October fun can be ‘A Grave Affair’

GUMBO STAFF REPORT

Looking for a fun Halloween activity?

The staff of the Gumbo Entertainment Guide has a few suggestions.

“A Grave Affair”

Murray Dennis realizes a good portion of Thibodaux’s history lies buried beneath the sacred soil of the St. John’s Episcopal Church Cemetery.

For one night a year, however, she knows the community gets to see that history unearthed through an event called “A Grave Affair,” which will be held Sunday, Oct. 28, between 5 and 8 p.m.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Dennis, who returns as event chairperson. “When you’re in charge of something and can still have a good time with it, you know you have something good.”

And informative.

“A Grave Affair” is a seasonal Halloween activity that will feature live performances by actors and actresses portraying historical figures that are either buried in the cemetery or associated with the church.

Characters include the Rev. Leonidas Polk (St. John’s founder and first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of La.), Francis T. Nicholls (former Louisiana governor and Confederate general), Georgiana Suthon (first female missionary from the Episcopal Diocese of La.) and Silas Grisamore (co-editor of the Thibodaux Sentinel newspaper, predecessor of the Daily Comet).

Festivities will include catered hors d’ ouvres from Virginia & Friends and a 30-minute long musical program by St. John’s organist LaDonna Alexander, with selections ranging from Broadway to blues.

Cost is $50 per person.

All proceeds will go toward the restoration of the cemetery.

“The first time we tried ‘A Grave Affair’ last year, we aimed to sell 50 tickets but sold 100,” Dennis explained. “I’m hoping we can sell even more this year.”

So far, the chances look promising.

“We’ve still been getting flyers and invitations ready to go out and several people have already given me checks,” she added. “People have been really exited and have asked us to let them know when we would be doing it again this year.”

Even though “A Grave Affair” is held in a cemetery and falls only days before Halloween, it’s not meant to send chills down anyone’s spine.

“We don’t really want this to be scary – it’s a living history kind of thing,” said Dennis, who hopes to raise enough funds to repair and restore some of the dilapidated tombstones. “People might not be aware of the history and beauty of the cemetery at St. John’s, and we feel it’s important to preserve it.”

For more information, call Dennis at (985) 446-0207.

The Myrtles

The 211-year-old plantation home is billed as the most haunted place in America.

And for many in Louisiana, it has become a Halloween right of passage. Visitors have reported hearing strange sounds, taking strange photos and seeing strange things.

More specifically, the SciFi Channel’s TV show, “Ghost Hunters,” stayed the night and caught on video a lamp in one of the bed and breakfast rooms sliding a few inches over a four minutes period of time, seemingly on its own.

The plantation will host a “Halloween Extravaganza” on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26 and 27 and on one more day, Wednesday, Oct 31.

For $10 visitors get a 40-minute tour that includes ghost stories related to the plantation.

Tickets for the extravaganza go on sale at 6 p.m. No advanced tickets will be sold. Only cash and checks will be accepted.

Varnadoe’s will sell a full a la carte dinner in the plantation’s restaurant. And other goodes and refreshments will be sold.

The plantation is located in St. Francisville. For more information call (225) 635-6277. Its Web site is: www.myrtlesplantation.com.

Hotel Monteleone

The New Orleans landmark is located in the French Quarter on Royal Street and has its own history of paranormal activity.

Hotel employees and visitors report locked doors mysteriously being opened, closed and re-locked on their own.

And at one time, a couple staying at the hotel was deposited on the wrong floor by the elevator, where they encountered a chill. As they investigated the cold air, they witnessed ghostly images of children playing.

For more information, visit: www.hotelmonteleone.com.

St. John’s Episcopal Church founder, the Rev. Leonidas Polk, welcomes visitors to the church’s historic cemetery. The Thibodaux church was established in 1843. Polk will make a return appearance at this year’s “A Grave Affair.”