It is the end

of an era. (Well, sort of.)

Many of you haunters may know this, but for those of you that don't, let me tell you the sad situation that is happening. "Propmaster" Paul Venturella moved to California, into a gated community.....with an neighborhood association with rules and stuff, and we all know what that means....likely no Halloween decorations :(

Not only does Propmaster have one of the most extensive prop sites on the web, he has been haunting his yard in Salt Lake City for years, if you have seen the Haunters DVDs you have seen the camera he has by his front door for his jumping prop that scares the beejeeses out of everyone (we love that, nothing like watching grown men scream to warm your heart!), then he is the driving force behind Rocky Mountain Haunters (husband and I have traveled to Salt Lake to be part of their events) and he is also the creator of all those Haunters Video DVDs -he has been creating them for the last 11 years....for free! Yep, he is a really great guy.

Propmaster has been a guiding force in the haunt community for years, and not just his haunt but the countless many other haunters he has fostered along the way. If you have a question about any prop in his yard, he would explain in detail how it is done and encourage you all the way.....and if you are lucky enough to live in the area, he would be happy to help you make the prop.

Hopefully, like most haunters....it is in our blood and a change of venue cannot stop the desire to haunt and he will continue to help us fellow haunters through his site and extensive advice and working on the DVDs (otherwise husband and I will have a bit of a panic attack! :D )

A great haunter is the true sense of the word. In honor of his contribution in the community last year we created a new category and award in the Haunters Video Awards called the "Propmaster" award (shaped like a pumpkin, inspired by his website) that will go to someone in the haunt community every year for their long term dedication to home haunters. Here is the video from last year when our friends John and Jon from EFX-TEK presenting the award.




We have known him for years and feel honored to call him our friend.

I can tell you that as I am setting up my yard this year....I will be thinking of him :)

(Mostly thinking....wow, what must it be like to have free time in October and a garage you can park your car in and extra money and a life :D )