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Hello Guys and Ghouls!!!
The land we were looking to purchase and relocate to is officially a " No deal!!! " We had to have the land cruised for timber and soil tests done for our investor. In the process of these actions we found we had been lied to by the current owner and the agent. I shouldn't be surprised by it but I am actually shocked. You would think that people who travel the same social circles would know better!?! Guess that's just not ture here!!!
To sum it up in a nutshell - the land was presented as a self sustaining property. One where your investment could easily be paid via timber, mineral and soil. All of which turned out to be completely false. For us it means our investor will not even consider the property. For the haunt it means we will have to continue searching for a permanent location.
It's really a shame too. If you saw it you would agree it was perfect in every way for a Haunted Attraction. But what else can you do!?!
Back to the drawing board!!!
Tina
Hello Guys and Ghouls!!!
Well I finally had the chance to see the property we are hoping to be our new haunt location. I met the owner and agent there this morning. They took me on an ATV tour of the entire property. I was in awe of this 230 acre property!!! Never have I seen such a perfect and beautiful place for a haunted attraction.
The woods already have clear trails perfect for visitors to walk through. There are several spots in the woods already cleared where building can be built for the haunt. There is a cypress tree stump, completely hollow inside, that is as large as my livingroom. I mean this thing is huge!!! It would be a perfect addition to the haunt!!! Several ponds are already on the property and it backs up to the river. What more could you ask for in a haunt location!?!
The property also has well, septic and electric ready to go. The lot where a home can be built is hugemongous, lol. There are two small sheds which have running water already installed. Both of these would be perfect for concessions/ticket sales. There is also a concrete pad with the cinderblock walls already in progress. When I say this is a perfect location I am not kidding. I'm still smiling from ear to ear.
Now all we have left to do is the financial part of the deal, a few more ATV tours for those involved and keep all our fingers, toes and everything else crossed. The timber, mineral and dirt properties just sweeten the pot. If I haven't said it yet I will say it now . . . That property is ever haunter's dream come true. So I'm off to make it happen!!!
Happy Haunting . . . Tina
Hello Guys & Ghouls!!!
I was hard at work on props for the haunt when a strange van pulled into my driveway. I did not know who or what to expect so I dropped my tools and went to see who it could be. To my surprise it was my adopted son and his family. Boy did they have a surprise for me!!!
Nana's new little boy Seth Michael . . .
What a hauntingly beautiful surprise!!! Needless to say I did not mind leaving my props for the rest of the day. They had not even called to tell me little Seth was born. They decided to just surprise me. I have to say that was the best yet!!! After they left I found it hard to go back to work on my props. All I could think about was that beautiful little boy, hehe.
Hauntingly Happy . . . Tina
Hello Guys & Ghouls!!!
As most of you know I am located in the hurricane zone of the North Carolina coastline. In fact we get a lot more storm activity than I would care to have. Every major storm that hits the US is of interest to me though. Before storms can make landfall I am already on the phone setting up drop stations for relief supplies, getting trucks lined up to transport the donations and contacting my usual consignment & thift connections. It is important for me to be able to help others suffering in the zone as it could one day very well be me needing the help.
What does this have to do with a haunt??? I have been giving it some thought and decided to include a donation night during our haunt every year. There was a lot of discussions, meetings and so forth concerning the idea but a workable and do-able solution was agreed upon. For one night we will allow guests to enter free of charge in they bring the following . . .
One complete set of clothing, pair of shoes and socks - all washed/ready to wear in good condition boxed together and clearly marked with size and gender on the box.
These donations will be stored with our friend's working with the Red Cross and the Salvation Army until they are needed for hurricane victims. The boxed donations are distributed much faster than bagged donations which must be sorted. That means those in need get them at a faster rate. It also ends the long hours of searching for clothing to fit.
When Punta Gorda, Florida was hit so hard we worked with the JROTC at the high school to fill an entire 18 wheeler transported directly to the Red Cross station nearest to the victims. Before Katrina made landfall we were burning up the phone lines setting up drop zones and finding driver's with trucks willing to haul. The local Armory gave us an entire room to store items being donated. Items included were food, water, clothing and baby needs.
So for those of you in disaster prone areas and even those who are not think about what your haunt can do to help others. Hurricanes, tornados, floods and even earthquake zones are all more than enough good reason to take donations. If you want to help but do not have storage space call your local Red Cross or Salvation Army. The Red Cross will tell you where to take the donated items to and Salvation Army will pick them up wherever you are. You could be doing a huge service for thousands of people. ANd keep in mind that one day you just may depend on someone returning the favor.
Happy Haunting . . . Tina
Hello Guys & Ghouls!!!
I have been looking for a new location for my haunt and think I may have found the perfect place. The location is actually closer to me than the current location is so that is a good thing, lol. Anywho . . . The place I am looking at has a great parking area, a good road, a large gate, a huge pond and extremely thick woods. This place also has a campground area with a couple small buildings already in place. One of these buildings is large enough for a consessions stand too. That is a major plus. And best of all the property is for sale!!!
