STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Ketchum firefighters Ash Bhatnagar and Kat Penberthy opened the rear doors of the Ketchum Fire District ambulance Thursday evening after pulling up to the parking lot of Ketchum’s American Legion Hall.

But, instead of rolling out the gurney, they rolled out a couple bowls of Halloween candy.

The two were there to take part in the American Legion’s inaugural Trunk or Treat.

Participants opened up the trunks of a dozen different SUVs for the occasion, including the local Girl Scouts who have used the American Legion as a meeting hall.

Elvis, in the person of Derek Svenningsen, was in the lot, although handing out candy was more his thing than singing “It’s Now or Never.”

Sharon Payne Bolton showed up as a fierce pirate bearing treasure chests of Snicker bars and M&Ms, her pooch Betty Bolton Jr. peeping out of the bag she had slung over her pirate’s vest. There was no looting, as was the case of her predecessors--she was content to share the wealth, encouraging trick-or-treaters to help themselves to 100 Grand chocolate bars.

And Jimmy Karmin appeared to have been inspired by the inch of snow that had fallen on the valley earlier that morning. He set up two skeletons with 20-year-old K2 skis mounted on their bony feet.

“Vince Baertschi contributed these skis,” he said, referring to the 35-year resident of Ketchum who worked for Smith Sport Optics and Eye Safety Systems. “We lost him to cancer this year, but he’s with us now.”

Ed Simon said the American Legion decided to host the event to give back. And members want to bring awareness to their newly remodeled meeting hall, which can be used for wedding receptions, community meetings, celebration of life gatherings and more.

We want to support the community, said one member, and we want the community to support us.