Sutter Creek – Since finding another home for their annual Halloween fundraising haunted house, 2 local families have set a goal of raising double what they did last year for Sutter Creek Elementary School. Jeff Jolly, Lynn Borgquist and Heather Bruen – and their spouses and families – will return to the haunting business starting Friday in the basement of the Sutter Creek City Auditorium. Jolly, a Sutter Creek Public Works employee, and Daniel Bruen (co-owner of JD’s Steakhouse with his wife, Heather) approached the Sutter Creek City Council early in September during a public comment period and said they had been working with City Manager Rob Duke on the possibility of using the basement. The past 2 years, the families and volunteers used American Exchange Hotel for the haunted house, with proceeds benefiting Sutter Creek Elementary, attended by Jolly and wife Erica’s 2 sons and the Bruens’ daughter. Bruen told the City Council it could not use the hotel, and Duke suggested using the auditorium basement, used in the past for other haunted fundraisers. The council supported the idea, and Jolly on Wednesday was showing Mayor Pro Tem Tim Murphy around the false walls of the nearly completed haunt area, telling about safety features and other things. The Bruen and Jolly families have been joined the last 2 years by the Borgquists, Heather’s twin sister and husband Eric, who live in Southern California and come up for the project. It began as a fundraiser for families of firefighters lost in the 911 attacks. Now they will earmark proceeds to help Sutter Creek Elementary School, in an as yet undecided way. They raised $750 last year, and Jolly said: “This year we hope to be able to double that, because we were able to construct this all on donations.” They have taken one loan, but hope it may morph into a donation. Jolly said sponsors will be listed on a donors’ board on the street in front of the auditorium. Sponsors include the city of Sutter Creek, JD’s Steakhouse, Louis Boitano, Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort and American Exchange Hotel. The haunted house will operate this Friday and Saturday (Oct. 23 & 24) and next Friday, October 30th and 31st. Hours are open 5 p.m. and run until we don’t have anybody else Approximate hours of operation will be 5-10 p.m., but Jolly said if they have people lined up and wanting to go through the attraction, they will stay open later. For information, call (916) 716-8426. The Auditorium is at 18 Main Street in Sutter Creek. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.