Of Halloween haunts and autumn events
+Bolt your windows, lock your doors: October – and my favorite holiday, Halloween – is just right around the corner. Ah, ’tis the season to look forward to all year long, as summer fun gives way to autumn excitement, the time of year when the leaves turn to colorful red, yellow and orange hues; when football is in full swing; and when All Hallow’s Eve makes its triumphant return.
Faithful readers of this column should know that this is my favorite time of year, when my wife and I celebrate the Halloween holiday by traveling many miles to partake in a wonderful annual autumn ritual: attending several different “haunted” attractions, in the hope of being scared out of our wits.
Each year, we try to celebrate Halloween in style by visiting a number of scary places, and this year we have no intention of stopping this ghoulish tradition. The best part is, there are so many fright fests that are within driving range from Greene, including: Fright Farm in Smithfield, the Moundsville State Penitentiary, Phantom Fright Nights at Kennywood and Hundred Acres Manor in Pittsburgh, to name a few.
And this year, we’re going to try a couple of different haunted attractions that we’ve never visited before. For example, we’re checking out a place called “Scarehouse” in Pittsburgh, which a national publication by the name of “Hauntworld Magazine” recently rated as the “Fifth Best Haunted House in America,” so naturally we’re excited to check it out.
The other new attraction we’re checking out this year is called “Brooke Hills Spooktacular,” which is located in West Virginia. We are really, REALLY excited about this one. Why, you ask? Check out this tidbit from the Brooke Hills website: “It’s not uncommon for visitors to be dragged off from their friends and actually buried in open graves, or dragged into the house by our merciless monsters.”
Need I say more? I’m counting down the days.
And in addition to visiting the many “haunted” attractions, I also love Halloween because it gives me a chance to write some neat feature stories focusing on unique people who have a great deal of love for the macabre.
(Readers might remember the story I wrote several years ago about a lovely married couple who first met while working at Fright Farm as “monsters” and scaring the bejeebus out of unsuspecting patrons. They proudly called themselves “A match made in horror.”)
And this year will be no different. I recently had the pleasure of meeting another interesting local couple who don’t just love horror movies, they live them. They have made several horror movies (one which I recently saw – and thoroughly enjoyed) and have quite a fascinating tale that I will be sharing with you in the very near future. Look for the exclusive story in the Messenger very soon; chances are you’ll find it a real SCREAM+
+Of course, the autumn season is not just about Halloween haunts and horror movies. There are plenty of fall events – from memorial dedications and parades to historical attractions – that will offer a wide array of activities for youths and adults of all ages.
I was recently informed that a veteran’s memorial dedication will be held on Sept. 27 at the Muddy Creek Valley Cemetery. The memorial will feature the names of area soldiers who served in the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, as well as a number of soldiers who served during peace time.
The dedication program will feature remarks by state Rep. Bill DeWeese, a ceremony by Carmichaels American Legion and reading of the honored veterans’ names.
The new memorial came about through the efforts and desire of Betty Workman for a flagpole at the cemetery and Harry A. Workman Jr. to add a monument. Kudos to the many local folks and businesses and state officials for providing the funding or assisting in the construction of the new memorial.
And speaking of veterans: I was also recently informed that the Veterans Day Parade will be held in Waynesburg on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. The Greene County Veterans Council, who is sponsoring the parade, is seeking entries to participate. For more info, call Tom Boyd at 724-852-2773.
Oh, and here are some other tidbits that crossed my desk: This Saturday, Sept. 26, the Greene County Historical Society is holding its first annual Threshing Day. The public is invited to attend the event, step back in time and watch as this historic event unfolds. The event begins at 2:30 p.m. For more info, call the museum at 724-627-3204.
And don’t forget about the Historical Society’s 38th annual Harvest Festival, which will be held Oct. 17 and 18 at the museum. The celebration will once again feature area crafters and artisans who will be conducting demonstrations and will have items available for purchase. There will also be Civil War reenactors and living history demonstrations. Should be a great time for the whole family to “harvest” some history and fun+
+And finally, I would like to pass along some info that was recently sent to me from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Carmichaels, who will be distributing coats and clothing to people in need who come to the church on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The church is located at 224 S. Market Street in Carmichaels.
This is the sixth year for the Clothing Giveaway. Items that will be available include coats, jackets, hats, scarves, gloves, sweatshirts, jeans, and all types of children’s, women’s and men’s clothing. The clothing is all clean and ready to wear. And there will be many styles and sizes to choose from. The clothing is available to all who come, and there will be volunteers to help with the distributing.
Hats off to the good folks who are involved in this charitable event geared to helping those less fortunate. We’re always proud of our friends and neighbors who commit random acts of kindness, and we hope to see more examples of this kindness as the autumn months roll by+