Living Family Archive

the Peterson’s chimney

Stories set here

Halloween Windows, Rackets, and MischiefBernard describes making a noisy Halloween device from a notched thread-spool, string, and nail. During junior and senior high, he painted storefront windows each Halloween, including a motorboat-race satire whose reference to parking and making out at the airport went entirely unrecognized. Someone put watermelon rinds in the Peterson’s chimney after they refused treats; Ray Rohrer or Butch Hannah was suspected. Bernard recounts stories of cruel tricks on children that he considers probably urban myths. He denies overturning outhouses himself, is uncertain whether Bob did, and recalls Bob's fondness for matches.

Events here

One year, at Halloween
Watermelon rinds in the Peterson’s chimney
An unidentified person put watermelon rinds in the chimney because the household did not give out treats. Ray Rohrer or Butch Hannah was suspected, not confirmed responsible.

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