By Kaitlyn Clark
The Haldimand Press
CALEDONIA—Test your fears and give back to a good cause all at once at the Sholer house in Caledonia on October 30 and 31. The family is accepting donations for McMaster Children’s Hospital, although donations are not required, to check out their spooky set up.
This is the second year the home has raised money for the hospital with a collection jar at the ticket booth out front. Previously only open for Halloween night, the family has extended the hours to October 30 from 7-10 p.m. for those unable to make it out on Halloween night.
“My dad, Ed Sholer, and I have done a Halloween set up almost every year since I was a kid,” explained Natasha Sholer on her inspiration for the event. “We started small with our own homemade Halloween decorations with tons of newspapers, tomato cages, old clothes, and a few scary masks. It wasn’t always the greatest, but it was something for us to do together. Fast forward to today, we have taken our love of Halloween scenes to a whole new level … and have now moved into animatronics.”
CALEDONIA— Paige Hansen, a family friend who volunteered to help give some extra scares last year.
On the popularity of her Halloween displays in recent years, she said, “We do get quite a few reoccurring visitors that comment on how they come every year to see what’s changed.”
“Last year we decided since we put so much work into it, we may as well advertise and try to raise money for McMaster Children’s Hospital and it did pretty well last year!” she added, noting $287.75 was raised. “We have a very supportive community, so we want to keep raising money, but of course donations are not obligated to come see it. It’s just something my dad and I enjoy doing and it keeps us busy for over a month!”
Ed will be on site again in the ticket booth to welcome visitors, while Natasha’s fiancée Sean Smees and his daughter Madilynn Smees will be inside the haunted house ready to give some scares.
Be sure to visit 185 Morrison Drive in Caledonia on October 30 or 31 for some spooky Halloween fun!
