6/26/06 Seminary Ridge
When the phone call came confirming my Seminary Ridge tour I ask if anyone was going to take the tour? It was a rainy, miserable Monday that followed a weekend where parts of Southern Pennsylvania Maryland saw massive amounts of rain. The Sunday night Seminary Ridge tour was rained out. About 10 folks were brave enough to buy tickets and the tour went off in a light drizzle. It really didn't rain that hard at any point in the tour so the threatening skies were kind enough to hold off for us. These folks from Massachusetts, Michigan, and Colorado didn't seem to mind the conditions so off we went!
The highlight of the tour for me was the reaction of the two teenagers from Colorado when they saw the fireflies or lightning bugs hovering over the grass in front of the Schmucker House. When I asked, they told me that they have never seen them before. Growing up on the east coast I have always took for granted those little buggers assuming everybody had them.
From tours gone by... Years ago a group of high school kids from Las Vegas came on a Seminary Ridge tour. The fireflies were out in force that night and roughly half way through the tour, they appeared. That was the end of the tour. These kids went nuts and scattered everywhere chasing the lightning bugs. Their teacher told me that they didn't have them on the west coast and especially in the middle of the desert where they lived! This was the first time they have ever seen them! I doubt those kids remember a word I said, but I bet that they'll remember the tour!
Stay dry and sleep well...
"Rick Saunders"
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
Humid Seminary Ridge
6/23/06 Seminary Ridge
The skies held off and just a little lightning appeared as the tour was ending Friday night on Seminary Ridge. 39 nice folks came along as we walked into the humid night. It always surprises me where folks come from that make up a group. There was a nice family of four from Alabama, one family from Indiana, amd a few folks from Alexiandria, VA. But the rest were practically locals. Some of them came all the way from Taneytown, MD or Littlestown, PA, both of which are shorter drives than I have from Hanover! Then some others were from Harrisburg and Shippensburg. It was almost like local night at the Ghosts of Gettysburg! It was an enjoyable tour for all. I did tone down a story or two, just a little bit, because there were some younger children in the group. But my storytelling was crisp, so I think those stories were still very effective. There was also a lot of cameras going off!
From tours gone by...Mark Nesbitt is from Ohio and is a Cleveland Indians fan. I am a Yankees fan. Years ago when the Yanks and the Tribe were both looking good going into the season Mark and I made a friendly bet. If the Yanks went farther than the Indians, I could wear a Yankees Hat on a tour, and but if Cleveland went farther I had to wear an Indians hat. Neat bet right? The season was over and the Yanks won the Series, so I'm guessing it was either 1999 or 2000. But I never saw Mark to rub it in and collect. But one night I unknowingly collected . I wore my Yankees hat on the ride down and when I got ready for the tour, I spaced and kept it on. I think it was Dan or it might have been Jason, but one of the other guides introduced me that night and never noticed. I was getting some wierd looks from the group and wasn't quite sure why. Well, in the beginning of the tour I tip my hat for a visual effect in one of my opening stories. That's when I realized that I still had my ballcap on! I was a little embarrassed at first, but then I remembered the bet. I told the crowd about our bet but I'm not sure if everyone believed me. I remember a few people with doubt on their faces as I was explaining myself! Maybe they were Red Sox fans, I don't know!
When I told Mark about this a few weeks later we had a pretty good laugh about it. Then the guide who introduced me that night walked in and all three of us were laughing. Then Mark fired that guide and we stopped laughing for a second until we saw Mark smiling and that's when we all really started laughing!
Sleep well...
"Rick Saunders"
The skies held off and just a little lightning appeared as the tour was ending Friday night on Seminary Ridge. 39 nice folks came along as we walked into the humid night. It always surprises me where folks come from that make up a group. There was a nice family of four from Alabama, one family from Indiana, amd a few folks from Alexiandria, VA. But the rest were practically locals. Some of them came all the way from Taneytown, MD or Littlestown, PA, both of which are shorter drives than I have from Hanover! Then some others were from Harrisburg and Shippensburg. It was almost like local night at the Ghosts of Gettysburg! It was an enjoyable tour for all. I did tone down a story or two, just a little bit, because there were some younger children in the group. But my storytelling was crisp, so I think those stories were still very effective. There was also a lot of cameras going off!
From tours gone by...Mark Nesbitt is from Ohio and is a Cleveland Indians fan. I am a Yankees fan. Years ago when the Yanks and the Tribe were both looking good going into the season Mark and I made a friendly bet. If the Yanks went farther than the Indians, I could wear a Yankees Hat on a tour, and but if Cleveland went farther I had to wear an Indians hat. Neat bet right? The season was over and the Yanks won the Series, so I'm guessing it was either 1999 or 2000. But I never saw Mark to rub it in and collect. But one night I unknowingly collected . I wore my Yankees hat on the ride down and when I got ready for the tour, I spaced and kept it on. I think it was Dan or it might have been Jason, but one of the other guides introduced me that night and never noticed. I was getting some wierd looks from the group and wasn't quite sure why. Well, in the beginning of the tour I tip my hat for a visual effect in one of my opening stories. That's when I realized that I still had my ballcap on! I was a little embarrassed at first, but then I remembered the bet. I told the crowd about our bet but I'm not sure if everyone believed me. I remember a few people with doubt on their faces as I was explaining myself! Maybe they were Red Sox fans, I don't know!
When I told Mark about this a few weeks later we had a pretty good laugh about it. Then the guide who introduced me that night walked in and all three of us were laughing. Then Mark fired that guide and we stopped laughing for a second until we saw Mark smiling and that's when we all really started laughing!
Sleep well...
"Rick Saunders"
Friday, June 23, 2006
Crazy Night on Carlisle Street!
