Massena ghost tour set for Friday night

MASSENA — Mary T. LaJoie says she received plenty of ghost stories when she came to Massena to ask for them in April, and now she's ready to start ghost tours in the village.

Ms. LaJoie, owner and tour guide of Shadows of Ogdensburg Ghost Tours, visited the Massena Public Library in mid-April to hear stories from people who might have ideas about where ghost tours could take place in the community. She has been running similar tours in Ogdensburg.

"I got all my stories in one evening. All we had to do was go home and start calling the historical association. I've never had such a great turnout. The place was packed. Some people came to listen. I was amazed," she said.

The first ghost tour, which Ms. LaJoie will attend with a newly hired tour guide, will start at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Spanky's restaurant on Main Street and run for 90 minutes.

"We have a lot of stories in that small area," Ms. LaJoie said.

She said an optimal number of participants is "20 to 30 people at the most." Anyone who plans to take the ghost walk must reserve a spot in advance by calling her at 393-4041.

The tour is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 7 to 16 and free for those age 6 and younger.