Pleasant weather enabled thousands of Butler County children to enjoy the 2007 edition of Halloween. That is as it should be.

With proper conduct by the ghosts, goblins, witches and other characters trekking from house to house, the Halloween observance can be enjoyed by young and old alike.

Unfortunately, the community of Butler misses some of the fun connected with Halloween — as well as ignores a way to bring people into town — by not getting caught up in the spirit of the observance.

In some communities, civic groups, businesses and various other entities prepare a scarecrow or ghoulish display that people come to see and enjoy — and, perhaps, in the process, patronize local businesses.

Perhaps one successful aspect of Halloween 2007 — one that ought to be repeated in years hence — was the decision by all but a handful of communities to hold their trick-or-treating on the same day at about the same times. For the most part, that kept children young and older alike from invading communities in which they don't live.

Fun is at the foundation of trick-or-treating. It shouldn't be gluttony.

Some of the fun associated with Halloween in years gone by involved guessing the identity behind the mask and costume. When large numbers of trick-or-treaters from multiple municipalities descend upon a community's residents, that is impossible and some of the fun is lost.

And, it can be hazardous, with older children sometimes nearly trampling younger children—although more and more parents now accompany their children on the trick-or-treat journey.

So, for future Halloweens, Butler County communities should, as most did this year, set one trick-or-treat date, with the same or similar times, in an attempt to keep the observance more controlled and organized, as well as less expensive to the generous individuals who are prepared with hundreds of treats for all who come to their doors.

The date for the community trick-or-treating should be Oct. 31 — Halloween — whether that date falls on a weekday or on a weekend.

Meanwhile, there should be a movement in the city to get even more into the spirit of the occasion.

This year, safety efforts tied to Halloween were enhanced by the extension of Daylight Saving Time. From the Halloween perspective, hopefully the delayed return to Standard Time will continue to be the rule.

Regardless, communities consulting with each other about the scheduling of same-time, same-day trick-or-treating should remain an annual exercise.

Trick-or-treating should be looked upon with young-hearted anticipation, not dread fueled by visions of impending chaos.