A "Ginger" Halloween

(Local View from 4'2, Lake County Press, October 30, 2026)

As we approach Halloween I am always reminded of a kind soul who lived in Two Harbors during my childhood, Ginger Sellman. She and her husband Bob were friends of my parents. They were kind community leaders who made Two Harbors a great place to grow-up in.

Halloween was never my favorite holiday. I mean, the free candy was great, but the means in which we had to get the candy for me after age 7 was not so much fun. At this young age, I did not have the words to describe this world and the emotions it brings. I now know this world was not created with me or my wheelchair in mind. I could count on a couple of fingers the houses that I could knock on and say, “Trick or Treat!” All of the other houses had lots of step ups or stairs without railings so even before my wheelchair became a permanent aid I could not really enjoy the holiday my peers gloated over. Plus back in my day we had more snowy or icy holidays than we currently do- yes, the Halloween blizzard of 1991 was one of my last big memories!

Well, Ginger and other lady friends made my few older Halloweens very special. They reverse trick or treated by bringing me treats and never tricks! From candy, to fun craft projects, to fun Halloween decor, these ladies brought joy and care not just to a kid missing out on fun but to my whole family.

The reality is that infrastructure and broken systems will always fail us and even new ones can still bring out hurt, harm, and brokenness. As I continually work to break down barriers in our world, I am always reminded that it is the humanness that makes this world a better place. It is the kindness of Ginger and women like her that see a need, engage others to help fill a need, and leave a positive impact on people and the community which makes a legacy of kindness, inclusion, and belonging. We don’t need big fancy systems or buildings. We just need neighbors seeing neighbors willing to truly see the needs and do whatever we can to fill those needs. So this Halloween, be on the look out for access needs, have a blue pumpkin meaning you are sensory friendly, plan ahead and have non-food treats too! You never know who might be writing an article about your kindness almost forty years later. Go be a Ginger!