PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

Ted Penovich left a lasting impression on Jim Burgunder and his business.

“He’s as much a part of this place as I am,” says Burgunder, as he gazes around The Windmill, an ice cream shop and miniature golf course that’s decorated with monster murals painted by the late artist.

On Oct. 29 — what would’ve been Penovich’s 64th birthday — friends, family and horror fans gathered at The Windmill to celebrate his life and artistic legacy. Burgunder plans to make it an annual event.

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

Penovich, a Sewickley native who died Aug. 29, made his mark on numerous schools and businesses, including North Hills eateries such as Big Shot Bob’s, Cookie’s Creamery and Custard’s First Stand, a scoop shop located across the street from a creepy collectibles store called Time Bomb Toys.

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

At The Windmill, Penovich’s 90-plus paintings span the horror movie genre. Each year, from mid-September through Halloween night, you can marvel at the macabre collection while trying to sink a hole-in-one amid a bunch of chainsaw-wielding clowns.

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

Sixteen years ago, when Burgunder bought the landmark that opened in 1962, he hired Penovich to add cute, ice cream-eating characters to the windows and walls and create spooky backdrops for the extended putt-putt season.

Most of the murals are painted on 6-foot-by-8-foot sections of wooden fencing, which are taken down and stored indoors during the winter months. Members of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity at Robert Morris University help Burgunder clean up the course, which will close for the season on Dec. 16.

The collegiate volunteers work for frozen treats, including funnel cakes topped with Hershey’s pumpkin ice cream, marshmallow drizzle, caramel and pecans.

At The Windmill, fear is par for the course, but so is dessert.