There were plenty of things going bump in the night in the basement of North Hall this weekend.
Sword-fighting pirates battled to the death near the tombstones that decorated the North Hall yard. Creeping hands grabbed for feet and Hannibal the Cannibal was electrocuted. A maniac armed with a chain saw came less than a foot in front of the faces of those who braved the dark.
The University Tri-service ROTC held its annual Halloween haunted house this weekend to raise money for the Ann Arbor Ronald McDonald House and the Avalone House.
Members of the Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC constructed the haunted house, acted as guides and dressed as part of the Halloween fright. In all, there were about 60 to 70 people working both nights.
"It's for a good reason," said Barb Moans, Engineering sophomore. "The proceeds go to charity and we don't have any casualties."
The $3 admission is first applied toward the cost of building supplies, with the remainder donated to charity.
"It takes about a month to get everything together," said Ryan Ona, Engineering senior and one of three organizers of the event. "It's a community building event and it's for a good cause."
Last year, ROTC raised about $3,000 for the Ronald McDonald House. This year they took in $5,200 before expenses.
"We hope to raise about $5,000 to $6,000 this year," Ona said. "We find worthwhile charities to donate to each year. Ronald McDonald House has been our charity for the past few years."
Students attend the house both for entertainment and charity.
"Because they are athletes they can do some stunts you don't normally get to see in other houses," said LSA sophomore Stefani Miller.
Miller attended with 26 residents of Stockwell residence hall. The hall council paid half the admission fee for students to attend.
"It's a good time to get scared and have fun," said LSA sophomore Matt Kosen. "Every time you turn around you get scared. They're right back at you on every corner."
Students waited in long lines both Friday and Saturday nights.
"I haven't seen the end product yet tonight, but there has been plenty of entertainment floating around," said LSA senior Mike Navratil on Friday night.
ROTC actors came by the line at intervals, performing short skits to keep the crowd entertained. There were also numerous tombstones decorating the lawn including - "O.J. Trial," "Student Loans," and "Elvis isn't here." Hot chocolate was also on sale to keep students warm.
Not everyone said they minded waiting in line.
"I think the lines are a great place to socialize," said LSA first-year student Amy Jordan. "That's what college is all about. I've heard a lot about the house and I really wanted to come through."
Jordan, an Air Force ROTC member, said she did not have time to work at the haunted house this year and wanted to come see the finished product.
The haunted house draws many repeat customers, who are often impressed with the students' effort.
"It was a lot of people working this year," said Al Hoye, a Whitmore Lake resident. "We try to come almost every year. Not everyone is so enthusiastic after working in a haunted house a while."
ROTC attributes the larger crowds this year to better advertising.
"We've had more people advertising," said Jeff King, LSA senior. "We put ads on the radio and in the paper, along with fliers on campus."
On Saturday night WQKL radio station broadcasted from outside North Hall. The station interviewed people entering and exiting the house.
MARGARET MYERS/Daily
Navy ROTC junior Steve Kaman prepares to execute Navy ROTC first-year student Anthony Ampezzan at the haunted house in North Hall on Friday night. All profits from the haunted house will go to the Ronald McDonald House.