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Tots Treated To The Spirits

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By JOHN CEBALLOS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 3, 2007

Updated: 11/01/2007 09:56 pm

RUSKIN - A group of children in South Shore got a head start on trick-or-treating the day before Halloween.

Nearly 30 youngsters in the Ruskin Recreation Center's Tiny Tots program took part in the park's annual Halloween party aimed at its youngest members. The event started at 10 a.m. and featured colorful costumes and a visit to the Ruskin Senior Center next door.

"It's a good event because, for some of these kids, it's their first Halloween experience," said Janice Chastain, senior recreation specialist.

The Tiny Tots program features arts and crafts activities for children ages 3 to 5 every Monday and Tuesday at the recreation center, 901 Sixth St. S.E. The Halloween party has been an annual tradition at Ruskin's only recreation center for two decades.

Parents and other caretakers accompanied each child as they gathered in the Tiny Tots classroom and created Halloween decorations out of construction paper.

Later, they took a short walk over to the senior center, where they sang "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and collected candy.

"It's a fun thing and definitely something out of their routine to see the kids come in with their costumes," said Lynn Voss, supervisor at the senior center.

The children then proceeded to each of the park's classrooms where a member of the staff or a volunteer was waiting to hand out sweets, which had been donated.

"My son's gone down the list every year for Halloween. First he was Winnie the Pooh, then Tigger, then Eeyore," said Miguel Mendiola, a Ruskin resident who also volunteered during the event. "This year he switched it up a bit and dressed as a clown."

By the end, everyone had gotten in the Halloween spirit a day early and, more importantly, every one of the Tiny Tots went home with a bucketful of candy.

"It's always a little chaotic with all the young kids and all their costumes, but I think everyone had a really good time," said Joy Robinson, senior recreation leader.

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

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