Research and Oral Histories are Basis for Spooky Tales

— from Carol Kulminski —

Antoinette Botsford

While both the Pioneer and Crow Valley School museums are filling with off-island visitors, it is our hope that locals will find their way into one of the museums before this intriguing program ends in August. Nancy Reas, a resident of Orcas, attended an evening of Spooky Tales and had this to say:

“I had the most delightful experience last Friday evening at the Crow Valley School Museum.  I attended Antoinette Botsford’s Spooky Tales presentation, primarily because she is my neighbor and friend, and I wanted to support her. I had no idea how interesting it would be.

Antoinette’s Spooky Tales all take place on Orcas, and now I’m convinced there ARE ghosts here.  Antoinette has done her homework.  She does not merely repeat tales told by others but researches the stories to the point of contacting living relatives of the people who are known to haunt the island.  Ever wonder why the Four Winds campers wear blue bloomers?  Ever heard about Room #5 in the Outlook Inn?  I don’t want to give too much away, but just let me add that from now on when I have guests from off island, if the Spooky Tales are being told, we will be in the audience.  I might even round up a few locals and take them, too.”

Spooky Tales with an Orcas Spin really does focus on the unique history of this island and, as Nancy stated, the stories grew from Antoinette’s extensive research embellished (where necessary) by creative imagination. But many of the details are absolutely verifiable. These are not formulaic “gotcha'” stories. This program is recommended for children 7 and older.

Please join us on Wednesdays at 8:00 pm at the Pioneer Museum or Fridays at 5:00 pm at the Crow Valley School Museum. Get tickets in advance by calling the museum at 360-376-4849 or purchase Brown Paper Tickets at www.orcasmuseums.org/spooky-tales.html.