Haunted barn is Halloween howler

By Margaret Krueger of the Daily Times staff
Friday, October 17, 2003 11:08 PM CDT

Mayhem Manner offers lots of surprises for those who tour the haunted barn on County Trunk M. Owner Kathy Huber stands next to a wall that provides a secret passageway along the twists and turns through several dimly lit theme rooms. (John Hart, Daily Times)

Is a door really a door? Or will it spin you around in a circle, back where you started, amid the sounds of eerie laughter?

Welcome to Mayhem Manner, located in an old barn that doubles as a rundown Victorian house with a questionable past.

Thrill seekers, who love that rush of prickly hair and sweaty palms that comes with pop-up surprises, have been visiting the scary "old" manor for 10 years, even though it mysteriously moved when they weren't looking.

Owner Kathy Huber relishes the thought of hearing people scream when entering her house of mayhem. "That's what we want to do - entertain people through the element of surprise. It is not as creepy as entertaining," said Huber, who operated her first haunted barn from 1994 to 1999 on Highway 19 and Walton Road. The barn got kudos from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 1999 as the top spot for places to visit at Halloween.

She and her husband, David, and four children moved in 2000 to a farm at N1227 County Trunk M where Mayhem Manner is now located. The farm is the site of frequent family gatherings at this time of year because of the haunted barn's appeal as a group activity.

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"We are truly a haunted barn family," said Huber, who noted that family and friends are a big part of the successful adventure which drew over 8,000 people last year. Many help on a regular basis at the house throughout the fall until closing at the end of October. One of the many stalwart helpers is Aaron Zimmermann of Music in Motion, who created the creepy light show.

Mayhem Manner has cut back its hours this year, eliminating daytime activities, because of health concerns for Huber's parents, Carl and Diane Hoefler of Watertown. They have supported the haunt in numerous ways such as working during open hours, giving hayrides and setting up displays.

"We almost didn't open this year," said Huber, who is a tutor at Hartford Union High School and has other part-time jobs. Her husband, who raises cash crops and steers, broke an arm in July, leaving the crew revamping the barn without another helping hand. Friends and family rallied to get the barn ready and operating for the season.

Huber's older children, Adam, 14, and Eli, 10, work at the haunted barn and this year her youngest son has literally jumped into the boo business. Although Oliver, 8, gets a kick out of startling paying customers, Huber does not recommend the hair-raising experience for the faint of heart or children under age 10 who are on the other end of the fun. House rules state that children age 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Huber and her Halloween-loving family and friends conjure up new ideas every year to keep the haunt interesting and refreshing for new and returning customers. Objects have been added or moved and the front entrance is now the back entrance. The hex room, which Huber calls "my claim to fame," has been switched around. "We have revamped as in vampires," said Huber with a laugh, although vampires aren't much in evidence.

"I don't go for ghosts chasing people with chains or that sort of stuff. You won't find any devil worshipping here either. I prefer the Victorian look and I buy lots of old props at St. Vinnie's. I don't do blood, guts and gore," she said, but admitted that the barn includes a little taste of it.

Bewitching characters, who have their own way of appearing and disappearing through secret passageways, monitor all of the rooms in the barn to keep order as well as provide a giggle or two.

Although activities have been curtailed at Mayhem Manner this year, boredom is not an option. Events on nights of fright include live music, tarot card readings, confusing corn maze, pumpkin carving, hayrides and concessions.

The deadline is today for the Mayhem Manner pumpkin carving contest. Judging for the entries in the Halloween house decorating contest will take place Sunday night. A costume shop, with over 100 costumes, is open evenings by appointment.

As in the past, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a community organization. This year, funds and food will be given to the Watertown Food Pantry. Past recipients have been Children's Hospital, Children's Miracle Network and D.A.R.E.

The haunted barn is open through Nov. 1 on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 to midnight, and will also be open Thursday, Oct. 30.

Cost is $10 per person, $5 for corn maze or $15 for both. Those who bring an item for the Watertown Food Pantry receive $1 off the admission price.