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Highlands Today

Halloween Brings Out The Kids In These Adults

Jesse Osbourne/Highlands Today

From left: Paul and Phyllis Critchlow love to decorate their house at 310 Quail Avenue in Sebring every year for the kids. Phyllis estimated that they had about 250 trick or treaters last year. This is the fourth year the couple has decorated their house, garage and yard.

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: October 25, 2007

Pumpkins, witches and skeletons are appearing all over Highlands County as several area residents decorate their properties for Halloween.

Becky Johnson and husband, Dan, have combined Halloween and the fall season by mixing pumpkins, witches, transplanted sunflowers and Indian corn, a $900 wooden wagon, hay bales and a plow.
The couple has three grown children and welcomes gawkers to photograph the display, which covers much of the family's South Egret Street front yard.

"It's just the kid in us," explained Becky Johnson.

Phyllis and Paul Critchlow, of Quail Avenue in Sebring, expect 350 trick-or-treaters and no one should be disappointed with the huge display set in the couple's front yard and garage.

A spider dangles from a basketball net while another spider can be triggered to fall on an unsuspecting trick-or-treater.

The Critchlows have invited friends to help hand out candy.

This is the fourth year the family, with nine grown children, have decorated their home, and Paul Critchlow doesn't mind if some trick-or-treaters return a second time the same night for candy.
"Christman and Easter are religious holidays and Thanksgiving is for the pilgrims," said Paul Critchlow. "Halloween is something for the kids."

Phyllis Critchlow, dressed Wednesday as a "good witch," echoes her husband's sentiment.
"I loved it when I was a kid and I'm still a kid," she said.

Phil and wife, T.J. Nichols, of Cornell Street in Avon Park, showcased "Broom Hilda."
The misguided witch seemingly collided with a tree in the Nichols' front yard, leaving a flattened Broom Hilda with a broomstick protruding from both sides of the tree.

Spider webs cover the home, and shrubs and a blaze of orange can be seen everywhere.
Phil Nichols said the financial cost to set up the display was minimal, but the hours spent preparing for the project — "still in progress" — were long.

"It's all part of my wife's 'honey-do' list," said Phil Nichols with a smile. "For me it's a 'honey-do this' and a 'honey do that.'"

Sixteen-year-old son Paul Calero said he enjoys hearing comments concerning the family display.
"I'm never too old to trick-or-treat," he quipped.

T.J. Nichols doesn't enjoy scary movies, but the display was her idea.

"The neighbors like it and it's something for everybody to share."

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