Here are the winners of the 2012 Home Decorating Contest!

Our FIRST PLACE winner, winning $100 from the Blue Hare Magic Company, it’s Joan Kolk at 486 4th. St. in Manistee! Joan used as much space as she had, with a weird character hanging down, down, down and a line of pumpkins stretching across her yard. Each pumpkin has a different face – did that one just wink an eye? Lights accented vario

us points of her display, including a decorated tree and torches. The centerpiece is her cobweb-infested cemetery!

In SECOND PLACE, winning gift certificates from Wahr Hardware and Northern Spirits Gift Shoppe, it's Renee Myers at 1424 Timber Ridge in Manistee. Renee and her family showed great imagination and created unsettling effects! Their message: be careful when you send text messages! A witch has learned this lesson the hard way, and silhouettes across the garage doors seem life-like. Plus, several lineups of gourds and their decorated front door are on hand to greet you.

We have a Special Merit award for another Halloween Haunt that doesn’t quite qualify for the contest. The Arlt & Edel home at 196 East Hoague Rd. in Freesoil is located just over the border, in Mason County. But they have decorated their yard to the hilt, with hanging skeletons, bats flying overhead, ghouls emerging from their graves and more spooks that you can imagine. The Gatekeeper has a special gift basket for the family, in recognition of their efforts!

Plus three honorable mentions: the Welch family at 2300 Filer City Rd. in Filer Township was our big winner in 2010. It's only fair for them to step aside for one more year, but they're back with a full graveyard (read the inscriptions out loud), cavorting goblins and much more. They always decorate just for the fun of it. Visit them after the Filer Township Halloween Parade to see the family get into the act! Great job!

Also, the residence of Dan and Cindy Zatarga at 6542 Railroad Ave. in Bear Lake. Dan and Cindy have a scarecrow gathering (are they drinking moonshine?), pumpkin-face planters and a meddlesome spider. She’s tipped over the wheelbarrow! A great display to see during the daytime. Again, Dan and Cindy Zatarga for third place.

And last but not least, John and Laura Kaser at 605 Browning Ave. in Manistee. Big black cats, dancing creatures in the windows, spooky ghosts and Dracula opening his coffin (from inside)! They’re past winners of the contest and now committee members for Macabre Manistee County, so it’s really not fair to let them win. Not that John didn’t try to influence the outcome. Thanks for the case of Flintstones vitamins, John!

Pictures coming soon! Thanks to all for taking part in the fun!

Detour Details, Part 2: How to reach Ghost Ship and north Manistee businesses

As promised, the detour arrangement in Manistee has been reversed.  For visitors to Manistee's Ghost Ship and north Manistee businesses, road work on US-31 might first appear confusing.  Here's an explanation in text and graphics to help. 

Until recently, one had to take the north entrance into the work zone.  Now that's been switched and one has to take the south entrance into the work zone.  Crews are replacing two rail lines that cross the highway.  Let's take it one step at a time.  

Heading south (from Benzie County, Traverse City and other points upstate)  motorists on US-31 will be diverted to Lakeshore Dr., to Veterans Oak Grove Dr., to Washington Ave., and then to Monroe St., which rejoins US-31.  Signs will guide you.  

The S.S. City of Milwaukee historic carferry, which produces the Ghost Ship attraction, along with nearby businesses (i.e. "local traffic"), can still be reached.  After taking the detour, southbound motorists need only to turn left at the intersection of Monroe St. and US-31 (at the Northside Bar), and head north on US-31 a short distance.  Let's take a look inside the Event Map in order to see the route (click image below to enlarge).

Motorists who are heading north (from Ludington, Muskegon and other points downstate) can simply skip the detour entirely and stay on US-31 to reach the Ghost Ship and nearby businesses.

Preview of Week 4 (October 21-27)

The fourth week of Macabre Manistee County is here, filled with contests, haunted attractions, festivals, live music, opera, informative talks, cemetery tours and more!

Our Scary Story and Home Decorating contests continue! Get some ideas by reading last year's entries, available at the Manistee branch of the county library - or ask your local librarian for book suggestions!  Home Decorating entry forms are due by Friday, Oct. 19 Friday, Oct. 26 (winners to be announced Mon., Oct. 29).  See the tab above for the Entry Form, or for directions on how to enter by email.  Oh, prizes?  You could win $100 in cash from the Blue Hare Magic Company, a $25 gift certificate from Wahr Hardware or a $20 gift certificate from Northern Spirits Gift Shoppe!  Enter a deserving neighbor's home (you can haggle over the prize later)!

