Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: A tricky situation Date: Sun, 1 Nov 92 20:06:09 EST Message-ID: \SE A \HD A tricky situation \SH Celebrities scare up visitors with treats \BY Laurie Kellman and Lorraine Woellert \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES Four mop-topped masqueraders dashed to the back porch of Clark Clifford's Rockville home last night, screaming, "We love Clark Clifford's house!" But when they got to the basket of apples, Life Saver Holes and plastic finger puppets, they were a little disappointed at the home of one of Washington's best-known personalities. "Drat! No money!" said one child. Mr. Clifford, who advised presidents going back to Harry Truman, now faces charges in an international banking scandal. Trick-or-treating at the homes of Washington's rich and famous last night proved damp and chilly, Halloweeners found. Many houses, such as former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan's in McLean and actress Lynda Carter's in Potomac, were dark and closed up. But when Halloweeners found somebody home and treats for the taking, the night didn't seem so dark and stormy. Former New Hampshire governor and Bush chief of staff John Sununu's wife, Nancy, greeted children at her Oakton home with a selection of Smartees, Skittles and Nerds. Eight-year-old Mark Hennigan, dressed for the night as a pirate, praised her choice of treats. "That's the best kind of candy," he said. But everything paled in comparison to the buffet of candy and cookies on display at Hickory Hill, Ethel Kennedy's McLean mansion. Stanford Swinton, 11, gave Mrs. Kennedy high marks. "I love coming here 'cause they give you all the candy you want," said Stanford, who was dressed as a British constable. But trick-or-treaters there were asked to earn their candy. Before they even stepped inside, they had to pass underneath a 4-foot-high, red-eyed witch that dangled over the front stoop. Inside, wailing ghosts hung over the buffet table. Mena, one of Mrs. Kennedy's assistants, required a small favor of the children who wanted to have at the goodies. "We would like you to perform, please," Mena told the children. "Sing something, anything!" But instead of carrying a tune, most trick-or-treaters gathered up sackfuls of candy. Spread out before them was a heavenly assortment of Oreo cookies, chocolate bars, licorice sticks and apple cider. As Stanford selected his treats from the table, his father, Brian, gazed at the Kennedy family photos in an adjoining parlor. Hickory Hill has been home to President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline, and later Robert and Ethel and their children. Most recently, it was the site of Kerry Kennedy's wedding to Andrew Cuomo, the son of New York Gov. Mario Cuomo. For Brian Swinton, too, this visit to the stately home was a Halloween treat. "I look forward to it every year," he said, noting that he has brought his children there for the past eight years. "You look at the pictures and the letters on the wall, and you love coming here. I mean, I remember seeing pictures on TV of Bobby playing football right over there. With all these pictures around, it's almost like he's never left." This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM