
by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi

Diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer when she was 14, Amber Temmen spent many holidays in the hospital. Because of that she loves going big when it comes to decorating, part of the reason her family’s house at 123 North Main Street in Kilmarnock is a Halloween lover’s delight.
Dillon Clarkson and Temmen, and their three children, twins Audrey and Charlotte and son Daniel, have spent countless hours turning their front yard into a spooky and fun attraction for all ages. Maturer folks will love the scarier creatures, such as a 12-foot tall animatronic Bone Collector and the couple’s humorous nod to the loss of Northern Neck Ginger Ale in the cemetery, while youngsters will enjoy inflatables and a giant singing jack-o-lantern.
And all the effort is not just for show. It’s for a good cause. Clarkson’s and Temmen’s fun-filled yard display serves as a fundraiser for both St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and the Lancaster/Northumberland Toys for Tots program.
“This year we have gone even bigger and are doing something really special….