Carlisle St. 6/22/06
I was called in for a Carlisle St tour on Thursday night. I haven't given one of those walks in awhile so I was looking forward to it. There was lighting in the sky all night, but there was no thunder or rain so we went off as scheduled. But this tour went in all sorts of directions. I am still trying to figure it all out!
There was a group of sixteen people from Montana, Puerto Rico, and Minnesota that were related somehow and they had hired a tour leader to take them around the east coast. Then there was a guy with his sons that came along. There was also a photographer from the York Daily Record snapping tons of photos and collecting notes. And thankfully my wife came with me because the evening got more confusing as we went along.
A sheriff's deputy pulls up when I'm out in front of the Prince of Peace Church telling my opening stories. He comes up and asked the tour leader what my name was. I had no idea what was going on. I found out about all of this after the fact. The tour leader said she didn't know, she obviously wasn't paying attention because I mention my own name 9 or 10 times at the beginning of my tour. My wife goes up and tells the deputy my name and then they all start to smile and nod. As all of this is going on the photographer has worked her way behind me on the steps and was shoving her camera in my face. Nobody told me that a photographer was coming on the tour so at this point I had no idea who she was or what she was doing. I kind of knew she was a reporter but I was in the middle of a story and didn't want to break stride, and with the deputy there I didn't know if I was going to be able to tell more stories! So I figured that I would at least finish the one I was telling!
I went up after the story and asked the deputy if everything was alright. He told me that I was not the guy he was looking for and that everything was okay. I mentioned how after the recent newspaper articles came out, I wasn't sure how to react to the police showing up on one of my tours! We had a laugh and I continued on.
As we were crossing High Street I asked the photographer who she was. She told me and come to find out we knew some of the same people. York, PA is not that big of a place I guess! I invited her to come along on the whole tour if she wanted to.
In front of the Courthouse I explained a little bit of what has been in the newspapers lately and I thought that by now everyone knew the girl taking the 800 pictures worked for a newspaper. We continued on and when I got to my stop on Water St, the candle went out and I couldn't get it relit. Oh well. Then as we were making our way to Stevens Hall the tour leader and another woman in the group told the photographer that they did not want her to publish their photos in the paper. I have no idea why and to be honest I felt that those women were some what rude about it. The photographer could have told everyone who she was and why she was there I guess, but if you live in Montana why would care if you picture winds up in the York, PA newspaper. Either way this created a little tension within my group which I did not like. I chose not to get in the middle of this, but the photographer wasn't happy that she just spent the last hour taking pictures that she couldn't use. I'm upset because this might have cost me some face or print time in the newspaper!
Now as the tension is mounting, the sky is getting really dark and the lightning is flashing all over the sky! I tell the Blue Boy story and the group seemed to relax a little. Halfway through the story most of the street lights go out. Now it's really dark!
After I finished the tale, the tour leader, who I was already irked with, tells me it's time to end the tour. She was concerned with the lightning and said we all had to go. I understand her safety concerns but you can't buy a lightshow like that anywhere and the last time I checked I was the guide not her. I said okay, if you want to leave have a nice night. I then looked to the guy with his sons who were not a part of this group, and asked if they wanted to keep going. They said "sure" so I said I only had about a half hour left and everyone was welcome to come along if they wanted to. We could have gone the north side of Pennsylvania Hall where there is a roof to shield us from the rain if the situation got worse, but what do I know? I am just a tour guide. I have only been at it for nine years!
The whole group followed me.
On the way over to Pennsylvania Hall I pretty much lost the photographer. Those two women practically chased her off the tour. I still don't know why those women were so hostile. The photographer went and took a few pictures from a distance and then went and joined the other group on campus with the other guide. This group leader gave me dirty looks for the next 20 minutes. Whatever!
I finished the tour on campus and everyone in the group seemed to have a good time. I was just glad it was over. I can't remember a stranger tour than that one. Lighting problems, tension in the group, law enforcement officials, a woman trying to take control of my tour! What was that? I hope Friday's Seminary Ridge tour goes much smoother!
Still piecing back together my brain...
"Rick Saunders"
I was called in for a Carlisle St tour on Thursday night. I haven't given one of those walks in awhile so I was looking forward to it. There was lighting in the sky all night, but there was no thunder or rain so we went off as scheduled. But this tour went in all sorts of directions. I am still trying to figure it all out!
There was a group of sixteen people from Montana, Puerto Rico, and Minnesota that were related somehow and they had hired a tour leader to take them around the east coast. Then there was a guy with his sons that came along. There was also a photographer from the York Daily Record snapping tons of photos and collecting notes. And thankfully my wife came with me because the evening got more confusing as we went along.
A sheriff's deputy pulls up when I'm out in front of the Prince of Peace Church telling my opening stories. He comes up and asked the tour leader what my name was. I had no idea what was going on. I found out about all of this after the fact. The tour leader said she didn't know, she obviously wasn't paying attention because I mention my own name 9 or 10 times at the beginning of my tour. My wife goes up and tells the deputy my name and then they all start to smile and nod. As all of this is going on the photographer has worked her way behind me on the steps and was shoving her camera in my face. Nobody told me that a photographer was coming on the tour so at this point I had no idea who she was or what she was doing. I kind of knew she was a reporter but I was in the middle of a story and didn't want to break stride, and with the deputy there I didn't know if I was going to be able to tell more stories! So I figured that I would at least finish the one I was telling!
I went up after the story and asked the deputy if everything was alright. He told me that I was not the guy he was looking for and that everything was okay. I mentioned how after the recent newspaper articles came out, I wasn't sure how to react to the police showing up on one of my tours! We had a laugh and I continued on.
As we were crossing High Street I asked the photographer who she was. She told me and come to find out we knew some of the same people. York, PA is not that big of a place I guess! I invited her to come along on the whole tour if she wanted to.
