GhostWalk: Historic SPHS site of stories from the other side

Poets write of it, religion relies on it and a majority of the living fears it... but you’ll want to stare Death in the face at the 17th Annual GhostWalk, now traversing through historic Santa Paula High School.

GhostWalk is a leisurely stroll of horror, mystery and - yes - humor, where guests meet those departed who refuse to leave, at least until you hear the tale of how they met their demise. And this year’s GhostWalk has a stellar lineup of ghoulish stories and characters perfectly settled in at the famous High School on the Hill, a star of the show in its own right.

From darkened halls and courtyards to the auditorium and the gym where the gruesome high school prom scenes were shot for horror film classic “Carrie,” each twist and turn of the campus trek reveals historical facts and ghostly figures that make 2011 GhostWalk a standout of finely spun tales. 

This gossamer of the afterlife introduces GhostWalkers to a variety of characters who in turn can break the heart, tickle the funny bone, raise the hair on the back of the neck and ultimately fascinate with their life stories that all have only one thing in common - an untimely demise. “Not all of the ghosts are based on real people, but all of the tales are tied to historic people, incidents, disasters, or general history of the city of Santa Paula or the Santa Clara River Valley,” according to the GhostWalk website.

With Santa Paula’s strong ties to the military, “A Fallen Hero” is a repeat found to be even better and more poignant the second time around. Written by Jeff G. Rack, with Mary Alice Orcutt Henderson a GhostWalk originator, the story stars natural actor Louie Hengehold (reprising the role he introduced many, many years ago) as a World War I soldier searching for the Santa Paula girl who knitted the scarf that kept him warm during overseas’ service. Wearing his grandfather’s uniform, Hengehold shows the patriotic fervor of those who bravely served and returned, not to cheering crowds but to grieving families. Even when he realizes his fate, Hengehold’s character “soldiers on.” 

“The Shell Game” by Peggy Kelly relies on history - the state’s first Walnut Show and Pavilion, held at the high school in 1925 - as the backdrop to pit star Steve MacKinnon against his fate. A most likable scoundrel, MacKinnon perfectly mimics the nonstop patter and hand movements of the shell game conman. He hides not only the pea, but also emotions that are awakened when he falls for a winsome contortionist whose other admirer is a bad tempered magician. Although he always wins the game MacKinnon’s character loses everything under a walnut tree when the conman’s own shell is cracked by emotion... and he accepts what follows with the appealing win or lose, no-hard-feelings attitude of a true gambler. (Of course MacKinnon’s real life role is as Santa Paula’s Police Chief.)

Retired SPPD Lt. Carlos Juarez and Barbara Kroon memorialize Marshal Henry Norman and Officer James Barmore, the only two Santa Paula lawmen to die in the line of duty, in “A Tale of Two Heroes.” Kirk Martin and David Stewart respectively play the courtly Norman and earnest Barmore, who died 40 years apart (1913 and 1953), only to meet at the memorial (dedicated this year) honoring their sacrifice. Martin’s marshal reflects more pragmatic times when one would be more accepting of their fate, even when shot by lawbreakers. Stewart’s Barmore dies astride his out of control motorcycle and the younger man never misses a sincere beat in his respect - even if initially somewhat befuddled at his own fate - for the older lawman. They quickly bond, finding that not all things are subject to change - including their devotion to public safety - even when separated by 40 years.

“Josie’s Tale” by Jeanie Hays pits Donna Nelson against Mother Nature, with rain and rats carrying equal billing. Nelson’s farmwoman caught in a torrential 1926 storm takes a turn for the worse when her growing loneliness is magnified by isolation due to flooding. But she chatters on, talking to herself, her traveling husband, even to the forces of nature that have brought her to a state of near panic until she falls asleep. Josie ultimately shows that when you snooze you lose when her sleep is invaded by dreams of longing kick-started by dozens of unwelcome guests. Nelson plays Josie with a gusto that lingers long enough to almost make you forget what was revealed in her comforter.