Mr. Orbach, as I referred to him, was a kind and gentle old man with a wacky sense of humour, which I loved.  In fact I recently saw him just one month ago outside of a Halloween store, where he told me that I was free to borrow his cane and use it to beat up my fiance if he ever refused to help with my Halloween set-up.

I will miss the e-cards Mr. Orbach would send me, one of which depicted him as a witch and me getting turned into a rat. 

My thoughts go out to his family.

Rest In Peace Mr. Orbach.  You will be missed by many.

Rachel

I also have a major new idea for the haunt next Halloween.  This year the electric chair was a hit and I’m sure my newest idea will be just as big if not bigger.  It will at least be higher (hint hint) and involve windows. 

You’re probably wondering if I have a life outside of Halloween and the long and the short of it is yes and no.  Next month I am moving with my fiance to our new place (I’ll still be haunting the hills though).  I am also in the midst of developing a top secret iPhone app, which I can’t discuss right now, but it is not Halloween related.  On the job front though, I have none at the moment.  It’s not something I’m happy about, but I figure you never know who will read this blog, so if you’re looking for someone who is incredibly creative, can use power tools, build things, paint, writes really well, great with kids, good with video work, etc…  here I am.  I am ready to be a slave to the man, as long as you understand that I require the 31st of October off! 

And a reminder that pics and video of the Haunt will be up soon.

Yours truly,
Rachel Brown

 Usually I start by saying how, “this was my best year yet”, unfortunately this can’t be said this time around.  Wind and rain plagued the haunt, making it impossible for me to set up everything until the very last minute.  However, what really upset me was the lack of visitors.  I received half as many kids as last year and it was all because of the fear of H1N1.  I even had a neighbour put a sign on her door saying, “H1N1, come back next year!”  I mean really now!  Your children go to school every day where they are ten times more likely to catch something then they are on Halloween night.  Take precautions, but don’t shield your kids from the world around them.  There will most likely be many more serious illnesses to come around and you can’t just stop living your life people!

Ok, ranting aside, it was not all bad.  The new electric chair was a huge hit and kids were actually afraid to pull the switch!  The lighting worked out great.  Audio was amazing.  People loved my pumpkins, although I was sad to see just how many kids today have no idea who Count Von Count is!  Sesame Street anyone? 

While this was not my best year, it was definitely a learning year.  I picked up new tips and tricks and came up with new decisions for the future.  I also collected some money for charity and have new ideas about that as well.

I went into this year thinking it would be my last, but have since been talked out of that idea by my fiance, who I might add was never that into the whole, “my girlfriend is a weirdo” thing.  Now he wants me to take one more stab at it, and I agree.  If I end the haunt, I must end on a bang and this was not a bang, it was merely a whimper.

Pictures and video of the haunt will come in the coming weeks, but for now I would like to thank the following people:

• Pops – Even though you abandoned me to go to Mexico this Halloween, I forgive you.  You helped me hang the spider and you did all my math!
• Mommy -  You are truly there for me when I need you and you are also there when Bubbles the Vicious Spider needs you.  I could not have pulled any of this off without you.
• Mike – Lights, audio, beer.  What more could I say!  You helped me in so many ways and you will continue to do so for years to come because I am wearing your ring and you are stuck with me!  Mwahahaha!
• Marc – Relays for electric chairs don’t just happen on their own!
• Sam and Rosie – technically you two did nothing, actually I think Sam broke some things, but you are my nephew and niece and amuse me greatly!
• Most importantly I would like to thank my neighbours for all their years of continued support, except for that one kid who said there was a better haunt nearby.  I didn’t care much for him!

Oh and a big shout out to the kid with the curly blond hair.  I’m really sorry, but I don’t remember your name, but you visited my haunt at least 1001 times and you are the coolest kid in the neighbourhood!

Now, normally I spend the day after Halloween in bed, tired and depressed that the fun is all over, but alas, I am moving out of my parents’ house next month and will be spending my Sunday at Deblin’s picking out thread counts for bed sheets.  So, to all I bid adieu until next Halloween, when Haunt on the Hill will truly have its, “best year yet”, because I have already started plotting away!  New things to build, old things to make better!

Sleepy time for me!
Rachel “Wednesday” Brown

As Haunt on the Hill ventures into its second decade of haunting, I feel I must reminisce on all that has been achieved over the years.  What started out as a simple graveyard with only 3 tombstones has evolved into an elaborate handmade display that has won accolades from newspapers, websites, TV and radio stations, but most importantly, from you; my neighbours, friends, and family.  I thank all of you for your words of encouragement over the years.  My neighbours are amazing and I love my neighbouhood. 

From all of us at Haunt on the Hill, we would like to wish you a safe and Happy Halloween! 

And with that, I leave you with the following lyrics from a classic Halloween song:

“When the crypt doors creek and the tomb stones quake
Spooks come out for a swinging wake
Happy haunts materialize
and begin to vocalize
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize” - Grim Grinning Ghosts (Disney’s Haunted Mansion)


Rachel “Wednesday” Brown

Only one day left till the haunt and things are almost done, but tonight, your’s truly will be taking some time out from the graveyard to introduce my five year old nephew Sam to one of my personal favourite movies, “The Nightmare Before Christmas”.   We will be eating candy, carving pumpkins, and enjoying movie night!

See you tomorrow everyone!

Rachel

Two days left!  See you soon!

Location: 164 Old Forest Hill Rd.  North of Eglinton near Bathurst.  (Map)
Date: October 31st 5:30-9:30ish 

Also, please do not forger your change for Sick Kids!

Only four days left till Halloween and if you plan on coming to the haunt, please remember to bring some money for The Sick Kids Foundation.

On a rather unusual yet funny note: my aunt brought my grandfather by the house today to see my haunt in mid-setup mode and I mentioned to him that the first Bubbles the Vicious Spider was eaten by raccoons.  To my dismay, his response was to label the raccoons anti-semitic.  Now I was unaware that raccoons hated Jewish spiders, but to that I say for shame!  Get with the times you rabies infested varmints!  Oh and my aunt’s response was to correct him by saying they are actually anti-arachnid!

Rachel

With only 5 days left till Halloween you’d think I’d have everything ready to go, but man are things frantic around here!  Never fear though because everything is coming along swimmingly!  If you’ve been by the haunt, you’ve probably seen my new BFF Bubbles the Vicious Spider 2.  Yes, after the passing of the original 6 foot spider, his successor is here and ready to fill your heart with love and your blood with venom!

See you at the haunt!

Rachel

Only ten days left till Haunt on the Hill and Halloween 2009!  If you’ve driven by the haunt you’ll notice it is starting to take shape.  The fence is up, as is one of my two new columns.  I am hard at work cleaning out the Mad Lab and getting it ready for this year’s newest attraction (it’s a surprise!). 

Looking forward to seeing you all there and don’t forget to donate to Sick Kids at my haunt!

Rachel “Wednesday Addams” Brown