In front of the Courthouse I explained a little bit of what has been in the newspapers lately and I thought that by now everyone knew the girl taking the 800 pictures worked for a newspaper. We continued on and when I got to my stop on Water St, the candle went out and I couldn't get it relit. Oh well. Then as we were making our way to Stevens Hall the tour leader and another woman in the group told the photographer that they did not want her to publish their photos in the paper. I have no idea why and to be honest I felt that those women were some what rude about it. The photographer could have told everyone who she was and why she was there I guess, but if you live in Montana why would care if you picture winds up in the York, PA newspaper. Either way this created a little tension within my group which I did not like. I chose not to get in the middle of this, but the photographer wasn't happy that she just spent the last hour taking pictures that she couldn't use. I'm upset because this might have cost me some face or print time in the newspaper!
Now as the tension is mounting, the sky is getting really dark and the lightning is flashing all over the sky! I tell the Blue Boy story and the group seemed to relax a little. Halfway through the story most of the street lights go out. Now it's really dark!
After I finished the tale, the tour leader, who I was already irked with, tells me it's time to end the tour. She was concerned with the lightning and said we all had to go. I understand her safety concerns but you can't buy a lightshow like that anywhere and the last time I checked I was the guide not her. I said okay, if you want to leave have a nice night. I then looked to the guy with his sons who were not a part of this group, and asked if they wanted to keep going. They said "sure" so I said I only had about a half hour left and everyone was welcome to come along if they wanted to. We could have gone the north side of Pennsylvania Hall where there is a roof to shield us from the rain if the situation got worse, but what do I know? I am just a tour guide. I have only been at it for nine years!
The whole group followed me.
On the way over to Pennsylvania Hall I pretty much lost the photographer. Those two women practically chased her off the tour. I still don't know why those women were so hostile. The photographer went and took a few pictures from a distance and then went and joined the other group on campus with the other guide. This group leader gave me dirty looks for the next 20 minutes. Whatever!
I finished the tour on campus and everyone in the group seemed to have a good time. I was just glad it was over. I can't remember a stranger tour than that one. Lighting problems, tension in the group, law enforcement officials, a woman trying to take control of my tour! What was that? I hope Friday's Seminary Ridge tour goes much smoother!
Still piecing back together my brain...
"Rick Saunders"
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Michigan Night on Baltimore St Again? and a Response to Recent Newspaper Articles
Baltimore St. 6/21/06
I guess it is Michigan week at the Ghosts of Gettysburg. For the second time in 7 days I have had eighth graders from the Grand Rapids, MI area. For such a large group, I was surprised that we actually got off on time. These kids were a fun group. I wonder if they booked through the same tour company as the last group because its sounds like they hit all of the same places the group the week before did. We took some pictures, had some laughs, and I made a good number of them squirm a little with my last story! Good times.
Storytellers Rant… After a recent public meeting was held, the local newspapers jumped on a story about ghost tours giving some Gettysburg residents problems. The locals complained about noise and safety concerns while the ghost tour businesses said that a few bad apples are giving the rest a bad name. One article even talked about turf wars between competing companies.
[link]http://www.eveningsun.com/localnews/ci_3959314[/link]
Here’s where I stand on all of this.
I think that the residents have a right to their privacy and are just in complaining if the tours bother them. The one gentleman quoted in these articles happens to live next to an alley where guides will stop and tell stories. Why a guide would stop there I have no idea. There are plenty of other places to stop in that area. The blame here falls on the individual guide.
As far as safety is concerned this is also the responsibility of the guide and in a small part the tour operator. Guides should not block the sidewalks, forcing individuals and groups into the street. The way I have been doing this for 9 years is very simple. If you can not leave half of the sidewalk open, you don’t stop your group there. I do not want to have to stop in the middle of a story because I am interrupted with a sidewalk issue. You lose any momentum you might have built in the story and it can be somewhat embarrassing to everybody. Don’t block the sidewalk and stay out of the alleys, it’s that simple.
Guides need to use every effort to use the crosswalks, where pedestrians have the right of way. The guide should also make sure it is clear before they let their group cross the street. If they can’t control their group enough to accomplish this, then they don’t belong tour guiding.
Also I question if some of these new start up companies have the insurance that the larger ones do. I know that the company I work for has a fairly large policy to protect our customers in case of an accident. It also covers some of the properties that the owners are kind enough to let us use such as the Seminary and Gettysburg College. Tour operators should also give their guides some sort of safety training. But all of this is voluntary, at the moment.
Two years ago, the tour operators had to sit through meeting after meeting going over safety and other ghost tour realted issues. There was talk of "licensing" the guides, so there was some sort of standard amongst the tours. That fell through. There has been plenty of talk, very little action. And with new ghost tour companies popping up nightly, it is no surprise that there are problems. Nobody can keep track of these new companies, therefore the blame falls on the larger, better known operations.
I do think that it is only a small percentage of guides who are causing most of these problems. And with a minimal effort, many of them can be solved fairly quickly.
As far as the turf wars are concerned, usually the larger groups with the louder guides take up the most space. Obliviously. This will force a guide with only three or four people on their tour to seek another place to stand. Part of the problem is that since there are so many people starting up these companies, many of which are not profitable, trust me, there are more groups on the streets. It is possible that the number of people taking these tours has not gone up, there are just more voices out there competing for the same real estate.
While we’re at it…The concern of someone getting hit by a car goes well beyond the ghost walks. How about the woman in the SUV that almost hit two people jay walking on Baltimore St while talking on her cell phone? I know it sounds cliché, but it happened around 8:00 last night. Or what about the three kids on their bicycles riding in between the parked cars and the moving traffic heading south on Baltimore St at 9:45 last night while I was trying to get into my car after my tour? The one little rascal almost hit me.
