Things got pretty scary on Pine Street last night (18 photos)
Tuesday, October 30, 2012 by: Connie Carello
The blood-thirsty, grim-reapiest, ghouls could be found lurking in the dark hallways of a 500-metre-long haunted house at the armoury on Pine Street last evening.
Members of the SSM Military Family Support Group and the 49th Field Artillery Regiment decided that Halloween is a special time of year and one worth some fun celebration.
Receiving some special help from Sault College’s Kristin Principe and Chantal McDonald, instructors of zombie hair and makeup courses in the continuing education department, the volunteers who dressed up looked very impressive and especially realistic.
Bombardier Kurtis MacDonald was found pacing with excitement: “We could not be happier with the way the haunted house looks. After the idea was put into action we had men here for four days to prep. I can’t wait to see people actually walk through.”
Geri-Anne Palmer, wife to Sergeant James Palmer, was recognized by those involved for pitching the idea to the SSM Military Family Support Group earlier in the year.
“I decided to mention that a haunted house would be fun," she said. "My husband loves Halloween so much and last year we had about 20 or so kids come to the house and he was so disappointed I started thinking what we could do on a larger scale to celebrate Halloween. Right now, my house is not decorated because we used all our decorations in the haunted house. Hopefully we can make it an annual event.”
May Adshead, SSM Military Family Support Group outreach coordinator said" “I am working with a mandate to support military families and these types of activities are really what it’s all about for me and it’s just fun, good old fashion fun.”
Although the event was an opportunity to dress up and have some fun, Adshead pointed out that the opportunity for military families to participate in such an event had a unique ulterior motive.
“Our son was deployed to Afghanistan in May of 2007 as a reservist. He came home, got married and continues in his military duties. As part of the Military Family Support Group, we talk, listen, provide moral support for those families of veterans who have returned from duty who may be experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, or more specifically operational stress Injury. These activities really provide the families with an opportunity to do things together, in a close group of people they can relate to."
From 5 to 6 p.m., military families were able to have the haunted house to themselves.
From 6 p.m. on, members of the community were invited in the scary, twisted hallways lined with material used out on military excursions like canvas and cam net.
One of the major things the Military Family Support Group intends to provide is the opportunity for the community of Sault Ste. Marie to express their support to the troops.
Donations were accepted at the end of the haunted house where hotdogs, bags of candy and chips, and other refreshments were offered as a thank you for “letting us spook you.”
Children of various ages attended and had the opportunity for the “Zombie maker,” Chantal McDonald, to use her makeup tricks once again, to paint their faces before deciding which glow stick they would choose to guide them through the house.
The red glow stick was for the “extremely scary tour” and the blue was for those maybe faint of heart.
From walking through the haunted house, glow-stick free, I can certainly say that there was one zombie in particular who had my skin crawling.
Staying true to character and breathing, walking, and moving like a zombie, he had me wondering if he would receive a casting call for a part on “The Walking Dead."
