Cassidy Strunk & Sara Galusha welcome children to Casper’s Spooky Hollow. EUSTIS — Some very scary creatures gathered at Cathedral Pines Campground on Saturday, Oct. 17 to put on the annual Haunted Hayride and other spooky festivities.

Student volunteer beauticians, Kristi Fortenbacker and Karen Galusha, worked at the “Booooty parlor” and offered face painting to youngsters, and makeovers to costumed characters who dared. Dancing ghosts appeared along a walk for pre-schoolers. Witches were seen everywhere, selling delicious brews of chili, hot cider and other ghostly goodies, helping people onto hay wagons, and generally providing an evening of fun for all ages.

Many townspeople were needed to host and entertain over 320 attendees. For several site volunteers, this was the 14th year they had participated in this event. They include Kathy Matthews, Denise Cote, Deb Buschman and Linda Lowell. Their enthusiasm and willingness to assist with the success of the event was much appreciated. Their delighted audience ranged from a 15-monthold princess who would not be intimidated, to cool costumed youngsters who sometimes struggled to hide any signs of fear, and oldsters who had attended for 14 years, knowing they would again have a grand time.

Sarah Strunk welcomes attendees on the Haunted Hayride. The highlight of the evening was the Haunted Hayride. The evening could not have taken place without the many scary sites “manned” by dozens of students, teachers, parents and grand-parents, as well as numerous friends who wanted to help area children have a good time.

First place for the Scariest site went to the Graveyard Scene, earning the folks who created it a gift certificate from LL Bean. First place for Peoples’ Choice went to the Monster Mash Musicians, who will be sporting new t-shirts courtesy of Strunk Tees. Cash prizes ($25) went to both the Stratton-Eustis Fire Department and the Stratton Cub Scouts. A gift certificate from The Rack was awarded to the Psycho Clowns. A gift certificate from Fotter’s was awarded to the Alien Crash Site. The Spooky Shadow Theater was awarded a gift certificate from LL Bean.

The Monster Mash Musicians, a/k/a The Haunters featuring the Strunk, McMillan & Stevens families along with Mike Blythe. Organizers report that they made nearly $2,000 this year, which will benefit a number of programs supported by the PTC (Parent-Teacher-Club) organization. These include the Stratton Steel Drum Band, scholarships, teacher support, sports program support, and the overnight trip to the Boston Museum of Science for 4th, 5th and 6th graders that takes place every three years.

The many people who worked on the event are starting to plan an even more exciting evening of haunted fun next year, they say.

Dracula & a mystery ghoul. “There was general agreement that the time and hard work invested in the event reaped many benefits in the form of laughs, screams, community participation and program support for the Stratton school, in addition to bringing all ages together for a great evening,” PTC president Sarah Strunk said.

Lynn Clark and Andrea Drumstas, production managers, extend special thanks to the evening volunteers: Kathi Gray, Leah Stevens, Joan Dolan, Beth O’Connor, Deanna Caron and Sally Zagnoli. Also, many thanks are extended to the parents and friends who contributed delectable offerings to the Drop Dead Café.

Event organizers noted that special thanks are due to Haunted Hayride key supporters: Andy Brann & Absolut Services, Cathedral Pines Campground, Stratton-Eustis Fire Department, operations manager Ben Wyman, driver Jaime Caron, and security specialists Guy Atwood and Roger “Munster.”

Stratton Haunted Hayride Photos Taken by Kevin Clark “It would be remiss of us not to mention the extraordinary effort that Scott Spatcher made to help ensure the success of this event,” Lynn Clark mentioned.

Local business support was also received from Fotter’s Market, The Rack, JL Brochu and Michaud Distributors of Scarborough. Organizers also offered thanks to Marcia White of Sugarloaf’s Children’s Services for loaning woolen blankets which provided a toastier ride for attendees.

Martha Fenno is a “Special Correspondent” for the Stratton PTC and grandmother of Mason and Cassidy Strunk of Eustis.