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On October 31st, 1975, new Westwood subdivision resident Arlis Johnson commandeered his 14 year old son David’s Frankenstein mask to greet neighborhood children as they went door to door trick or treating.

Mr. Johnson has worn the mask every October 31st since….a tradition many in the neighborhood look forward to every year.  

According to Mr. Johnson’s daughter, Sharon Nelius, “The mask was part of a Halloween costume my brother Dave wore in his trick or treating days. The mask is at least 55 years old and has had many strap repairs over the years.”

Nelius relayed two humorous stories about her dad and the Frankenstein mask.

“Several generations of kids have enjoyed seeing Frankenstein in Westwood. One Halloween, a man was standing with his children watching Frankenstein come to the door and commented, ‘There was a Frankenstein here when I was a kid.’ I let him know that was the same one.”

“Last year a boy came to the door trick or treating wearing a home made Frankenstein mask that he had constructed from a cardboard box. He told his mother he wanted to be Frankenstein like that man he always enjoyed seeing at Halloween.”

It turns out a mask is but a part of Mr. Johnson’s Frankenstein routine.

Ms. Nelius continues the story. “The Frankenstein routine starts when the doorbell rings and trick or treaters are looking through the glass of the front door. My now 86 year old dad dressed in a windbreaker zipped up, long pants, and of course the mask peers out from the kitchen doorway. Then, limping and lurching, he walks into the foyer towards the front door. Shrieks of fright and squels of delight come from the kids as he opens the door to pass out the wonderful assortment of Halloween candy.”

Last Friday night, Halloween night, Mr. Johnson was ready to go and the 50 year Westwood tradition continues.

    On October 31st, 1975, new Westwood subdivision resident Arlis Johnson commandeered his 14 year old son David’s Frankenstein mask to greet neighborhood children as they went door to door trick or treating.

    Mr. Johnson has worn the mask every October 31st since….a tradition many in the neighborhood look forward to every year.

    According to Mr. Johnson’s daughter, Sharon Nelius, “The mask was part of a Halloween costume my brother Dave wore in his trick or treating days. The mask is at least 55 years old and has had many strap repairs over the years.”

Nelius relayed two humorous stories about her dad and the Frankenstein mask.

    “Several generations of kids have enjoyed seeing Frankenstein in Westwood. One Halloween, a man was standing with his children watching Frankenstein come to the door and commented, ‘There was a Frankenstein here when I was a kid.’ I let him know that was the same one.”

   “Last year a boy came to the door trick or treating wearing a home made Frankenstein mask that he had constructed from a cardboard box. He told his mother he wanted to be Frankenstein like that man he always enjoyed seeing at Halloween.”

    It turns out a mask is but a part of Mr. Johnson’s Frankenstein routine.

    Ms. Nelius continues the story. “The Frankenstein routine starts when the doorbell rings and trick or treaters are looking through the glass of the front door. My now 86 year old dad dressed in a windbreaker zipped up, long pants, and of course the mask peers out from the kitchen doorway. Then, limping and lurching, he walks into the foyer towards the front door. Shrieks of fright and squels of delight come from the kids as he opens the door to pass out the wonderful assortment of Halloween candy.”

    Last Friday night, Halloween night, Mr. Johnson was ready to go and the 50 year Westwood tradition continues.