As I mentioned in last week's column, the Historic Newburgh Ghost Walks were a huge success. Between Friday, Saturday and Sunday, more than 1,000 people walked the streets of Historic Downtown Newburgh.

We went down to one weekend this year and everyone loved it. We sold out on both Friday and Saturday night and were close to selling out on Sunday.

The Ghost Walks committee met earlier this week and decided to stick with one weekend for next year, as well. So, mark your calendars. The 2010 Ghost Walks will be held Oct. 22 through 24.

If you've attended the Ghost Walks in the past, you know just how many people it takes to put on an event like this. The volunteers are the reason this event is so successful and I want to thank each and every one of them for all of their hard work.

To begin, this event would not have taken place without the Ghost Walk committee co-chairs - Lisa Garrett, Charlie Schneider and Randy Wheeler. These three are amazing! From organizing the guides and actors to deciding the stories and routes, the 16th Annual Ghost Walks came together because of these three volunteers.

Thank you to all Ghost Walk Committee volunteers for all of the hours you put in before, during and after the Ghost Walks - Bill Byers, Lou Dennis, Lisa Garrett, Tonya Hanson, Ken and Leanna Hughes, Blake Larson, Nancy Lybarger, Melissa McGuire, Missy and Aaron Parker, Charlie Schneider, Dale and Janet Waller and Randy Wheeler. Thank you to the entire committee! It truly was a team effort!

Thank you to all of the actors - for without you, there would be no 'ghost' in Ghost Walks - Anne Rust Aurand, Cynthia Burger, Breanna Caldwell, Nick and Catrina Casteur, Lou Dennis, Steve Dick, Sherry Houck, Ken Hughes, Michelle Hulse, Nancy and Jon Lybarger, Cindy Maples, Cole Mason, Kayla Mason, Matt Mason, Mike McGuire, Brent Michael, Joe Schitter, Janet Stout, Velda Warner, SiSi Wilson, Kris Zinn and Andrea Zint.

Thank you to all of the guides. Without you, there would be no one to lead our groups through the haunted streets of Newburgh - Brenda Bender, Tom Bodkin, Mike Devine, Beth Dickinson, Tonya Hanson, Mary Harris, Leo Kempf, Blake Larson, Eva Mason, Melissa McGuire, Marian Patterson, Joe Schitter, Charlie Schneider, Carol Slow, Maggie Speicher, Paul Sweets and Dale Waller.

Thank you to all of the HNI volunteers that worked in the gift shop, sold tickets, welcomed guests, drove the trolley, helped with set-up, etc. - Suzie Byers, Paul Campbell, Diane Dixon, Sharon Duell, Diana Ford, Betty Hendrickson, Leanna Hughes, the Johnson family, Bill and Wanda Kavanaugh, Anita Louthan, Dave McGuire, Tonya McGuire, Alonzo and Shirley Moore, Missy and Aaron Parker, Garey Patmore, Jim Seibert, Shari Sherman, Penny Wheeler and Laura Brown and Boy Scout Troop 305.

Thank you to Morgan at the Newburgh Tin Fish for serving hot cider and cookies. Thank you to Kathy at the Newburgh Starbucks for serving coffee.

Thank you to our event sponsor, Heritage Federal Credit Union.

Last but not least, thank you to everyone who participated in the Ghost Walks. We are making some changes for 2010, so we hope you will join us next year for the 17th Annual Historic Newburgh Ghost Walks.

Have a great week and I will see you around town!