DUBLIN — So, you like ghost stories? Then you should plan to have a front-row seat at Bladen Community College on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m. in the Student Resource Center (building 7), where local historian, author and BCC instructor Cliff Tyndall will share chilling tales about local ghosts and haunts.
Among his accounts is the still unsolved and odd disappearance of an entire crew aboard the Diamond Shoals Ship off the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
“I have visited the site and researched the local records,” commented Tyndall. “It’s a very strange story.”
Tyndall will recount several ghost stories surrounding the Battleship North Carolina during its tenure in World War II. He has personal experience with the battleship ghosts.
“I’ve spent the night aboard the ship and had experienced some strange events,” he shared.
The ghost-story hour is free and open to the public. For information, contact the Student Resource Center at Bladen Community College at 910-879-5641.
Other local events for Halloween include:
Jones Lake State Park
— The annual Friends of the Bay Lakes Fall Festival will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jones Lake State Park. There will be a costume contest at noon, hayrides, games, cake walks, face-painting, crafts, animal exhibits and more. Tickets will be sold for the games at 50 cents each or $5 for an unlimited games wristband (cake walk excluded). Candy prize bags will go to winners and every child will receive a goody bag. There will be hot dogs, chips and soda available for purchase. Pre-registration is necessary by calling 910-588-4550.
Bladen County Public Library system
— Clarkton Public Library will host a free Halloween Party on Tuesday, Oct. 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. There will be food, a story time, scavenger hunt and crafts. Call to register at 910-647-3661 or stop in at the library to sign up. Event most suitable for ages 2 to 12. Don’t forget to wear a costume!
— Bridger Memorial Library in Bladenboro will host a free Halloween Party on Monday, Oct. 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. There will be food, a story time, scavenger hunt and crafts. Call to register at 910-863-4586 or stop in at the library to sign up. Event most suitable for ages 2 to 12. Don’t forget to wear a costume!
— The Main Branch in Elizabethtown will host a Kids Halloween Party on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. Call to register by Oct. 25 at 910-862-6990.
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Municipalities
— Elizabethtown: Halloween trick-or-treating will be allowed 5:30 to 9 p.m.; children under the age of 9 must be accompanied by an adult; and no one over the age of 12 is permitted to solicit treats from residents and/or businesses.
— Bladenboro: Halloween trick-or-treating will be allowed 6 to 8:30 p.m.; children age 12 and under, accompanied by a parent of responsible adult, will be allowed to solicit treats from residents or businesses; children under the age of 9 must be accompanied to the door; a curfew will be in effect for all children under the age of 13 beginning at 9:30 p.m. and continuing until 6 a.m. the next day.
— White Lake: Halloween trick-or-treating will be allowed 5 to 9 p.m.; children ages 12 and under will be allowed to solicit gifts from residents and/or businesses; children under the age of 9 must be accompanied by an adult; a curfew will be in effect for youth age 13 and older after 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. the following day.
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Churches
— Foundation Bible Church will hold a “Tent or Treat” at Lloyd Park, located on West Swanzy Street in Elizabethtown, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. as a safe, family-friendly alternative for children to trick-or-treat on Halloween. There will be numerous vendors and plenty of spiritual and sugary goodies.
— New Light Church (910-863-3582) located at 109 Railroad St. in Bladenboro will hold a “Trunk or Treat” on Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. in downtown Bladenboro (parking lot of Bladenboro Fitness).
— Dublin First Baptist (910-862-2277) located at 7275 Albert St. in Dublin will host a “Trunk or Treat” on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 9 p.m.
— Center Road Baptist Church, located at 2484 Center Road in Bladenboro, wlil host a “Trunk or Treat” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
— Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church, located on West Broad Street in Elizabethtown across from the Municipal Building, wlil host a “Harvet Party Trunck or Treat” on Wednesday at 6 p.m.