This piece was written in October 1969 by W.D. Fish, appearing in his popular “Golly” column in The Potter Enterprise. Mr. Fish passed away in December that year at the age of 94. He is writing of Halloween pranks.

Golly has seen many of these nights. He remembers his arrival in town in 1914 in early November. Scattered over the courthouse lawn were the pieces of boards and timbers that had been a band stand. Halloween destruction! Coudersport has never had a band stand since then. Maybe there is no need for one.

Golly remembers Halloween of 1923 especially. That was the time our daughter Barbara, now Mrs. Joe Heimel, was born at the hospital on South East Street.

Retiring home on North Main Street was really like running an obstacle course. Everything that was loose was piled in the street. Doorsteps galore were in the jumbles along with pieces of porch furniture, bundles of shingles, rolls of barb wire and everything that was loose. What a mess greeted Sunday morning a few hours later. We believe it was that year Ed Stevens, small grocer, lost his wheeled popcorn or peanut cart from the front of his store. It fell off the East Second Street bridge. It never came back.

Then there was a change. Coudersport Rotary Club was established. The club took the matter in hand, organized a costumed parade for the youngsters, gave them a treat and sent them home. There was no hell-raising. All the years Rotary has performed this duty there has been no destruction.

The thanks of the whole town go to Rotary.