| There is a nip in the air, the leaves are turning and the meadows are coveed with a mist. These are sure signs that fall is upon us and the ghostly spirit of Halloween cannot be far away. Therefore it is time to take our annual visit to the timeless town of Hauntsville so see what is haunting this year. So put on your mask, grab your trick or treat bag and lets stroll the streets of Hauntsville 2015. |
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| The pavement ends at the Village Entrance and we will have to get our feet a bit dirty on the dirt streets. The ancient wrought iron entrance sign beckons us enter. To the left of the lane is the Fun House operated by the Franklins. Each year they set up and operate a free fun house for the village children. I can see that there is already a line forming to take the tour of the house. If you tire of waiting, you can always take the hay wagon ride through the village and catch the fun house tour on your way out. To the right of the lane is Doris Franklin's Pumpkin Patch. Each year she has the best pumpkins in the area and she will offer carving lessons to those who need or want them. |
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| The Fun House tour and Hay Wagon ride are always favorites for kids of all ages. |
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| Doris has once again out done herself with her pumpkins. I see several masterpieces already carved and she seems to be in the middle of completing another. It looks likethe Mitchell's two sons have selected their pumpkins and are heading for check out. The old pumpkin wagon has just arrived to deliver a new supply of pumpkins so I'm sure there will be plenty to go around. |
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| The village church is certainly the most picturesque building in town. The building date back to w hen the village was first settled back in the late 18th century. The original stained glass still remains in the old windows. To the left of the church is the old cemetery with markers dating back hundres of years. Some village families have relatives buried here and regularly come to the grave sites. The church looks lovely settled into its grove of colorful maple trees. |
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| In the old cemetery (to the left of the church) I can see at least one tombstone overturned and another old grave opened. The resident ghost seems to be giving the site visitors a bit of a fright. |
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| To the right of the church and through the entry lane I can see the wrought iron side marking the entrance to Haunted Hallows Homes. we will stop and tour the homes on our way back. |
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| Just to the right of the church we can see both the grave yard maintained by Mordecai Mould. He seems to be holding a lantern to help his staff set into the earth the most recent casket. Good thing the casket is closed, there is a vulture hovering who seems to be looing for a meal. |
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| Mordecai not only runs the mortuary and is the cemetery overseer, he also acts as the guardian at the entrance to the Wizard's Realm. There are plenty of warning signs to advise us to keep out, but if we can sneak past Mordecai we can enter a strange and magical world. Let's give it a try. |
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| Just inside the gateway to the Wizard's Realm is the house of Gandor. Here magical spells are cast to satisfy local customers. We should be careful not to disturb the mummies who see very intent on getting shmewhere---may we should follow along? |
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| The mummies seem to be heading to t he Wizard's Theatre for tonights showing of Dracula. There seems to be some popcorn still available for those willing to step up to take it. Do you want a bag? Witch Gandor is caasting some spells onher magic star, so maybe we better be careful where we walk. Looks like the magic ingredient for this spell is bat wings as there is a jar of them sitting on the steps. |
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| The dragons here at the realm have been getting a bit out of control. Recently the renown dragon training wizard Brynach has been brought in to try to retrain the dragons. I am not so sure that I am in agreement with the current diet of the dragons. |
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| The wizard Brynach has indicated that if the dragons do not respo nd to his training methods, me may be forced to do a brain switch. From the look on his face, and the fact that there is a jar of dragon brains sitting on the nearby bench, I do not think the retraining is going so well. |
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| Just above the dragons' lair is the Ghost Cave. Numerous ghosts are said to inhabit the area and they are certainly out and about tonight. There also seems to be a vampire struggling to get back in his coffin, but the bats are making it difficult. |
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| The highlands of the Wizard's Realm is where the Emerald River flows. This green river is the pride of the wizards and is the source of the waters used to make the ales served at the Witch's Pub. The health of the river is in the boney hands of the local boatman who regularly checks the river for slime content. |
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| The highlands of the realm. |
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| A major source of income for the wizards is the mine where granite is pulled to make tombstones. The sales outlet for this markers is Mordicai Mould at the village mortuary. |
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| A view of the Wizrd's Realm as seen from the public area by the theatre. Few guests to the realm ever get above this plaza. |
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| A view of the realm as seen from the "broom cam" of witch Hecate. I want to thank her for allowing the use of this image. If you want a copy, please contact Witch Hecate via email at [email protected]. |
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| Just outside the masonary walls of the Wizard's Realm and directly behind the mortuary are the Haunted Hallows Homes. |
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| There are two homes in the Haunted Hollows Homes development. On the right, in the shadow of the great walls of Wizard's Realm stands the farm house of the Kettles. To the right of the Kettles is the cozy home of Harry Wolfman. His garage stands between the two houses. The Kettles have been working on doing some gardening in their yard. Wonder what they have in those bags? |
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| Harry Wolfman has some nice Halloween decoration in his yard which are sure to seem inviting to trick or treaters. I really don't think that Harry is giving pizza slices for treats. If I were a trick or treater I would be worried about being invited to see what is kept in the old garage. |
