CNN said no, but The Paris Independent said yes! Meet North Ward’s Halloween mastermind

A frightfully good imagination! Thirteen-year-old Tyler Reain stands among the spooky characters in the elaborate Halloween display he created outside his family's Garden Crescent home. With recycled materials, a little help from a friend and a whole lot of imagination, Tyler has transformed his front yard into a haunted masterpiece. Proud of his creation, he decided it deserved some media attention — but The Paris Independent wasn't his first call! Find out which major news network turned him down and why we couldn't resist sharing his story on Page 6.

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

Thirteen-year-old Tyler Reain turns his Garden Crescent home into a haunted masterpiece, proving that a little imagination — and a lot of Halloween spirit — can go a long way.

Last week, we introduced readers to the spooky tradition of the South Ward Scare, where Halloween enthusiasts are transforming their homes into frightfully fantastic displays. But what about the North Ward scare?

While there’s no official competition in the north end of town, that doesn’t mean residents aren't getting into the Halloween spirit. In fact, one Garden Crescent home is giving the South Ward a run for its money, thanks to the creativity, ambition and slightly twisted imagination of 13-year-old Tyler Reain.

And how did we find out about Tyler's haunted masterpiece? Well, he called us, of course! But apparently, we weren't his first choice. When I asked Tyler what inspired him to pick up the phone and contact The Paris Independent, his response was priceless.

“Well, I tried CNN first – they said no!”

Their loss, our gain!

After striking out with the international news network, Tyler turned his attention to something a little closer to home. He Googled The Paris Independent, found our phone number and left a message, hoping someone would take an interest in the Halloween display he'd worked so hard to create.

Tyler, like most kids his age, loves Halloween. And when asked what he loves most about the spooky season, he didn't hesitate. It's the candy, of course!

While the Reain family decorates their home every year, usually with the help of Tyler's parents, Dan and Kristen, this year he decided to take matters into his own hands. And he wasn't settling for a few pumpkins and a skeleton on the porch.

Armed with decorations he gathered from a Halloween bin in the house, some recycled building materials and a vision, Tyler got to work.

He repurposed wooden pallets from his treehouse to construct a wall leading up to the front door, enlisting the help of his friend Colton Robinson along the way. His parents also pitched in, obtaining cornstalks through a family friend to add to the eerie atmosphere.

And while his parents were away, Tyler's imagination really took flight. He even climbed a ladder onto the roof to position one of the display's most important characters - the killer!

Yes, there's a storyline behind all this madness.

“I have a little storyline,” he shared. “There’s a mass killer on the loose. Up on the roof is the killer. As we go along, there’s people tied up, we have a clown, a cow, the baby on (taped to) the window.”

A clown, a cow and a baby in the window? We didn't dare ask how they all fit into this terrifying tale! But Tyler's attention to detail doesn't stop with the characters. He's added lighting to bring the display to life after dark, along with music, an animated witch and a smoke effect to complete the creepy experience.

His mother, Kristen, says decorating for Halloween has always been a family tradition, but this year's display is something different.

“We have a bin of stuff, usually I have the chairs out front with a family - a lady, a man and two kids. We do something every Halloween, but this year’s a wee different,” she said.

And being the good sport she is, Kristen has agreed to become part of the attraction herself, dressing up and taking her place among the frightening figures on Halloween night.

As for Tyler, he'll be out trick-or-treating, leaving his parents to hold down the haunted fort and hand out candy to unsuspecting visitors. But don't think for a second that means he'll miss all the action.

“I'm going to get a security camera,” he announced. Clearly, this young entrepreneur has thought of everything!

And speaking of entrepreneurship, Tyler's ambition doesn't end with Halloween decorations. He's the kind of kid who's always dreaming up his next project, finding creative ways to stay busy and, if possible, make a little money along the way.

Earlier this year, he started his own business, Surge Power Washing, offering services such as cleaning sidewalks, decks and general outdoor cleanup.

But right now, Halloween is his main priority. His hope is that all his hard work will attract plenty of visitors to Garden Crescent on Oct. 31. And while that might mean his parents will have to dig a little deeper into their pockets to keep the candy bowl stocked, Tyler seems perfectly fine with that arrangement. After all, what's the point of creating a haunted masterpiece if nobody comes to see it?

Stories like Tyler's are exactly why I love community journalism. Sure, we cover the big issues, municipal elections, school boundaries, construction projects and the decisions that affect our community. Those stories are important, and we'll always be there to tell them.

We love it when readers reach out, invite us into their world and share the things they're proud of. It doesn't have to be a major event or a groundbreaking achievement to deserve a little recognition.

In the meantime, if you're looking for a little Halloween fright, take a stroll down Garden Crescent and check out Tyler's handiwork.  Just keep an eye on the roof. Apparently, there's a killer on the loose!