29 Wednesday Apr 2020
Posted in Bigfoot, National Parks
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If you’re heading outside for any of our national parks, please keep these tips in mind. Even Bigfoot wants you to protect our parks.
23 Thursday Apr 2020
Posted in #CuratorBattle, Museums
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#CreepiestObject, Deutsches Historisches Museum, Museum of Fear and Wonder, Norwich Castle, Yorkshire Museum
The Yorkshire Museum, Yorkshire, UK, started a weekly #CuratorBattle on Twitter. Every Friday, the museum staff select a theme and start the Twitter feed. On April 17, they created the #CreepiestObject Challenge. And the entries did not disappoint!
Kicking off the challenge was a bun of hair from a buried Roman woman. Museums and individuals began posting some of the most disturbing images housed in collections all over the world.
A few of my favorites include:
A Victorian vignette of miners, which are crabs, playing cards.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, submitted images of the mummified head of German serial killer Peter Kurten (5.26.1883-7.2.1931). He was found guilty of savagely killing 9 people and attempting to murder 7. Because he liked to drink his victims’ blood, he garnered the nickname “Vampire of Dusseldorf.”
The Norwich Castle, part of the Yorkshire Museum group, posted an image of a pin cushion with the heads of children tucked in a pea pod.
The rural Museum of Fear and Wonder (Alberta, Canada https://www.fearandwonder.ca/) proffered a melted waxwork. The head of a child was stored in a hot attic, and the face melted to make the nose look like a pig’s snout. Once we’re able to travel again, I’m heading to Canada to visit this museum. Their mission is “to highlight the psychological and narrative qualities of objects.”
My favorite offering is a Plague Mask dating from 1650-1750. It belongs to the Deutsches Historisches Museum, https://www.dhm.de/. Kept in the permanent collection, the mask is made of cotton velvet and designed with a long beak that held herbs or material soaked in vinegar. Glass filled the eye holes to protect the wearer in case the disease spread through the eyes. The mask was coated in wax, another layer of protection. Truly terrifying!
Check @YorkshireMuseum every Friday to see the latest challenge.
15 Wednesday Apr 2020
Posted in Conferences, Dragon Con
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12 Sunday Apr 2020
Posted in Circus, mysteries, Mysterious Creatures
≈ Comments Off on The Infamous Feejee Mermaid
P.T. Barnum was the master showman. One of his stuffed creatures was the Feejee Mermaid. In a letter dated September 4, 1843, Barnum dubbed the “Fejee Mermaid the greatest curiosity in the world.” Although Barnum helped make the creature famous in America, he was not responsible for its celebrity status. Its rise began in London. Still today, the Feejee Mermaid’s ultimate fate remains a mystery.
The Feejee Mermaid was a fake. It was probably assembled around 1810 by Japanese fishermen, who sold these curiosities as new species. Quite a few men fell for it. One such man was Captain Samuel Barrett Eades. He was convinced that his oddity was authentic. He purchased the item for $5,000 Spanish dollars, or 1,200 pounds. He helmed the ship Pickering, in which he owned one eighth. Without notifying the true owner, Capt. Eades sold the ship and her contents for $6,000 in January of 1822 and proudly transported his new species home to England.
Captain Eades fancied himself an adventurer and decided London was the place to exhibit his mermaid. Upon arrival, the animal was confiscated for a short period of time. During this time, William Clift, assistant to renowned anatomist Sir Everard Home, was sent to the East India Baggage warehouse on September 21 to inspect the mermaid. Clift provided a detailed description of the Feejee Mermaid. He noted the specimen as fake and provided a detailed sketch with supporting details. The head was from a female orangutan; jaws and teeth were from a baboon, as was the hair. The eyes were fake. The nails were possibly from quills or horns. The torso was attached to a salmon and measured 2 feet 10 inches. One hand was held close the face while the other was farther away. It was agreed that the description and truth would be withheld from the public.
Captain Eades was able to retrieve “the remarkable stuffed mermaid” and placed it on display. Dr. Rees Price, zoologist, declared the specimen authentic. By the end of September 1822, the mermaid was on display at the Turf Coffeehouse on St. James Street, where the proprietor Mr. Watson rented out space to Eades. At its peak, the exhibit brought in 300-400 per day, each paying one shilling. However, things took a financial turn for Eades.
Stephen Ellery, owner of the Pickering, wanted his money back. Fearing that Eades would abscond to America, he went to the Chancery Court for relief. Court commenced on November 20, 1822. The Chancery declared the mermaid a ward of the Court, thus stopping Eades from leaving with it. However, Eades advertised that Sir Everard Homes declared the mermaid real which went against Clift’s analysis. Clift retaliated by publishing long articles declaring the mermaid a fake and Eades a shyster. The Turf Coffeehouse exhibit shuttered on January 9, 1823. Captain Eades took to the high seas to pay off his debt to Stephen Ellery, and he took the mermaid with him.
The Feejee Mermaid disappeared from the news from 1825-1842.
