Haunted mansion

From my laboratory in the castle east, to the master bedroom where the vampires feast, the ghouls all came from their humble abodes, to get a jolt from my electrodes."

Be it the monster mash or a small neighborhood party, Halloween has taken on ghoulish new dimensions for adults and children alike. Carson City will be no exception as Gov. Kenny Guinn and First Lady Dema Guinn prepare to greet little trick-or-treaters on All Hallows Eve.

Wearing her trademark black, pointed witch's hat, Dema Guinn will hand out goodies with the governor to trick-or-treaters Monday at the Governor's Mansion, 606 N. Mountain St., starting at 4:30 p.m.

"The kids say to me I have to have my witch's hat on, so I will," Dema said. "And since people want to see us and take pictures of us, we don't dress up (in costume)."

Dema admits she has as much fun as the youngsters on Halloween. The mansion is colorfully decorated with spooky creatures, including spiders, ghosts, black cats and other creatures of the night.

The Guinns have continued a tradition of socializing with the children and their parents. As far as Dema knows, there are no other governors or first ladies in the nation handing out treats on Halloween from their homes.

"I don't know of any other state that opens their mansion like we do," she said. "Maybe they do once a month - they just don't entertain like we do. We're open for entertainment and fundraisers all the time. We'll have an open house Saturday from 2-4 p.m., after the chili feed.

"Nevada is a different state. The mansion is the people's house, and I am just the caretaker. We expose it to as many people as we can."

During the mass trick-or-treating, dancers, singers and clowns will entertain the crowds. Guinn said she prefers to hand our sealed cylinders of M&Ms candies and suckers.

"So many of the little kids love them and love to shake it and hear it rattle. And you can put the lid back on it.

"This is a time for children. Yes, I enjoy it as much as them. They're so cute when they come up to us. I have so much fun."

"They did the mash, they did the monster mash.

"The monster mash, it was a graveyard smash.

"They did the mash, it caught on in a flash.

"They did the mash, they did the monster mash."

n Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

Halloween

events

CARSON CITY

SATURDAY

Costume contest at Solid Rock Cafe, 264 W. Winnie Lane, 7-8:30 p.m. Free admission; drama for the family. Call 721-5584.

SUNDAY

Safe Halloween Party at United Blood Services, 256 E. Winnie Lane, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, with arts and crafts, treats, costume contest and a fishing pond. Psychic readings for blood donors. Call 887-9111.

Trick-or-Treat Time at Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, 813 N. Carson St., 6-8 p.m. Sunday also Monday. Halloween activities for all children. Treats, face painting, pumpkin painting, cookie decorating and a fortune teller. Children $3 each, adults free. Polaroid pictures available for $2. Call 884-2226.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly support group Halloween Party, 138 E. Long St., Suite C From 5:30-7:30 p.m. Call 841-4929.

Safe Trick-or-Treat at Evergreen Mountain View Health and Rehabilitation Center, 201 Koontz Lane, 5:30-7 p.m. Call 883-3622, ext. 216.

MONDAY

Trick-or-treating at the Governor's Mansion, 606 N. Mountain St., from 4:30-9 p.m.

DAYTON

Haunted House at Community Roots Plant Nursery, Highway 50 East at Second Avenue. From 6-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Cost $5 per person; sponsored by Central Lyon Youth Connections and Healthy Communities Coalition. Call 246-0320.

VIRGINIA CITY

Monday

Goblin Parade, travels down C Street, with Safe Trick-or- Treating to 9 p.m. Parade registration at 4, line-up at 4:30, parade at 5 p.m. Cash prizes for best costumes - adult and child. Also for best float and animal entry. Call 847-0311.

Virginia City's Witching Hours, at Piper's Opera House, Fourth Ward School and Silver Terrace from 6-9 p.m. Tickets sold only at Piper's Opera House beginning at 5 p.m. Adult $20; child $10; family $40. Call 847-0311.