Guess Who’s Presenting at DragonCon 2020
15 Wednesday Apr 2020
Posted Conferences, Dragon Con
in≈ Comments Off on Guess Who’s Presenting at DragonCon 2020
15 Wednesday Apr 2020
Posted Conferences, Dragon Con
in≈ Comments Off on Guess Who’s Presenting at DragonCon 2020
03 Monday Sep 2018
Posted Conferences, Dragon Con, Paranormal, Uncategorized
in≈ Comments Off on Thank You, DragonCon!
Thank You, DragonCon
DragonCon 2018 is in the books. My two panels were well-attended providing lively discussions related to paranormal investigations. I spent the last two days with 85,000 of my closest cosplay buddies at Atlanta’s largest fandom convention. It was fantastic.
The Paranormal Track is housed at the Sheraton Hotel and provides close contact with some of the best paranormal people working in the field. My first session was a 6-member panel discussing researching paranormal activity ranging from private residences, well-known active locations, client interviewing, and the future of academic paranormal research. Each panelist expanded upon unique researching techniques they employ, specific to the location or subject-matter. It was reassuring the number of people looking for the correct/proper way to investigate. The second panel was equally engaging.
To be sure, there are a lot of women paranormal investigators. I met them at the second panel focused on “Women in the Paranormal.” Of the estimated 52% of Americans who believe places can be haunted by ghosts, the majority of believers are women, according to the Chapman University study (2017). Yet, women are not that well represented in the television paranormal series. Indeed, of the 12 current productions, only 3 shows involve women, with 2 leading the investigations. Of course, these productions are tied to advertising dollars, and, admittedly, women like to watch men on tv. That’s the para-tainment path.
However, women work in the boots-on-the-ground paranormal teams who respond to private citizen concerns. They lead investigative teams; they host podcasts; they blog. They won’t appear on television soon. They’ll be the ones with the crazy, hard-to-believe stories from the general public. I hope to return in 2019 to share some more of mine.
Thank you, DragonCon for allowing me to present and to attend your insanely popular convention celebrating nearly every realm of fandom. PS. Please invite me back!
11 Wednesday Jul 2018
Posted Colleges & Universities, Conferences, exorcisms, Mothman, Research, Uncategorized
in≈ Comments Off on Meet Me In …
In addition to my appearance at this year’s DragonCon, Labor Day Weekend in Atlanta, I will be speaking at two academic conferences. These are fantastic conferences on everything related to Pop Culture.
If you’re attending, look me up. For more information, please visit the organization websites at http://pcasacas.org/dir/2018-pcasacas-new-orleans-conference/ and https://mapaca.net/.
26 Thursday Jan 2017
Posted Animals, Conferences, Curiosities, Disasters, Famous Locations, In the News, Paranormal, Road Trip, Special Events, Ufology, UFOs, Uncategorized, Urban Legends
in≈ Comments Off on Mothman Turned 50: Let’s Celecbrate
Tags
cornstalk, gray barker, john a keel, mcclintic wildlife management area, Mothman, mothman festival, point pleasant west virginia, saucer news
Mothman Turned 50: Let’s Celebrate
Sightings of the red-eyed, 7 foot tall half man/half flying creature turned 50 last November. Although “Mothman,” as he was called, only appeared in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, from November 1966-December 15, 1967, he still captures the imaginations of cryptozoologists, paranormal researchers, and general urban legend fans. He has spawned an entire industry in the small town. There’s a Mothman Museum; TNT Tours to see McClintic Wildlife Management Area, where the first documented sighting occurred; evening U.F.O. sky watches; and the popular Mothman Festival. This year the festival will celebrate the 50th anniversary.
Mothman descended into the quite town of Point Pleasant on November 15, 1966. Two couples were taking a cousin out to the abandoned TNT factory for some night hiking. Upon arrival at the chain-linked fence, the five young adults reported encountering a 7’ feathery creature with large wings (possibly 15 feet wide). They quickly returned to the car and sped off into town. This begins the sightings made more popular by John A. Keel’s The Mothman Prophecies book published in 1975.
The first “Congress,” outdated word for festival, began over Labor Weekend in 1968 when Saucer News editor, Gray Barker, organized a small event. Forty-six people attended and participated in touring the Silver Bridge disaster, learning about Shawnee leader Cornstalk who was murdered in the area in 1777, and a “saucer watch,” whereby people stared up into the clear evening sky searching for U.F.O.s. Apparently, the Congress was a success. Renamed the Mothman Festival, the current event has been running for 16 years.
This year the event returns to downtown Point Pleasant, West Virginia, on September 16-17, 2017. Vendors, live music, food services, and a 5K run are planned. Admission to the Main Street events is free; however, nominal fees will be charged for the TNT tours and other additional events. According to the Official Mothman Festival Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/mothmanfestival/, 1,505 people are interested in attending and nearly 500 confirmed. Quite an uptick from the original 46.
Mothman is truly Americana. Other similar sightings have been reported, but none have the Appalachian appeal that Mothman brings to West Virginia. Definitely worth a visit.
