A room full of adults and children sat quietly, enthralled by the ghost stories of Orcas Island as recounted by Antoinette Botsford.

On Wednesdays and Fridays in the months of July and August, master storyteller Botsford weaves a tapestry of spooky tales from the island to audiences gathered either at the Pioneer Museum in Eastsound or the Crow Valley School Museum.

The stories Botsford tells include that of “Hatchet Annie” of Four Winds Camp; a young woman still searching for her love at night; the lady in red who lives at the Moran mansion; and the tale of Lime Kiln Luke and the three Croatian brothers.

The stories she shares are subject to change, depending on the whims of the storyteller.

Botsford illustrates a beautiful portrait of early island life in her mythos, which intertwines the history of the island with the histories of the people it once beckoned to it. Her words flow smoothly from her lips as though she’s reading from a book; however, it is all contained within her mind.

There were many tourists in attendance, including a family from Colorado. They sat in the front row and were thoroughly impressed with the presentation they were witnessing.

Whether you’re a full-time islander, part-time islander, or simply here on a week’s vacation, it is highly recommended you attend one of the Spooky Tales storytellings.

Spooky Tales will continue through the end of August at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Pioneer Museum, and at 5 p.m. on Fridays at the Crow Valley School Museum. Tickets are $10 a piece, or $25 for a family of four and can be purchased in advance or at the show. For more information, call the museum at 376-4849.