ECTC to eulogize Poe for Halloween

For anyone who has wished Edgar Allan Poe’s funeral hadn’t taken place 163 years ago and that they could have had the opportunity to pay their respects, a second chance has arrived.

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is hosting a “funeral” for Poe, the Gothic literary figure known for poems such as “The Raven” and short stories that include “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Doors open for the free event at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Science Auditorium, and it begins at 7 p.m.

The service for Poe, who died in 1849, is the third annual Humanities Night at the college, in which members of departments in the humanities field come together to celebrate their work.

This year’s theme was inspired by music instructor Kevin Shank, who had learned a guitar piece that was influenced by Poe’s short story “The Fall of the House of Usher.” He and the other event coordinators — English assistant professor Maggie Brown, history professor Gary Stearns and John Dryden, an instructor of philosophy and religious studies — decided to center the event around the mock funeral for Poe.

Stearns said Poe’s actual funeral wasn’t well-attended, and this was a way to give him a proper send-off.

The funeral comes complete with a “corpse” in a casket, and instructors will eulogize to Poe. Shank will perform the guitar piece that kick started the event.

The past Humanities Nights have been held in the spring, but the group decided this creepy event needed to be paired with Halloween. Those who attend are encouraged to wear costumes or dress in period clothes or funeral attire.

Brown said various areas in the humanities are “moving toward an interdisciplinary approach” to education, and this event gives them another opportunity to mingle the different departments.

“I think it’s good for the students to see us working together and having fun,” she said. The group promised some spooky Halloween fun is in store. Community members beyond the college are encouraged to attend, and Brown said the event will be entertaining as well as educational.

For more information, contact Brown at mbrown0303@kctcs.edu or (270) 706-8446.

Kelly Cantrall can be reached at (270) 505-1747 or kcantrall@thenewsenterprise.com.