Fifty high school volunteers were fed dinner and then served as guides taking children through both floors. The hotel staff dressed in costume and worked haunted house, a dozen carnival games, movies, arts & crafts, and a storytelling session.

The town mayor, Arlene Mulder, greeted guests in her best Minnie Mouse dress. The hotel's in-house production company, The Meeting House, festooned fixtures with cobwebs, built sets, and created special effects. The children were bug-eyed with delight and amazingly well behaved for all adrenaline rush that comes from make-believe and "treats".

Did parents love it? You bet! No worry about rain, darkness, safety, or dangerous play.

And what about hotel's paying guests? I can only speak for myself. The tiny clowns, brides, animals, spooks, power rangers, Alladins, lion kings, cowboys, and cowgirls carried me back to a time when I played outside at dark, carried flashlights with Mom & Dad, and warmed my cold hands with hot chocolate. The twins who appeared as oreo cookies, miniature Charlie Chaplin (even to his walk), and youngster who came as a quilted bag of M&Ms assured me that creativity and innovation were not dead.

There are lessons to be gleaned from Hilton's experience. What might you do to involve employees, community, and untapped resources that could generate short, mid-term, and long terms gains? Or are people with budgetary controls concerned more with what they'll lose rather than what they will gain? What would it take to see possibilities rather than problems?

As for me, I think I had better call now for my next Halloween reservation. This first-time event is, I'm sure, destined to become an annual treat.

MENTAL -- staying connected with your psyche.-- Self-talk is powerful when traveling. Why become angry and upset at weather delays (over which no one can do anything)? Mechanical problems are a fact of life. If at all possible, never book yourself on last flight to your destination. Always have a later flight. And if you can't make it, consider that you have been given a gift of time. -- Use time in flight to get caught up on journals, periodicals, etc. For me, a successful trip is when my briefcase gets lighter and pocket of seat in front gets heavier.--See your destination with new eyes. Consider that you are an explorer. Try something new: a restaurant, a neighborhood, a museum, even note difference of people. Keep a small journal and write observations. This also lets you bring home "more than work" to share with home front.-- Start day quiet. Meditate. Deep breathe. Allow enough time to get ready before you leave hotel.

Lastly, expect unexpected and let go of outcome. Do what you can for contingencies. Bring a cell phone, essential numbers and don't book last flight out. Then relax into uncertainty of travel. Stress comes from trying to control uncontrollable. Let it go.

© 2000 by Eileen McDargh. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.