On Friday, drop by the Haunted Blood Donation Station (noon-6pm) before you head out for an evening of tricks and treats!   Your donation helps the community in two ways - it's a lifesaving decision and it aids 2-1-1, the county informational service.  

The Fear Forest haunted hay ride lasts from 6-10pm, plus singer-songwriter Josh White, Jr. is at the Ramsdell at 8pm.  While you're at the Ramsdell, stroll through Hardy Hall for the 40 top artworks featured in the West Michigan Juried Art Show.

Or choose music of a different variety - Vince Neil of Motley Crue plays Little River Casino Resort at 9pm on Friday.

The final weekends of Manistee's Ghost Ship (lasts through Saturday) and the Haunted Factory (lasts through Sunday) begin Friday night!  Catch them while you still can!  Yes, the Ghost Ship is open during road construction - just enter the work zone for "local traffic."  

Saturday's also a big day with Arcadia's Pumpkins & Haystacks Fall Festival, Manistee's Boos, Brews & Brats, open hours at Kaleva's Bottle House Museum, Spooky Astronomy activities and information, Verdi's Otello at the Ramsdell, and Halloween Fun for Young and Old presented by the Manistee Art Institute.  

Don't forget the Cemetery Walk (Saturday and Sunday)- filled with history, odd characters and stories you never knew about the area's prominent citizens!

Plus, music and costume contests stretch into the night - your choice of the entertainment tent at Boos, Brews & Brats (located at Manistee Inn & Marina) or the Hallow-Scream Party at the Eagles Club just a few blocks away.  There's so much to do, it's scary!

Home Decorating Contest - Deadline Extended

Deadline Extended!

Enter your Manistee County home in our contest and win a great prize!  You could win $100 in cash from the Blue Hare Magic Company, a $25 gift certificate from Wahr Hardware or a $20 gift certificate from Northern Spirits Gift Shoppe!  

Two categories to choose from:  Halloween Haunt & Autumn Harvest

Once your home is decorated, just let us know by Friday, October 19 Friday, October 26.  Winners will be announced Monday, October 29 at ThreePinesGander.com.

Two ways to enter:

• Download, complete and return the entry form by mail
  (ignore previous deadline information on form)

• Email your name, address, phone number and tell us which category (choose one only) you'd like to enter.  Plus, let us know if your home is best viewed during the daytime or evening.  Send email to MMCgatekeeper@gmail.com.

Do you have a neighbor whose home should be considered?  Just let us know!  

Judging will occur October 26-29.  Judges will consider originality, creative use of materials and presentation. By entering the contest, you grant Macabre Manistee County and the Three Pines Gander permission to use photographs of your decorated home for current and future publicity purposes.

Preview of Week 3 (October 14-20)

Macabre Manistee County continues with a third week of activities!  From now through the weekend, you can enter contests, visit a variety of attractions, see art and theater and more!

Our Scary Story and Home Decorating contests continue! Get some ideas by reading last year's entries, available at the Manistee branch of the county library - or ask your local librarian for book suggestions!  Home Decorating entry forms are due by Friday, Oct. 19 (winners to be announced Fri., Oct. 26).  See the tab above for the Entry Form, or for directions on how to enter by email.  Oh, prizes?  You could win $100 in cash from the Blue Hare Magic Company, a $25 gift certificate from Wahr Hardware or a $20 gift certificate from Northern Spirits Gift Shoppe!  Enter a deserving neighbor's home (you can haggle over the prize later)!

On Thursday, drop by the Manistee branch of the county library for the Haunted Library Tour (recommended for 3rd graders and up)!This weekend features a variety of fun activities, including a variety of scarecrows to greet you during your color tour (see the leaves now, while you still can)!  Live theatrical comedy continues with the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (will someone you know be recruited to the stage?), playing Friday through Sunday.  While you're at the Ramsdell, stroll through Hardy Hall for the 40 top artworks featured in the West Michigan Juried Art Show.

The first weekend of the Haunted Factory is here, Friday through Sunday and it also includes a second area for little ones under 8 years old.  

Manistee's Ghost Ship returns on Friday and Saturday!  Have you been through yet?  Yes, it's open during road construction - just enter from the north side of US-31.  If you're coming from the south (Ludington, Muskegon, for instance), you will have to take the detour first, then double-back about one mile.  You can't miss it!

