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www.carstaroakville.com 905-8457579 905-847 -2595 2212 Wyecroft Rd. 547 Trafalgar Rd. dentistoakville.com 905-842-6030 HALTON TRANSMISSION SNA NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR 2010 ontario's top newspaper - 2005-2008 Beaver Trails 559 SPEERS ROAD, UNIT #3 (905) 842-0725 32 pages $1.00 (plus tax) A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 50 No. 121 "Using Communication To Build Better Communities" THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2012 Nikki wesley / oakville BEAVER / @halton_photog Drop in for a visit downtown, if you dare By Nathan Howes SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Although Halloween is still a few weeks away, some ghostly spirits are already wandering the streets in Oakville. But don't be too frightened -- they're part of the Oakville Historical Society's (OHS) annual ghost walks, which began last week. The one-hour tours through the downtown heritage district offer a glimpse of what life was like for residents living in the town around the 1850s -- plus a handful of local ghost stories. Many of the heritage homes, which once belonged to local politicians, business owners and others, are said to be haunted. "It really has become more popular. We get some people who want to come back every year. The kids really enjoy it," said Wendy Belcher, who has returned, as a tour guide, in the guise of the late Esther Thomas. "The ghosts who return every October to lead the groups are always thrilled to be doing this," she said. Every year Thomas (Belcher) visits her See Guest page 7 Death marks this spot?: Oakville Historical Society (OHS) member ghost walk tour guides Wendy Belcher, Daniel Fassler, 10, and Mark Fassler, 7, are at the front gate of Erchless Estate. Erchless was the home of Oakville's founder William Chisholm and it was at the front gate that William's wife, Rebecca, dropped dead unexpectedly. Rebecca's ghost is said to haunt the halls of the old house. Belcher portrays Rebecca's sister, Esther Thomas, on the ghost walk tours.