Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Monday, October 11, 2004
Jaycees move haunted house to Clearwater Farm
By day, the Clearwater Farm pole barn looks more like a workshop then a den of terror. Upon nightfall, the large red building will be transformed into eight rooms crawling with spooky visitors.
The Onalaska Area Jaycees will have a haunted house at Clearwater Farm to raise money to help the farm buy supplies. The farm is a new location for the Jaycees.
"We are in a partnership," said Brian Maringer, a Jaycee participant from Onalaska.
"Some of the money we raise from the house will be given to the farm to cover the cost of hay for the animals," said Maringer.
The community service organization will donate to charities such as Special Olympics, Red Cross, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association as well.
Maringer has worked with the Jaycees for four years and the haunted house for five. He said this year's house has more rooms and scenes than in previous years.
"We were in a trailer last year. This building gives us more space," said Maringer.
Not wanting to discuss the gory details, Maringer said everything in the house will be different and visitors can expect to be frightened.
"On a scale of one to 10, I would say the house is about a nine for scariness," said Maringer. "You'll just have to go through it and see for yourself."
Jaycees volunteers said the house is for adults and suggested children 10 and younger not enter. "The final decision would be made by parents," said Maringer.
"We'll have a Kid's Day on Oct. 16 with a pumpkin patch and face painting," said Ruth Symitezek from Blair, Wis.
Maringer said the haunted house is set to run four weekends this month and should attract 400 to 2,000 people per night depending on the weather.
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