Drop by Kaleva and have dinner on Saturday night! The Family and Friends of Sandy (Mallison) O'Shea will have a Benefit Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction for her tonight, Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Benzie-Manistee Snowbirds Clubhouse (14121 Industrial Ave. - see map below) in Kaleva from 5-8 p.m. Sandy is a lifelong resident of Manistee County, and has cancer and is unable to work. The dinner is by donation. 

View Larger Map

On Saturday afternoon, enjoy a step back in time at Kaleva's unique Bottle House Museum,  and then head over to Manistee for the historic Cemetery Walk (rain or shine).  This offering is a local favorite and is meant for anyone wanting to learn more about Manistee area founders, movers and shakers...and others.  Learn about the renegade Mormon from Beaver Island, a timber pirate and the Mr. Fowler to which no one wants to be related.  Saturday night is certainly one of several Strange Days, as the group by the same name offers its Doors Tribute at Little River Casino Resort!

And remember, Boos, Brews & Brats has been moved to next Saturday, Oct. 27!

Have you spotted the Gatekeeper yet?  He's been seen in Onekama, within Manistee, Copemish, Brethren and along the southern county border.  Say hi, answer one of his riddles and try not to stare.  He's sensitive.  Follow him online via Facebook or Twitter!

Don't forget a bite to eat!  Or do a little shopping for that other holiday.  See our free Event Map for month-long discounts and specials, as well as the list of events with locations and times, and check the Events tab above for late-breaking details.  There's so much to do, it's scary!  

Event Notes for Oct. 12-13

The Douglas Valley Fall Festival, scheduled for Sat. Oct. 13 has been cancelled as of Oct. 11, due to predictions of heavy rain and cool temperatures.  However, the U-pick pumpkin patch at the same location will be open until the end of the month, Monday-Saturday, 11-6pm.)  (231) 887-3333

Don't let the road construction scare you.  Manistee's Ghost Ship is open!  Just follow the signs and drive slowly!  (231) 723-3587

Detour Details: How to reach Ghost Ship and north Manistee businesses

For visitors to Manistee's Ghost Ship and north Manistee businesses, road work on US-31 might first appear confusing.  Let's take it one step at a time.  

Through the rest of October, there will be a detour taking most traffic around the work, as crews replace two rail lines.

Heading north (from Ludington, Muskegon and other points downstate), motorists on US-31 will be diverted to Monroe St., to Washington Ave., to Veterans Oak Grove Dr. and then to Lakeshore Dr., which rejoins US-31.  Signs will guide you.  

The S.S. City of Milwaukee historic carferry, which produces the Ghost Ship attraction, along with nearby businesses (i.e. "local traffic"), can still be reached.  After taking the detour, northbound motorists need only to turn right at the intersection of Lakeshore Dr. and US-31 (at Burger King), and head south on US-31 a short distance.  Let's take a look inside the Event Map in order to see the route (click image below to enlarge).

Motorists who are heading south (from Benzie County, Traverse City and other points upstate) can simply skip the detour entirely and stay on US-31 to reach the Ghost Ship and nearby businesses.

At a later date this month, the detour arrangement will be reversed.  We'll keep you updated when that happens. 

Preview of Week 2 (October 7-13)

Drop in and take a look around Macabre Manistee County!  Our second week of activities continues now through the weekend!

Our Scary Story and Home Decorating contests continue! Get some ideas by reading last year's entries, available at the Manistee branch of the county library - or ask your local librarian for book suggestions!  Home Decorating entry forms are due by Friday, Oct. 19 (winners to be announced Fri., Oct. 26).  See the tab above for the Entry Form, or for directions on how to enter by email.  Oh, prizes?  You could win $100 in cash from the Blue Hare Magic Company, a $25 gift certificate from Wahr Hardware or a $20 gift certificate from Northern Spirits Gift Shoppe!  Enter a deserving neighbor's home (you can haggle over the prize later)!

This weekend features a variety of fun activities, including a variety of scarecrows to greet you during your color tour, and opening Friday, live theatrical comedy with the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (will someone you know be recruited to the stage?), playing through Sunday.   Plus, Manistee's Ghost Ship returns on Friday and Saturday!  Have you been through yet?

On Saturday afternoon, enjoy a step back in time at Kaleva's unique Bottle House Museum, and your choice of Onekama's Fall Festival (10am-4pm) or the Douglas Valley Fall Festival (12-5pm) - better yet, visit both!     