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| Close inspection shows what the Kettles have been planting in their front yard. Also looking carefully at what has been left out in front of theold garage would make one a bit nervous about taking a trip to the garage with Harry Wolfman |
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| This night view of Harry Wolfman's decorated yard for Halloween would probably frighten the bravest of Trick or Treaters. Let's hope that is enough to keep them safe on this spooky night. |
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| As we walk to the left of Haunted Hallows Homes we will come to the Gravely Mansion. I would watch you feet as we walk past the storm drain on the right edge as there seems to be several rats creeping around the opening and even on the stairs to the Gravely Mansion. It would seem that one would be trick or treater has run into the grim reaper on the steps of the mansion and decided to forego his treat in favor of a hasty retreat. Since it is Halloween, I see that Grandpa Gravely has decided to get out of his crypt, sit on his coffin and enjoy the sites for this one night. |
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| At the top of the stairs to the Gravely Manion stand the old home--the second oldest house in the village. Brom Bones has decided to sit on his favorite bench to enjoy the fall air as it whistles through his bones. |
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| Continuing to the left of the Gravely Mansion and at the base of the stairs is the Barclay House. The Barclays are out front right now with their masks in place and look ready to enjoy the big night. |
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| Just past the Barclay House is the stairway to Grimsley Manor. At the top of the stairs the new maid (Witch Samantha) is casting her spell on her broom in preparation to sweeping the manor floors. Must be nice to have those special skills when you hve to do house work! In the foreground we can see part of the pumpkin delivery wagon as it makes its delivery to Doris' Pumpkin Patch. |
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| At the bottom of the stairs, on the left, is the Grimsley Family graveyard. Most of the family members seem to be staying in their tombs tonight, but I do see Cousin Charles has decided to get out of the timb for a ghostly experience this evening. |
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| A late night view of the Grimsley Manor certainly does have a spooky feel to it. |
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| The Grimsleys keep their old roadster in a small garage on the left side of the manor house. The car has a long private drive that winds through the villagers homes on its path to the main road. I can see the Grimsley family on their way to the garage. |
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| A second view of the Grimsley driveway. Wonder who the village taxi is dropping off at the Grimsleys? |
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A view along Hauntsville's Haunted Way shows the three noteworthy homes. From left to right they are Grimsley Manor, Gravely Estate and the Harry Wolfman residence. |
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| The Chapman farm stand directly behind the Fun House at the interesection of the the main Hauntsville Road. The farm raises vegetables and turkeys for theholiday season. Atthemoment it seems a pair of Canadian Geese are checking out the sunflowers. Paul Chapman seems to have a few chores to complete before he gets totheTrick or Treating for the night. |
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| The Chapman Cider House is always a popular stop in Hauntsville. Each fall, when the apple crop coes in there is plenty of fresh cider in barrels for all to drink. Mr. Chapman even has a mug sitting by the barrel to enjoy while working at the store. There are plenty of racks of vegetables including corn, gourds, carrots to go with the apples for any tourists who want to take some home. It would seem that at least one low flying visitor had a rough landing on her way to the store. You would think she could avoid those lampposts. |
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| The Franklin house stand just behind the Cider House and next tothe Grimsley Drive. The Franklins always put up a Halloween display for all to see. He makes the decorations himself. |
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| At the top of the Grimsley Drive is the Steen Maple farm. It is one of the mainstays of the village economy and folks come from far and wide to get their jugs of syrup for their winter waffels and pancakes. |
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| The Grimsley Drive ends at the top of the hill on the side of the estate. Fro hear we can see the Grimsley's heading to the garage to get their car for the trip to the Wizard's Theatre. They will not want to miss tonights show |
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| On a ridge, high above the village is the location of the Hauntsville witch coven. Here 13 witches reside and cast the various spells. Most of the year their combined spells make the village invisible to the human eye. However come fall villagers sware they can see the the witches flying through the sky and soaring through the harvest moon. Witch Tabatha resides at the Cat House and has an assortment kettles in which she brews her spells. |
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| On the ledge just below the Cat House is the Witch Flight School for young witches. Some of them seem to ahve all sorts of problems mastering the art of broom flying. |
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| The favorite hangout for the witches in the Brew Pub. Witches fly in all the ti me for a nightly pint of Witch Grimswell's famous brew. The brew kettle would seem to have more than enough to get through the harvest season. |
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| Soaring about the Gri msley Manor house, seen on the left side, Witch Hazel seems to have had one too many brews and is now riding an out of control broom. Wonder where she will end of this Halloween night? |
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| We have come to the end of this year's tour of Hauntsville. I will leave you all to look over the Hauntsville Coven, a fitting place to end a Halloween night. Hauntsville is always a busy place this time of year and I hope you enjoyed seeing the annual happenings in the village. Next year we will try to get a real close of the the events in the witch coven. Hopefully we will be able to spy on their everyday lives to see the real magic of the witches. Until then, I hope you enjoyed your tour of the village. Thank you one anall for dropping by. |
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If you enjoyed your visit, please sign the guest book by using the link below. I hope to see you all again next year. Don't forget to stop by at Christmas and see the new edition of a Dicken's Christmas coming in late December. |