ROTC volunteers terrorize by the lake

A zombie, who had escaped from the morgue, shuffled his feet across a tile hospital floor with… A zombie, who had escaped from the morgue, shuffled his feet across a tile hospital floor with an IV still dangling from one of his veins. Showing signs of an unfinished lobotomy, the post-mortem figure released a haunting wail.

The Medical Zombie room is a favorite of the artistic director of Terrors by the Lake at North Park. The set designer, who goes by Benzy, is the self-taught creator of the sets, masks and makeup.

He will begin construction for next year’s haunted house early in November.

Benzy prides himself in every piece of the house, including the chainsaw maze and the other rooms with pitch-black corridors.

“I start with a block of clay,” Benzy said. “Then I sculpt, mold and pour my masks.”

A permanent crew of volunteers like Benzy run the office, construct the set and act as performers. Different groups, such as fraternities and sororities, also volunteer each night to help out.

To run Terrors by the Lake, it takes between 40 to 50 volunteers each night. Members of Pitt’s Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force ROTC were on hand last Saturday night.

Rachel Rothe, a ROTC volunteer and a senior at Pitt, has been involved in Terrors by the Lake since her freshman year at Pitt. She said that it is a good opportunity to be involved with the community and help out for a good cause.

Saturday also marked the last night of the year when people could tour the haunted house, maze and forest.

The funds collected during the month of October will go toward the Make-a-Wish Foundation, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The organization seeks “to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy,” according to the Make-a-Wish Web site.

Terrors by the Lake is the Pittsburgh chapter of the foundation’s only fundraising event, according to Eileen McGovern, an organizer and volunteer. The event has been operating for nine years and, in that time, has raised more than $1 million.

According to McGovern, the group hopes to raise anywhere from $50 to $100 thousand every year. She attributed this year’s success to the weather, which has been mild for a Pittsburgh October, she said.

This Make-a-Wish fundraiser is unique to Pittsburgh, noted McGovern, who believed that this year’s Terrors by the Lake would raise at least $100,000.

Different organizations can volunteer for the event, according to McGovern, who is present every night.