The Great Firetruck Fiasco and Spooky Stroll Parking Plea

A couple of months ago, in the early evening, my friend and I were out for a leisurely walk around the neighborhood. We were mid-gossip when she pointed out some seriously black smoke billowing in the distance. Naturally, our curiosity got the better of us, and we decided to play detective. What’s a little danger when you have a good story to tell later, right?

When we arrived at the scene, we found a garage engulfed in flames. This was no small campfire; it was a towering inferno. The garage was just across the alley from a used car lot, with vehicles parked right up against the fence. Talk about a nail-biter! The garage was only about 40 feet from the nearest homes, making the whole situation even more nerve-wracking.

Just as we got there, the firetruck arrived too. Well, kind of. It parked at the end of the block because, of course, with cars lining both sides of the street, there was no way for it to get any closer. It was like a tragic comedy as the firefighters tried to maneuver their truck around the corner. Picture a three-point turn in a vehicle the size of a small apartment. They eventually gave up and decided to haul their hoses from around the corner.

As I watched this chaotic scene unfold, one of my worst fears was confirmed: How would emergency vehicles ever get through if there was a real crisis in our neighborhood? This was a fire, but what if it had been something even more urgent? The poor firefighters struggled to navigate the maze of parked cars, but they managed to put out the blaze.

The garage was a total loss—it collapsed—but thankfully, no neighboring homes or businesses ignited, and no one was hurt. The homeowners were out of town, safely away from the evening’s drama.

So, what’s the moral of the story? Well, it leads me to Spooky Stroll. Last year, despite clear instructions, many families parked along Henry Clifton Branch, Suwanee, and other nearby streets instead of the designated parking lot at Seminole Heights United Methodist Church. It was like a scene from a zombie apocalypse, with cars crammed into every available space and people wandering in from all directions.

Imagine if there had been an emergency that night. First responders would have had a nightmare trying to navigate through the chaos. This year, let’s make a pact to do better. The church parking lot is spacious and a mere four-block stroll to the garden center. Plus, it’s a perfect opportunity to burn off some of that Halloween candy in advance.

We’ll have volunteers at the church to ensure parking is a breeze, so please, for the love of all things spooky and safe, follow our instructions. Let’s keep the streets clear for emergencies and enjoy a fun, stress-free Spooky Stroll.

Thank you, neighbors, and let’s make this year’s event the best and safest one yet!