We went to look over the property but did not get to walk over the property yet. From what we were able to see from the gate there is a long road through the woods that makes a horseshoe around the property. That would be great for the haunt. Now I'm sitting on pins and needles waiting for Monday to go walk the place. If this place turns out to be what it appears to be thus far our haunt will be making a huge step up. Did I say I'm on pins and needles yet!?! Lol!!!
This new location does have a potentially major downfall. Being in the hurricane zone I have to think about flooding and where the overflow from that huge pond will go. There is a small section of the road ( about the length of a full size pickup ) that tells me it could get flooded. There is a clear cut drainage area that will hold tons of overflow . . . but . . . the question is where does it go??? Being so close to the river it could go there or it could back up on the backside of the property. That is something I will have tinvestigate. Water on backside of property would mean my haunt could drown. But it well worth investigating. If there is a water issue there may also be a way to cater to it and add to the haunt at the same time. Can we say Camp Crystal Lake??? Lmao!!!
As for the current location I did find out we can have the haunt there this year. So even though I have this new and extremely exciting location in mind we may stick to our old location for this season. It really all depends on how much it will cost us and how soon we could make it happen. So close into the haunt season changing location would not be a good idea. We still have things set up that have that "been there" look about them. Until I have a financial lock on the other place I refuse to even consider it.
So wish me luck and fingers crossed we will be able to relocate for next year. I'll let you guys know when I find out more. Until then I'll catch ya on da flip side!!!
Hauntingly Happy . . . Tina
Hello Guys & Ghouls!!!
I just wanted to let you all know that I am holding my ground for my haunt. I have worked too hard and come too far to surrender. Instead I have decided to let the morons be morons and keep my own good graces with the property owner. There is just no reason why I should be punished or held accountable for other peoples actions. So as long as the damage is not directly related to myself, my family, my friends or my haunt the is nothing to keep me down.
You will be happy to hear that I am back to planning the haunt and prop making. I am no longer depressed about the entire thing. Instead I have a renew'd vision!!! I won't fill you in just yet, lol. Some things are still on the drawing board. But trust me when I say that it will be scarey no matter what it is, hehe.
Still haunting . . . Tina
Hello Guys & Ghouls,
I wish I could say I am writing this with a calm, collect'd head. Instead I am writing in anger and out right frustration. At the moment we are fighting to keep our haunt location. Thanks to some drunken idiots rip'n across Ted's field our haunt is now threaten'd.
Over the last 3 weekends my son and his friends have camp'd out at Ted's shed next door to his field. Each weekend my son or one of his friends have called us parents to the shed. Each time we found some drunken idiot raging across Ted's field that had no business there in the first place. These were no my son's friends or even with the boys for that matter. These idiots were adults and should know better!!!
After 3 weeks in a row of spinning, sliding and who knows what else Ted's field has nearly $3,000. in damages. As things stand at the present moment it seems our haunt will be the one paying the price. I don't blame Ted for being angry. I would be too. But put the blame where it belongs and leave our haunt out of it!!!
Right now all work on the haunt has come to a stop. Until Ted calms down and tells me for sure the haunt can continue. I am looking into other locations just in case. If we have to go with another location the haunt may not be ready in time for this year. That would really break my heart too.
So I guess right now I am praying for the best and preparing for the worst case. I hate the wait and see game. I need answers really soon or the haunt will have to be called off. The thought of it just sickens me.
 Tina
Hello Guys & Ghouls,
I will be around a bit more over the next few days. Our neighbor, the Grandmother & Mother of very dear friends, has passed away. Since prop making is a very noisey task we have decided to stop working to show our respect for the family. I just can't imagine making all that noise while my friends are in tears next door.
So until things are settled down at Papa's house I will be spending more time online during the day and quiet work at night. I will do my very best to catch up with everyone while work is on hold. I guess Ma knew I could use a break too.
Tina
Guys & Ghouls . . .
I can't believe what I found in the junkyard. You won't believe it either, lol. I was driving by ( mind you this has been 2 weeks ago ) and saw two large metal boxes on their side. I stopped to look at them and found out they were and old library card filing system - the inner case with drawers and the hollow outter shell. At first I thought someone had to have brought them for the junkyard owner. I just knew it was too good to be true. I went and asked if he was using them - He said take 'em. He did not have to tell me twice!!! We loaded those suckers up and I brought them home.
Now talk about your lucky finds . . . I got two in one there. These metal boxes are taller than me. I would say a good six foot tall easy. The box of drawers I will be using to keep supplies in - like teeth, brushes - small things that get lost easily, lol. Now the hollow shell is a different story.
The shell has a metal divider wall right in the center of it. This gives it a front and back section. I plan on turning it into a crypt for the graveyard. It will be set so that visitors will face one side directly - seeing a corpse inside. Then as the group is passing by the crypt an actor will be ready to jump out from the back section. How much more perfect could that be, lol.
I promise to post some pics of this as soon as I get another camera. Mine died over the winter. I hope by the weekend I can get another one but no promises. Anywho - I'm off to get some work done. I still can't believe I found such a thing in the junkyard. It was my lucky day for sure. Take care ya'll!!!
Happy Hauntings . . . Tina
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