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Belcher who is not so subtle when, as Esther, she describes her historical hubby, Merrick. Merrick always looked good, she says, noting that the couple owned a townhouse at Thomas Street and Lakeshore Road as well as the farm on the west side of the Sixteen Mile Creek where, she, Esther, spent her time and worked the farm. This years ghost walks run Thursdays and Saturdays at 7 and 8:30 p.m. from Oct. 7 through Oct. 28. A 6 p.m. walk is added on Saturday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 23, as well as on Tuesday, Oct. 26 and Thursday, Oct. 28. Tuesday walks at 7 and 8:30 p.m. will be held on Oct. 19 and Oct. 26. Cost is $12 per adult, $6 per child. Participants meet at the Oakville Historical Office located at 110 King St. The walk is followed by refresh- ments. Call 905-844-2695 for reservations. Something For Everyone! All performances are at THE OAKVILLE CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS To order tickets call: 905-815-2021 or 1-888-489-7784 For more information go to www.oakvillecentre.ca TRUDEAU STORIES OCTOBER 16 ~ FRANKLIN AND THE ADVENTURES OF THE NOBLE KNIGHTS OCTOBER 25 ~ GERRY DEE OCTOBER 27 33 Friday , O ctober 15, 2010 O A KVILLE BEA V ER w w w .o akvillebeaver .co m Extraordinary residents bring Oakvilles past to life By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Im going to be dressing up as a ghost, says Oakville resi- dent Daniel Fassler, 8, proudly. The Grade 4 MacLachlan College student is helping lead this years Oakville Historical Society ghost walks in down- town Oakville. The tours that have become an annual addition to the local historical walking tours con- tinue throughout the month. Im going to be dressing up as a ghost as we walk around the haunted houses in the town and tell the story of the people who lived there, Daniel recent- ly told The Oakville Beaver. While Fassler says foggy nights make the adventure bet- ter, hell be likely leading the 6 p.m. walks that are added to those taking place at 7 and 8:30 p.m. as the witching season draws nearer. According to Daniel, his character is Robert Murray Thomas, who was born deaf, but became a teacher. While the late Thomas house was not necessarily haunted at least it wasnt believed to be until recently Daniel will relate to ghost walk- ers other tales of mystery. His favourite, he said, is that of a buccaneer spotted by a bar- maid at the Murray House tav- ern. The bars employee was so shaken by the ghostly appari- tion that she never returned. Then Daniel notes the gravel entrance at Erchless Estate, home to the Oakville Museum that was also the home of Oakville founder William Chisholm and his wife Rebecca. Rebecca is said to have dropped dead of a heart attack on that gravel drive and haunts the house. Daniel said he has been on the ghost walk several times in years past, but when Wendy called offering him the position of Robert Murray Thomas, he snatched her up on the deal. Wendy asked if I would be a ghost and I said, Sure. The Oakville boy is quite impressive, in both his person- al manner, knowledge and comportment. He is even more so clad in his historical cos- tume for the ghost walks. I think its good and kind of impressive, said Daniels dad Carlos. It didnt take long for Carlos and Daniels mom Diane to agree to let their son partici- pate in the adventure. Belcher said it was her idea to ask the youth to take part. He came on the ghost walk last year and he knew it better than I did, laughed Belcher who set about finding out the identity of Daniel with the idea of possibly including him in this years walks. Asked if his classmates at school know of his local his- torical involvement in town, Daniel replied, I forgot to tell them, but many of them read the Oakville Beaver so theyll probably figure it out. While Daniels younger brother Mark, 5, is watching his brother carefully, it will be Daniel in the spotlight, or rather the lantern light this month. Hell be Robert Murray Thomas, son of Esther Thomas as played by Belcher and her husband Merrick Thomas, as played by Phil Brimacomb. Merrick Thomas was Oakville founder William Chisholms right-hand man. Thomas married Esther, who was the sister of Chisholms wife Rebecca. Carlos said not only did his son enjoy the ghost walk, but it inspired the family to share the stories as they made their own walks through the local streets in recent years. Carlos said he has no prob- lem with his son participating and said he believes that it may cultivate presentation skills in his not overly shy offspring. Besides, Daniel is a real go- getter and is more than up to his new part-time job. Hes adorable, hell defi- nitely add something, smiles Wendy Belcher as Esther Daniel Fassler as Robert Phil Brimacomb as Merrick