Benevolent ghosts
Roger Heineken
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
SPIRITS DWELL in some of Emporia’s historic places. Their stories were told Friday night to a throng of flashlight-wielding tourists exploring the haunts of these uncounted citizens. Were the spirits proud to be highlighted? I think so, because the students of the ESU Educational Theatre Company presented them so well to so many. Add to this the first-hand experiences shared by S. C. Dixon and Rocky Slaymaker and the night’s event was a celebration of Emporia’s benevolent ghosts. No chainsaws here.
The William Allen White Community Partnership thanks those who bravely stepped forward to hear the stories and relish the history in support of a theatre scholarship, the Emporia Granada Theatre Alliance, Plumb Place and the White state historic site. The research, writing and performance by the ESU Theatre students was central to this event and we cannot thank the students adequately.
This first Flashlight Tour of Haunted Emporia is history. The partnership will determine if it becomes an improved annual affair. The public enthusiasm and the cooperation of so many was enough to put a blush of pride on the cheeks of the benevolent ghosts of Emporia.
Thank you all.
Roger Heineken
William Allen White Community Partnership