And as to that whole thing about the trash being caused by the ghost walks. People who go on ghost tours are not the only ones that litter in Gettysburg. I am sure that some littering is caused by a few people on a tour every once in a while. But litter finds its way onto the ground all the time. Go look at the college neighborhood on a Saturday or Sunday morning after the kids have been partying all night. Did the ghost tours leave all of that trash?
Ghost tours aren’t the only things causing problems.
Hopefully all of this will create enough awareness that many of these problems can be solved in a manner that all can agree upon.
Being as safe as I can...
"Rick Saunders"
I guess it is Michigan week at the Ghosts of Gettysburg. For the second time in 7 days I have had eighth graders from the Grand Rapids, MI area. For such a large group, I was surprised that we actually got off on time. These kids were a fun group. I wonder if they booked through the same tour company as the last group because its sounds like they hit all of the same places the group the week before did. We took some pictures, had some laughs, and I made a good number of them squirm a little with my last story! Good times.
Storytellers Rant… After a recent public meeting was held, the local newspapers jumped on a story about ghost tours giving some Gettysburg residents problems. The locals complained about noise and safety concerns while the ghost tour businesses said that a few bad apples are giving the rest a bad name. One article even talked about turf wars between competing companies.
[link]http://www.eveningsun.com/localnews/ci_3959314[/link]
Here’s where I stand on all of this.
I think that the residents have a right to their privacy and are just in complaining if the tours bother them. The one gentleman quoted in these articles happens to live next to an alley where guides will stop and tell stories. Why a guide would stop there I have no idea. There are plenty of other places to stop in that area. The blame here falls on the individual guide.
As far as safety is concerned this is also the responsibility of the guide and in a small part the tour operator. Guides should not block the sidewalks, forcing individuals and groups into the street. The way I have been doing this for 9 years is very simple. If you can not leave half of the sidewalk open, you don’t stop your group there. I do not want to have to stop in the middle of a story because I am interrupted with a sidewalk issue. You lose any momentum you might have built in the story and it can be somewhat embarrassing to everybody. Don’t block the sidewalk and stay out of the alleys, it’s that simple.
Guides need to use every effort to use the crosswalks, where pedestrians have the right of way. The guide should also make sure it is clear before they let their group cross the street. If they can’t control their group enough to accomplish this, then they don’t belong tour guiding.
Also I question if some of these new start up companies have the insurance that the larger ones do. I know that the company I work for has a fairly large policy to protect our customers in case of an accident. It also covers some of the properties that the owners are kind enough to let us use such as the Seminary and Gettysburg College. Tour operators should also give their guides some sort of safety training. But all of this is voluntary, at the moment.
Two years ago, the tour operators had to sit through meeting after meeting going over safety and other ghost tour realted issues. There was talk of "licensing" the guides, so there was some sort of standard amongst the tours. That fell through. There has been plenty of talk, very little action. And with new ghost tour companies popping up nightly, it is no surprise that there are problems. Nobody can keep track of these new companies, therefore the blame falls on the larger, better known operations.
I do think that it is only a small percentage of guides who are causing most of these problems. And with a minimal effort, many of them can be solved fairly quickly.
As far as the turf wars are concerned, usually the larger groups with the louder guides take up the most space. Obliviously. This will force a guide with only three or four people on their tour to seek another place to stand. Part of the problem is that since there are so many people starting up these companies, many of which are not profitable, trust me, there are more groups on the streets. It is possible that the number of people taking these tours has not gone up, there are just more voices out there competing for the same real estate.
While we’re at it…The concern of someone getting hit by a car goes well beyond the ghost walks. How about the woman in the SUV that almost hit two people jay walking on Baltimore St while talking on her cell phone? I know it sounds cliché, but it happened around 8:00 last night. Or what about the three kids on their bicycles riding in between the parked cars and the moving traffic heading south on Baltimore St at 9:45 last night while I was trying to get into my car after my tour? The one little rascal almost hit me.
And as to that whole thing about the trash being caused by the ghost walks. People who go on ghost tours are not the only ones that litter in Gettysburg. I am sure that some littering is caused by a few people on a tour every once in a while. But litter finds its way onto the ground all the time. Go look at the college neighborhood on a Saturday or Sunday morning after the kids have been partying all night. Did the ghost tours leave all of that trash?
Ghost tours aren’t the only things causing problems.
Hopefully all of this will create enough awareness that many of these problems can be solved in a manner that all can agree upon.
Being as safe as I can...
"Rick Saunders"
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
West Virginians on Baltimore St
Baltimore St 6/19/06
When I see that I have a group tour on the schedule, I naturally assume that it is school children. Monday night, instead of having students, some very tired teachers from all over West Virginia came along for a Baltimore St. tour. I have a lot of family in WV, so I was pleasantly surprised. This tour didn't get started until around 9:30 and it was still very humid out there. I thought I was getting a break on the weather, but it was just one of those warm Gettysburg nights.
As a former museum educator, I love dealing with teachers. Not that all of these folks were history teachers, but there is a lot of common ground between a tour guide and a teacher. Dealing with problem children, trying to present information in a manner that your kids will understand, and hopefully give them something they didn't have before you talked to them. There was a lot of nods when I brought up some references that they would understand. We laughed, I don't think anyone cried, and all had some fun.
Guide's Tip... I brought up an interesting, borderline cruel, demonstration last night. My good buddy Tom and I used to do this at the Historical Society when we gave the Civil War program. We made some hard tack and gave it to all of the students to try. Then after they had it in their mouths for a minute, you tell them about the worms that would be in the crackers and how the soldiers would eat them anyways. This demonstration is best done outside because there is going to be a few kids that will spit it out. Good stuff.
Still "planning the slaughter of the innocent"...
