CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
It’s safe to say that after 11 years operating, the Skeletons of Vivian Line are a Stratford staple each spooky season.
For those who don’t know, each year, Melissa McKerlie of 3217 Vivian Line 37 sets up a cast of poseable skeletons in her front yard every day in October – each day coming up with new scenes and scenarios for them.
“The best compliment I ever got was there was a gentleman, he was a chef, and he would drive to Milton every day to go to work,” McKerlie said. “And he stopped one day and he said, ‘You know, yesterday's display was so funny, I laughed all the way to work; … we talked about it in the kitchen all day and everybody's laughing.’ It's that aspect of it. It's just about making people smile, right?”
McKerlie explained the skeletons had a humble start compared to how they are set up now. Since her son was only one year old, he absolutely loved Halloween. When he was about three years old, McKerlie saw a Halloween magazine featuring poseable skeletons.
From there, it took a few years to find suitable skeletons, but one day her son was getting ready to go to school when three of them greeted him at the front door.
“And he called them Trick, Or, Treat,” McKerlie said, noting the rest was history.
The displays have certainly changed in scope over the years. Now, Trick, Or and Treat are joined by others. There is a core cast of 20 skeletons, including some fan-favourite characters like Pumpkin the Rat, and the scenes they find themselves in vary in complexity.
On the day the Times came to interview McKerlie, for instance, the skeletons continued in the theme of the Olympic Games (which is the theme of this year’s antics) with a soccer showdown on her front lawn, complete with a game, a podium and a burning torch looming over all of them.
And in keeping with Canadian tradition, eagle-eyed attendees could spot a drone hovering over the pitch as well.
The Skeletons’ audience has changed, too. No longer is it just McKerlie’s son or the friends and family she would email photos to, who enjoyed the display. Now, they get visitors coming by every day to see what the next display is.
“We have all these Skeleton fans who are coming from London, Toronto, Ottawa,” McKerlie said. “We have people who follow us worldwide, right? The power of social media.”
For the last six years, McKerlie has used the displays to raise money for Operation Smile Canada, a charity focused on providing corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates.
McKerlie wanted to raise money for the organization since like Operation Smile Canada, the Skeletons of Vivian Line are about letting people smile.
Just this year, McKerlie received a letter from an anonymous donor stating that every dollar donated will be matched up to $48,000.
“If we can raise the $48,000 and they match it … 500 kids will get the surgery,” McKerlie said.
She estimated the team has raised $130,000 for the organization to date.
McKerlie was quick to say she would not be able to do all of the work on her own. She is grateful for a team of volunteers that assist every morning, afternoon and in the evening, whether it is the five or six volunteers it takes to set the scene each morning or the volunteers who keep watch throughout the day and accept donations.
Over the years, there have also been other neighbours and organizations that have lent a hand. In particular, she was grateful for Tim Lott of Tim’s Tree Care, who assists in setting up lights in the trees, and Akins-Brewer Lumber out of Shakespeare, which has also lent assistance by donating supplies.
“We're so appreciative and grateful to everybody for their time and generosity,” McKerlie said. “It's been really, really incredible how generous people have been.”
The season ends on Nov. 1. McKerlie shared ahead of time that there will be closing scaremonies and a send-off fitting for the skeletons.
That is, until next year.
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