Ghostly Happenings

I always read with interest stories about orbs.  They’ve been explained away by debunkers as dust particles or crud on a photographer’s lens.  Personally, I have some interesting orbs and streaks of colored light photos from the Brick Yard in Gettysburg.  Recently, a story appeared on the Examiner.com, referred to as “When Orbs Attack .”

This particular story about orbs took place at the Hotel Reiger in Sandusky, Ohio.  A paranormal investigation was being conducted by INPR ( In Nomine Paranormal Research), a group based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Many orbs were observed in this building, which last was used as a rest home.  On the fifth floor, it was used as a place to put patients as they were dying.  The freight elevator would then take the dead patients to their final destination in the building, the morgue in the basement.

While investigating the building, researchers snapped photos of the orbs, and even caught some on video.  This is where the attack portion of the story takes place.  One orb heads directly at the camera man and then makes his camera do a funky warp view before dissipating.  Was this orb a spirit that didn’t want its resting place disturbed?  If so, it is the first “attack orb” caught on video.

I’m not sure where I stand on the orb thing myself.  I have caught numerous ones on camera, and I’m fastidious about cleaning my camera equipment.  I can’t explain the crazy colored lights I catch on film every time I visit Gettysburg either (i’ll post the most recent ones taken on campus tomorrow).

If anyone has thoughts on this, please feel free to share.  In the meantime, catch this video of the attack orb here:  Orb Attack .

Looking for something fun to do on Friday the 13th this year?  Look no further!  Rob Conover, paranormal investigator will be leading an evening tour as well as hosting an overnight visit to one of the most haunted places in America - the Bowen Building, which is part of the Bartonville Insane Asylum near Peoria, Illinois.  The building is slated for demolition, but some people, including Mr. Conover, think that this place is akin to a door to the “other side.”  They would like to protect it so that research can be done.

If you’d like to be part of this fundraiser, which also happens to be a fascinating ghost tour or hunt, buy a ticket (or two) and come with a friend.  The following link will take you to the web page to buy your ticket - Ghost Asylum Tour .

Sometimes people are afraid that they will be made fun of if they share their ghost stories.  We know this to be true- how many times have you heard someone tell a story about ghosts in their home- and you’ve been skeptical?  Worse yet, maybe you laughed out loud calling them a lunatic.  Well, whether you believe them or not, these people have a need to share their stories.  Obviously THEY believe there is a problem, or they wouldn’t be sharing it with total strangers.

Of course, there are always people who do this for attention, but how often does that happen?

If you’re looking for a safe place to share your ghost experiences without ridicule, consider visiting The Shadowlands.  Dave Juliano and Tina Carlson will try to help you with any haunting or paranormal experience you are having trouble with.  Couldn’t hurt and just might help!

In addition, I’m looking for true ghost stories from New York for a book I’m writing.  If you’d like to share a NY ghost story, drop me a line below!  While I can’t pay for the story, you’ll get a free signed copy of the book once it is published.  You can also send me an email from the front page of my website, Ghosts4You.com.

~~Charlotte

Obama may not have known it before, but he is now the owner of a reported ghost cat.  DC, or Demon Cat, as it is commonly known, has roamed the grounds of the White House for almost 100 years.  It has also been seen walking in the mall, usually in the evening.  It appears to individuals as a kitten, then quickly swells into a cat with red glowing eyes.

The cat has been seen when a new president takes office and moves into the White House as well as during times of national disaster, such as the stock market crash of 1929.  It was reportedly seen just prior to the JFK assassination as well.

The truth about the ghostly black cat may have its origins in a real story.  Apparently, around 100 years ago the White House area was infested with rats.  The caretakers decided to release dozens of cats in the area to help curb the rodent population.  Obviously, not every cat would survive and obviously, one black cat in particular didn’t.  It isn’t known what happened to this poor cat, nor why he or she is still hanging around the White House.  One thing is for sure though; if Obama sees the cat, it could mean certain disaster.

What happens when you cover graves with fill dirt instead of moving them?  Apparently on a stretch of road between Orlando and Daytona Beach, you get a Dead Zone.  Since 1963 there have been over 2,000 accidents reported on this particular stretch of road on I-4.  Could ghosts be the cause of the accidents?

According to author Charlie Carlson, people have been reporting ghosts, ghost vehicles, orbs, ghost hitchhikers and more.  Mr. Carlson is the author of the book, Weird Florida.

