Fonthill resident Pat Koehler loves Halloween. She always has, from a little girl and even as a teacher and principal. It's a fun time for kids - dressing up, creativity, fun learning experiences. Her Halloween village display demonstrates that the love is still there.
Pat has been collecting 'houses' for over 25 years. Every November she and her aunt Dorothy would drive to Frankenmuth, Michigan for a weekend of shopping and exploration. There in the well known Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, they would shop for Halloween items on sale. Her first purchase and favourite piece is the haunted house. She stopped purchasing collectibles about six years ago as her Scottish buffet display stage is filled to the brim and the newer pieces seem to lack the fine details.
Setting up the display is fairly quick as she has photos from previous years. The labour of love is the unpacking and repacking, as each piece is stored in their original box, within a box, within styrofoam, so it is well protected. Of course they have an electrical set up for all the plugs, lights, and moving parts. Her husband, Bob, jokes that he is in charge of the village's daily dusting
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The Halloween village still brings joy to her children and grandchildren and for Pat precious memories of her beloved aunt. For now, though, it's time to pack up Halloween and for Bob to get busy dusting.
