Poland Haunted Barn benefitting residents

If you're looking for scary place to celebrate this Halloween, the "Chop Shop" at the Poland Haunted Barn is the place to be. Enclosed in total darkness while weaving through pathways and mazes, visitors are guaranteed to run into "Michael Myers," "Jason" and many other infamous horror villains this Friday and Saturday. Ivy Jacobs Photo. [Order this photo]

The Poland Haunted Barn, located just east of the intersection of County Road 850 East and 475 North, will be open from 8 p.m.-1 a.m., Friday and Saturday.

"This is the 10th year we've done this," event organizer Linda Terrell told The Brazil Times. "It started at our house, then moved to the firehouse and now we are here."

Although haunted houses don't scare her, Terrell admits Dawn and Jeff Cooks' barn is a place she doesn't feel comfortable being alone in.

"It's a very creepy place," Terrell, a volunteer firefighter, said. "I'm sure it's actually haunted. I've heard footsteps in there before when no one else was around."

What started as a Poland Fire Department fundraiser for St. Jude Hospital in 1999 has recently evolved into an annual project to help a local community member in need.

"We wanted to give back to someone in our community," she said.

One of the first local people helped was Loretta Terrell, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2008.

"Loretta didn't have money for medical expenses," Linda said about her mother-in-law, who passed away in late November 2008. "She was upset she didn't have money for a funeral or a headstone. Then we did the fundraiser and I know it might sound strange, but I believe it gave her some peace of mind. She was very thankful."

This year, Greencastle resident Janella Edwards Whittaker will receive the funds raised during the two-day event. Whittaker was diagnosed with a rare disease called Paraganglioma, which forms multiple benign tumors on the upper torso and can cause damage to the surrounding blood vessels and nerves.

After recently receiving treatment at Putnam County Hospital, Whittaker is back home but not well enough to attend the event.

"Our family is so grateful for the response of the community," Dessa Frank, Whittaker's daughter, told The Brazil Times. "It really means a lot that so many people want to help my mother."

In memory of Loretta, the project has become a family affair, with Linda's son Stan Frank (Poland Fire Chief), nephew Michael Delp, daughter Ginger and her husband Tony Smith and many other family and friends who volunteer look forward to scaring people at the barn.

"It's a lot of work, but we all look forward to it every year," Linda said. "Whenever we see the person's face that we have chosen to help out, it's all worth it."

Spooky Fun

Poland Haunted Barn

Located just east of the intersection of County Road 850 East and 475 North, for those willing to enter the dark world of the creepy barn will be open from 8 p.m.-1 a.m., Friday and Saturday.

Admission is $7 for the barn, $5 for the hayride or $10 for both.

All funds will be donated to help pay medical costs for Greencastle resident Janella Edwards Whittaker. Whittaker, who is suffering from a rare disease called Paraganglioma, is currently in the hospital.

For more details and information about the Poland Haunted Barn, log on to http://www.myspace.com/polandhauntedbarn.