Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
2 men shot during party in Fairlawn
Cancellation of Christmas not an option
Akron man killed in crash on his street
Akron Children's Hospital CEO, wife announce $1 million gift to support research
Victim of beating in Kent last week is declared dead at Akron hospital
Police: Pennsylvania man killed misbehaving puppy before Steelers game
Akron Circle K store robbed for second time this month
Several people hurt in Akron crash
KSU suspends basketball player
Police accuse bank robbery suspect of gobbling up note (with dashcam video)
Blogs:
Pets:
A Dog Named Christmas – Pet for the Holidays
The Heldenfiles:
Viewing Notes
Patrick McManamon:
Of pass interference and alleged "fake" injuries
Akron Zips:
No. 1 Akron to play Stanford next
Tribe Matters:
Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Audio: Mangini disputes Poteat call, accuses Lions of faking injuries
Kent State Sports:
Flashes travel to Florida Atlantic
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeye Football – Present and Future
Varsity Letters:
Gulley to visit Central Michigan in December
All Da King's Men:
The Onion, By Any Other Name…
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Glaring Contradictions
Akron Law Café:
Don't Try to Have Fun if you are Depressed
See Jane Style:
Vintage Chic
Car Chase:
What Automotive Thing Are You Thankful For?
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Faye Dunaway to be Evicted?
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Monique asks how to get tickets for the Polar Express.
Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why I am Glad I live in NEO
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
Tallmadge family's house gets ghoulish makeover for Halloween festivities
By Kim Hone-McMahan
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008
''Oops, too late!''
There are people who decorate their homes for Halloween, stringing spider webs on their front porches or placing glowing plastic skeletons in their windows. And then there's John Kerr.
For the past four haunting seasons, he's transformed his basement into a maze for his family and friends. Last year, nearly 300 invited guests, some of whom helped decorate, came to get the bejeebers scared out of them.
John had been wanting to create a haunted house at his home for some time. But his wife, Charlene, is no fan of Halloween (she's afraid of masks). So, John had to get his wife a bit juiced up before she relented.
''Get a couple of drinks in her, and she's agreeable to most anything,'' John joked.
But he knew better than to ask her to help decorate the cellar.
Even when it's not Halloween, Charlene won't go down there. The Kerrs' home in Tallmadge was built in 1826, the same year our second and third presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, died. And the year Sing Sing prison was opened.
''It's spooky. It's ugly. And it's dirty,'' Charlene said of the 900-square-foot basement.
A motorized trap door on the outdoor deck creaks as it opens. That's where visitors descend the steps to the world below.
Narrow passages lead guests to an autopsy room, a funeral parlor and the Lost Soul Tavern, where wakes are held and guests are offered drinks spiked with make-believe blood. In the yard is a cemetery with headstones made of Styrofoam.
''Rest in Pieces'' and ''Izzy Dead Yet?'' are scrawled on a couple of the grave markers.
The History Channel's Web site, http://www.history.com, notes that Americans spend about $6.9 billion (that's with a ''B'') each year on Halloween. After Christmas, that makes Oct. 31 the second largest commercial holiday in the United States. With all of that creepy merchandise available, it's a perfect excuse for people like the Kerrs to have a big party with all of the ghoulish fixings.
''If you're gonna to do something,'' John proclaimed, ''do it right.''
Kim Hone-McMahan's Sketches are short tales you can read before finishing your first cup of coffee. Know of a behind-the-scenes person or unheralded happening? Call 330-996-3742 or write kmcmahan@thebeaconjournal.com.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
