Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Tuesday, October 14, 2003
Halloween spirit never dies for area homeowner
Some folks have potted plants or porch gliders on their front stoops — but not Joe Johnson's house.
His has a front door guarded by two hideous ghouls, and a coffin emblazoned with a gargoyle.
Johnson, of 2611 S. 15th St, has made a hobby of Halloween.
That's why he has such a flare for the frightening when it comes to outdoor decorating.
"I'm building an electric chair," he said, as if he were talking about putting together a model airplane. "It will have a dummy sitting in it and it will move like it's being electrocuted."
He also has been busy transforming his yard into something from a nightmare.
So far, he has created a cemetery and, with a bit of humor, encircled it with big plastic bones that light up.
The cemetery has nearly a dozen tombstones, surrounded by a tall, black wrought-iron fence made of plastic.
Then there are creepy-crawly things like bats and spiders, which cast an eerie orange glow after dark.
Johnson said his haunt is very much a "work in progress."
"I'll have three fog machines and speakers outside that play spooky sounds," he said. "I also dress up in a costume on Halloween night."
Why go to so much trouble?
"I love Halloween and I go all out. I want my house to be the one that kids can't wait to see," he said.
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