Learn West Volusia history as spirits from the past speak on cemetery walk

BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN
Ed Stone speaks from the grave — West Volusia Historian Bill Dreggors portrays Volusia County Sheriff Ed Stone during the eighth annual Gravestone Conversations at Oakdale Cemetery. This year's event takes place Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24. Volunteers act the parts of long-dead DeLand-area community leaders, so visitors can hear the history of the area through the voices of "ghosts" in the Halloween event.

By Jennifer Horton
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Oct 22, 2009 - 3:54:10pm

Spirits from West Volusia history will be alive and well at the ninth annual Gravestone Conversations at Oakdale Cemetery. The spirits aren't spooky, though; they're actually quite chatty.

The event is a walking tour of historic Oakdale Cemetery in DeLand. Actors take up the roles of local legends and talk about their lives and times in West Volusia's history.

Among those who will be portrayed in this year's cemetery walk are John and Elizabeth Stetson, Count Alexio de Sotto-Maiox, Robert and Hawtense Conrad, and other voices from the past.

Tours will take place 7-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24, and will begin at the DeLand House Museum, 137 W. Michigan Ave. Tickets cost $10.

Parking and ticket purchases will be at the DeLand House. A shuttle will leave for the cemetery every 15 minutes.

Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call Rita Gillis, 386-740-6813, or e-mail delandhouse@msn.com.

— jen@beacononlinenews.com

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