THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 25, 1995 TAG: 9510240526
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA MCNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
On a dark and stormy night many years ago in Transylvania, a man crept into Count Dracula's castle, and from the late count's chest he plucked the very stake that led to the demise of that vampire.
That man, says Tim Stephenson, a member of the Real Smithfield Jaycees, just happened to be a close friend.
``That's why we have the very stake, right here, still dripping with blood,'' Stephenson said, his lip curling as an eerie laugh erupted in the hallways of the Jaycees' building.
The alleged stake that killed Dracula is just one horror among the monsters, witches, ghosts, ghouls, goblins and spooky spirits waiting for the brave-hearted at the Real Smithfield Jaycees' haunted house this year.
The house is carved from the Jaycees' building, which is on the corner of James and West Washington streets, across from the Isle of Wight County Library/Smithfield branch. After weeks of constructing sets and hallways - even a mini-graveyard - the house will be open from 7:30 a.m. to midnight each night beginning Friday until Halloween.
In its second year, the haunted house has become one of the organization's biggest fund-raisers. Jaycees last year raised $3,500. This year, the goal is $5,000.
The proceeds will be split between renovation of the building, once an agricultural site for the old Smithfield High School, and community projects like the Christmas Parade and the Children's Fishing Rodeo.
``We've been working hard to try to get the building in condition so that it can be used by the community,'' Stephenson said. ``This year, we want to finish the bathrooms and complete some electrical work we started. The main meeting room will also be painted.''
But for now, the bulk of the building has been transformed into a haunted mansion filled with all kinds of surprises.
All of the 30-plus members have worked hard on the haunted house, said Patti Stephenson, Jaycees' president. But the project has been her husband's ``baby.''
``Tim took two days off from work and went to every thrift shop in the area shopping for props,'' she said. ``He's been researching haunted houses.''
There is little reference material around, Tim Stephenson said. But this year will build on last year. And last year was very successful from the standpoint of scary.
``We actually had to stop the show at one point last year,'' he said. ``We had to turn on the lights and bring the kids who had run screaming from the building back in to meet the monsters.''
Admission to the haunted house is $4 for adults; $3 for children. For more information, call 357-9136.
If you're lucky, Dracula might answer. He's still searching for his stake, you know. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by LINDA McNATT
Patti Stephenson portrays a fortuneteller at the Haunted House.
by CNB