The Haines’ home at 127 Elliott St. in Plymouth is all decorated and ready for the community to view. Pilot photo/Carol Anders

By Carol Anders
Staff Writer

PLYMOUTH — Thomas Haines’ love of scary movies as a kid may be the reason he continues to enjoy decorating his entire yard, home and garage — and even the house next door — for Halloween.

Haines, who works full-time at Del Monte, has been spending at least four hours a day for the last several weeks to make sure all of his decorations are in place for trick-or-treat night. He has even taken a week’s vacation to complete the projects.

This year’s addition will include a 17-foot blow-up of a haunted house that contains three rooms. Last year he decorated his single car garage, but is expanding to his two-bay garage this year. He said he needed the extra room to put up a cathedral organ.

“My wife thinks I go a little overboard, but she likes it when I get it done,” he said. “My wife Georgia and I really enjoy the kids who come by. I love to use my imagination. I’ve been building up the decorations from year to year.”

This year’s extreme project is the building of a dungeon for his “Frankenstein” character, who he affectionally calls “Frankie.” Before he finishes, he hopes to add a laboratory and a castle for the display as well. “Frankie” is set on a motion detector to sing and dance.

Haines said he worked at a restaurant for 10 years and couldn’t participate in the trick-or-treat night at his home. He said he is trying to make up for lost time now.

Georgia Haines and her grandson will soon begin the task of filling sacks of treats for the youngsters.

She said, “Justin (grandson), age 11, has come from Fishers for the last four years to help.”

The bags will contain what Thomas calls “very good candy” and party favors.

They made up 600 bags last year and ran out before the night was over. This year they plan to have at least 1,000 bags.

“We are now getting a lot of repeat visitors,” Haines said.

The couple has arranged for a friend to film the activity on Halloween night so that their families can enjoy it in the future.

Georgia Haines said, “There aren’t too many people who participate in the trick-or treat night, so kids sometimes don’t come down our street. 

Her husband plans to put up a sign at the end of the street inviting all the kids to join them.

Haines said he has permission to allow kids and their parents to visit from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 at their home at 127 Elliott St.

Another fun site to visit during Halloween can be found at 400 Charles St. in Plymouth. The entire backyard of the home has been transformed into a “cemetery.” Mary Brugh, who helped make some of the signs, said, “We have had several children come by and ask if they could go through our ‘cemetery.’”

There are even two hearses parked outside.

Brugh said Rex Broadbelt and Kathy Gollhofer are responsible for the unique display.