— by Carol Kulminski —
Hatchet Annie has been a popular story at Four Winds camp for decades. It was originally told to impress the young campers not to go into the woods alone. Professional storyteller, Antoinette Botsford, reveals a different version of Annie as she contends with the vicious Boo Hag that nearly takes over the landscape that will become Camp Four Winds. (Happily, no Boo Hags have been seen since her time.) The only encounter you’re likely to have with a Boo Hag nowadays is when Antoinette tells the story at the popular Spooky Tales program presented by the Orcas Island Historical Museums.
A historian and folklorist by training, Antoinette has investigated the spirits of those who once resided on Orcas Island, or who in rare cases may still be here. Some stories, such as a ghost who once stayed at Outlook Inn, are about love and love lost. Antoinette embellishes verifiable historical data with imagination (where needed) to result in intriguing stories that keep the audience, sometimes as young as six years old–some as old as ninety– hanging on every word!
Some of it, Antoinette points out, is authentic history—with eerie side-issues that are suggested by geneaological studies and old newspaper articles. Some is from hearsay, and from tales shared with her by locals. But it’s all Orcas Island in one way or another and leaves the listener with a sense of the island that stretches well beyond travel guidebooks.
Performances of Spooky Tales with an Orcas Spin start Friday, July 6 at 5:00 pm at the Crow Valley School House and Wednesday, July 11 at 8:00 pm at the Pioneer Museum on North Beach Road. The schedule is the same for every Wednesday and Friday through August. Purchase tickets in advance through Brown Paper Tickets, at the museum, or by phone with a credit card at 360-376-4849. Ticket prices are $10 adults, $8 members, and $5 (under 18).
Reservations are recommended. Last year, many people were turned away. Both venues have limited seating. Spooky Tales starts July 6 and runs through August 31. orcasmuseums.org
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