By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
On New Jersey Avenue just past Charlie’s Bar, you’ll come across a creepy sight. Purple light shines across trees with gravestones peeking between the grass. Skeletons fight through the dirt to come alive once again.
A ‘Pet Sematary’ sits across from the traditional graveyard, and bones of dogs, cats and birds climb through the trees and along the fence. Characters from ‘A Nightmare Before Christmas’ stare ominously at brave souls who dare to enter. An ode to Sleepy Hollow is nestled by the porch with a headless horseman guarding the front door. And most impressively, a twelve-foot skeleton makes eye contact with its prey, blinking to express animation.
This is the Dolan house. Jennifer and Brandon, 38 and 40, have raised their family on this property for the past eight years. Jennifer grew up in this house (living there since 1992) and purchased the home from her family in 2016. The house itself is incredibly historic and is marked Lot 10 in Somers Point.
‘I studied art in school and I love Halloween,” said Jennifer. “I love creating my own decorations and making spaces feel special.”
This year, the Dolan family has joined in a national campaign to raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. All over the country, Halloween enthusiasts have adopted these larger-than-life skeletons and noticed that these creepy giants attract a lot of neighborhood attention, so they asked onlookers to consider donating to a good cause. This year, so far, the campaign has raised $109,000.
“My father recently passed away from cancer, so we raise money in honor of him,” said Jennifer.
Every night from 7pm to 11pm, the Dolans turn on their exterior lights and the display comes alive. Tim Burton-style skeleton twins twist tales of haunted horror by the mailbox and a bony fellow climbs the lighted cherry tree. Ghouls hang from the larger tree towards the garage and flowers with skulls (in a Dia De Los Muertes look) are strung along the fence.
The family therapist and merchant-mariner enjoy sitting in their driveway with their 23-month-old son Wyatt and enjoy their fire pit, while watching onlookers react to their scene. Jennifer says that they don’t get many trick-or-treaters, so they hope that readers will bring their little ones to witness their hard work. Last Saturday, the Dolans hosted a Halloween party and guests awed at the intricate detail and theming of the yard.
Inside the home, the Dolans eased up on decorations for the safety of their toddler, but every year, Jennifer transforms their bathroom into the Halloween world of ‘A Nightmare Before Christmas’ (her favorite movie). For Christmas, Brandon says that they shift from spooky to winter wonderland, with lights hanging from almost every surface on their property.
‘It’s a great way to celebrate the season and connect with the community,” said Jennifer. ‘Come visit us and bring your kids, because it’s pretty cool!”
To donate to the ‘Skeletons for St. Jude’ campaign, visit their Facebook page at Skeletons for St. Jude Research Hospital at this link: https://www.facebook.com/donate/236694791748189/. When you visit the Dolan house, they have a barcode at their gate for people to scan and give.
Visit the Dolans at 45 East New Jersey Avenue in Somers Point between 7pm and 11pm until November 1st.