"Rick Saunders"
When I see that I have a group tour on the schedule, I naturally assume that it is school children. Monday night, instead of having students, some very tired teachers from all over West Virginia came along for a Baltimore St. tour. I have a lot of family in WV, so I was pleasantly surprised. This tour didn't get started until around 9:30 and it was still very humid out there. I thought I was getting a break on the weather, but it was just one of those warm Gettysburg nights.
As a former museum educator, I love dealing with teachers. Not that all of these folks were history teachers, but there is a lot of common ground between a tour guide and a teacher. Dealing with problem children, trying to present information in a manner that your kids will understand, and hopefully give them something they didn't have before you talked to them. There was a lot of nods when I brought up some references that they would understand. We laughed, I don't think anyone cried, and all had some fun.
Guide's Tip... I brought up an interesting, borderline cruel, demonstration last night. My good buddy Tom and I used to do this at the Historical Society when we gave the Civil War program. We made some hard tack and gave it to all of the students to try. Then after they had it in their mouths for a minute, you tell them about the worms that would be in the crackers and how the soldiers would eat them anyways. This demonstration is best done outside because there is going to be a few kids that will spit it out. Good stuff.
Still "planning the slaughter of the innocent"...
"Rick Saunders"
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Interesting Post Tour Conversation
Seminary Ridge 6/17/06
Saturday night brought around 40 people to join me on the Seminary. The weather was a little warm, but it was a nice night for a walk. These folks were from Florida, Illinois, Baltimore, and a few other places that slip my mind as I write this. One of the guys from Baltimore was familiar with parts of Connecticut that I know, so that was really nice. I really didn't do anything out of the ordinary with this tour. I did tweak the ending of the closing story a little bit which produced the reaction I was looking for. Good time all around.
Storyteller's Rant... After the tour was over I had a chance to talk with the family from Florida. They told me that they had never been to Gettysburg before and how much they enjoyed the area. I told them to drive around Gettysburg and take in the scenery, the farms, and the viewsheds because in a couple of years a lot of it will be long gone. Paved over by the housing boom that is already striking Adams County. They said the same thing is happening where they live in Florida. The citrus growers down there are being bought out by developers and their orchards built upon acre by acre.
Think about this...You are a farmer and you own 100 acres of land, a developer comes along and offers 6 Million dollars for your land to build 400 homes. It is going to take generations on top of generations of your family working that land to come close to ever earning that kind of money. Are you going to turn it down?
Most of the people in that situation will take the money and run. They're probably buying the homes that were built on those orchards developed down in Florida! There are a few people out there that will put an easement on their property so it can never be developed, but those people are few and far between.
This is a major problem that is inching its way towards Gettysburg and many other communitities. I am not saying that development should stop, you can't stop progress. But you can still do something! Support local preservation groups, land conservancies, and government officials with preservation in mind. Donate your money and your time, when you can, to causes that are actually trying to preserve something. Fight your battles outside of commercial corridors where there's something left to save.
I could go on and on about this, but I'll close with this statement. Do something!
Still ranting and raving...
"Rick Saunders"
Saturday night brought around 40 people to join me on the Seminary. The weather was a little warm, but it was a nice night for a walk. These folks were from Florida, Illinois, Baltimore, and a few other places that slip my mind as I write this. One of the guys from Baltimore was familiar with parts of Connecticut that I know, so that was really nice. I really didn't do anything out of the ordinary with this tour. I did tweak the ending of the closing story a little bit which produced the reaction I was looking for. Good time all around.
Storyteller's Rant... After the tour was over I had a chance to talk with the family from Florida. They told me that they had never been to Gettysburg before and how much they enjoyed the area. I told them to drive around Gettysburg and take in the scenery, the farms, and the viewsheds because in a couple of years a lot of it will be long gone. Paved over by the housing boom that is already striking Adams County. They said the same thing is happening where they live in Florida. The citrus growers down there are being bought out by developers and their orchards built upon acre by acre.
Think about this...You are a farmer and you own 100 acres of land, a developer comes along and offers 6 Million dollars for your land to build 400 homes. It is going to take generations on top of generations of your family working that land to come close to ever earning that kind of money. Are you going to turn it down?
Most of the people in that situation will take the money and run. They're probably buying the homes that were built on those orchards developed down in Florida! There are a few people out there that will put an easement on their property so it can never be developed, but those people are few and far between.
This is a major problem that is inching its way towards Gettysburg and many other communitities. I am not saying that development should stop, you can't stop progress. But you can still do something! Support local preservation groups, land conservancies, and government officials with preservation in mind. Donate your money and your time, when you can, to causes that are actually trying to preserve something. Fight your battles outside of commercial corridors where there's something left to save.
I could go on and on about this, but I'll close with this statement. Do something!
Still ranting and raving...
"Rick Saunders"
Michigan Night on Baltimore St.
Baltimore St. 6/15/06
Around 25 eighth graders from East Grand Rapids Michigan came along last Thursday. This was a pretty good group of kids once we got organized. They seemed to have way too much energy after getting off of the bus, but they calmed down as we began the tour. These lucky students were on their way home from a whirlwind style field trip that took them to Washington DC, NYC, Gettysburg, and a few other places in between. The only place they had left to go to was an amusement park. Here again I met the storyteller's biggest nemesis, modern entertainment!
These kids were pretty tough to read at the beginning of the walk. I wasn't sure if they were being sarcastic with their enthusiasm and reaction to an early story. Sometimes school kids, eighth graders more than any other, will give the guide a hard time. This is usually a spoiled little brat that would rather be watching TV or in the pool at the hotel or the punk kid trying to impress his friends by being a smartass. Thankfully this was not the case. Halfway through I could tell that these kids were genuinely paying attention.
I will give this school credit, they actually studied the battle before they came on their field trip! Most of these students were prepared to answer all of the questions. Good job to all!