In 1841, Phineas Taylor (P.T.) Barnum (1810-1891) purchased Scudder’s Museum in New York City. He renamed the business Barnum’s American Museum. At the same time, Moses Kimball operated the Boston Museum. Captain Eades was dead by 1842. His son, Samuel Barrett Eades, Jr. inherited the mermaid and sold it for quick cash to Moses Kimball. Kimball came up with a plan.
The Feejee Mermaid would rotate between the Boston Museum and Barnum’s American Museum. P.T. Barnum leased the mermaid for $12.50 per week and paid his lawyer friend Levi Lyman to be its manager. Exhibits at both museums were lucrative. In 1843, the mermaid toured the Southern states. And in 1859, the Feejee mermaid returned to London for more exhibits. In June of that year, Barnum returned the mermaid to Kimball. That was the last time anyone can produce clear evidence that the Feejee Mermaid still existed.
One theory is the mermaid is tucked within the collection at Harvard’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. However, author Jan Bondeson’s essay “The Feejee Mermaid” (1999) clearly states that this mermaid is another fake.
Another theory claims that the mermaid may have been saved when Barnum’s American Museum burned in 1865. However, Barnum wasn’t in possession of the mermaid then. Interestingly, Kimball’s Boston Museum burned sometime in the 1880s. Unfortunately, the Feejee Mermaid has never been seen since.
What does remain are some drawings from George Cruikshank. They’re owned by the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. In addition to the Feejee Mermaid, other such creations exist and are exhibited throughout the world.
11 Saturday Apr 2020
Posted in Archaeology, Not Haunted, Not Haunted--But Cool
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The Withybrook shrunken medieval settlement dates back to the 12th century. One of the earliest structures, the All Saints’ Church, was restored in 1995. The area is deserted; however, it contains significant ancient monuments and is protected under the British Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act of 1979. It is also privately owned. The owners were recently fined £160,000 pounds for unauthorized destruction.
Withybrook is located in Warwickshire, England. Government documents show that people inhabited the area as far back as 1188. The area is now deserted and co-owned by mother and daughter, Heather and Elizabeth Mac. Along with Heather’s husband, John, they began excavating an area by ripping out plants, grading the land, and installing plumbing. The intent was to set up a yard for horses to graze. All of the work was unauthorized. The family were issued several warnings. They refused to stop.
Community residents appealed to the government. The Warwick Crown Court issued £160,000 pounds in fines and court fees. The Court cited the family’s lack of remorse for the high fines. They have until September to pay or face up to 14 months in jail.
Historically designated sites are important. The designations ensure preservation of culturally significant properties. Owners are well educated in the laws and know what can and cannot be done. Any changes must be approved by governing bodies. Although the Mac family are probably not the only people to commit heritage crimes, they received some of the highest fines known.
09 Thursday Apr 2020
Posted in Radio Show
Art Bell’s Midnight in the Desert faces uncertainty as the new owner makes another change in hosting duties.
Arthur “Art” William Bell, III (1945-2018) gained fame for his paranormal radio show Coast to Coast AM, which began broadcasting in 1988. At its peak, the overnight radio show was carried on over 500 radio stations, with an average 15 million people tuning in. Art found his niche but retired in 2007. However, Art was not content. He started several other radio programs. The most notable is Midnight in the Desert, founded in 2015. Art would host the show for five months, ending his reign on December 11, 2015.
The show has gone through several hosts. Heather Wade initially hosted when Art left. Dave Schrader had a stronger run, May 2018-January 2020. He left to pursue new paranormal opportunities. Frequent fill-in host Tim Weisberg lasted less than 4 months. He and his producer, Michelle Freed, were released from their contracts last week. (Note: Tim has fast-tracked his new Internet radio show, The Midnight Society, which debuted Monday, April 6th. Listen nightly at www.midnight.fm) Heather returned for a couple of days but was released from her duties on April 8th when the show announced Tim Ozman, a noted conspiracy theorist who believes the earth is flat, as the new host.
Reviews are mixed as to the viability of the new programming direction.
07 Tuesday Apr 2020
Posted in Radio Show, The Midnight Society
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A new Internet radio show debuted tonight, Monday, April 6th. The Midnight Society with Tim Weisberg, https://midnight.fm/, kicked off a new paranormal format show at 9 PM CST. The show runs weeknights, 9 PM-midnight. The Midnight Society with Tim Weisberg will be one show in a robust line-up on the brand-new station. More shows are forthcoming. The first episode was a huge success.
Tim Weisberg has carved out a niche in radio broadcasting. Beginning in 2006, Tim, along with co-host Matt Costa, started Spooky Southcoast, http://spookysouthcoast.com/. SSC can be heard on WBSM every Saturday night, 10 PM-midnight. They broadcast from New Bedford, Massachusetts. They also upload programs to YouTube.
Recently, Tim took over the helm for another radio program Midnight in the Desert. His relationship, along with his producer Michelle Freed, ended last week. The pair quickly formed a new network and began booking guests over the weekend.
