Your interests might lean more toward the history or the stories of supernatural experiences sometimes associated with older areas. Either way, you should make plans now to attend the Downtown Square Ghost Tour. The tours, which are billed as a combination of “history and mystery,” are at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30.
Participants will learn about the history of some of the downtown buildings. And, for those interested in the “ghostly” side of things, stories of a scarier nature will also be shared.
Teria Bradford, who serves as executive director at Good Samaritans of Garland, Inc., worked with librarians to gather information. They researched historical facts and interviewed folks who have had some frightening experiences.
People at Main Street Café, Millhouse Pizza, Baker Furniture, Rock Inc. Tattoo and others have seen and felt some unexplainable things. And, those experiences have left them uneasy and sometimes afraid. One of the businesses was actually a funeral home and crematory!
“There are quite a few people who’ve had scary experiences,” Bradford said. “The tour truly is filled with history and mystery.”
Six storytellers will escort groups of approximately 20 people each to the ghost tour stops. Bradford said that the storytellers have been around Garland for a long time and were already knowledgeable about some of Garland’s history.
For even more fun, seven downtown businesses will take part in a treasure hunt that is also presented by Good Sam. Those who wish to take part in the treasure hunt can add that to their tour tickets and complete the hunt before or after their ghost tour.
The event begins at the Plaza Theatre where participants will learn a little about Good Sam and be welcomed by Pam Swendig, the executive director of Good Sam, and Bryan Bradford, Garland’s city manager.
TICKETS ARE GOING FAST!
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About Good Samaritans of Garland
“Good Sam” was formed in 1983 from an alliance of several Garland faith communities with the intent to provide centrally-located services for neighbors in need of assistance. In 2016, the board of directors elected to narrow Good Sam’s assistance to providing food with kindness and compassion to our hungry and food-insecure neighbors living in Garland, Rowlett and Sachse.
Hunger and food insecurity are closely related, but distinct, concepts. Hunger refers to a physical sensation of discomfort. Food insecurity refers to a lack of available financial resources for food at the level of the household.
Many of Good Sam’s housed families are caregivers for elderly parents, raising grandchildren, disabled, or facing a family emergency or other unexpected life challenge. In many circumstances, assistance is temporary and extremely valuable in helping families move forward through a difficult time. Often, food assistance reduces anxiety and helps families from falling further into overwhelming need and hopelessness.
How Good Sam offers assistance is of the highest priority. Good Sam’s staff and volunteers welcome all guests with kindness and respect, assuring our guests we are available to help them navigate through a difficult time with food and/or resource assistance. People are our #1 priority!