Norfolk's 4th Annual Haunted Train Ride a Success

Norfolk - The Norfolk Lions and Norfolk Community League would like to thank the 700 spooky souls that braved the snowy and rainy elements to ride the 4th annual Haunted Train Ride. The ride took place on October 29th on a day that started out as a lovely fall day, only to change into a snowy mess once the trains started running. The snow added a new eerie element to the glowing patch of pumpkins carved by Norfolk Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. The almost $900 in proceeds from the train ride this year have been donated to the Norfolk Recreation Department's Summer Concert Series. The free concert series has become a community tradition of gathering for music and socializing. Most Norfolk residents cannot think of the summer without thinking of the concerts.

It goes without saying that without the extreme generosity of the Holmes Family, the Haunted Train Ride would not exist. They not only drive and maintain the trains, they allow us to decorate their property for the evening's festivities. We start on Friday and finally clean up on Sunday. This imposition on them is met with cheerful and helpful attitudes at all times. Without the Holmes, there would be no train ride - THANK YOU! We would like to sincerely thank all of the groups that helped decorate and haunt the ride this year: Norfolk Community League, Norfolk Lions, Norfolk Girl Scouts, Norfolk Boy Scouts, Norfolk Cub Scouts, Norfolk Fire Department, Stony Brook, NCL's "Scary Men", Carol Ann Ramos, King Philip Leo Club, King Philip DECA, and a group of girls from Ursiline Academy completing their community service hours requirement. The event has truly become a great community event, put on by the community for the enjoyment of the community.

Finally we would like to recognize the dedicated committee members who work on the Train Ride all year long. Halloween is no mere holiday for them and their families. The committee members are Scott Dittrich, Joe Sebastino, Tom Grant, Marie Chifolo, John McHugh of the Lions and Tracy Hilfrank, Tara Spellman, Addie Gibson, Colleen Sepich and Janine Wilkins of the Norfolk Community League.

We look forward to a fabulous 5th Annual Haunted Train Ride next fall and hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

The Haunted Train Ride Committee
Norfolk Lions
Norfolk Community League

11/17/2005

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