Guide's Tip Dealing with individual problem children can be a frustrating experience for the guide. If the chaperones are unwilling to help, or unfortunately take the position that it is now the tourguide's responsibility to chaperone the group, which it's NOT, the key is to kill the problem as early as possible. A direction question to the problem individual is one approach. Followed up by a few more direct questions. This forces honesty onto the person and will embarrass them a little. That is usually enough.
Another way is the democracy method. Ask the person if they really want to be on the tour; "You really don't want to be here do you?" If they say that they do want to be on the tour, then ask them to let you do your job. On the chance that they tell you that they don't want to be on the tour, take a vote! The rest of the group probably wants to be there and will outvote your problem. This also embarrasses them a little and will usually get your chaperones involved. Especially the group leader who knows how much money that they paid to take the tour! I have other ways of dealing with situations like this, so contact me with any questions.
Sleep Well...
"Rick Saunders"
Around 25 eighth graders from East Grand Rapids Michigan came along last Thursday. This was a pretty good group of kids once we got organized. They seemed to have way too much energy after getting off of the bus, but they calmed down as we began the tour. These lucky students were on their way home from a whirlwind style field trip that took them to Washington DC, NYC, Gettysburg, and a few other places in between. The only place they had left to go to was an amusement park. Here again I met the storyteller's biggest nemesis, modern entertainment!
These kids were pretty tough to read at the beginning of the walk. I wasn't sure if they were being sarcastic with their enthusiasm and reaction to an early story. Sometimes school kids, eighth graders more than any other, will give the guide a hard time. This is usually a spoiled little brat that would rather be watching TV or in the pool at the hotel or the punk kid trying to impress his friends by being a smartass. Thankfully this was not the case. Halfway through I could tell that these kids were genuinely paying attention.
I will give this school credit, they actually studied the battle before they came on their field trip! Most of these students were prepared to answer all of the questions. Good job to all!
Guide's Tip Dealing with individual problem children can be a frustrating experience for the guide. If the chaperones are unwilling to help, or unfortunately take the position that it is now the tourguide's responsibility to chaperone the group, which it's NOT, the key is to kill the problem as early as possible. A direction question to the problem individual is one approach. Followed up by a few more direct questions. This forces honesty onto the person and will embarrass them a little. That is usually enough.
Another way is the democracy method. Ask the person if they really want to be on the tour; "You really don't want to be here do you?" If they say that they do want to be on the tour, then ask them to let you do your job. On the chance that they tell you that they don't want to be on the tour, take a vote! The rest of the group probably wants to be there and will outvote your problem. This also embarrasses them a little and will usually get your chaperones involved. Especially the group leader who knows how much money that they paid to take the tour! I have other ways of dealing with situations like this, so contact me with any questions.
Sleep Well...
"Rick Saunders"
Friday, June 16, 2006
Intimate Seminary Tour
Seminary Ridge 6/14/06
On a pleasant Wednesday evening a couple from southern New Jersey joined me out on the Seminary. Only one couple! It was the middle of the week, early in June, so sometimes these things happen. I took advantage of this situation by completely changing my tour for one night.
Rather than put on my normal "song and dance," I just talked to this couple like we were having a normal conversation. I told all of the stories, but without alot of my tone of voice changes, specifically timed pauses and some exagerated body movements. Those who have been on my tours can attest that I talk with my hands! It was refreshing. I got to see how the story, really stripped down, made this couple react. There was nobody else to read so I could focus exclusively on them. I think I really learned alot from this tour.
The couple that joined me had a pretty good time. They practically had a private guide. They were asking some really good questions and I walked them all around the campus. I took them to places that I never have taken other groups. I also spent close to an hour and a half with them when I usually finish that tour in an hour and ten minutes. It was a great time!
From tours gone by... I remember a tour early on in my tenure at Ghosts of Gettysburg that was only 3 people. A very nice gentleman brought his mother and his son to Gettysburg for a little get away. My wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, also came along. This little kid was around 9 years old and curious about everything. That was back in the day when we gave both a Baltimore St and Carlisle St tour in the same night. These three people were the only ones I had on both tours! That was the first Carlisle St tour that I ever guided and I was nervous, so I was off the hook a little. Sometimes the smaller groups are the most memorable.
Sleep well...
"Rick Saunders"
On a pleasant Wednesday evening a couple from southern New Jersey joined me out on the Seminary. Only one couple! It was the middle of the week, early in June, so sometimes these things happen. I took advantage of this situation by completely changing my tour for one night.
Rather than put on my normal "song and dance," I just talked to this couple like we were having a normal conversation. I told all of the stories, but without alot of my tone of voice changes, specifically timed pauses and some exagerated body movements. Those who have been on my tours can attest that I talk with my hands! It was refreshing. I got to see how the story, really stripped down, made this couple react. There was nobody else to read so I could focus exclusively on them. I think I really learned alot from this tour.
The couple that joined me had a pretty good time. They practically had a private guide. They were asking some really good questions and I walked them all around the campus. I took them to places that I never have taken other groups. I also spent close to an hour and a half with them when I usually finish that tour in an hour and ten minutes. It was a great time!
From tours gone by... I remember a tour early on in my tenure at Ghosts of Gettysburg that was only 3 people. A very nice gentleman brought his mother and his son to Gettysburg for a little get away. My wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, also came along. This little kid was around 9 years old and curious about everything. That was back in the day when we gave both a Baltimore St and Carlisle St tour in the same night. These three people were the only ones I had on both tours! That was the first Carlisle St tour that I ever guided and I was nervous, so I was off the hook a little. Sometimes the smaller groups are the most memorable.
Sleep well...
"Rick Saunders"
Monday, June 12, 2006
Double Time on Saturday Night!
