Boo,  
            Ok, one thing at a time...  #1:keep working on your props. #2: the VOLUNTEERS: I know you would like to have it open every weekend in Oct, but, maybe, you should just have it open the last 2 weekends. Oct 24th, 25th and Oct 31st, Nov 1st.. It is hard for someone to volunteer every weekend with school, jobs, gas prices. My son and his friends wanted to come down and help, but, they live 235 miles away and have jobs and college. They can not come down every weekend but, They want to do one weekend.  Or you could have some volunteers pick what weekend they can help. It would be better to have someone one weekend for sure than to have them call off the next weekend at the last minute... Have a list of the weekends and let them sign up, that way, you can cover all the spots you need covered.  If it is only acouple weekends in Oct, I could help... #3: keep your eye out for some other place until you find out what the land owners are going to do....How much woods do you need????  #4: About the thing in the woods. We will get hunters to go in before dark, shoot off some guns, to scare whatever is in the woods.      I'll try to get by next week... RR

You know, you attract more bees with honey than vinegar and sometimes things aren't always as bad as they seem.  Leave the 'baddies' in the forest but in the meantime, figure a way to mutually settle the feud.  There HAS to be something wherein everyone can have a common meeting ground. 

Economics is also always against you, gas prices or not.  That might take a bit a creativity too.

Take a step back, allow things to cool down - and your own emotions to settle too, and revisit the situation in a month.  That still leaves PLENTY of time to get things together, if you change your mind.

Best to you!

Hi There My Dear
My Heart goes out to you...As "I DO KNOW" how that goes. You Work your A$$ off but getting folks to participate in the haunt is impossible...When I am talking to people about my haunt and when I make the comment "Good monsters ARE HARD TO FIND" ; they laugh...But I am DEAD SERIOUS!!!
Yep...Going through the samething right now. After Finding a location to put it and doing a lay out ..a few friends (3) are helping one gets Pissed and tells me today they need their tools back.. sooo I will go on and cut  the wood pieces the length I need and then I'm taking their tools back to them...THE END.
Some days I think is it REALLY worth the headaches.
Hang in there buddy
Big Hugs,
C.

PS I MISS talking to you.