ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Want to do something fun this fall? The APG community is hosting a variety of fall activities for all ages. Best of all, activities are free.
Resident Halloween
Decorating Contest
Picerne Military Housing invites all residents living in on-post Family housing to participate in a Halloween Decorating Contest later this month. Judges will tour the Family housing areas and choose the best decorated yards in each of the neighborhoods. The winner and runner-up for each neighborhood will be chosen based on the creativity and overall impression of their yard and will receive a gift card.
Dates: Judging will take place beginning the week of October 29.
For more info: 410-305-1076.
APG Community
Halloween Party
The APG community is invited to attend a Halloween party, hosted by the APG Military, Civilian, and Spouses' Club. There will be activities for all ages, including a costume competition and dancing. Bring a covered dish to share and your best costume!
Date: Oct. 27 (RSVP by Oct. 26), 5-9 p.m.
Where: APG South (Edgewood) recreation center, Bldg. E4140.
To RSVP: Contact Terri Wallace at 443-372-5232.
Trick-or-treating
Date: Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: Residential areas
Trick-or-treaters on post are required to follow residential policy, which states that children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All trick-or-treaters are encouraged to wear reflective markings on their costumes and carry a flashlight. Personnel driving in the housing areas during the "trick or treat" period are cautioned to exercise extreme care, and to be especially watchful for young children who may not be readily visible or attentive to moving vehicles.
Detective Mike Farlow, APG's community policing and crime prevention officer, urged parents and trick-or-treaters to always be aware and cautious of their surroundings. Trick-or-treaters should only visit well lit houses, and older children should always trick-or-treat in groups, if they are not with their parents and carry a cell phone with them at all times. Parents should plan a safe route with their older children ahead of time, and set a time to return home.
"Remind them that regardless of their age, they should never, under any circumstances, enter the home or vehicle of someone they don't know," he said.
Farlow added that all trick-or-treaters are invited to visit community police at the McGruff House on Flag Court.
Army Substance Abuse Program Prevention Coordinator Cindy Scott recommends that children wait until their candy is examined for signs of tampering or damage.
"Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious," she said. "Tell children not to accept, and especially not to eat, anything that isn't commercially wrapped."
Scott added that Halloween is a great opportunity for parents to discuss with their children the dangers of mistaking medicine for candy and who is allowed to give them medicine.
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