Tonight’s show was a soft broadcast. The administrators anticipated technological issues; however, there were barely any. Tim was apologetic by reinforcing that the station would be tweaked. I didn’t notice anything that hindered my listening. In fact, the show sounded more professional than shows that have been online for years.
Moving forward, the station will be adding features to enhance the listening experience. Subscriptions will be available. In the meantime, all of the shows will be archived and available for free. Skype, chat rooms, merchandise are all planned.
Tune in tomorrow for Twin Peaks’ actor James Marshall, who played “James Hurley” in the iconic series, as he discusses some of his paranormal experiences.
The show’s tagline sums it up: Where it’s always midnight. Instead of staying up all night, catch this radio show in the evening hours. Hit up the various social media sites like Facebook midhnight.fm and Twitter @MidnightDotFM and @MNiteSociety. Check back for my updates.
01 Wednesday Apr 2020
Posted in Banned Books, Roadtrip, Witchcraft
≈ Comments Off on Strega Nona (1975) Distinguished Banned Book about a Good Witch
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As we celebrate the art and life of Tomie dePaola, who died Monday at the age of 85, let’s discuss why one of his most famous books is also a frequently banned book in the U.S. Strega Nona is the main character in this popular series. Literally, her name translates from Italian to mean “Grandma Witch.” In the first book, Strega Nona practices white—or good—witchcraft. She helps the townspeople in Calabria, Italy. Strega Nona is a hero we still need.
The book is an Italian American folktale written and illustrated by Tomie, who was of Italian American descent. Tomie based his main character on his grandmother, Concetta. In the book, the aging Strega Nona employs Big Anthony to help her with her chores. Big Anthony watches Strega Nona cast spells. One day, Big Anthony attempts to cast a spell; however, unbeknownst to him, he forgot one critical part. No worries! Strega Nona saves the day.
Strega Nona is banned because of the use of magic and witchcraft. Unfortunately, the people who call for the ban are short-sighted in their “wisdom.” The book emphasizes that everything is magic. It sends a positive message to children. These people also ignore Tomie’s deep religious beliefs. Raised Catholic, Tomie are “infused with the sense of spiritual” (https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2018/10/09/tomie-depaolas-books-help-us-find-sacred-stories-service-and-stillness).
Look at his artistic style in his books. Author Kerry Weber suggests that these are stained glass imagery, harkening to the religious iconography in most Catholic churches.
By banning these types of books, people are restricting children’s imaginations. To survive in life requires imagination. And Strega Nona is a book to make us feel good with humanity.
31 Tuesday Mar 2020
Beloved children’s author/illustrator Tomie dePaola died Monday at the age of 85. The cause was complications from surgery stemming from a bad fall he took last week. In addition to his books, Tomie was an accomplished artist.
He was born Thomas Anthony dePaola September 15, 1934. A relative suggested he spell his name “Tomie” to stand out from the crowd. He died on March 30, 2020.
For more information, visit tomie.com.
31 Tuesday Mar 2020
Posted in Crimes, Poltergeists, True Crime
≈ Comments Off on According to Alaska Supreme Court, Inmate Cannot See Poltergeists
The Alaska Supreme Court ruled that Adam Israel, incarcerated for murdering his mother, cannot see poltergeists, thus tossing his medical malpractice suit against the Department of Corrections.
In 2005, Adam Israel killed his mother, Dorothy Israel. In 2011, he was found guilty of 2nd degree murder by stabbing and killing Dorothy. He was sentenced to 60 years with 20 years suspended with 40 years to serve. While incarcerated in Colorado, Israel was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. With this diagnosis, Israel was able to be placed in a facility handling inmates with mental healthy issues. Israel protested and filed a medical malpractice suit.
In the suit, styled Supreme Court No. S-16990 (previous Superior Court No. 3AN-14-11063 CI), Israel, acting as his own attorney, relies on 2 arguments. The first is that his family, and possibly comedian Steve Martin, bribed the doctors to diagnose Israel with a mental illness. According to Israel, several of his family members, but not Steve Martin, have committed several murders and they’re afraid he will grass them out.
The second argument, and by far the most interesting, is that Israel claims to be born with a “rare genetic ability to see the electro-magnetic radiation of poltergeists.” Israel claimed, without evidence that former British Prime Minister David Cameron is a third cousin once removed and also suffers from the genetic anomaly. Israel educated the Court on plasma and how he can see “low energy photons.” He finished by claiming “any respected physician knows this phenomenon exists.”
Israel asked to perform a demonstration where dead insects would be placed individually in jars containing ethanol. Each insect corpse was to be removed, and Israel would guess what type of insect was held in the jar. (It is not believed that the experiment took place). Instead, the Court stated: “Mr. Israel believes he testified truthfully. But Mr. Israel’s claims are incredible. Without supporting evidence, the court cannot find that Mr. Israel’s testimony is based in reality.” The written opinion went on to state that Israel’s testimony was “bizarre.”
The Court found that Israel’s behavior was consistent with someone who is suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.
Israel failed to provide any expert testimony to rebut the state’s case. They ultimately ruled against Israel.
The Haunted Librarian 
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