Your experience might differ, but for the past month the Betster’s mailbox has been blowing up with fliers for political candidates and ballot measures. Out of either masochism or intellectual curiosity, yours truly has been collecting them in a box.

Holy pulpmill! The stack of brochures now measures at least 6 inches high. The Betster is just one citizen out of thousands, but apparently candidates and political action groups think my vote will tip the scales for their cause. It’s almost as if they think that if they can influence one voter to go their way, and then another, pretty soon they have enough to win. Huh — wait a second. Isn’t that how elections work?

The Betster doesn’t mind those missives, not really, as long as no one stretches the truth or gets mean, which of course would never happen in our civil society. Couldn’t those fliers be, well, less glossy? If printed on newsprint or some kind of combustible paper, we could at least use them as firestarter in our wood stoves. What if the paper was something easily compostable? You could turn it under in your garden. Or how about using rice paper and vegetable ink, so you could eat the darn things? They might make good spring roll wraps or something.

In the Pratt Museum’s “Greetings From the Past: History in Postcards” exhibit, there’s a postcard from Yule Kilcher, candidate for the Alaska House of Representatives in the early 1960s. It simply reads “Kilcher for the House, Aug. 24.” That’s it. Nowadays a candidate needs a five-point plan, a flashy photo and a few quotes from prominent political figures. Times change.

So what to do with all those fliers? Maybe we could make them into origami peace cranes. Or, they could work as roof shingles the way homesteaders used to use Blazo cans. All that glossy print ought to hold up in a December Chinook storm. Maybe they could be parts of Halloween decorations. Cut them into bones and make one of those giant skeletons that are all the rage.

We get a triple whammy this weekend, Betster persons: a full moon, Halloween and going off Daylight Saving Time. Bonus: You get that hour back you lost in the spring and an extra hour to sleep in on Sunday. We deserve it after this quaint little chaotic year, eh? That should give you the strength for next week, with the big election and all that stuff.

Hang in there. Be safe. If you proceed out on Halloween, tread lightly and remember those masks and social distancing. Celebrate the transition into winter, perhaps with these Best Bets:

BEST SHARING BET: Thanksgiving will be a bit different this year, but one thing will be the same: the annual Kachemak Bay Lions Thanksgiving Basket Program. Think ahead about how you can help. Know someone in need? Applications are available at First National Bank, the Food Bank, the Salvation Army, Anchor Point Food Bank and the Twin Rivers L.S. in Ninilchik. Apply as soon as possible so the food can be ordered. For more information, call David at 310-990-3455. Want to help pack baskets or donate? Call David about volunteering and send donations to Kachemak Bay Lions at P.O. Box 1824 Homer, AK 99603.

BEST GET SHARP BET: The needles will be sharp when Homer Medical Center and the West Wing Clinic co-sponsor a free Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31, in the Family Care Clinic parking at 4201 Bartlett Street in Homer.

This is just below South Peninsula Hospital’s Bartlett Street entrance. Follow the signs. All ages 6 months and up are welcome, and Brittnay Akee, Medical Assistant from Homer Medical Center’s West Wing Clinic will be administering the children’s doses. There also will be high-dose vaccine for seniors. For more information, call 907-235-0397.

BEST SPOOKY BETS: Though the big one-way street closure and the Haunted Hickory won’t be happening, there are other Halloween events in the area. Here’s a run down:

907Vets is hosting a Halloween Eve Walk and Costume Contest from 4-5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 on the Homer Spit. Wear a costume and mask, meet at the fishing hole at 3:45-4 p.m. to walk the one-third mile (while socially distancing) to the nice, new pavilion in the Homer Harbor. They will have a costume contest with prizes. Bring family and friends for fellowship and festivities.

There will be a Trunk or Treat event at the Anchor Point Senior Center from 3-4:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 in the parking lot. All are welcome. Decorate your car, bring the kids, and share a scare. Donations of treats are always appreciated. Call 235-7786 for more information.

The 10th Annual Anchor Point Trunk or Treat takes place at the Cheeky Moose from 4:30-6 p.m. Halloween. Trick out your car and hand out treats to the little (and big) goblins. A prize will be given out for the best tricked out car. Candy and other donations are very much welcome and always used. If you can’t participate, donate to any car or participant.

In Homer, Regent Life Church and Bozz Hogz will host a free Trunk or Treat event from 4-7 p.m. on Halloween in the restaurant/church parking lot at 672 East End Road. There will be food, games and prizes. For more information, call 907-235-5555.

Also in Homer, there will be a Trunk or Treat event from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 at Glacierview Baptist Church at 960 East End Road. This is a free event.

Homer Thrift will host a drive-through trick or treat event from 3-5 p.m. on Halloween, at 1067 Ocean Drive. Organizers will wear masks and gloves, and will be using grabbers to remain 6 feet from the participating vehicles.