Clear night observation of lumenescent object leaving a trail from east to north.

I was playing basketball between 2100 and 2200 on a cold October or November clear, star filled night (no moon) with two other youths.  The court was illuminated by service station lights just south of the school yard basketball court.  The object appeared from the east behind trees to directly overhead making a 90 degree change in direction to the north and went out of sight behind a church to the north.  Approach azimuth was approximately 20 to 25 degrees and the eparture azimuth was about 20 degrees.  It was in view seven to eight seconds.  The object was a little larger than a pea held at arms length with a two inch tail (arms length) that can best be described as the animated "Tinker Bell" wand.  It was sparkling and luminescent while fading about two inches behind the object.  I yelled at the other two guys and pointed to the north as it disappeared behind the church.  One of the other guys saw it just before it went out of sight.  This is as I remember it some 44 years ago!