Woah! I haven't done back to back tours in quite some time! I got called in for double duty this past Saturday and had a good old time! I started with the original Ghosts of Gettysburg Candlelight walking tour, the short Carlisle St, and then went out to the Seminary for the 8:15. I should have went back to the office and hauled the 9:45 Baltimore St tour to complete the trifecta! Oh well!
Carlisle St Saturday 6/3/06
I mentioned in a previous past how much I enjoy groups of AP History High School kids and this group from New Hope, PA was one of the best I've ever had. We went on the original ghost tour! I love this tour, it leaves from the square and goes onto the college campus. This tour has some of the best stories we have to offer and the opportunity to guide it does not come up as often as I would like. Take advantage of it when you can I guess.
We started fairly early, at 6:30, and the sun was up for the whole tour. It was awesome weather, the temperature was just right and there was very little breeze. The campus was fairly quiet and of course the kids got a huge kick out of the "Hippies use Backdoor" sign on one of the houses on Washington St. I was having so much fun with this group that I went longer than I had planned and had to end it at about 7:50. This gave me just enough time to get to the Seminary for my next tour.
AP History students always come up with great questions and observations. The question came up whether I believe in ghosts or not and I told them my standard response. I'm on the fence and I'm leaning in a certain direction, but a little skepticism never hurts. One of the students asked me how I could not be fully convinced and still be a guide. I have been waiting for that question for quite some time. I told him that one of the main reasons that I guide and enjoy it so much was for the oral tradtion of storytelling. I am going to write a seperate entry on my motivations for being a guide so I'll get into this more later on. But it felt really nice to explain why it is I do what I do. Check back soon for that essay.
Seminary Ridge 6/3/06
Arriving at the Seminary with only moments to spare it was time to shift gears and get into Seminary mode. This group was composed of Boyscouts from Ohio, a couple from West Virginia, and a couple of Ghosts of Gettysburg "regulars" from Maryland. It's always neat to see people that have been on one of my tours before. Off we went into the long shadows creeping over the Seminary.
I finally timed the Glatfelter Hall story for first time this year! The clocktower always chimes on the hour and if I finish the story at the right time, the bells ring as I pause after the story. This always gets a good reaction. As the bell began to ring, I just smiled and nodded my head. When the bell stopped I turned around and someone in the group asked if I meant to do it that way. I told her that I always try, but fail to get it right most of the time. Very pleased, this woman actually started a small round of applause. I think the reason that it worked so well is when I was on the college campus, I set my pocket watch to the 7:00 bells. Therefore there was less room for error. After the tour was over, the "regulars" told me that last fall they were on the Carlisle St tour where the guide timed the bells. It's a really cool trick when you can pull it off!
We finished up around 9:30 and I stuck around for the Gettysburg College alumni fireworks at 9:45. I tried taking some photos but they didn't come out all that well. It was a fun few hours! After 10:00 I went home, went right to bed, and drove to New Jersey Sunday morning.
Sleep well...
"Rick Saunders"
Carlisle St Saturday 6/3/06
I mentioned in a previous past how much I enjoy groups of AP History High School kids and this group from New Hope, PA was one of the best I've ever had. We went on the original ghost tour! I love this tour, it leaves from the square and goes onto the college campus. This tour has some of the best stories we have to offer and the opportunity to guide it does not come up as often as I would like. Take advantage of it when you can I guess.
We started fairly early, at 6:30, and the sun was up for the whole tour. It was awesome weather, the temperature was just right and there was very little breeze. The campus was fairly quiet and of course the kids got a huge kick out of the "Hippies use Backdoor" sign on one of the houses on Washington St. I was having so much fun with this group that I went longer than I had planned and had to end it at about 7:50. This gave me just enough time to get to the Seminary for my next tour.
AP History students always come up with great questions and observations. The question came up whether I believe in ghosts or not and I told them my standard response. I'm on the fence and I'm leaning in a certain direction, but a little skepticism never hurts. One of the students asked me how I could not be fully convinced and still be a guide. I have been waiting for that question for quite some time. I told him that one of the main reasons that I guide and enjoy it so much was for the oral tradtion of storytelling. I am going to write a seperate entry on my motivations for being a guide so I'll get into this more later on. But it felt really nice to explain why it is I do what I do. Check back soon for that essay.
Seminary Ridge 6/3/06
Arriving at the Seminary with only moments to spare it was time to shift gears and get into Seminary mode. This group was composed of Boyscouts from Ohio, a couple from West Virginia, and a couple of Ghosts of Gettysburg "regulars" from Maryland. It's always neat to see people that have been on one of my tours before. Off we went into the long shadows creeping over the Seminary.
I finally timed the Glatfelter Hall story for first time this year! The clocktower always chimes on the hour and if I finish the story at the right time, the bells ring as I pause after the story. This always gets a good reaction. As the bell began to ring, I just smiled and nodded my head. When the bell stopped I turned around and someone in the group asked if I meant to do it that way. I told her that I always try, but fail to get it right most of the time. Very pleased, this woman actually started a small round of applause. I think the reason that it worked so well is when I was on the college campus, I set my pocket watch to the 7:00 bells. Therefore there was less room for error. After the tour was over, the "regulars" told me that last fall they were on the Carlisle St tour where the guide timed the bells. It's a really cool trick when you can pull it off!
We finished up around 9:30 and I stuck around for the Gettysburg College alumni fireworks at 9:45. I tried taking some photos but they didn't come out all that well. It was a fun few hours! After 10:00 I went home, went right to bed, and drove to New Jersey Sunday morning.
Sleep well...
"Rick Saunders"
Friday, June 09, 2006
Big Thursday on Baltimore St
Baltimore St. 6/8/06
On a warm evening, over 40 people joined me for the Baltimore St. tour. These folks were from all over; North Carolina, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia, Boston, Connecticut, and Pittsburg. Those are the ones that I can remember, I'm sure there was more. This group ranged from retirees to babies in strollers. There was a lot of younger children on the tour and I remember one in particular.
