Don't let that disguise fool you -- that's Rose Szwed, Chief Tour Director of Step On Bus Tours, impersonating Emma Peak Marantette, the ancient lady known for haunting the halls and bedrooms of old mansions in western Michigan the 1850s. Which is where Rose and her Tour guests head during her "Ghosts, Goblins and Gremlins" classic tour several times a year. It's the fun-filled tradition that takes her merry crew of travelers (games, refreshments and laughs on the way) to creaky old houses to give us all the chills and willies, as "Emma" tells us her stories and recollections of mysteries, histories and legends of bygone days.
CHECK OUT THE EVIDENCE
Actually, you couldn't find a better guide to the occult and arcane past of rural western Michigan: A born writer, Rose is a digger, as well -- often found in musty libraries, looking up secrets of the long-gone era. And, as Emma Marantette, handsomely decked out in furs and her 19th century opera hat, Rose turns on her gifts for drama and melodrama in a most compelling way. And whenever a tour calls for costumes, Rose is right there, to bring the story to life. In all, it's a great -- and painless way -- to bone up on the spooky past.
A WOMAN WITH A HISTORY
Starting in the communications business, Rose climbed the ladder through magazine editing, public relations and marketing -- all of which taught her about customer service, sensing what an audience wants, along with lending her a genius for making a busload of tourers interested, inspired and happy.
A RECORD AS LONG AS YOUR ARM
A quick look at Rose's gallery of tours, proves her excellence:
Underground Railroad Tours:
Quilts, Quakers & Questors
Farmers, Felons & Fugitives
The Bounty Hunters
Detroit Tavern Tours
Taverns of the "D"
Bars, Babes & Booze
Amish
Arts, Amish & Adventure
The Real Women of Amish Country
Christmas With The Amish
Houses of Worship
Festive Churches in December
The "Wow" Churches, Detroit/Chicago/Toledo/Cleveland
Superb Suburban Houses of Worship
Chocolate, Cheese & Churches
Wines & More
Rolling Hills and Wine of Ohio
Wine & Herbs of Mid/Southern Michigan
