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Historic ghost walk held at Oktoberfest

MINERAL RIDGE — Nine-year-old Russell Lauer said he likes ghost stories, so attending the historic ghost walk at the township’s Oktoberfest was the perfect place to be.

Lauer, a fourth-grader at Weathersfield schools, walked through the ghost displays with his mother, Katie Lauer, listening to stories presented by Mineral Ridge High School History Club members who spent time researching their stories.

“We loved all the speakers and videotaped them. He loves history and ghost stories, so we had a lot of fun,” Kate said.

The Weathersfield Oktoberfest was set up in the township park with vendors, food, rides and games.

History teacher Tim Porter said five club members gathered historical facts on ghost stories in Ohio.

One student spoke on the ghost ship in Pymatuning, another on the Ashtabula Bridge train disaster and another on the Johnny Appleseed ghost in southeast Ohio.

Porter said visitors received a history lesson and also learned fun facts and information.

“The students researched information from books in my classroom. The club is known for sharing history and also going on field trips to historic sites,” Porter said.

Trips have been taken to Philadelphia and to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton.

Porter said the club last year received its second national award for being one of the top 10 history clubs in the country.

The club members take part in community events, such as the upcoming Veterans Day breakfast for local veterans.

“The students meet with the veterans and learn about their service, ask them questions and learn about their unique histories,” he said.

The club also hosts a Meet the Candidates Night every other year.

Josie Shultz, 16, a junior, said she learned that Johnny Appleseed, also known as John Chapman, has a monument dedicated to him off Highway 21 in southeastern Ohio. There is also a cemetery for him in Dexter City.

“The history club does a lot of fun activities. It’s a club you really participate in,” Shultz said.

Hayley Pugh, 15, a sophomore, said she spoke on the phantom funeral train of Abraham Lincoln. The story tells of how the train passed through Columbus and is still believed to travel along those tracks.

“It was fun doing the research,” Pugh said.

Porter said the township and historical society helped with the props and items.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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