Something spooky is going on in Stanwood

Are there ghosts in Stanwood?

Members of the Grey Team for Paranormal Investigations of Historic America will investigate the potential phenomenon tonight, starting at 8, at the Pearson House Museum in Stanwood.

Early Sunday morning, they will hook up their cameras, monitors and listening devices at the 120-year-old Stanwood Hotel and Saloon.

Both locations have a history of paranormal activity, says Vaughn Hubbard, PIHA case manager and historian.

Hubbard says the group travels the state doing investigations. They aim to check out buildings and encourage folks to visit historical sites and museums.

“This is about much more than us looking for ghosts,” Hubbard says. “It’s about the history of our great state and the museums and historical sites that are trying to preserve it.”

He said it behooves families to learn about our ancestors and how they lived.

“I believe that for every piece of history we lose, we lose a piece of ourselves,” Vaughn says.

Perhaps folks would rather there weren’t ghosts at the Stanwood Hotel and Saloon. The hotel upstairs is being remodeled and should reopen early next year.

***

Marysville wants to stay green this season, but it’s not just about ivy and Christmas trees.

The Marysville Fire Department has giant wreaths at each station covered in green bulbs. During the annual “Keep the Wreath Green” program, the bulbs are changed to red whenever there is a structure fire in the district.

The bulbs are changed to white when a firefighter anywhere in the United States dies in the line of duty.

The program runs through New Year’s Day and aims to remind folks about fire safety.

***

Volunteers at “The Lights of Christmas” at Warm Beach Camp south of Stanwood are working hard to make holiday memories for families.

Proceeds from admissions helps run summer camps, says Daniel Carver, Marketing Manager for Warm Beach Camp.

In early September, they start hanging lights, Carver says.

“We take down over 90 percent of the lights after the event,” he says. “The incandescent lights don’t hold up against the elements when they are up all year long. It’s easier to take them down, test them, repair them on the ground, and put them back up.

From September on, a full-time crew of six to 10 folks are working six days a week until opening day.

“The Lights of Christmas” is the largest holiday light display in the Northwest and offers entertainment, activities for kids, food, gift shopping and overnight stays as an option.

Each year, more than 800 volunteers donate more than 15,000 hours of work, including parking attendants, greeters, costumed characters and toy shop elves. More than 100 workers are needed each night for the 20-night run.

For more information, call Jessica Beach at 360-652-7575 or visit www.warmbeach.com.

***

Folks at Lake Ki scheduled their annual food collection for 2 p.m. Dec. 18.

Residents leave food donations on their docks and a crew in a boat cruises around and picks up the boxes.

Feel free to also leave food bank donations at Roadhouse Bar and Grill, 4915 Lakewood Road in Stanwood or at Country Burger, 3110 Lakewood Road in Arlington.

Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451; oharran@heraldnet.com.

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