{"id":2102017,"date":"2025-10-19T15:47:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-19T15:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2102017"},"modified":"2025-10-19T15:47:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-19T15:47:11","slug":"eight-year-old-orchestrates-elaborate-animatronic-halloween-display-at-eltingville-home-inside-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/eight-year-old-orchestrates-elaborate-animatronic-halloween-display-at-eltingville-home-inside-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Eight year-old orchestrates elaborate animatronic Halloween display at Eltingville home | Inside Out"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Editor\u2019s Note: Welcome to Inside Out, our weekly roundup of stories about Staten Islanders making waves, being seen, supporting our community and just making our borough a special place to live. Have a story for Inside Out? Email Carol Ann Benanti at benanti@siadvance.com<\/p>\n

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\"Michael\"<\/picture>
Michael DePrima, 8, at his Eltingville home with “Trick or Treat Pete,” an animatronic who has candy coming out of his mouth.\u00a0 (Courtesy\/Deprima family)Staten Island Advance<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 Halloween is on the horizon \u2014 the scariest day of the year \u2014 and with it comes plenty of ghosts and goblins, and spooky, scary, skeletons and creepy characters.<\/p>\n

And what about pumpkin spice everything \u2014 in just about everything?<\/p>\n

Though celebrating Halloween has changed dramatically over the last 100 years \u2014 and morphed into a huge holiday celebration where folks dress up wildly and decorate their homes spectacularly \u2014 one thing will always remain the same: Halloween brings out the kid in all of us.<\/p>\n

These days, Halloween savvy youngsters are crafting personalized costumes, elaborate digital decorations, and highly interactive experiences. <\/p>\n

The growing trend is a reflection of a generation fluent in technology who might even employ the use generative AI to design their Halloween looks and outlandish decorations.<\/p>\n

Take Michael DePrima for instance, an 8 year-old third grade student at P.S. 42 \u2014 who simply adores everything about Halloween.<\/p>\n

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\"Michael\"<\/picture>
“The Grave Watcher” is just one of the animatronics showcased in front of Michael’s Eltingville home. (Courtesy\/DePrima family)Staten Island Advance<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

So much so in fact, that he eagerly anticipates the opening of the \u201cSpirit Halloween\u201d stores each year \u2014 and is one of its first visitors.<\/p>\n

The clever youngster has a fascination for Halloween animatronics \u2014 oversized creatures that resemble scary people or animals who talk \u2014 and began collecting the line as birthday presents for the past two years, according to his \u201cNonna,\u201d Toni Maffeo. <\/p>\n

\u201cI even print out the SILive.com Halloween decorated houses addresses that I receive from the website so we can visit them,\u201d she told us.<\/p>\n

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\"Michael\"<\/picture>
Michael, his sister, Marianna and mom Rosanne, pose with the “Grim Reaper” and “Creepy Witch” and another scary character. (Courtesy\/DePrima family)Staten Island Advance<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

So, between Michael\u2019s parents, Mike and Rosanne, and his \u201cNonna and Poppy,\u201d Michael and his sister Marianna get to see them all. <\/p>\n

As a result of Michael being inspired by the houses, he decided to start a collection of his very own right in front of his Eltingville home. <\/p>\n

\u201cNonna\u201d adds that in what began as a graveyard theme, Michael now has two more animatronics, \u201cTrick or Treat Pete,\u201d a wicked clown that was a gift from \u201cNonna and Poppy\u201d and \u201cMonkey Business,\u201d who\u2019s more than six feet tall, and a gift from Michael\u2019s other grandma and grandpa \u2014 additions that kicked off the collection.<\/p>\n

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\"Michael\"<\/picture>
Michael DePrima with an animatronic called “Monkey Business.” When the box\u00a0opens, the monkey’s head pops out. (Courtesy\/DePrima family)Staten Island Advance<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

What\u2019s more, though Michael\u2019s collection might not be as grand as some of the more elaborate Halloween displays found around town, what counts is that he\u2019s put his heart and soul into the project.<\/p>\n

Diligent, dedicated and focused, Michael\u2019s come to realize the amount of time, effort and patience that goes into completing his Halloween project \u2014 and he\u2019s also learning the value of a dollar.<\/p>\n

And because of Michael\u2019s imaginative nature, each year the display will grow to even greater heights.<\/p>\n

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\"MIchael\"<\/picture>
A Halloween character named “Bob” slumps over in a chair. (Courtesy\/DePrima family)Staten Island Advance<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Michael recounts that his interest in Halloween and animatronics was piqued when he was in the second grade and visited the home of a friend named, Aidan.<\/p>\n

He became so intrigued with the motorized Halloween animatronics, that he caught the bug.<\/p>\n

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\"Michael\"<\/picture>
The “Grim Reaper” and “Creepy Witch” are part of Michael’s collection. (Courtesy\/DePrima family)Staten Island Advance<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\u201cI got to thinking that I could set up my own version of Halloween animatronics,\u201d he gushed.<\/p>\n