The bodies buried there are very real, not some myth.  The graves were cornered off and were supposed to be moved when an error occurred and they were buried even deeper under the burgeoning highway.  The bodies are those from a settlement known as St. Joseph’s Catholic Colony.  The individuals died during a yellow fever outbreak in the late 1800’s.  The graves include two adults and two children.

It is unknown whether or not these are the ghosts haunting travelers, or those who have been killed on this stretch of highway since 1963.  Travelers beware!

One of the most haunted spots in Wilder, Kentucky is Bobby Mackey’s Music Club.  The land this hot spot sits on has been the site of multiple murders, suicides and satanic worship.  Today concludes the three day conference that was hosted by The Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures crew.

The following are documented instances of paranormal and ghostly activity within the nightclub:

*Cell phone calls from 666-666-6666

*Zak Bagans received three bloody scratches down his spine while filming their recent episode there

*1896- Pearl Bryan was murdered in a ritual satanic sacrifice.  Her head was never found.  Her killers, who were sentenced to death by hanging, purportedly haunted the building.

*Johanna, daughter of the owner when the building was a casino, committed suicide in the dressing rooms in the basement.

*Janet Mackey has been accosted by the ghosts when she was 5 months pregnant and was pushed and thrown

*A juke box used to play the anniversary waltz, even when it wasn’t on the juke box.  Today, the song can still be heard, and the juke box is no longer in the building.

If you’d like to visit this fun night club and haunted building, check out Bobby Mackey’s Online .  Drop on by when you’re in the Cincinnati area!

You’ll see this posted at the entrance when you visit:

“Warning to our patrons: This establishment is proported to be haunted. Management is not responsible and cannot be held liable for any actions of any ghosts/spirits on this premises.”

One of the latest buildings to be tagged as haunted by a paranormal team and the owner of the establishment is the Yakima, Washington Depot Restaurant and Lounge.  It is located at 32 North Front Street in Yakima.

The owner, Karl Pasten, thinks there is something odd going on at the restaurant, though he can’t explain just what.  The area’s paranormal investigation team, PAST (Paranormal and Spirit Team - how cute is that!).  The group spent a chilly evening investigating the building and believe they have evidence of multiple ghosts inhabiting the building.

The owner isn’t worried though, in fact he thinks the ghosts will attract business rather than chase them away.  If you “ain’t afraid of no ghost,” stop on by!

Read the whole story here- Yakima Herald-Republic

Have you ever traveled to Vatican City?  If you have, perhaps the Cardinal’s ghost was there too- and you never noticed.  Until recently, not many people had seen, let alone captured this red-cloaked figure in Vatican City.  It appears to be floating well above the crowd, and it is fully formed- not just the typical vaporous cloud without definition.  While some have said it is just someone holding a cloak on a pole, that doesn’t explain the feet and body outline in the video.

It comes as no surprise that one of the oldest cities in the world would have a ghost haunting it, not is it a surprise that a cardinal would be the actual ghost.  While it isn’t known who the real ghost is, it does seem to be a happy one.  Perhaps on your next visit you’ll snap a real ghost photo or video of it as well.

To view the complete video that appeared on the news, visit this link on YouTube:  Vatican City Ghost

Okay, this is a little tongue in cheek humor.  Coffee causes ghosts- sort of.  Supposedly people who drink a lot of coffee see ghosts- or at the very least hallucinate because of the caffeine.

Research done at the University of Durham has shown that people who drink 7 cups or more of instant coffee have an “increased tendancy to hallucinate.”  The study surveyed 200 individuals who kept track of their caffeine intake.  Caffeine can be found in coffee as well as a wide variety of other products including tea, chocolate, soft drinks, “pep pills” and some health drinks.

This research doesn’t show causal effects, only an association between caffeine and hallucinations.

I think I’ll go quaf some coffee…

Read about the entire study on Sky News .

Almost anyone who is a fan of ghost shows knows all about the Birdcage Saloon in Tombstone, Arizona.  This particular building has had more paranormal investigators and ghost hunters in it than you can shake a stick at.  I came across a truly unusual photo that showed up on one of my favorite websites - Shadowlands .

This picture was taken next to the the Black Moriah hearse, which by the way is always giving the security there a problem.  It continually pops open, even though it is very difficult to deliberately open the back doors to it.  I wonder if this new photo shows the perpetrator?

This photo has been examined by several individuals who specialize in debunking retouched photos.  Follow this link to view all three views of the photos:  Ghosts of Tombstone.  Maybe you’ll be able to figure out if this is real, or a pretty good fake!