They walk among us

Staff Reports

Now's the chance to walk among the ghosts of Carson Valley.

Ghosts take to the street and cemeteries during the Douglas County Historical Society's Haunted Weekend beginning tonight and running through Sunday.

The Haunted Gardnerville Ghost Walk is today, the Garden Cemetery Tour is Saturday and the walking tour of haunted Genoa is Sunday.

Each event is a $5 admission and all proceeds benefit the Douglas County Historical Society. Information at 782-2893 or 782-2555.

Come early if you need to buy tickets for today's Haunted Gardnerville Ghost Walk as the tours depart at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Some of the characters from the Valley's historic past are featured in this weekend's haunted events.

Ghost-hunters identified Morton Gray as one of the ghosts who frequent the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center. Mr. Gray was a janitor who haunts museum rooms, along with a little boy who likes to follow people. The museum is haunted by Dwight Borges as the janitor and Dianna Borges as a fortune teller.

The old Gardnerville hospital is haunted by several ghosts, especially Nurse Kenny, played by Sue Smith. Linda Reid is the guide to take tours back in time inside Trinity Lutheran Church. Mrs. Bruns will be found in her rocking chair, telling the history of her family and the old Bruns Garage on Main Street. She will be played by her granddaughter Jenny.

Judge Hickey, played by his grandson Tom Hickey, was known for performing marriages at all times of the day and night. The judge even married a few celebrities in his day.

The history of the Olds family will be brought to life on Douglas Avenue by Grandma Olds, played by Linda Curtis. The Luther Olds family were early settlers who operated a way station on the Emigrant Trail. They had a reputation for "borrowing" horses from some settlers and re-selling them to others. Grandma might share the real story.

Ghosts come to life Saturday in the Garden Cemetery, behind the Stratton Center on Cemetery Lane and Douglas Avenue in Gardnerville. Guides lead tours every 15 minutes.

You will meet Valley rancher Ed Godecke who relates family history and talks about the horrible murders of his friends while they were in Elko on a cattle buying trip. Frank Godecke plays his grandfather.

Centerville blacksmith John Rieman, played by his grandson Eric Rieman, tells the story of meeting his future wife when they both worked for the Dressler Ranch.

JB Lekumberry plays his ancestor, Jean Lekumberry, and relates the history of the sheepherder and Gardnerville businessman who purchased the J T Basque Bar & Dining Room. You may hear the story behind the hats that decorate the bar and the bills on the ceiling.

William Arthur Settelmeyer will be at the family plot to share some history about the family ranch and the many changes that have taken place over the years. James Settelmeyer plays his grandfather.

These ghosts are all very friendly but you never know who else may show up considering the time of year and the location.