Organization closes Haunted House

The house brought in $10,000 annually to the Hubbard Kiwanis Club.
HUBBARD -- Safety issues have caused the Kiwanis Club of Hubbard to close its annual Haunted House, leaving the club without its primary fund-raiser.
James Rose, club vice president until he becomes president Saturday, said the house the club owns at 34 N. Main St. in the downtown would have been too costly to repair to reopen during the Halloween season.
Rose said the Haunted House raised about $10,000 annually. The money supported the organization's charitable work.
The state fire marshal's office issued a citation against the Kiwanis, citing a number of violations. If the violations weren't corrected, it would have cost the organization $7,000 a day in fines when open.
The citation was lifted after the Kiwanis decided not to reopen the house.
"Time had passed the Haunted House by," Mayor Arthur U. Magee said. "It's too bad."
Magee said the fire marshal's office was "extremely cooperative" with the Kiwanis.
Safety issues
Some of the deficiencies included exits not being properly marked, combustible materials inside the house and the use of extension cords rather than permanent wiring.
The club has put the house up for sale. This Halloween would have been the 30th year for the fund-raiser, Rose said.
"We're going to play it by ear," Rose said about creating another haunted house, noting it remains a possibility.
One of the difficulties, he explained, is that the haunted house is considered amusement and can't be held in a residentially-zoned neighborhood.
To help replace the loss of income, the club will hold an "Oldies Night" at Yankee Lake Ballroom from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 8.
Tickets will be $20 at the door and $18 if bought in advance. They can be bought at Al's Pub and Grill, 517 N. Main St., (330) 535-9071.