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| Hammerhaid, Still a scaredy-cat |
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Posted: Sunday, October 18, 2009 7:30 am
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Ol’ Hammerhaid wasn’t always interested in haunts and such spiritual things.
In fact, when he was slightly bigger than a tot, he was downright afraid of Halloween, haunted houses and such.
One of his worst “frights” came at a little Haunted House ride during a little carnie at Jackson Heights Shopping Center.
Yup, back in the day, “The Heights” was the focus of just about every event going on in Murfreesboro. After all, it was Stones River Mall, The Oaks and The Avenue Murfreesboro all rolled into one. Most major events happened there since if was the ’Boro’s primary shopping area. Carnivals, car shows and even a circus visited there in those days, and since H-haid lived a hop-skip-jump away, it was an important focus of his young life.
McCroy’s was Hammerhaid’s favorite spot. Basically, it was a five and dime store that sold shoes, clothing, housewares, fabrics, penny candy, toys, cosmetics and records. For a time, the McCroy’s chain was the fourth largest retailer in the U.S. with some 1,200 stores.
Young Hammerhaid saved his pennies usually for McCroy’s, buying toy soldiers and the like, but the soda fountain at Wilson Quick was a major attraction as well as the BB guns and bicycle accessories at Western Auto.
But then there was this “special” carnival that was so big that it even had a one-ring circus act with an elephant and a clown. It was spectacular in a little, down-home way.
Well anyway, that carnival had a few rides that included an “ominous” Haunted House. Just looking at the strange, black building chilled Hammerhaid’s heart. And the strange, blood-curdling noises that muttered from the dwelling pushed him away in fear.
But one of his buddies from the neighborhood and school was there. Soon they had ridden all of the rides and had witnessed the show’s single clown and the performing elephant. All that remained was the horrifying Haunted House.
Innocently enough, Hammerhaid’s mom asked him and his friend if they wanted to take a tour of the Haunted House. Young H-man could see the stark, raving fear in his young buddy’s eyes, but after glancing at Hammerhaid, he shook his head “yes.”
The die was cast.
There was no way Hammerhaid would say no.
So with their knees knocking, the two boys stepped into completely black room. It was slightly like a maze with a couple of twists and turns before they found themselves stepping back into the light on a rickety balcony. Suddenly a jet of compressed air squirted up, scaring the fool out of both of them.
They turned and ran back into the door behind them. It was dark, but they felt somewhat safe there, but they couldn’t find their way out. Fear froze them there. Eventually, the guy running the ride came in looking for them.
There was only one way out and he showed them the way. They followed, fearfully, squealing in fear when they spotted a hand-painted ghost or skeleton on the way.
Eventually (probably 15 or 20 seconds later), they made their way out of that horror of horrors.
Hammerhaid’s mother was waiting for them when they exited. She was trying to suppress her grin of amazement at their fear of something that was positively rinkie-dink.
Needless to say, it was a year or two before Hammerhaid ever went into a similar amusement ride.
And he and his friend never discussed it.
T-t-t-t-that’s r-r-r-r-r-right. |
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