As Halloween approaches, how about a haunted house story?

In 1884, Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune, took a spirited view for her home. According to legend, she was told by a psychic that it was her duty to go West and build a house -- for herself and the ghosts of all the victims killed by Winchester rifles.

For the next 38 years, the eccentric widow employed carpenters and other craftsmen -- continually expanding the house, around the clock. It all added up to:

••160 rooms

••467 doorways (many leading nowhere)

••40 stairways (many also leading nowhere)

••47 fireplaces

••17 chimneys

••52 skylights

••Six kitchens

••13 bathrooms

••10,000 windows

Unlike most homes of its era, the mansion in San Jose, Calif., had modern heating and sewer systems, elevators and gas lights (which were operated by pressing a button).

The home had seven stories prior to a 1906 earthquake; now it has four.

Winchester had inherited about $20 million, and she had an income of $1,000 per day (about $21,000 in 2008 dollars). She spent about $5 million building the home.

As for practical measures in the sprawling mansion, a shower was specially designed so the diminutive woman could wash without getting her hair wet. There was also an elaborate servant call system as well as a patented laundry room (with built-in scrub-board and soap holders).

Winchester stipulated in her will (signed 13 times) that the ghosts continue to enjoy five-course banquets served with solid-gold table settings.

The Sarah Winchester Mystery House is now a museum, but even the docents need a map so they don't get lost. It's one of 15 haunted homes visited at www.ThisOldHouse.com

A $5,000 gift card is the grand prize in Home Depot's energy savings video contest. To enter, submit a short video demonstrating how you are helping the environment and saving money by making your home more energy-efficient. The videos will be judged on relevance to the energy savings theme, originality and creativity. The deadline to enter is Nov. 9.

More information: www.homedepot.com/youtube.

Six kitchens in private homes in Harbor Country, Mich., will be open for touring on Saturday during the annual Kitchen Walk.

The homes are in Lakeside, Bridgman, Forest Beach and Grand Beach. Tickets are $125; $100 in advance. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Chicago time. Tours begin at At Home With Nature, 15998, Red Arrow Highway, Union Pier, Mich.

More information: (773) 293-3259; www.designsfordignity.org.