The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

After achieving runner-up status in a close race during the Hi-Line's version of the Great Light Fight-the Deck the Halls rivalry-last December, Jeff Finley was back in the holiday house decorating spirit for Halloween. Anyone driving by the Finley home at 400 Illinois would have been in for a treat. Other houses in Blaine County also got in on the spirit of the season with "spooktacular" décor.

Finley's house and yard featured witches, spiders, pumpkins, and other ghoulish figures as well as an archway of purple and orange lights and a lighted fence. A pair of large yellow eyes also "leap out" and say, "Boo!" Even the garage got in on the theme with its holograms of ghosts, rising like smoke to float as ethereal wisps.

Unfortunately, the severe wind in Chinook on Wednesday, October 27, wreaked havoc with Finley's creation. Upon arriving home for lunch that day, Finley noticed that the wind had torn lose much of his plastic-the screen on which he was projecting the ghosts-which he planned to replace on either Friday or Saturday.

Also, by Friday, he had added the candy chute. "I modified it a bit this year and added a fog machine. I even conducted some test runs before Halloween."

Finley's candy dispensing mechanism constructed from PVC pipe was his invention for last year when the pandemic was raging. With his mechanical device-and to maintain social distancing-Finley could deliver candy from the second story window of his home to trick-or-treaters waiting on the sidewalk below.

When asked what motivates and inspires him to decorate, Finley replied: "It all started in the clearance aisle at Home Depot in Fargo. All the Christmas lights, projectors, control boxes, and extension cords were 90% off. I had to buy them all. The joy I get from decorating for Christmas has filtered into Halloween.

"I enjoy seeing and hearing about the excitement everyone gets while viewing the house. Decorating during the seasons gives us a nice change of pace. Something new and fun in town always seems to put a smile on everyone's face, as well. The kids are always excited during Halloween, and adding some more excitement just takes things up a notch. Having a family and community that enjoys the end results keeps me motivated to do more every year. My brother Jim got me a Fourth of July starter kit for Christmas last year, so I'm sure I will be coming up with some ideas to add to it for next year."

Another house on Indiana Street in Chinook showcased a large spider in its web, as well as other spiders crawling about. In addition, tombstones and ghosts populated the lawn, while one tree served as the final resting place for a witch who had crashed into it. Various ghoulish characters peered from four of the home's windows, and a pair of animal eyes also watched ominously.

In Harlem, creativity emerged in various yards, as well. Several highlighted pumpkins and large inflatables-such as haunted trees, witches, or ghosts. Using a Nightmare Before Christmas theme, the home of Roberta Quintana stood out as especially creative. For those unfamiliar with the 1993 film, Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas features gothic stylized characters and themes and tells the story of Jack Skellington of Halloween Town. Bored with the same old scare-and-scream routine, the Pumpkin King longs to spread the joy of Christmas.

Quintana's house featured various characters from Burton's film. In addition to the main character, the display included Sally the living rag doll who has a crush on Jack; Oogie Boogie, one of the film's villains; and Zero, Jack's loyal ghost dog sitting atop a pumpkin. When asked what inspired her to choose the gothic theme, Quintana replied, "I just love anything Nightmare Before Christmas."

Fort Belknap Native Connections, a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funded project, also got in on the fun. SAMHSA, which aims to plan and implement culturally competent substance abuse and suicide prevention, trauma reduction, and mental health promotion services for Aaniiih and Nakoda youth, sponsored a Spooky Turnoffs Yards Contest. They invited people to collaborate on decorating and to submit pictures of the Spooky Turnoffs.

In a related contest, SAMHSA invited individuals to enter a Spooky Foods contest. "Enter up, all ya monsters and ghouls," their Facebook page prodded. "Take a picture of your scary food and enter here by October 30."