Charlie Brown always had a crush on the little red haired girl and this girl last night would have had his head spinning. She was around 7-8 years old, freckles, and her dark red hair was pulled back in a pony tail. After the tour was over her parents gave her a tip to give to me. I said what I almost always say to children in this situation. "If you see any ghosts, you let me know and I'll tell some stories about you!" Most of the time the kids will say "Sure!" But this little girl just gave me a blank stare. She stood there, just looking at me without moving a muscle. I really didn't know how to respond. I eventually told her that it was okay if she didn't see one and reassured her that they were just stories. This seemed to lighten her up a little. She cracked a small grin and walked away. You never know what kind of reaction you're going to get sometimes!
There was a couple of people on the tour who saw "America's Most Haunted Vacations" on the Travel Channel. I mention this show when I tell the Party Ghost story. We shot a video of the Party Ghost years ago for that show. Well I was one of the college kids in the video. I am the one wearing the Yankees hat. I also remember there was nothing in the red plastic cups we were holding! So if you're ever watching the Travel Channel, keeps your eyes out for me using up my 15 minutes of fame through the Ghosts of Gettysburg!
Sleep Well...
"Rick Saunders"
On a warm evening, over 40 people joined me for the Baltimore St. tour. These folks were from all over; North Carolina, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia, Boston, Connecticut, and Pittsburg. Those are the ones that I can remember, I'm sure there was more. This group ranged from retirees to babies in strollers. There was a lot of younger children on the tour and I remember one in particular.
Charlie Brown always had a crush on the little red haired girl and this girl last night would have had his head spinning. She was around 7-8 years old, freckles, and her dark red hair was pulled back in a pony tail. After the tour was over her parents gave her a tip to give to me. I said what I almost always say to children in this situation. "If you see any ghosts, you let me know and I'll tell some stories about you!" Most of the time the kids will say "Sure!" But this little girl just gave me a blank stare. She stood there, just looking at me without moving a muscle. I really didn't know how to respond. I eventually told her that it was okay if she didn't see one and reassured her that they were just stories. This seemed to lighten her up a little. She cracked a small grin and walked away. You never know what kind of reaction you're going to get sometimes!
There was a couple of people on the tour who saw "America's Most Haunted Vacations" on the Travel Channel. I mention this show when I tell the Party Ghost story. We shot a video of the Party Ghost years ago for that show. Well I was one of the college kids in the video. I am the one wearing the Yankees hat. I also remember there was nothing in the red plastic cups we were holding! So if you're ever watching the Travel Channel, keeps your eyes out for me using up my 15 minutes of fame through the Ghosts of Gettysburg!
Sleep Well...
"Rick Saunders"
Friday, June 02, 2006
Late Night on Baltimore St
Thursday, June 1, 2006 Baltimore St.
The other night was a late one! The rain and thunderstorms held off so we didn't get wet, but the humidity was brutal. Especially to the guy in the wool pants! I don't care what some people say, I'll never get used to wearing wool in that type of weather! Eigth graders from northern New Jersey made up the group last night and with a full canteen of water, off we went.
This tour did not start until 9:50 last night. The group got held up for 20 minutes at dinner. I question the thinking behind feeding 50 fourteen year olds after 9 PM but who knows. Needless to say these kids were bouncing around after they got off the bus! The other guide, Bill, and I even commented about this group being an intersting one before they got off the bus. "Do you see them jumping around in there?" Then to top it off the tour leader says that we can keep the group out all night if we wanted to. Reflecting back on it now I can see her line of thinking. The longer these kids were on the tour, the less engery they would have to torture the chaperones later on at the hotel. Nice try!
We agreed on try to end at 11 and then Bill and I gave each other a look that only a tour guide who's ever been in this situation would know. It was time to suck it up and put your gameface on. When I have a group like this I will walk them, to let them burn off some energy. At our first stop, it only took a minute or two to gain control. The teachers and chaperones did a real good job and the students were well behaved. I think that they had some fun, I know I did.
Storyteller's Rant... I would like to apologize about the delay in posting over the past week. I was away in New Jersey and the website was also down for a day or so for maitenence. I'm back and over the next few days I'll have at least two more posts.
Sleep Well,
"Rick Saunders"
The other night was a late one! The rain and thunderstorms held off so we didn't get wet, but the humidity was brutal. Especially to the guy in the wool pants! I don't care what some people say, I'll never get used to wearing wool in that type of weather! Eigth graders from northern New Jersey made up the group last night and with a full canteen of water, off we went.
This tour did not start until 9:50 last night. The group got held up for 20 minutes at dinner. I question the thinking behind feeding 50 fourteen year olds after 9 PM but who knows. Needless to say these kids were bouncing around after they got off the bus! The other guide, Bill, and I even commented about this group being an intersting one before they got off the bus. "Do you see them jumping around in there?" Then to top it off the tour leader says that we can keep the group out all night if we wanted to. Reflecting back on it now I can see her line of thinking. The longer these kids were on the tour, the less engery they would have to torture the chaperones later on at the hotel. Nice try!
We agreed on try to end at 11 and then Bill and I gave each other a look that only a tour guide who's ever been in this situation would know. It was time to suck it up and put your gameface on. When I have a group like this I will walk them, to let them burn off some energy. At our first stop, it only took a minute or two to gain control. The teachers and chaperones did a real good job and the students were well behaved. I think that they had some fun, I know I did.
Storyteller's Rant... I would like to apologize about the delay in posting over the past week. I was away in New Jersey and the website was also down for a day or so for maitenence. I'm back and over the next few days I'll have at least two more posts.
Sleep Well,
"Rick Saunders"
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