Elite athlete, coach of elite athletes, and author, with a fascinating family history, Dacre Stoker is a man of many facets, who gets to the heart of every matter in which he’s involved.

Stoker, the great-grand nephew of Bram Stoker, author of ‘Dracula,’ has made one of his life goals to help readers and the overall public better understand his famous ancestor, and to help fill in any gaps in Bram Stoker’s work. His 2009 book, ‘Dracula: The Un-Dead,’ helps complete Bram Stoker’s original work.

Next weekend, Dacre (pronounced day-ker) Stoker will present two multi-media productions in a program designed to shed light on his famous ancestor while also helping to preserve Saluda’s railroad depot.

The first program, Stoker on Stoker, will focus on the mysteries behind the writing of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, ‘Dracula’, the tale of the vampire Count Dracula who moved from Transylvania to England in search of new blood and to spread the undead curse. Stoker on Stoker will take place at the Saluda Historic Depot on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.

The second program, A Modern Day Tour of Transylvania, will investigate the inseparable connection between the real Prince Vlad Dracula III, and literature’s Count Dracula. It will take place Sunday, Oct. 16, with a book signing of ‘Dracula: The Un-Dead’ by Stoker at 1 p.m., and the presentation from 1:30-3 p.m., also at the Saluda Depot.

Why Saluda?

Stoker, who resides in Aiken, S.C., owned a second home in Saluda for 22 years, and visited the area, “to recreate and write.” In 2015, Dacre also made a presentation in Saluda.

“When I was a boy,” he recalled, “I was aware of the legacy of the family. I didn’t get it— the enormity of the impact on literary and popular questions. My great-grandfather (George Stoker) was Bram Stoker’s younger brother, and they were very close.”

Bram Stoker didn’t write full-time as an author, according to Dacre. What made him an author was “a perfect storm” of his mother’s stories of premature burials and his being manager of the Lyceum Theater. To create set designs at the famous theater, Bram Stoker studied authentic castles and was inspired by a particular castle in Transylvania, in part of what is now Romania.

“I know which one he was inspired by,” continued Dacre Stoker, pointing to 125 pages of his great-grand uncle’s notes residing in the Rosenbach Museum, Philadelphia. There is also a travel guide and map of Transylvania.

Though Bram Stoker grew up in Dublin, Ireland, and lived in London, he had no connection with Romania other than his relentless passion for historic detail.

Dacre Stoker, also a serious researcher, has also investigated the man known as Vlad the Impaler, and what Dacre Stoker calls “the inseparable connection between Count Dracula and Vlad the Impaler.” The real Vlad the Impaler, who is credited with influencing the legendary Count Dracula, was a 14th century warrior and hero, Dacre Stoker noted.

Separating fact from legend is what Dacre Stoker terms “responsible vampire tourism,” where Romanian officials are “trying to set things straight.”

Dacre Stoker himself, a private school teacher for 22 years, also competed at a high level in the pentathlon (nearly competing in the 1980 Olympics representing Canada), and later coached world-class athletes, also for Canada. Combining varied pursuits is nothing new for him.

“I’m a guy who is used to multi-tasking,” he noted. “I get some of my best ideas on a nice, relaxed jog.”

Dacre Stoker said he wrote his book to tie up loose ends from Bram Stoker’s work. In Dacre Stoker’s book, Quincy is a “key character.”

Dacre Stoker lectures all over the world, including what went into the writing of Bram Stoker’s book that rocked the world in 1897. He says he’s the only one in his family who has “taken the reins” to research Bram Stoker and his work.

“I want the world to know about my relative. I feel an obligation to my family and the public. I want to protect him, too,” Dacre said. Dacre notes that two of Bram Stoker’s grandsons are still living and says that he’s “promoting and protecting Bram Stoker, so people know him as well as we have.”

Also, while Dacre Stoker notes that he’s often paid well for his presentations, he’s donating all proceeds from his two presentations here toward the fundraising efforts to purchase the train depot.

Tickets are $10 per person, and include libations for the Saturday presentation, and are available at Thompson’s Store, Saluda Historic Depot, or Beverly-Hanks Saluda office. Organizer Cathy Jackson notes that on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 15), a Low Country Boil benefit will be held at the Green River Brew Depot, and a free fish fry will be held at the Saluda Senior Center. Judy Ward is chairing the event. Call 828-749-2321 to make reservations and for ticket information.