All ages are welcome to stroll through the Haunted Gardens of 4611 Springfield Avenue on Friday, 10/31/2008 from 5-7 PM. This year, Boy Scout Eagle Candidate Michael Motyka, of Troop 152, has partnered with the Squirrel Hill Town Watch & Police Mini-station to improve decorations and entertainment. The sponsors hope to provide a safe and fun event with several different treat stations, so kids who make just one stop can leave with a full pillow case. Cynthia Preston has prepared THOUSANDS of treat bags, and gotten donations of cookies from McDonalds, toothbrushes from the Penn Dental School, and toys and soft drinks from "Anonymous" sponsors. One neighbor donated 2,000 Tootsie Pops (and bought lots of candy to distribute at her own home). As always, Mary Ellen Cabry will act as the official greeter and my family will try to provide a "full" sized candy to each guest at the first 'stop' on the garden tour. One of the valued parts of the event is the annual photo web site. Many of our guests seem thrilled with access to their own photos and the chance to review the exhibits and to see the neighbors and friends who have shared in the fun. Folks can print or share photos from the 'public' link. This year, there will also be a "gallery", of 8"x10" glossies, from the 2007 event, for sale, at cost ($10/ framed photo). Here are links to photos of the last two years. Click on "slide-show"to see the thumbnails at full screen size. http://picasaweb.google.com/campionef/Halloween2007 <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> http://picasaweb.google.com/campionef/Halloween2006 We keep count by distributing Candy to kids (including College ages) and Pretzels to Adults. last year 2,400 people enjoyed the event. There is no charge for the tour or treats. Please feel free to forward this message to neighbors who might enjoy the event. Last year a few folks from local ESL programs wandered through, with great delight. This year, Michael wants to make a more deliberate attempt to include more foreign students and researchers in the experience of an American Halloween (as guests or as volunteers, as they prefer). Donations of time, talent and treasure are still welcome. The biggest "talent" needs are for folks to: Complete the Set-up, arrive at 4611 by 3 PM on Friday 10/31 to put out the more valuable and fragile exhibits and to set up the FX machines for smoke, bubbles, noise and strobe lights; and for "Act", in costumes, to entertain and distribute. Arrive by 4:30 ready to extemporize, or come a little earlier to practice roll playing. Special need is for someone with a French Beret who can be the "Art Critic" for the "Ghouls Gallery" distribution station. Take Digital Photographs (and allow the photos to be place on a 2008 link). We seek photographers with the patience to come early to capture the completed sets, and to stay for the duration to take a shot of every guest. Amateur snaps are welcome, but photographers must bring their own cameras. Clean up, from about 8-9 PM. Volunteers are welcome to stay for Homemade Soup and Veda's Birthday cake at the end of the event. Treasure needs include: Spider webbing (one green and lots of white). The local $-Stores have sold out. The loan of any cool FX or decorations that might improve the tour. Money gifts to buy treats. (Checks should be made payable to Squirrel Hill Town Watch, and can be acknowledged or anonymous, just let Cyndy Preston know your preference.) If you can help, please send a private e-reply to this post. Examples of Gifts already received: One talented and generous neighbor sewed a new, 45' tube, which doubled the length of the Basilisk, that is 'flying' out of the 'Chamber" pot, donated by Eric Kassab of Goffredo Plumbing. No donation is to weird as Eric's recycled toilet proves! Teens from West Catholic and members of Troop 152 have already donated their time and talent to assemble the Basilisk, string up Ghosts and install the blow-ups. We feel blessed that UC is a Halloween DESTINATION and considered a "Safe neighborhood". We appreciate the patience and cooperation of our near neighbors and look forward to many happy smiles on Halloween. All the best! Liz Campion
_____________________________________________________________ Click here for free information on nursing degrees, up to $150/hour http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2121/fc/Ioyw6i3nEnlXyZoebAMVJ2CvpB0ANumj2OQkr16n8RR9BKat53lLax/?count=1234567890