Or settle into a seat to find out what happens when Love Potion #9 is dropped into the lives of Adina and Nemorino.  The comic opera production about a powerful love elixir, L'Elisir d'Amore, is beamed to the Ramsdell Theatre on Saturday.  While you're at the Ramsdell, stroll through Hardy Hall for the 40 top artworks featured in the West Michigan Juried Art Show.

Have you spotted the Gatekeeper yet?  He's been seen in Copemish, Brethren and along the southern county border.  Say hi, answer one of his riddles and try not to stare.  He's sensitive.  Follow him online via Facebook or Twitter!

Don't forget a bite to eat!  See our free Event Map for month-long discounts and specials, as well as the list of events, and check the Events tab above for late-breaking details.  There's so much to do, it's scary!  

Preview of Week 1 (October 1-6)

Have you arrived in Macabre Manistee County yet?  Our first week of activities is off to a roaring start!

Reports from the northeast parts of the county (Copemish, Marilla, Kaleva, Brethren) indicate a great color tour (up to 60 percent of leaves turning).  Areas of color have also been seen further west, at a slower progression.

Our Scary Story and Home Decorating contests have begun!  Have you penned your own terrifying tale yet?  To get some ideas, take a look at last year's entries, available at the Manistee branch of the county library - or ask your local librarian for book suggestions!  Home Decorating entry forms are due by Friday, Oct. 19 (winners to be announced Fri., Oct. 26).  See the tab above for the Entry Form, or for directions on how to enter by email.

This weekend features a variety of fun activities, including a variety of scarecrows to greet you during your color tour, the Bear Lake 31 Cider Run (with refreshments, discounts and a drawing for a $100 gift certificate - no purchase necessary), Viva Little River (Elvis is back...and back-to-back!), a step back in time at Kaleva's unique Bottle House Museum, the Material Girls Quilt Show and Brethren's Fall Family Fun Fest (an annual favorite).     

Tired yet?  Take a dinner break and enjoy a baked potato dinner at the Autumn Harvest Dinner, with entertainment and more in Copemish, see folk/root rock singer Dave Hardin at the Ramsdell Theatre and don't miss the opening weekend of Manistee's Ghost Ship (paranormal investigators will be on site - meet them and hear about their discoveries)!

See our free Event Map for most of the events (plus month-long discounts and specials) and check the Events tab above for all of the events.  There's so much to do, it's scary!  

Join us for a walk in the woods! (2012 Slideshow)

Enter the 2012 Home Decorating Contest!

Enter your Manistee County home in our contest and win a great prize!  

Two categories to choose from:  Halloween Haunt & Autumn Harvest

Once your home is decorated, just let us know by Friday, October

West Shore Bank Donates to Macabre Manistee County

Kim Malstrom and Jordan Solowiej of West Shore Bank present a check to
Vince Hancock, John Kaser and the Gatekeeper of Macabre Manistee County

West Shore Bank has teamed up with Macabre Manistee County to promote a variety of spooky and family-friendly events this October. With the Manistee branch's donation of $500, the non-profit organization will be able to expand its promotional work with new forms of advertising and other types of outreach. 

Gatekeeper Wakes Up Tomorrow

The Gatekeeper comes out of hibernation tomorrow (Saturday) at 10:49am!  Keep your eye on him here (see right column, below) and at Gatekeeper's Twitter page.  You can also befriend him on his Facebook page.  (The Manistee County Sheriff has asked us to advise you that you do so at your own risk.)  

We've been testing his crude communications system over the last couple of days.  It looks like we're set to go.  We are unsure if it will be worth 15 trips to Radio Shack.

Print your own 2012 Event Map

The 2012 Event Map will soon be available throughout Manistee County!  

36* thrilling and chilling events, including harvest festivals, haunted attractions including Manistee's Ghost Ship and more, live theater and music, costume contests, scarecrow displays, cemetery tours and much more! Follow the Gatekeeper (...or is he following you?)  Plus a variety of October-long sales and discounts!  There's so much to do, it's scary!

Would you like your own copy now?  

Just click here to view and print!  

*Be sure to check the Events section above to keep track of newly-added events and details that may not appear on the printed Event Map.

2012 Teaser Flyer

Macabre Manistee County 2012 Coming Soon!

Watch this space for the 2012 Event Map, announcements and surprises!