Ghostly Wayside Inn Fundraiser Nets $14K

Sudbury MA

01 November, 2021

9:12 AM

Description

This story was written and photographed by Jan Berte and contributed to Sudbury Patch SUDBURY, MA — The night was young, the owls were hooting, and the heated tent at the Wayside Inn was popping with fun and excitement. The Wayside Inn Foundation held its second annual fundraiser to help keep this iconic treasure and its other properties at its best. The money that was raised was around $14,000 before expenses, and the bourbon and wine pull was also a success, selling all of their bottles. According to President Gary Christelis, "The Inn is a non-profit organization and needs the community to help with donations in any way for preservation and maintenance of the nine historic buildings and 100 acres." This event was in honor of the so-called ghost "Jerusha" who after her father, David Howe, had passed back in the 1700s; she and her brother Lyman took over the Inn. Jerusha was a spirited apparition who sometimes would make her presence in the various rooms. But, never did any harm to anyone according to many of the tales that were told throughout the years by guests and employees. In addition to all the festivities, this fundraiser had best costume contest for historic, (Betsy Ross), most creative (Mr. Clean and his mop), and most legendary (television show Home Improvement characters, "Tim and Al"). The winners won a gift certificate to the Inn, plus a t-shirt, and a Jerusha Howe keychain. Many of the 111 attendees were from the surrounding towns, but some came from New York, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. As DJ T-Rex spun his music, food and beverages was enjoyed by everyone keeping the spirit of Jerusha in the people's hearts of The Wayside Inn.