135 Cranes Nest Drive

Growing up in the vibrant 90s, I was mesmerized by the images of children bustling from door to door, their laughter echoing through the night as they collected treats in their buckets—truly the magic of Halloween. But in South Florida, my childhood was woven with different threads; instead of autumn leaved streets filled with excited kids, we found ourselves confined to the sterile halls of the mall, where department stores offered candies to eager visitors. That was the reality I knew, a shadow of the magic I longed for. My heart aches for my children, who had to endure that same dull routine until fate led us to North Carolina, a place where possibility bloomed anew.

And when I saw our neighborhood in NC suddenly come alive with the warmth of door-to-door trick-or-treating, my spirit soared. For the first time, my children stepped outside into crisp, cool air, feeling the thrill of Halloween in its fullest glory. It was a fleeting yet precious moment—a glimpse of the childhood I’d always dreamed of sharing with them. Then, our journey took us to Cedar Crossing, a humble patch of dirt lots and a few houses—a place still carving out its identity. I knew it was a place of potential, a blank canvas waiting for all of us to leave our mark. That’s why Bobby and I created the community group—a safe haven for neighbors to unite, dream, and build together, transforming this quiet corner into a thriving neighborhood.

My soul has always been fueled by creativity. From painting to pottery, colorful makeup to countless projects, bringing something new into the world has ignited my spirit. Halloween, to me, is the ultimate celebration of imagination—a chance to dream wildly, craft freely, and let innovation run rampant. It’s a time when we can all shed our worries and embrace our inner child, regardless of age. And five years ago, a spark of inspiration lit within me: to promote the idea that Halloween is a family affair. Alas! We had the first year of the rainbow Jell-O shots. It became a passion and staple to craft rainbow Jell-O shots for the awesome adults walking through our neighborhood, turning Halloween into an inclusive, family-friendly festival of joy.

The inaugural small rainbow Jell-O shot was a modest beginning—tiny, vibrant, and full of color—but it was a labor of love. As the crowds grew, I knew I had to adapt, offering medium and large sizes to match the excitement and volume. But year after year, I dreamt of elevating this magic even further. Last year I’ve chosen a theme that’s steeped in enchantment—Hocus Pocus, and the timeless charm of the Sanderson Sisters. This year, we’re ramping up the magic and incorporating spooky surprises to enchant our guests, along with some creepy crawlies to educate and thrill. Don’t worry, Book is also returning since he hopes the Black Candle will be lit!