Raise Your Spirits

Written By: Mary Jane McCall | Issue: October 2024

“To understand and reconnect with our stories, the stories of the ancestors, is to build our identities.” – Frank Delaney (Irish Author)

The Highlands Historical Society will host its annual Walk in the Park on Saturday, October 26. Eight “ghosts” will entertain visitors in two separate sessions as local actors, once again, portray some of Highlands’ most famous past residents.

Local resident Brian McClellan will play the role of “gravedigger” and welcome visitors to the cemetery and introduce them to the ghosts to come. Rick Siegel will portray Silas McDowell. Ron Leslie will portray Lt. James Rideout. Joan Worthy will portray Meta Norton Frost Hall. Anne Newhouse will portray Eleonore Raoul. Cathy Myers will portray Rebecca Smallwood Harris. Robin Phillips will portray Helen Norris Hill and Randy Lucas will portray Robert Dupree.

The first session begins at 2:00 P.M. with reserved times until 3:30 P.M. and allows visitors to stroll Highlands Memorial Park Cemetery as they hear riveting stories from our ancestors. Anyone choosing the first session should plan on a moderate hike from one end of the park to the other. All first session visitors will park at the Community Building and will be shuttled to the park at their reserved time. The shuttles will return visitors at the end of their walk.

The second session will begin at 5:00 in the Community Building. All visitors will be seated in the comfort of the facility and the “ghosts” will visit them with images of the Park Cemetery in the background for just the right ambience. Anyone who has mobility issues or who does not wish to walk the park should register for the second session.

In the event of poor weather, both sessions will be held in the Community Building with the first session beginning at 2:30 P.M. for all ticket holders, regardless of their scheduled time. Second session ticket holders will still begin at 5:00 P.M. as scheduled.

Tickets for Walk in the Park can only be purchased by visiting the Highlands Historical Society website at highlandshistory.com and following the appropriate link. First session ticket holders should note their scheduled time and plan on arriving at the Community Building 15 minutes in advance to take the shuttle to Memorial Park. There will be no cars allowed in the park during the first session. All tickets are $25 and are non-refundable. Due to space requirements, a limited number of tickets are available for both sessions. Depending on availability, tickets may be purchased at the door for both sessions.