Sinister Sightings on the Square

A new figure has been lurking around the Salem Square lately... but just who is this creature?

This monster goes by the name of “Sin” and is played by none other than Joshua Calvin. As you might recall, this is not Calvin’s first time behind a mask. Back in December of 2024, he appeared as “Krampus” on the square to help raise money for a friend in need. This time around, the motive is very similar.

“One of our friends got some severe storm damage to her house, and she also uses it as part of her business as well,” said Calvin. “She really has no way to repair it herself.”

Joshua Calvin dressed as "Sin"

Calvin went on to explain that their friend is going through a very difficult time financially, and he and his wife Mel decided they wanted to help her with the flood and storm damage.

“We’ve done something like this before,” continued Calvin. “We dressed up as Krampus last year to help another individual that we knew. She’s currently battling a pretty nasty, rare blood type cancer, and her insurance is through the roof. I have also dressed up as a monster for ‘Buckets on the Square’ for Special Olympics because I’m a paralympic coach with them. That’s what we do this for. We dress up to help people and to give people memories. We’ve met a lot of beautiful people doing this.”

Joshua and Mel Calvin

Joshua Calvin then remarked that they met a man who had lost everything in the storm, but he still donated to help their cause.

“We also met a young lady when we were doing Krampus who had a rare type of blood cancer as well. She decided to donate, and that really touched our hearts,” Calvin said. “We get to witness a lot of amazing stories like that.”

Calvin and Mel both used to be involved in the Southern Indiana Renaissance Fair, and unsurprisingly, that is where the origins of his costume began.

“We used to be part of the Indiana Renaissance Fair, and that’s where this whole idea began. It pretty much evolved a little bit more, and I added more and more to it until it became cooler and cooler and found an original formula for it,” said Calvin. “I eventually launched an actors troupe that’s local here. So, we all dress up as monsters – called the Menagerie of Monsters – and we’re part of the Chamber of Commerce as well.

“The original idea behind the Menagerie of Monsters is that we would walk through places such as a zoo for instance, and we’d all be dressed in really creepy, original design monster costumes; it gives people something to look at.

“I put that actors troupe together because I am a 100% disabled veteran. I have some pretty nasty mental health issues and a bad heart and back. The VA (Veterans Affairs) doctors say I have six years left. Dressing up as a monster helps me cope, and I guess it’s cathartic in a way because it helps me mentally since they’re all faceless, mute monsters,” added Calvin.

Another big reason why Joshua and Mel Calvin dress up is because they like to see children overcome their apprehension to things that may appear frightening.

Calvin dressed as Krampus.

“I really like to see kids overcome their fears. I have a pretty good C.S. Lewis quote that touches me very deeply: ‘Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.’ Monsters may exist in this world, but you still have to overcome them,” Calvin said. “We always make sure we’re always kind. I’m not menacing toward any of the kids ever. I try to get them to come in and face their fears because their initial reaction is, ‘man, this is scary.’ But once they come up to see me, it quickly changes to, ‘oh, this isn’t so bad.’ It’s really all about building people up, not tearing them down.”

Unfortunately, Joshua and Mel have faced some criticisms from various members of our community regarding their passion for dressing in their hand-made costumes.

“A lot of people have called us satanists and things of that nature. I actually used to go to Southern Hills Church. Steve Corp, who is a wonderful pastor, married us, and I love the guy. I ended up stepping away from that church – not for any negative reasons – but because I knew I would get a lot of flack from our fellow community members for doing this, and I did not want to drag the church into our controversial dealings. I am a devout Christian, and I have been for a long time. I have seen some people that I used to sit with at church turn their backs on me and say some pretty negative things even though they know better. It’s pretty painful to see some people react that way.

“I think a lot of it is born of ignorance,” continued Calvin. “They don’t take the time to stop and think or ask questions.”

“That’s the biggest thing,” added Mel Calvin. “They will just go to town on us sometimes, but we both just stay out of it for the most part. I’ve been called a satanist and a witch, and I’ve been told I should be burned. I just tend to think, ‘well, I’m not, but if you would have asked you would have known.’ It’s all harmless, Halloween-type fun.”

Joshua and Mel plan to continue their appearances on the Square every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until May 14. So, be sure to stop by for a photo and consider donating to a wonderful cause!

Despite the shadows cast by criticisms and misconceptions, Joshua and Mel Calvin continue to shine brightly. What began as a love for theatrical creativity has blossomed into a mission of compassion. Whether it is helping friends rebuild after storms, supporting those fighting illnesses, or giving children the courage to face their fears, Joshua and Mel show us that there is always more than what meets the eye. So, the next time you spot “Sin” roaming the Salem Square, don’t be afraid to say “hi.” You might just discover that a heart of gold can often take unexpected forms.