Greetings, fellow Oak Lawnians!
If you love Halloween, you won’t want to miss this year’s Midnight Terror haunted attraction at the former Beatty Lumber warehouse at 9531 S. 52nd Ave. in Oak Lawn. The two haunted houses there are open at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through Nov. 1, closing at 10 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays and at 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
This is the second year for the attraction at the former Beatty site. Justin Cerniuk, a former Marine, and his business partners — Robert Page, Maciej Kulawiak and Mark Krupa (his uncle and best friends, respectively) — are the creators. Previously, starting in 2000, Cerniuk had set up a haunted house at his family’s Oak Lawn home.
Setting up the haunted houses is a huge undertaking, but Cerniuk loves the site.
“It feels like home. It take us two whole months to set up and clean up for it, it’s open a month, and it takes a month to take down. It’s been a lot easier this year than last year,” Cerniuk said.
Last year, the haunted house “had about 9,000 visitors with no problems, and this year we’re expecting 10,000 to 12,000,” Cerniuk said.
He is especially excited about this year’s display. It features two haunted houses and is twice the size of last year. It takes 15 to 18 minutes to go through the Blackwood Hospital and Factory of Malum displays, compared with six to seven minutes last year.
Cerniuk loves coming up with new horror themes and ideas. It’s not unusual for him to change or tweak a display when the houses are closed.
Creating new sets is definitely a team effort.
“I come up with a basic outline of what I’m looking for, and me and the other owners and managers have one big brainstorm session,” Cerniuk said.
This year’s displays are all new.
“They’re all 100 percent started from scratch. It’s old stuff that we either repurpose or do it all new,” Cerniuk said.
Bigger displays, sets and props mean more help and manpower are needed. Compared with 35 people last year, Cerniuk said, “This year, we have 60 actors plus another 20 people and volunteers to help set up. We spend a lot of time together, so everyone becomes like one big family.”
The minimum age to help or volunteer is 16, but anyone under 18 needs parental permission. Kids can help out after school and leave about 7 p.m. to make sure they have time for their chores and homework. Cerniuk said organizers also make sure the kids have a ride home.
“We’re very committed to bringing a great show to Oak Lawn,” Cerniuk said.
He also is appreciative of the support he has received from village officials and the fire department to use the otherwise dormant site.
The attraction is fun for the family, but it is scary. On Halloween, the lights will be on for little trick-or-treaters as creepy characters hand out candy to them.
As for which prop or set is the scariest, Cerniuk said, “All of it is.”
Tickets are $18 per person. A $25 VIP pass lets ticket holders skip the general line, according to the website, www.midnightterrorhauntedhouse.com. Tickets can be bought in advance by visiting the website, or email [email protected] for more information.
The attraction is open rain or shine, is wheelchair-accessible and has free parking at the Metra Oak Lawn Patriot station, 9525 S. Tulley Ave.
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‘Celebrity’ announcements
Here are this week’s “celebrity” announcements: Happy fourth birthday to Luke Makuch, from his parents, Jamie and Jeff, and Jack and Ellie. Happy birthday to Dean Nusko, who’s turning 11, from his family. Birthday wishes go out to Dolores and Louise Ehrhardt, as they turn 17, from their parents and grandparents. Happy 17th birthday to Michelle Sasala, from her parents and brother, John.
Zachary Sharon also is celebrating his 17th birthday. Moleigh and Liam Carson wish their daughter, Tara, a happy 18th birthday. Clarissa Ackermann’s family wish her a happy 20th birthday. Birthday wishes go out to Emily Mathis, who’s also turning 20. Dave and Juanita West send birthday wishes to their grandchildren, Dimitra Konstantopolis, who’s turning 24, and Zachary West, who’s turning 33.
Happy 26th birthday to Elizabeth Ksiazek, from her family. Mark Russo’s parents wish him a happy 29th birthday. Happy birthday to Lisa Kohlstedt, from Pat, Jonathan, Grace, Jillian and her mom, Dawn Carlsen. Birthday wishes go out to our mayor, Dr. Sandra Bury. Birthday greetings go out to Shirley Mis and Sandra Allen.
Special birthday wishes go out to Maryanna Petzel (yes, we’re related), from her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, granddogs, grandcats and great-grandlizards. John Vitiritti’s daughter, Joy, wishes him a happy birthday. Birthday greetings go out to Bob Streit, from his family and friends. Happy birthday to Jimmy Brown. Rick Weston’s family and Cocoa wish him a happy birthday.
Wedding anniversary wishes go out to the following couples: Jeff and Jamie Makuch on their 10th anniversary; Adam and Angie Arend on their 11th anniversary; Gary and Kim Krupa on their 14th anniversary; Jim and Laura Noble on their 30th anniversary; Andy and Bonnie Paciga on their 45th anniversary; and Mike and Barb Owsianiak on their 52nd anniversary.
Keep your fellow Oak Lawnians informed about birthdays, special events or special “stuff” going on with your family or within the community. Contact me at (708) 899-9544 or email me at [email protected].
Until next time …
Cheryl Petzel is a freelance writer who covers the Oak Lawn community.