Special Events - Ghost Stories 2007
Ghost
stories is an annual event at Volo Bog and has been going on since the Friends
of Volo Bog first formed. In 1983 it was called the “Swamp Spook Walk”, and 389
people attended this event on October 30th put on by 25 volunteers. Bogeymen,
ghosts and spirits rose up out of the bog along the interpretive trail.
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Jack-O-Lanterns carved |
Setting up the stage |
Refreshment stand ready |
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Luminaries are set |
Pathways are lined with pumpkins & Luminaries to light the way |
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Pizza and drinks for all the volunteers before the sun sets and the
story telling begins |
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Donations here!! |
Tickets for refreshments |
Let us serve you!! |
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The gift shop is open |
The show goes on |
Questions anyone? |
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Photos by John Holmes |
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Hi there,
As October has drawn to a close and the "
Thanks to every one of you who knew your part and played it well.
The storytellers were fantastic! Many folks said they enjoyed hearing the
two storytellers Sue Black & Don Falkos and the way they shared back &
forth. This year's attendance continued to be on the small side although
we did have a 77% turnout - up from last years 61%. The nice weather
helped. Next year, we're not going to have a registration deadline as I'm
afraid that may have kept some away who didn't hear about it until after the deadline.
This will complicate things a bit the week prior but we'll deal with
that. We're also thinking of expanding the activities to include some
earlier stuff on Saturday afternoon and/or later stuff carrying over into
Sunday. We're looking for suggestions.
Here's some of the scoop:
Storytellers: Sue Black & Don Falkos - a great dynamic duo with good flow
and variety and almost ALL Brand New (to Volo Bog Ghost Story Listeners)
stories.
Sound Man: Rusty Winchel
Rusty knows the drill inside and out and was grateful for the full AC electric!
Special thanks to . . .
The Wednesday Night Pumpkin Carving Crew who created 60 Jack-o-Lanterns!
Thanks to Jan & Harrison Wemple with friend Matt Laszlov, master carvers
Richard Wend and Bill Ewert, Master Guttors Carl Krautwurst and myself, along
with Clarence & Bernadette Haase, and the super-creative Sharon Loris and
Pat Melchi
Our DNR guys, John L., John A., Larry, Tim and Steve, spent the week
fine-tuning the "new and improved" concession stand now complete with
electrical hookups and an orange base, making the Wednesday Pumpkin-run,
then on Friday, setting up the stage lattice and hay bales in time for Pat
Melchi to work her magic on decorations. Larry again was fantastic on the
day-of, setting up tables, signs, etc, etc, etc, etc... then standing guard at
the parking lot - a lonely task indeed.
Pat Melchi did her magic with the stage. This year she's added a Volo Bog
Ghost Stories Sign - beautiful!
Thanks to Carl Krautwurst and Yvette Liautaud for preliminary organization of
food service and the rest of the crew for pitching in that night: Richard Wend,
Chris Brenner, Nancy Bodinet, Ana Federenko,
Thanks to Kathy Kozacky & the McDaniels, Rose Carpenter (& whoever
else??) for the Pumpkin and Luminary placements.
Sound & Lighting and Entertainer's Assistant Christine Steffy did triple
duty also as trail guard and usher.
Also ushering were Pamela Duncan, Billie Kocal, John Holmes, Gail Goeke, Rose
Carpenter, Carol Shaffer and Bob Vetter assisted by trail guards Margo Milde
and Kathy Kozacky.
Billie Kocal started out as a pass collector along with Yvette Liautaud while
Bill Ewert and Fred Miller assisted guests with parking and directing guests to
enter by the donation table.
Jan Wemple, this year with new accomplice Harrison Wemple, were just
intimidating enough at the donation table to scare some generous donations out
of our guests.
Merry Miller guarded the phones and assisted guests at the desk while Nancy
Schietzelt ran the Tamarack Shop.
Finally (or shall I say, firstly) my Honey, Mike Iwanicki, who knows how to
find were he's needed most and fills in accordingly as our trouble shooter!
Here's some stats:
Temps: 60 degrees with a light breeze, dropping to about 45 by
Number of Cars: 49 out of 69 registered = 77% - not too bad.
Attendance: 227
Total Number of Guests: 201 attendees + 24 volunteers + 2 staff = 227
Pizzas eaten by volunteers: 12 - Thanks Friends of Volo Bog for the
feast.
Donations collected put the FOVB in the black!
If you have any suggestions for next year, please drop me a note on paper or by
email at dnr.volobog@illinois.gov
Thanks Again for Playing Your Part!
Stacy