Michael\u2019s Halloween animatronics consist of oversized characters which are motorized and have names like \u201cTwisted Grandma\u201d and \u201cJack the Reaper,\u201d the mascot for Spirit Halloween stores, as well as other scary monsters.<\/p>\n

Michael goes on to explain they\u2019re positioned right outside his house in full view so everyone can see them clearly.<\/p>\n

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\"Michael\"<\/picture>
“Killer Santa” is also part of Michael’s Halloween animatronics. (Courtesy\/DePrima family)Staten Island Advance<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\u201c\u2018Trick or Treat Pete\u2019 even spits out candies,\u201d he revealed. \u201cAnd there\u2019s another one called \u2018Monkey Business,\u201d and \u2018Scary Santa.\u201c You have to build them and my mom dad and sister help, even though my sister prefers to go on her iPad.\u201d <\/p>\n

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\"Michael\"<\/picture>
“Killer Santa” and skeletons galore are on display outside Michael’s Eltingville home. (Courtesy\/DePrima family)Staten Island Advance<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Michael adds he\u2019s had his collection for two years now and he\u2019s adding scary characters every year. And he starts putting them up in September.<\/p>\n

And when queried about his own costume for Halloween, he explained he\u2019s dressing up as a ghost face! <\/p>\n

MICHAEL\u2019S SCHOOL ACTIVITIES<\/b><\/p>\n

On Halloween morning, P.S. 42 will host a March of Dimes Wonder Walk Parade, where children strut around the school yard in their costumes . <\/p>\n

Watch for \u201cBoo 42,\u201d at P.S. 42 when the PTA will put together a family friendly, fun Halloween event replete with bouncy houses, refreshment tables and other goodies for children who attend the Eltingville school. <\/p>\n

And, of course, deejay Dina Francis will be on hand to make it all the more complete.<\/p>\n

CELEBRATIONS – OCT. 19 to OCT. 25<\/b><\/p>\n

OCT. 19<\/b><\/p>\n

Sunday is birthday time for film producer, Jules Nasso, for Marisa Calabrese of M & J Ballroom Dance, Andrew Esposito, John \u201cFritzie\u201d Ryan, Lois Siewert, Paul McPolin, Pat M. Ballweg, and Melisa Perosi.<\/p>\n

OCT. 20<\/b><\/p>\n

Birthday greetings on Monday go to Thomas Herrlich, Muriel Nielsen, Kyla Maroney, who turns 21, Steven Blaine, Daniel Joseph Heaney, Anthony Mazzallo, Mimi Howland and Marty Giovinazzo. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s also birthday party time for twins Rebecca and Patricia Pallone and Alexandra Sottile, who turns 28.<\/p>\n

Happy wedding anniversary on Monday to Roy Moskowitz and Ann Price-Moskowitz.<\/p>\n

OCT. 21<\/b><\/p>\n

Pat Beyar gets the birthday wishes today on Tuesday as does Marina DiNatale, Jayson Rodriquez, Lisa Fox, George Petersen and Thomas John Macchia.\u00b6<\/p>\n

OCT. 22<\/b><\/p>\n

Happy birthday on Wednesday go James Lee, Diane Bacci, Dorothy Savino, Florence Pellegrino, James Muzio, Stacey Lapcevic and Gerard Cirillo.<\/p>\n

OCT. 23<\/b><\/p>\n

Birthday best on Thursday to Dr. Allan Perel, Anthony Boscaino III, Justine Cauldwell, Kristen Pedersen, Debbie Stavola, Amanda Taylor, Robert Phillip Ruggiero, Lauren Jean Rosati, Laura Milone, Ben Zarelli, Cassidy Marie Zarelli, and Thomas Patrick Britton.<\/p>\n

OCT. 24<\/b><\/p>\n

The happiest of birthdays on Friday to Jan Somma-Hammel who shares her birthday with Gregory Neal, Ed Cardona, Gregory Swanson, and Traci Cangiano, who all celebrate on Friday.<\/p>\n

Happy wedding anniversary Friday to Hilarie and Paul Felsher. <\/b><\/p>\n

OCT. 25<\/b><\/p>\n

Celebrating birthdays on Saturday are, Regina Damato and Thomas Stavola.<\/p>\n

Saturday is wedding anniversary time for Melissa and Paul Miller who celebrate their 23rd. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.silive.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s Note: Welcome to Inside Out, our weekly roundup of stories about Staten Islanders making waves, being seen, supporting our community and just making our borough a special place to live. Have a story for Inside Out? Email Carol Ann Benanti at benanti@siadvance.com Michael DePrima, 8, at his Eltingville home with “Trick or Treat Pete,” […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2102017","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-entertainment"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2102017","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2102017"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2102017\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2102018,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2102017\/revisions\/2102018"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2102017"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2102017"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2102017"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}