had to explain to her about the hurricane and that there are so many people with power, and flooding," she said.

Musto said she believes it is best to keep the kids at home, and wanted the holiday to be postponed.

"Some parents would let their kids go out, and it's really not safe today with all the downed trees and power lines, and everyone scrambling around to get gas," she said. "I think the best course of action for parents is just to keep the kids home."