A field of homegrown pumpkins and three acres of corn stalks that stand seven feet tall set the perfect scene for some Halloween corn maze fun at Siuta Farms in Niagara County.
The Siutas are welcoming the public to a corn maze on their farm for the first time, something that would not have happened without the help of their late son Stephen Walter Siuta.
The vibrant 20-year-old came up with the idea for the corn maze shortly before an accident involving a drunk driver claimed his life on July 22.
The third eldest son of eight, Stephen put his willingness to help with family finances and his knowledge of the farm to good use with his idea for the corn maze.
"My husband, Paul, talked Stephen into coming up with a way to generate more income for the farm so he thought of this corn maze," said Ailleen Siuta.
Mrs. Siuta said the farm-savvy young man was a considerable help.
"If Stephen heard a little click in one of our machines, he would know that there was something wrong about it and he knew how to repair it right away."
The Siuta family has always been joined in the running of their farming business, selling the wheat, soybeans, corn, hay and pumpkins which they grow on their 150-acre farm.
"We've always sold pumpkins because we've always taught our kids how to work with people and how to work with money. The money we made from the pumpkin stand, we would put in the kid's college fund," said Mrs. Siuta.
Because it was their late son's special project, making the corn maze a reality was of extra importance to the Siuta family. Mrs. Siuta said creating something for people to enjoy was the kind of thing that pleased Stephen.
"My son was very generous and he never did anything for anyone, hoping to get anything back in return," said Mrs. Siuta. "He was a very good kid and he was well liked because he liked people for what was inside."
The Siuta Farms Corn Maze will be open for Halloween this weekend and in addition to walking the corn maze, visitors can also take part in a hay wagon ride that follows two miles of trails.
"We do provide flashlights once it gets dark and we also provide maps for visitors who do not want to follow the maze using their own sense of direction," said Mrs. Siuta.
Visitors who come for the corn maze and hay wagon rides are greeted with the friendly smiles of the Siuta children as well as their aunts, uncles, and grandparents who all help with the produce and animals on the farm.
"Family means more than anything. Without it, what do you have?" asked Mrs. Siuta.
The Siuta Farms Corn Maze, located in Niagara County, will be open on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight. They will also be open on Halloween from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
People who visited the farms for the corn maze on Tuesday had just the experience the Siutas hoped they would.
"I have never been to something like this before but it is definitely an interesting experience," said Lindsey Schmidt, a junior health and human services major. "Walking through the maze, I felt like I would never get out but after a few hours pass and after walking around in circles a few times, you eventually find your way out."
The Siutas will donate a portion of the proceeds from the corn maze to Mothers Against Drunk Driving along with a donation to the Stephen Walter Siuta Memorial Scholarship Fund.
"It is terrible that this family has lost their son but I think this corn maze is great and I think the family should be proud of their son for creating such a unique way for them to earn money for their family," said Ajay Abraham, a senior in the school of management.
Mrs. Siuta said she intends to spread the word about drunk driving and the terrible effects it can have on families.
"I don't have anything against drinking but you need to be more responsible when you drink because you may end up killing a loved one," said Mrs. Siuta. "We will never get Stephen back because a man irresponsibly made the decision to drive after he had been drinking and that decision cost us our son."
For directions or more information, call 731-4882.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
