By Kim Hilsenbeck.
Drive by Sherral Behrens Coe’s house in Hometown Kyle around Halloween and you might do a double take.
On tables inside her garage, which is lined with black tarp on three sides, are more than 30 Spooky Village houses, part of a collection Coe has been collecting for several years. Each has lights and many have animation and sound.
The self-proclaimed Halloween aficionado seems to gravitate toward talking, animated figures, including a replica of the Wizard of Oz’s wicked witch of the west, complete with green skin. In the home’s front window is an image of Dorothy and the wicked witch.
Sherral Behrens Coe’s of Hometown Kyle says she has a “slight” Halloween obsession. Her collection of scary, ghoulish and creepy decorations, collected over more than 20 years, adorns the porch, yard and trees of her home on Hometown Blvd. She also sets up a spooky haunted garage each year. Stop by and check it out – if you dare. (Photos by Kim Hilsenbeck) | |
Boo who?Take a walk down Hometown Blvd. to experience the Haunted Garage. Plan to stay at least several minutes to take everything in and get the full experience. | |
Coe sent a note to the Hays Free Press asking if we were interested in her “slight” Halloween obsession. Safe to say, we agree it’s an obsession – albeit a fun one. Everywhere you look, a new gruesome sight awaits.
There is the fortuneteller in a box whose head spins around to reveal a surprise when unsuspecting visitors request their fortunes. Off in the corner of the garage are heads floating in crystal ball that talk and move when activated.
Coe was in the final preparation stages for Operation Scare the Children. Well, maybe that’s just what we call it. Her Haunted Garage has been a staple in Buda and Kyle for more than 20 years.
In that time, Coe’s collection of the macabre has grown and expanded. It hasn’t quite outgrown her garage but it’s certainly threatening to overflow. And Coe doesn’t necessarily toss out or replace those gadgets and gizmos that no longer function correctly; somehow they make their way into the haunted garage.
The front porch is adorned with more Halloween trinkets and figurines. Her yard is also filled with creepy Halloween visuals – a graveyard, skeletons, spiders and more – many basking in the glow of spotlights.
Coe has three grown children and three grandchildren. Her 12-year old granddaughter helped her set up the Spooky Village houses this year.
How much has she invested in the Haunted Garage and yard décor?
With a grin, Coe said, “Everything I buy is on sale.”
Pressed for an answer, she told this reporter but in the interest of keeping her marriage a happy one, the amount will not be divulged.
