Tickletown Unhinged
Tickletown Unhinged
Haunted House to raise money for community center repairs
HUMPHREY, NY - With thousands of dollars still needed for renovations, the caretakers of the 100+ year-old Tickletown in Humphrey, New York will host a series of haunted house fundraising events on the last two weekends in October to help with costs. The building has strong bones, however, the exterior walls tell a different story. Rather than welcoming people, they seem to leer at people as they venture to popular local attractions like Holiday Valley or Pumpkinville (Humphrey neighbors). Tickletown's location (4484 Humphrey Rd.) and its current state make it the perfect site for a spooky attraction.
The up-and-coming community center was built in 1865, according to official documents. For nearly 100 years it operated as the post office and general store where people would buy convenience items, snacks, beer, and cigarettes. It also acted as a social spot where old-timers gathered around a pot belly stove to swap stories and shoot the breeze. When the former owner, Lois Hilton took it over in the 1980s, she maintained a small stock of grocery items but homemade pizzas and subs were her bread and butter. In the 1990s she began renting out rooms to pay the bills. Slowly she converted the old store into a community center that focused on earth friendly workshops on crafting, permaculture, and local food.
A few years ago, Hilton decided it was time to move on, and rather than sell the building and see her work to create a community space be destroyed, she created a contest to "Win Tickletown." It is Hilton who got the name Tickletown to stick to the store. People have different reactions to it. While some people love the name and think it is cute, others say that "Tickling is torture!" Whatever the reactions though, one of the stipulations of the contest to win the general-store-turned-community-center was that the name remain the same. So, in 2018, after the original winner backed out, second runner-up, Drs. Joe Stahlman and Fileve Palmer, decided to take on Tickletown.
With lots of imagination and help from new friends, Tickletown will host its second haunted house fundraiser with a focus on the Seven Deadly Sins suffered by many during this current pandemic. Sticking with Ms. Hilton's eco-friendly endeavors, volunteers found and re-purposed items from homes and nature to enhance the horror. A team of scare-ers around each bend and waiting in the shadows ratchet up the fear factor.
So, whether you think tickling is innocent or creepy, the name will stick with the building. The team is using the haunted house to build community awareness, establish contacts with local businesses, bring people to the unique location, and scare them into action! In addition to the haunted attraction, Tickletown will host ‘Handcrafted by Helen Morris’ every evening to provide cakes, jams, and other goodies. Big Bossman's BBQ will cook up their specialties on the last weekend of the haunted house, and dinner and Tarot card readers will provide mini-readings October 22nd and the 30th. So, come on down and get spooked! Tickets are just $10 when purchased on Eventbrite and $13 at the door. All proceeds will help pay for much needed board and batten for the front of the building and to replace the windows that are falling apart. For more information contact tickletown@gmail.com or visit the website Tickletowntrade.org.