Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Getting ready for Halloween is an all-out effort for Sue Kegler



For many years, people have stopped at a big blue house
on Andy Avenue in Winsted, on Halloween night to be greeted by spooky and
sometimes, downright ghastly things.

All kids who enter love to see the 30 to 35 interestingly
carved pumpkins, the dancing skeletons, and the foggy cemetery setting that
awaits them on the front porch of the Steven and Sue Kegler residence.

The Halloween scene is the result of days of preparation.Kegler Halloween scene

Kegler Halloween scene

Weeks, even months before Oct. 31, Sue Kegler is busy at
her sewing machine, hand-sewing close to 20 costumes a year.

“I kind of started making my costumes when Larry Neumann
was the director of the school plays at Holy Trinity,” said Sue. “I
remember doing ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ and ‘Cinderella.'”

Sue has also made baptismal gowns for religious ceremonies,
but said that anything to do with Halloween is her favorite.

“I just love Halloween,” Sue said. “I mean,
when else can you dress up as someone or something you dream to be, and
go out and get something you aren’t supposed to have (candy) except on Halloween
night? I think that’s what makes the whole night so special.

“The only bad thing is that after a few hours, it’s
all over with. I wish they would start earlier in the night, even in the
afternoon, so it could last longer.”

“I love to sew and make costumes, as well,” continued
Sue. “When people ask me for a costume, but aren’t sure what they want,
they usually end up being a clown ­ especially the littlest kids. Clowns
are so vibrant with their bright colors, and I always use the brightest
striped material I can find.”

Sue said she will have 17 costumes made by Halloween night
this year, with one of them even being shipped as far away as California.

She added that she gets requests from all over the area,
including families from Annandale and Cokato, as well as Winsted.

“One of my favorite costumes I’ve made was for a little
boy who was really shy and quiet,” said Sue. “This boy was so
shy we had to go outside to take measurements ­ he didn’t want to go
through our porch because it was all decorated.

“His costume was a Teenage-Mutant Ninja Turtle, which
had many parts to it, knee pieces, elbow pieces, and it just took a lot
of work to make. On Halloween night that year, his mother took him to a
costume contest in Howard Lake where he won first place.

“He came back to my house and ran through the porch
and gave me a huge hug. He was so excited, and screaming, ‘I won! I won!’
That is what it’s all about, right there.”

While Halloween might just be one night, it is definitely
a big deal at the Kegler household.

“All of my kids are coming home this year for it and
my grandson gets to trick-or-treat in Winsted for the first time,”
said Sue.

“Halloween is just such a cool night and it really
involves the community in so many ways. We get to open up our homes to these
kids and the whole night is so much fun.

“Sometimes, the littlest kids get scared by all the
lights, fog, and the strange sounds, so then, we have to bring the candy
outside to them,” said Sue. “We always let the kids take as much
candy as they want, and for the past few years, it hasn’t been just candy.
We’ve given out Halloween pencils, coloring books, rings, and WWJD (What
Would Jesus Do?) bracelets.”

Steve said that if they keep adding new decorations each
year, he’ll have to build a special shed just for Halloween stuff.

Sue confesses to taking a look at everything the night
before Halloween and thinking, “Does it look too gaudy?”

According to Sue’s daughter, she needn’t worry.

“No, Mom, gaudy is good!” her daughter reassured
her.

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