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Powell River couple comes up with solution for candy distribution

COVID-19 creates Halloween challenges
Steve and Jill Waghorn Powell River
HOSE NOSE: Steve and Jill Waghorn have taken a new approach to handing out treats to trick-or-treaters during the pandemic by creating a Halloween pumpkin that looks like an elephant to help maintain physical distancing. Paul Galinski photo

Manson Avenue residents Steve and Jill Waghorn have always enjoyed getting their home decorated for trick-or-treaters. The onset of COVID-19 has resulted in a new approach to making sure children coming to the door can safely receive their treats.

“I had to come up with a way to hand out the treats in a safe and responsible manner,” said Steve.

He said he and his wife teamed up to create what has been dubbed the Amazing Pandemic Pumpkin Pachyderm. At the top of the Waghorn front entrance stairs, they have created a large, orange pumpkin that looks like an elephant, complete with a trunk made out of vent hose, and elephant ears.

It didn’t take that long to put the display together, said Steve. He found a piece of cardboard and Jill painted it orange to look like a pumpkin with elephant ears and the trunk.

“I knew I was going to do a tube of some sort but I wanted to create something with a Halloween theme to go along with it,” said Steve. “We thought of the elephant, so I decided to make it a Halloween elephant. This is just another version of our annual decorations because of COVID-19.”

The Waghorns usually get 30 to 40 trick or treaters on Halloween and have no idea what attendance will be like for 2020. He said it is unlike his sister’s residence in Westview, where they typically get more than 200 children on Halloween.

However, the Waghorns’ neighbourhood has been renewed somewhat with new subdivisions going up in the region of Powell River Academy of Music, which is in their area, so they may get more this year.

They have been living in their house on Manson Avenue since the mid-1980s and their children grew up at this residence, so the Waghorns have many great Halloween memories.

“We’ve always been big Halloween people,” said Steve. “I actually like Halloween better than Christmas for putting out decorations and making it look seasonal.”

Steve said he is hoping the weather cooperates for the trick-or-treaters, and that it is not windy and rainy.