Come meet and greet the Journal staff and watch the documentary “Ghost in Red” by editor Cali Bagby at the San Juan Community Theater, 4-5:30 p..m. on Oct. 30. Local genealogist Robin Jacobson will also be there to talk about San Juan ghosts.
The film delves into the ghost of Alice Rheem.
The hauntings
Orcas Island residents have often spotted what is believed to be the spirit of Alice Rheem, whose husband Donald purchased the Rosario Resort property in 1938. Rosario was Donald’s vacation home for 20 years, but Alice lived there permanently. According to Rosario’s General Manager Christopher Peacock, Alice was quite a character.
“She liked to party and was very playful,” he said. “I think her spirit is continuing that playfulness.”
Alice was known for driving into town on her Harley motorcycle, dressed in a red negligee, to play cards with the local boys. Most of the ghostly incidences at the mansion involve the sounds of high heels clicking across teak floors. When the mansion was shut down briefly in 2008, caretakers often heard someone moving about on the second floor only to find that no one was there. Another employee felt someone push in a chair that she was seated in only to turn around and see no one there.
Peacock added that a paranormal investigation was once held at the mansion and a “high level of activity was found.”
