By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

The Szuba family of Garden City will once again be transforming their property into a Halloween wonderland of scary surprises - all in fun, and all in an effort to raise money for pancreatic cancer research.

Their annual Haunted House for Cancer Research will take place on October 25 and 26 from 1 to 9 p.m. at their home located at 92 Meadow Street. Members of local school drama clubs will be on hand to entertain visitors as they journey through a haunted house created in loving memory of Dr. Martin Szuba by his sons Jared and Michael and wife Dr. Geralyn Groh-Szuba.

The family raised $500 the first year they started the event in 2002, several weeks after Martin died from pancreatic cancer. He had always enjoyed the holiday, and spent time with his sons decorating the house and making local trick-or-treaters smile by dressing in costume. "The boys, who were 8 and 11 years old at the time, decided to have the first Haunted House just after their dad passed away because they wanted to help prevent other children from losing a young parent or other loved one as they did," explained Geralyn. "They also wanted to remember how much fun he always had with them on Halloween."

Since 2002, the event has grown considerably-this year the family's goal is $10,000! For the first time this year the event will take place on two days and for extended hours. There will also be a table to purchase donated snacks and assorted Halloween goodies.

Admission is $5. Volunteers from Garden City High School's Miracle Kids Club will also be available to accept donations to the Miracle Foundation and/or the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.