WEYBURN - Halloween is definitely a time for the supernatural and tales from the crypt. According to a recent report, Saskatchewan has the notorious distinction of being Canada’s most spine-tingling region and has been named the country’s most haunted province, scoring 7.4 out of 10 on the haunted-meter.
There are many abandoned properties scattered across the prairie landscape, and unexplained strange noises and feelings of unease in a few haunted locations.
There were many people here in Weyburn who claim that the Souris Valley grounds are haunted, and have tales of the supernatural and unexplained of spiritual occurrences that happened in the Souris Valley Extended Care Centre, before it was demolished.
Who else can remember taking a drive down the road towards Souris Valley, when the lights were still on, simply to see the ‘skeleton face’ that came alive out of the front entrance? There were many stories of people seeing a woman wearing white floating around on the fourth floor, or in an upper window, when there was no one on that floor anymore. As I attended my first year of university at the Southeast College classrooms in Souris Valley, I can remember hearing odd sounds and seeing strange occurrences during those night classes.
Both Signal Hill and the Tommy Douglas Centre are also claimed to be haunted. There have been a few times when special haunted tours were offered in both locations. Let me tell you, as someone who has been in the basement of the Tommy Douglas Centre, there is nothing creepier than being alone in the building and hearing footsteps on the main floor.
A few years ago, I even interviewed a couple of ghost hunters as they set up for a night of seeking out the supernatural in the Soo Line Museum. Purgatory Adventures, as they called themselves, also had a visit to the Heritage Village during another time they were in the city. These videos are still on YouTube, for those who are looking for a spooky thrill this Halloween.
Haunted stories and tales that thrill are part of many different cultures and places. Sometimes they act as cautionary tales for children, and other times they are just a way to scare your friends or family.
There is something about the act of getting scared that makes one feel alive, but I definitely don’t want to experience it all the time. I have been known to watch a scary show or read a Haunted Saskatchewan tale, and then need to put my mind onto something else before I go to bed.
Remember no matter how you celebrate Halloween, to be safe and respectful of your neighbours. Tricks might be fun, but there are many playful tricks that are just plain disrespectful. There is a way to have fun during Halloween, and share your scares, while distancing yourself away from those who don’t want to be tricked, or scared.
