Tours to Feature Five 'Ghosts' of Hellertown Past

Once again this year, fans of local history will have the opportunity to meet some real-life "ghosts" at .

That's because on Aug. 16 and 17 the cemetery will again host of five prominent former Hellertonians: Warren Eckert, Bessie Shiffer, Russel Mauch, Herbert Weisel and Nicholas Zenkof.

Costumed re-enactors will represent the late pillars of the community, regaling visitors with stories about their lives and anecdotes about what life was like in the borough many years ago.

Portrayals of Weisel and Zenkof were presented during last year's tours, but will be reprised this year because rain caused the cancellation of the tours on the second evening.

The Cemetery Tours are sponsored by the cemetery association and the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce, and held the two evenings prior to . 

They are being held for the eighth consecutive year in 2012.

According to a brochure about the tours, they are "made possible with the simple belief that...knowing some of our forefathers and the contributions they made through their community endeavors, will also motivate us to preserve that heritage for the end of time." 

The free, guided tours will depart from a visitors' tent every 8 to 10 minutes, with Boy Scouts leading groups from grave to grave.

Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes for the tours, which typically last 45 minutes to an hour.

The following local actors will portray the "ghosts of Hellertown past" this year:

Terry Boos - Warren Eckert

Dr. Susan Ackermann - Bessie Shiffer

Craig Medei - Russel Mauch

Wayne Packer - Herbert Weisel

David Pearson - Nicholas Zenkof