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Interview with a Ghost Guide: George Sanford
A rare peek into the life of a Haunted Hamilton Ghost Guide

Ghost Guide George just might be one of the most captivating individuals you could ever meet! He plays a wide variety of characters on our tours, and depending on his mood, you could be in for a good scare or an unexpected chuckle! With his endearing mannerisms and anecdotes for really creeping you out, you're sure to leave our Ghost Walk more aware and enlightened.

Starting about three years ago, you are Haunted Hamilton's very first and longest standing Ghost Guide. What has it been like so far?

Being a guide is very enjoyable. The people who really care about the ghosts and energy around us are most fascinating. The tours whether they be in the Ancaster bush late at night or in an historic building full of wonderful stories it all seems to work very well. I thoroughly enjoy the story-telling. People of all ages, young to old love to be told stories, have a story read to them or hear about gossip or dirty laundry being aired. It all adds up to the same thing. The experience is very pleasurable and the people make the difference, whether it is rain, cold and snow, or stifling heat in an old haunted attic.

Tell us a bit more about yourself. Why did you decide to become an
actor?

I didn't become an actor, I was born to it. The playing of roles, the enabling myself to again tell story is the reason for my chosen profession.

Acting is playing out, being someone else, experiencing history in costume and word. I love period costumes and living the lives of other's in a performance setting. It is good for the soul and gives other's pleasure too.

To take on the persona of another and make it believable for the audience is also part of the rush of acting. To put skills learned over years of hard work is satisfying and about all the roar of the crowd. The immediacy of the thank's and of a job well done, is also part of the acting trade.

What is your most memorable experience while conducting a Ghost Walk?

My most memorable experience so far has been the walks in Ancaster at the Hermitage. The place in darkness is truly atmospheric and full of the energy that lends itself to the stories we tell. The people again and how they react. Really for me all of the walks are memorable and all for different reasons. It could be a lantern suddenly going out. A street lamp dies at a particularly perfect moment. Doors closing with no reason. The darkness enveloping you as a cloak that you can actually feel the dark. These and many more make the tours a delight to do and look forward to, as I am sure are some of the same reasons the people come along with us.

Have you ever been really frightened during a Ghost Walk?

Really frightened, no. A little apprehensive when at the Hermitage because of what may lurk in the bush, the teenager kind of lurking, but in general no.

What is your personal favourite Ghost Walk?

I have two favourite ghost walks, not one. The Hermitage in Ancaster and the Customs House in Hamilton's north end. They both offer the full spectrum of stories, plenty of historical fact and atmosphere aplenty. They are also very different. One is outside in the night and the other inside in the dark. They both offer up the chills for the audience and offer me as a guide the opportunity to create the era, build a voice and present the facts as they are, with an ominous air. It adds up to a good time had by all.

When did you first become interested in the paranormal?

Well my parents were somewhat believers. My family weren't the crazy type, but too many people have experienced things for someone to say it doesn’t exist. We don’t go on and on about it. It’s just in our minds and a fact to us and we leave it at that. I would have to say I became interested in the paranormal when I was about 6 years old, when my grandfather passed away.

You seem to really have fun playing your character up. Sometimes you can be the fragile, meandering gent who takes the tour-goers on a mysterious journey into the unknown, while at other times, you play the eerie madcap who might know more than the visitors realize. What is it like changing characters for you and what makes you decide to play a certain role each tour?

As you say I play different characters on the ghost walks. The reason is quite simple. How I feel that night, the energy from the audience and the nature of the location and the stories to be told. The bottom line is that you want the audience to become engaged in the tour. To be right there at all times. If the character has a sense of truth to it the crowd will respond in a positive and frightened way. It is true of all acting on stage. Truth in presentation will always win the day. The audience can sense when you are not giving them the benefit of the doubt and allowing them to fill in some of the gaps you leave.

When did you first become interested in the paranormal?

Interest in the paranormal for me is not as such. I do not disbelieve I have an arms length view of it. For me it is up to to other's to have their feelings, their sightings and their energies. I provide the vehicle for them to have these reactions. It is not for me to say whether they are real or imagined and even if they are, for the person it is all real. That is the point isn't it. The tour is the door or window that we present. Whether you go through or not is a matter of choice.

Do you have any personal ghost stories or experiences you'd like to share with us?

I personally have no ghost stories to share. I am like Caron the tiller of the boat across the river to the graveyard. How you travel, how you feel and what happens when you get there is for you to decide.

You have been on whirlwind tours for a company that travels across
the world. What was it like being in Europe and how does it compare to our side of the world in the way of history and hauntings?

Europe, ah Europe, yes I have been there many times. To compare would be apple and oranges. To say that over there the spirits are alive and well would definitely be similar to here. First of all the stories are older, the buildings older and the length of history longer. The stories go back a long way for them and since witch burning, the Inquisition and Holy wars have scared Europe for ever, there is much superstition still alive and well.

Europe is like walking through a living and dying museum. Everywhere, every turn, every alley, there is a story, a moment to cherish and person to ponder about. To go there is to understand ourselves that much better. To find a view that is not so narrow and safe, not so judgmental and fearful, not so closed in and stilted.

Name one of your favourite historical personalities.

Historical personalities are so many. For me it is VERY hard, because I have my favourite composers, painters, writers and historical generals, kings and queens. Oh, let's see if I had to pick which you want me to do, probably, Beethoven.

Aside from being a Haunted Hamilton Ghost Guide, what other things are keeping you busy right now?

Currently at the moment I am writing the answers to these thoughtful questions. I am playing Mozart in the schools and for private events. I stage manage the Brantford Symphony concerts and do the pre-concert talks for them. I sell books at Chapters and I teach the history of classical music and fine art at three locations in Burlington and Oakville. In the theatre I am running sound for Dundas Little Theatre and stage managing A Little Night Music for Burlington's Drury Lane in the fall. Also trying to put together a web page, with a sampling of all of my moments both past and present and future.

What is it like knowing you have a fan-base of adoring tour-goers?

To know that some people like me as a guide is everything. The reason I do it as I said is for the audience to have pleasure, to be some how moved from where they were when they started the tour. It speaks to everything I believe in that some individuals gravitate to my performance and thus look forward to me doing the tour. How wonderful is that.

Any advice you can give a person who is about to venture on a Haunted Hamilton Ghost Walk for the first time?

If a person is venturing and I love that word venturing on a ghost walk for the first time, the one thing I would suggest is be open and present in the moment. Clear your mind of anything else from that day and be aware of everything and everybody. Then just let the tour go along it's merry course.

Any fun things in store for Ghost Guide George and his character this season?

Fun things in store for me, well I am looking forward to this season's walks and the people it will present to me and having my own web page.

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Many thanks to Ghost Guide George Sanford for agreeing to be interviewed by us! We look forward to our new 2006 Ghost Walk season and are pleased to have George continue to lead his tours with us!

If you are so fascinated with George that you need more, you can download a wallpaper from below to your home or work computer!

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Be sure to visit our Ghost Walks website at www.ghostwalks.com.

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