While my two boys were inside Natural Heritage Finishes adding to their collection of sweet treats, I watched with curiosity the “scarecrow on a porch” vibe that was going on out front.
Was there someone in that costume? Seated casually in a chair, the character had a large pumpkin for a head, topped with a straw hat, and dressed in an orange and brown plaid flannel shirt. Blue jeans, white gloves and straw stuffing poking out at the joints completed the look.
Gallery: Trunk or Treat (Oct. 31, 2025)
A collection of photos from the Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce’s Trunk or Treat on Oct. 31.
The person did eventually move as my kids got to the candy bowl that the scarecrow was holding. But I walked away thinking it was one of my favorite displays at this year’s Trunk or Treat — definitely a festive costume with seasonal charm.
The annual Halloween event put on by the chamber of commerce in downtown Philomath was better than ever with a lot of candy stations for the kids to hit along with a few other fun activities and surprises. Mid Valley Columbia’s haunted bus returned this year and I believe I saw some cute ponies wearing cowboy hats.
At Home Property Management, located on the corner of Main and 10th, was one of the genuine “trunk” displays that I came across and they hit it out of the park with a setup featuring some eerie and spooky elements to it. In fact, there was some crazy-looking dude watching me from a glass jar with a clasp lid that made me a bit uncomfortable.
Many others also had very cool displays and I won’t get into a long list. But I will add that Chase Plumbing had a nice touch to their candy distribution by making kids reach through a toilet seat.
Oh, and thanks to Jay Faxon for letting my 7-year-old use the Les and Bob’s bathroom. I’ll admit it here — on our way in, he lifted an extra treat from what appeared to be your backup bowl of candy inside the store.
The best part of Trunk or Treat, though, was all of the cute costumed kids running around everywhere having fun with their families. Classic small-town Philomath moments.
2. Kings Valley volunteers honored
Two members of the Kings Valley community “who have volunteered probably over a hundred hours between them working on the fire station facilities, emergency equipment and fire apparatus” have been recognized by the Hoskins-Kings Valley Rural Fire Protection District.
Ron Anderson and Kevin Collins received recognition at the fire district’s Oct. 15 board meeting.
“For both of them, supporting the fire district is a way to give back to the community and our first responders (in an important way) that doesn’t require running into burning buildings or responding to emergencies,” said Brady Walters, deputy chief.
Anderson and Collins have a particular love for making things work.
“Some projects they have taken on include electrical work like repairing radios and flashlights, installing new flood lighting on vehicles, fixing water pumps and maintaining HVAC systems in vehicles and in the fire station,” Walters said.
All of the work they’ve done was 100% voluntary — much of the time without even being asked.
“It’s a labor of love for them and they both have much-needed expertise in those areas,” Walters said.
Anderson is a semi-retired engineer and award-winning classic car tinkerer, Walters said, and Collins is a retired Oregon State University elevator mechanic and chair of the Kings Valley Community Trust.
Congratulations to Anderson and Collins for their contributions to the Hoskins-Kings Valley fire district.
3. Election coming — but not here
For those wondering about Election Day on Nov. 4, Benton County residents will not be among those casting ballots. In short, there’s nothing for us to vote on here.
Elections are being held in counties that border us — Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion and Polk. “People living in Benton County will likely hear friends and coworkers talking about ballots and elections but will not receive a ballot themselves,” county officials said.
In all, roughly half of the counties in Oregon will be participating in November elections.
“This is not unusual for odd-numbered years, when special elections are held for local concerns like levies and bonds,” county officials said through a news release.
So, the next election for Philomath residents will be the primary election on May 19. The ballot will include two seats on the Benton County Board of Commissioners (Kings Valley resident Pat Malone is the only filed candidate so far), Benton County sheriff and various state and federal positions.
According to the Benton County Elections office, no measures have been officially filed. However, the Philomath City Council in October voted to put property annexations on the ballot. The Philomath Fire and Rescue board has also been in the process of putting an operating levy proposal on the May ballot.
(Brad Fuqua is publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He can be reached at News@PhilomathNews.com).
