11/01/2026
🍁As November has arrived, I want to reflect over the last month of HP&R Festivities, our traditions & our Halloween-loving community.
🧡We wrapped up our fall sports with Flag Football 🏈 & our first try at the Fall Frenzy 🥎 Coed Softball League; we hosted the annual 💚🩷Glow on the Go at the City Lake; we supported the Red Hawks during Youth Night at Memorial Stadium ❤️💙; we partied with our Seniors 🎉; we enjoyed another Monster Maze 👻 for our Littles; we were in awe of our local artists in our spooky contest 🎨; 🎃pumpkins exploded during our first ever Drop; 🤡we scared the &@$?% # out of our brave attendees at the 🏚️Festival of Frights; our costumed cuties came for all the sweets at our Trunk or Treat🍬; & we walked the afternoon parade 💀 in downtown Hiawatha to cap off the month.
🍂October is my favorite.🍂
It’s busy.
It’s magic.
It’s exhausting.
It’s traditions.
It’s community.
It’s fun.
It’s volunteers.
It’s long days.
It’s spooky nights.
😭 And now it’s all over until next year 😢
13 football teams.
Over 100 Glowers.
4 softball teams.
2 dozen Seniors.
Over 350 through the Monster Maze.
9 artists.
Over 100 Drop watchers.
519 attendees through Frights.
More than 100 getting treats from trunks.
And hundreds racing for candy along the parade.
All jammed into 31 days.
🎃Halloween Season in Hiawatha is so special. Because, it’s not just a holiday. It’s not just a day. & it’s not just a night. It’s a month where our community shows up; where we go the extra mile to keep traditions alive; where we create memories for families that will last a lifetime.
So, thank you. Thank you to everyone who supports & participates in all of our traditions, events & fun. Thank you for acknowledging our value, our hard work & our intentions.
And a HUGE THANK YOU to our long list of volunteers who make our HP&R events successful, especially this month:
💚Glow on the Go:
Wendy Shoemaker
🎃Pumpkin Drop:
Brad Scott
Ryan Smith
Bear Carroll
Cassie Smith
🖤Haunted House Assembly:
Marlene Teeter
Mike Teeter
Tanner Lee
Jill Sprick
Connie Mathewson
Nancy Weingart
Deborah Geiger
Claire Geiger
Tyler Meyers
👻Festival of Frights Haunters/Volunteers:
Jill Sprick
Connie Mathewson
Nancy Weingart
Whitney Oswald
Marlene Teeter
Becky Shamburg
Kinley Shoemaker
Meg Kessler
Josie May
Tyler Meyers
Melody Vickers
Piper Jensen
Raina Dodge
Jean Brintnall
Ray Brintnall
Amy Larson
Karen Rowan
Ryan Olson
Jax Olson
Leo Olson
Preston Hillyer
Mark Sudbeck
Heath Simmer
Brady Jasper
Matt Mueller
SJ Smith
Alexa Young
Kellen Boye
Kairi Simmons
Deja Beck
Briley Siebenmorgen
Jaydee Siebenmorgen
Hannah Simmer
Leo Simmer
Gavin Mathewson
Brenner Lowe
Brody Grathwohl
Liv Boyles
Lily Edwards
Addie Spare
Anna Edwards
Burke Edwards
Jessa Diller
Juniper Williams
Matt Lock
Linda Lock
Levi Manche
Troy May
Caleb Manche
Eric Manche
Sergio Martinez
Scott Herlinger
Darby Herlinger
Dawn Boyles
And finally, to the BEST crew, MY CREW:
🧡Maryann, Bethany & Brad🧡
It takes a lot of work, extra hours & creativity to pull this month off. I couldn’t feel more grateful for the staff I have, as they understand my crazy, ADHD mind; they go with my ideas - understanding all their assignments; they work hard & always go the extra mile because we all love what we GET TO DO for our community.
🍁Thank you, again, Hiawatha {& all of our outside friends & neighbors as well!!} for another successful October!
🧡,
Stacy Jasper
HP&R Director & Fall Enthusiast
P.S. This month’s efforts were dedicated to the one & only, Christopher Diller. Miss him like crazy.
