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 .

I have to give a shout out to any paranormal website that actually keeps their website updated.  One in particular, TravelParanormal.com , claims to do this.  If you’re looking for fresh information on paranormal activity in the United States, this provides the goods.  It even has information on international ghost sitings and paranormal activity.

If you think this is just another website that is pro-paranormal, think again.  It invites people to debunk stories too- so if you’re a nay-sayer, stand up proudly and say so!  This site also welcomes story submissions and photos of reported paranormal activity (and I’m assuming this means those funky orb photos you’ve been hanging on to!).

Send your stories, photos and debunked theories to:  Contact Beachconnection@yahoo.com.  Read their submission guidelines here:  TravelParanormal.com.

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

I love this new photo of Jennifer Love Hewitt taken on January 24, 2009 while she was shopping with her step-sister.  She was friendly and even signed autographs after she was done shopping.  Her left hand is also in a cast after an accident.  This particular photo was adorable, especially in light of her recent breakup with long-time beau, Ross McCall.   

Now, for the recent Ghost Whisperer episode- Ms. Hewitt directed this one, and I must say, it was definitely creepy!  It also had the right mix of angst- will Jim leave with his ex-fiance, or will he stay?  The beginning of this episode gave me the willies- how many times have you ever skinny dipped, or just taken a swim in the evening?  You may never do it again after you see this Ghost Whisperer episode!

I have to say I was a little bummed at the end of this episode.  I really wanted to see Jim either hug Melinda or just simply hold her hand.  Alas, another cliff-hanger for next week.  For those that thought the romance was gone from Ghost Whisperer and thus quit watching it, they are missing some great romantic tension between “Jim” and Melinda.  I don’t think those two are quite done yet!

It ain’t over until the fat ghost lady sings!

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.”

Get registered now for the Paranormacon 2009.  This event will be held May 16th-17th at the Fort Wayne Masonic Temple.  Proceeds will benefit the preservation of this historic building.

Features of this year’s Paranormacon include:

• Ghost Hunting 101 and 201
• Demonology
• The Reluctant Ghost Hunter - featuring Nick Reiter
• The Haunted Travels Experience - featuring Kat Tedsen and  Bev Rydel
• Hunting the Shadow Man - featuring INPR

The cost to attend the event is as follows:

Ghost Hunter Pass - $40 - includes access to all classes, seminars and lectures

Ghost Hunter Plus Pass - $55 - includes access to the classes, seminars and lectures and a signed copy of Through the Eyes of an Exorcist

Ghost Hunter XTREME Pass - $75 - all access and includes free T-shirt, signed copy of Through the Eyes of an Exorcist and an invite to a special Shadow Man Investigation

Visit In Nomine Paranormal Research to register for this year’s event.  If you register after March 15 tickets will be $10 more.  There will only be 60 EXTREME passes issued this year!

While many of us think of ghosts as being people, why can’t they be animals as well?  Some people believe that animals don’t have spirits, and they’d love to argue with you on this point :), but is it possible?  The people on the Ghost Animals and Hauntings site do, and they even have a “live” ghost cam of spirit animals to share with you!

This website features information on ghost dogs, animal apparitions and more.  They’ve even created a forum where you can share your stories about ghost animals and experiences you’ve had with your own dearly departed pets.

While I’ve yet to experience a ghost animal apparition, I’ve had plenty of experiences that I’d love to blame on a ghostly critter.  In reality, I’m sure they are more of the earth-bound variety that is still wearing a fur coat and purring.  The most likely culprits are my two trouble-making Siamese cats.  (However, if any pet would haunt me, it would be those two in the after-life!).

If you have any tales to tell or would simply like to read a few interesting stories (including one about a ghostly goat!), check out their site and forum .