Social - October 2003

Frightful Fun

Howards Creek Mill owner transforms property into scary scene

By DIANE TURBYFILL, Staff Writer

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Howards Creek still rumbles past the old mill, and crickets chirp loudly on the property.

But the large, metal augers stand silent.

Soon screams will erupt through the rooms of the old building.

Historic Howards Creek Mill will be transformed into a seasonal setting — a haunted mill.

Owner Erik Distasio and Denise Propst are working tirelessly to prepare the venue for the third annual event. A big crowd means another year he is able to keep the mill operating.

His family purchased the old mill almost 20 years ago. He remembers first entering into the business as a child.

“It was a job working for my parents, but I just fell in love with it,” he says.

Distasio began running the gristmill almost 10 years ago. He worked with about 20 farmers at the time, cleaning their grass seed.

After years of drought and a decline in the farming industry, business has slacked off.

Distasio now works with one or two farmers and has taken a full-time job at Autozone. But he remains loyal to the historic property.

“Any kind of old place like that, as soon as you shut it down it falls completely apart,” he says. “I’ve seen that happen to too many old buildings.”

Distasio uses money raised from the annual event to pay the power bill and property taxes.

Propst says the Halloween-themed fund-raiser is a perfect fit for Distasio.

“Erik’s just a big kid,” she says. “He loves Halloween.”

Propst, too, shows a passion for the occasion and the building. She tells bits of history while describing the workings of the mill. She points out authentic spider webs, and trap doors mostly used when the mill was in full operation.

Only fun and frights will be processed at the mill in the week to come, she says.

Straw-stuffed bodies hang from wooden rafters. Boards creek and the sound of the thunderous creek roars through the windows of the haunted mill.

“No matter how loud you get the stereo you can’t drown out the creek,” says Propst.

Black lights peek around corners, and realistic, dismembered body parts set the stage.

Propst loves scaring people. Watching them react is her favorite part.

“Everybody dances. We had one lady who wet herself right there,” she says pointing to an area where a scary surprise awaits thrill-seekers.

All the scary noises and sites may not be rigged, Propst says.

She has heard noises while working on the haunted mill, and Distasio has received complaints from farmers.

“I’ve had customers walk out and say they’re not going back in there,” he says.

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Howards Creek Haunted Mill, located on Howards Creek Mill Road off N.C. 27 West, will be open Tuesday, Oct. 28 through Saturday, Nov. 1 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5.

Volunteers are still needed.

For details or to volunteer call 704-732-5614.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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