I think I should give my six regular readers a heads-up about what is going on in the newspaper world as far as high school sports are concerned. Some officials are discouraging media people working from the sidelines of any high school sport to not take photographs while using a flash attachment.

I am sure the flash can be distracting to players, especially in a high-stakes play. However, it sure will play havoc with our sports pages from now on. If the media person is using a flash attachment, players can only be photographed entering the field or court, performing pre-game warm-ups, huddled on the sidelines getting instructions from the coach, leaving the field of play, or in any other non-competitive action.

Apparently there are flash-free cameras available, but they are a bit pricey. For a newspaper that covers two or three varsity sports in five different schools, they would certainly add up to a chunk of change. At this time Peabody Gazette-Bulletin photographer Janet Post will try to get pictures that don’t interfere with what the onsite officials require. She is good at catching action shots of our students and we appreciate the many photos she has provided for us in the past 12 years.

It is possible we all will have to get used to photographs of a slightly different nature from now on.

*****

Peabody Main Street Association is planning on another “Trunk or Treat” celebration for Halloween in downtown Peabody this year. The 2012 event was a smashing success with youngsters and their parents going from car trunk to car trunk gathering treats.

Local folks decorated car trunks, mini-vans, dune buggies, pickup beds, and golf carts in fun and frightening motifs from which to pass out their goodies. The Peabody Township Library board gave away children’s books no longer used at the library to the great delight of many youngsters.

PMSA provided a $100 prize to the best-decorated vehicle and the Peabody Fire Department was on hand with glow sticks and more treats.

This is a head’s up for those of you who joined in the fun last year, as well as those of you who missed out. It is almost time to do it again!

Be thinking of a fun and spooky theme for your car or truck and watch the newspaper for more details as the time draws near. Hopefully the weather will cooperate again and the turnout will be just as great as the last “Trunk or Treat.”

— SUSAN MARSHALL