The Alternative Press

SUSSEX BOROUGH, NJ – The annual Halloween festival, run by the Sussex Recreation Committee, drew a fun-loving crowd of about 40 kids on Saturday, October 27.

“The Rec Committee runs this every year, for the local kids, it’s a team effort,” said Margie Holowach, who is one of the committee members.

Her husband is Councilman Robert Holowach.

"The town gives us a budget," Holowach said. "We also create events for Christmas and Easter. The kids have a ball!”

Headed by Stephanie McKay, the team also includes Lynn Meyer, whose husband Ed Meyer is Sussex Borough Council President.

Kathy Little, former mayor and councilwoman, and teens Taylor McKay, and Sarah Holowach, were guiding the youngsters at the pumpkin painting table. This dynamic and kind-hearted group created a magical atmosphere out of falling yellow leaves, and a few picnic tables. Their friendliness was equally matched by their enthusiasm.

The children had many fun things to do. They were delighted by picking and painting pumpkins, and when they were done, they lined up for the bouncy house. There were tattoos, delicious homemade treats, warm, buttery popcorn, a game of "Simon Says," and, of course, the parade, led by court jester Lynn Meyer.

The event was truly a family affair. The McMickle, Benner, and Smith children were joined by their parents, grandmother Donna Kraska, and great-grandmother Mamie Shauger. Kraska proudly announced she was soon to become a great-grandmother, making Shauger a great-great-grandmother. The cousins carefully protected and encouraged their baby cousin Wesley, the clown, who had no trouble keeping up with the others.

One of the boys exclaimed, “I’m having fun today, I get to go to a parade and then to Laser One!”

Kathy Little’s granddaughter, Kara Kovach made an eerie appearance as Slenderman, a creepy Internet creature with a penchant for lurking as a bystander, with an eerie presence. His vague and various appearances create a discomforting feeling of either being watched or influenced. He is between six and 15 feet tall, wears a black or grey suit, black tie, and has no face. Although he is completely passive, it is disturbing because he is there, seemingly with a purpose, which is never revealed. She played the part perfectly, throughout the whole afternoon.

After an hour of fun, Mayor Jonathan Rose, Council President Ed Meyer and Councilman Robert Holowach, had the difficult job of judging the parade. This was no easy job, considering that Little Miss Sussex Borough was a beautiful witch, Little Miss Daisy Duke (from the Franklin-Sussex Auto Mall event with John Schneider) was an adorable cowgirl, and they competed with a beautiful bride, Spidergirl, Slenderman, and Laura Ingalls-Wilder, Alexis Garrity, whose thrifty mom Tracy found her gorgeous handmade costume at a garage sale.

The boys were tough to judge too, with a veterinarian, fireman, ghoul, Dracula, Scooby-Doo a Baby Mutant Ninja Turtle, and Wesley, the clown.

The children were happy to march around the parking lot several times, and to congratulate the winners in a heartwarming expression of good sportsmanship.

Carol Bimbi, new to Sussex, commented, “This is nice they do this for the community. My brother told me about it.”

The Bimbi family is certainly due to find a welcoming community after surviving a house fire in Lake Neepaulin three years ago, and a series of unsuitable rentals where black mold problems created health issues for several of her seven children she said. After so many difficulties, she finally feels at home in Sussex Borough, close to her brother.

The Sussex Borough Recreation Committee announced that December 5 is the tentative date for the tree lighting festival. During the Christmas event, the 4-H kids come and get involved. The committee is also planning later in the year to resurface the basketball court.

“The neatest thing about these events is that our kids love getting involved in helping,” said Margie Holowach. “We do it for the kids.”

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