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For two hours on Halloween night, the garage at 2179 Ambleside Court, in Frederick, was jam-packed with trick-or-treaters looking for a scare.
Mike Campbell, whose family has been hosting the haunted house for 10 years, said that the family-sponsored fun drew between 250 and 300 people last weekend, nearly double from past years.
The family started the haunted house 10 years ago. "It's fun, it brings the kid out of us," Campbell said. "I think pretty much everybody who went through said they enjoyed it. Lot of laughs, lot of screams."
Campbell, his wife, step-sons and daughter, with the help of a few friends, put on the event at the Campbell household, located in the Old Farm neighborhood near Fort Detrick. This year's event was better than others, Campbell said, because they had more time to put into it and more people involved.
The haunted house takes about three weeks to put up. Ten years ago, Campbell said, purchase and set-up expenses were double what they are now.
This year, participants got a longer walk-through with more lighting. The "coffin room" brought the most raves, Campbell reported, while the creepy music and noises, fog, tents, black lighting, cut-throughs in the walls, and hanging webs topped off the Halloween fun.
His children and their friends controlled the moving parts throughout the garage, which also intensified the fun, he said. Campbell said that the family plans to continue the tradition next year.
Graduates of Frederick schools participate in Macy's parade
Several Frederick County high school graduates are among the 225-member Towson University Marching Band participating in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26 in New York City.
Former Frederick County students and members of the Towson University Marching Band include Kate Phillips (mellophone) and Jasmin Parks (color guard), graduates of Gov. Thomas Johnson High School; Michael Caserta (percussion) and Catherine Rizzo (flute), graduates of Frederick High School; and Solane Jennings (color guard), a graduate of Tuscarora High School.
Downtown Frederick offers military discount day
In honor of Veterans Day, downtown merchants will offer 10 to 20 percent discounts for retired and active military personnel and their families. About 30 stores will offer various discounts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 11, during Downtown Frederick Military Appreciation Day, sponsored by the Downtown Frederick Partnership.
Military photo identification is required. For a list of participating merchants, go to www.downtownfrederick.org.
Frederick men earn military honors
- Aaron Samet of Frederick was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant in his service with 1108th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) of the New York Army National Guard.
- Alexander B. Ryan of Frederick graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.
Ryan participated in 32 weeks of training. Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course. Upon successful completion of the course, the ROTC program, and graduation from college, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, National Guard, or Reserve.
Ryan is a student at McDaniel College in Westminster. He is the son of Mark D. and Lorenza C. Ryan of Frederick, and a 2006 graduate of Tuscarora High School.
Brass players invited to participate in Echo Taps event
Brass instrument players are invited to take part in Frederick's 5th Annual Echo Taps Event, as part of Frederick's Observance of Veterans Day.
The event is sponsored by the Post 11 FSK American Legion and the National Echo Taps Organization.
Musicians will assemble at 10 a.m., at Mount Olivet Cemetery, located on South Market Street, for a brief rehearsal and overview of instructions.
At about 10:30 a.m., the first musician at Mt. Olivet will play taps twice, followed in sequence by the musicians down Market Street, then onto Second Street, ending at Memorial Park, located at 2nd and Bentz streets, in Frederick, 11 a.m.
For more details, contact Fred Schumacher at 301-694-0829, or e-mail famschumacher@earthlink.net.
Arts Council seeks participants for ‘Festival of the Greens'
The Frederick Arts Council is inviting artists, businesses, school groups, nonprofit organizations, and residents to participate in the Frederick Festival of Greens by decorating a wreath or tree that will be featured during the festival, scheduled for Nov. 20-29, and later be auctioned off with the proceeds benefiting the arts in Frederick County.
Individuals and groups have until Nov. 17 to drop off creations. The wreath/tree can be interpretive, artistic and creative in nature. There is no fee to participate, however artists must provide their own supplies and materials. Businesses are encouraged to submit one that represents their industry or products.
In addition to the wreaths being on display, several other holiday activities are planned during the eight-day event, including a new holiday production by the Fredericktowne Players, a holiday artist market, a holiday-themed swing dance and children's activities. Although the theater production and dance have admission costs, the other activities will be free and open to the public.
For a participation form, and a complete listing of participation guidelines, contact the Frederick Arts Council at 301-662-4190. For more information, visit the council's Web site at www.frederickartscouncil.org.
DAR sponsors essay contest
The first transcontinental railroad was completed with a golden spike on May 10, 1869. Now, any student in grades five through eight can write an essay about the railroad for a chance to win a monetary prize from the Frederick Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The chapter will also sponsor and judge the Christopher Columbus essay contest, which is open to students in grades nine through 12.
Entries are due by Dec. 4.
Contact Mary Lee Schumeyer at 301-696-1191 or theschumeyers@ comcast.net for more information on how to submit an essay or for more rules and regulations.
The authors of the winning essays will receive a monetary prize and medal and will automatically move on to a regional essay competition, Schumeyer said.
Send City Beat items to Erica L. Green at egreen@gazette.net or call 301-846-2134 for more information.