OFFBEAT: Hammond Halloween memory prompts five-decade reunion

Larry Rapchak of Whiting shared the perfect Halloween memory from the region we all remember from so many decades ago.

"I recently came across a newspaper photo of me along with neighborhood friend Bev Kush, and my late brother Mike Rapchak receiving goodies from Mrs. Joseph Klish on Halloween trick or treat night back in 1955," Rapchak explained.

"It appeared in the old Hammond Times newspaper on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 1955, as part of a full-page, 17-picture photo gallery under the heading: 'How Region Kids Celebrated Halloween.' No photographer credits were given for any of the photos, but it's a great spread."

In this "blast from the past" newspaper clipping, Larry is wearing a Walt Disney's Donald Duck rubber mask and his brother Mike, who died in 2010, is wearing what Larry describes as "an equally grotesque" Walt Disney's Pinocchio rubber mask. Beverly is dressed as one of the cherub-like "Campbell's Soup Kids."

This story gets even better.

Larry and Beverly recently decided to get together and share some memories about the "good ol' days" of growing up along Magoun Avenue in Hammond.

"Bev" Kush now has the last name Mains and lives in Hinsdale, Ill., with her husband of 25 years, Bill Mains. They have three children, Ellen, Katie and Robbie. 

At their recent reunion, they discovered Mrs. Klish is still alive and well with a "spring in her step" at a spry 93 years old. She has lived in her same home since 1952, and spent the early part of her life working in an army tank factory in Hegewisch during World War II.

And today, Oct. 30, just happens to be her wedding anniversary.

She even says she recalls how on her wedding day, she and her husband walked from their home down the street to the photographer's studio while wearing their wedding attire, and the neighborhood kids all thought they were out trick or treating!

Larry and Beverly stopped at Mrs. Klish's Hammond home to revisit their Halloween memory and even snapped a "re-staging" photo of their 1955 front porch trick or treat moment, which they provided for me to share with readers.

A happy and safe Halloween 2011!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or (219) 852-4327.