Garrett's
Ghost
by
Pamela Ackerson
Genre:
Time Travel Western
What's
a time traveling Texas Ranger supposed to do?
Garrett
Houston is being harassed by a ghost. Trouble is brewing and her name
is Margarite. She's an unrelenting force determined to get his
attention. It may be too late for her, but if she could get him to
listen, she may be able to save some lives.
A
story of unrequited love, the power of healing, and the embracing
need to never give up. Unforgettable moments and unforgettable
characters will tug at the heartstrings with a myriad of
emotions.
Garrett's
Ghost is a touching story brimming with down-home Texas charm.
**Free
from May 6th to May 10th!!**
Wife,
mother, author, and time traveling adventurer. Born and raised in
Newport, RI where history is a way of life, Pamela Ackerson now lives
on the Space Coast of Florida, a hop, skip, and jump from Orlando,
where imagination and fantasy abounds. With the love of reading, she
graduated to writing non-fiction, historical fiction, time travel,
and children's preschool/first reader books.
GUEST POST
The
Windsor Hotel in Americus, Georgia
A
real hotel in Garrett’s Ghost---Haunted or Not?
The
historic Windsor Hotel, built in 1890, is as big as a city block.
Built in classic, eclectic architectural style with high Victorian
Gothic, Moorish, and Islamic influences, the combination is
breathtaking. The four-storied turret and the bell tower rises above
hotel as a beacon making the majestic structure a prominent feature
in the center of town. The balconies had hanging plants, inviting the
guest to enjoy the outside with an indulgence of relaxation.
The
interior of the building creates an ambiance of comfort and prestige.
Enter into the past through elaborately carved French doors to a
three-story open atrium. Stop a moment to admire the Italian marble
floor.
On
the right, a seating area is placed next to a gorgeous fireplace and
to the left the guest check-in and reservation area. The sizable
atrium has seating areas comfortably decorated and arranged for
guests to visit and chat with each other.
Straight
ahead of the French doors where the original reservation area was,
are large blocks of manganese glass. The ceiling above was engineered
and designed specifically to be used for allowing sunlight from the
windows on the second floor. Upstairs, guests will see the dark glass
on the floor which takes advantage of the sunlight. An innovative
idea used by many talented architects.
Fall
in love with the wood herring-bone designed oak floors. You’ll
marvel over the hard-carved golden oak and mahogany woodwork with
pillars accenting all corners of the room and throughout the hotel.
Georgian heart pine, a good solid wood that’ll last hundreds of
years was used as an accent.
The
hotel had its grand opening in June, 1892 with over one thousand
attendees. The celebration was crowned by an elaborate ball held on
the fifth floor. In 1910, it upgraded throughout the hotel with new
electric lights, telephones, and elevators.
It’s
had its ups and downs, as any historical building. After being in
business for almost eighty years, they’d closed their doors in
1972. Howard Dayton gifted the hotel to Americus. A decision had to
be made. Tear it down? Or restore it?
The
current owners’ visions came true. With their positive thinking,
and well-planned ideas, the Patel family purchased the Windsor in
1998, and renovated the hotel to its magnificent condition. A few
years later, they chose to become a Best Western Plus.
Former
president Jimmy Carter attended the grand-reopening.
How
about a bit of trivia?
The
lounge has supported and cheered the local baseball team since 1893!
There
are three tunnels in the basement. Where do they lead? One theory is
the old Confederate hospital across the street on Jackson.
President
Jimmy Carter has stayed at the hotel. Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a
speech from the balcony in 1928.
The
infamous Al Capone liked to stay in the top floor of the turret.
If
you love history, it’s a short trip to the Civil War Andersonville
Prison Camp—definitely some hauntings there.
There
are secrets at the Windsor. How about a secret staircase that leads
to the fourth floor? And how did the fire start on the fourth floor?
And
the ghosts. Yes, they’ve been authenticated as being haunted. Why
is the hotel haunted?
What
happened that night near the elevator? No one will ever know, and if
they do, they’re not talking.
Here’s
the scoop or rumor. You decide.
One
of the housekeepers had a well-known and prominent gentleman friend
staying with her for the evening. Her daughter, who wasn’t
accustomed to her mother entertaining a man, came into the bedroom
and tickled—what she thought was her mother’s feet.
It
wasn’t.
The
gentleman was awakened, and was furious because the child tickled his
feet. He started yelling at the child and abusing her.
The
mother interceded and a ruckus ensued. Somehow, and for some very odd
reason, both elevator doors were open. It was very unusual for
something like that to happen. Even back then in the early 1900s,
there were safety precautions taken with elevators.
The
mother and daughter went down the shaft and were killed. The
suspicious accident caused by the prominent citizen wasn’t pursued
by the authorities. Some newspaper accounts used different unknown
names of the man who’d been involved.
The
child and mother have been seen and felt since the incident.
All
in all, the Best Western Windsor is a must stay hotel. Perhaps a nice
writer’s retreat or conference could be in order. They’ll welcome
you with open arms.
www.windsor-americus.com
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