For more information, visit: http://mothmanfestival.com/
11 Monday May 2015
Posted Conferences, Equipment, Ghost Hunting, Paranormal History, Through the Veil
in≈ Comments Off on API Gals @ Through the Veil
Tags
API Gals, archer paranormal investigations, frank sumption, frank's box, through the veil, tim woolworth
API Gals @ Through the Veil
Visit the API Gals at Through the Veil, June 5-7, in Atlanta, Georgia.
The API Gals are excited to see Tim Woolworth. Here is what TTV posted:
Paranormal friends, what do you think about real time, 2-way voice communication with the deceased? Is it possible? Is it already happening? The history of communication attempts is fascinating! (Google The Scole Experiment, World ITC .org, Kaunstantine Raudive…) Approximately 10 years ago a man named Frank Sumption designed something he called the Frank’s Box which worked with radio and random …volt generators. The idea being that Spirit can manipulate radio speech fragments to communicate with us. Since then, many variations exist but the overall design is similar. Researchers like Tim Woolworth have devoted a great amount of time to experimenting with devices like this. Tim will be with us at the 7th Annual Through The Veil discussing Ghost boxes and what the voices have revealed.
The schedule is packed with special guest, fascinating sessions, and lots of vendors. Click here for the schedule, http://www.throughtheveil.org/2015-Schedule.html. Tickets are still available. Less than a month away. See you there!
15 Monday Sep 2014
Posted Conferences, Demonic Possession, Famous Locations, Famous People, Haunted Houses, Paranormal, Religion, Scarefest
in≈ Comments Off on Chris Dedman: Called for a Higher Purpose
Tags
anneliese michel, ax murder house, Catholic Church, chris dedman, demonic possesion, exorcisms, i am six, scarefest
Chris Dedman: Called for a Higher Purpose
Speaking to a standing room only audience at Scarefest 2014, Chris Dedman announced his intention to study under Bishop James Long and to become a full-fledged Demonologist. Upon completion, Dedman will join the ranks of John Zaffis and Stacey Jones. Dedman cautioned: Do not enter this field of study lightly.
Dedman’s session titled “Demons & Possession” consisted of definitions and insights based on his grounded Catholic beliefs. Dedman warned of the thrill seekers who watch TV and rush out to Walmart, “the world’s largest ghost hunting store.” He emphasized not to provoke a potential demon. [Note: Something I constantly profess to deaf media personalities.]
Three Chilling Cases
Included in the presentation was an authenticated audio clip from the infamous Anneliese Michel possession case. In the clip, you can hear the afflicted young adult spouting off in Latin; the intensity and enormity of the demonic possession is quite evident. It is haunting.
Anneliese Michel (9.21.1952-7.1.1976) was a devout Roman Catholic German high school student when she began to suffer epileptic seizures at the age of 16. She was prescribed medication; however, she began hearing voices soon after. So began the possession of Anneliese. She, her parents, and two local priests believed that she was possessed by a demon. At the age of 23, she withstood 67 exorcisms over a 10 month period. During that time, her behavior became more erratic and bizarre and her health rapidly declined. She died weighing 68 pounds and with both knees broken from continual genuflecting. Her parents and the priests were charged with negligent homicide (topic for another blog). The possession of Anneliese is the topic of three movies and thousands of Internet postings.
The second case was from February 2008 and profiled on the popular paranormal series Paranormal State. “I am Six” was an unsettling case for all involved. Over 10 paranormal teams abandoned this case. Dedman reinforced the idea that teams who find themselves over their heads should call in help.
“I am Six” is a hot, debatable topic on the Internet. The case involved the supposed possession of Laura, a young woman from Quincy, Illinois. The “demon” called himself “Six.” Hence the title. Dedman met Chip Coffey on this case. Contrary to skeptical Internet criticism, Coffey did not travel with the crew and did not know anything about the case prior to his walk-through. Dedman’s lesson in this instance: Call in help. This was not a discussion about the merits of the case, Ryan Buell, or the TV show Paranormal State. [Note: When researching this topic, I was dismayed by the abundance of grammatical errors and factual errors by the skeptics. I’m not persuaded by your argument when you cannot write properly or research correctly.]
The final case was Dedman’s appearance on Ghost Adventurers. The video clip depicted Dedman speaking with Zak Bagans, lead investigator, explaining a spirit box session at the infamous Ax Murder House where an entity said “Legion.” This is a term for demon and unnerved Dedman.
The Villisca Ax Murder House, located in Iowa, was the site of the brutal murder of 8 people on June 10, 1912. [Note: Again, I have problems with the official website of this location due to the number of grammatical errors and the inconsistency in the name “Ax” or “Axe.”]
Dedman’s humor masks the pain he suffers through his work. Once someone faces a demon, he is marked for life. Relationships suffer. Health issues arise. Lives change—and not for the better.
Protect Yourself
Dedman protects himself with a blessed St. Benedict medal. He recites the “Prayer to St. Michael, the Archangel.” He uses blessed salt to protect his environs. And he always puts people first. Proceeds from his booth sales go to the Catholic Church. Dedman is a man of God doing God’s work in very dark corners.
On a positive note: Dedman’s book has been picked up by a publisher and should be published in late 2015. For more information about Bishop Long’s Demonology course, please view www.demonologyclass.com.
11 Tuesday Mar 2014
Posted Conferences, Famous Locations, Ghost Hunting, Hospitals, Hotels & Motels, Live Paranormal, Paranormal, Radio Show, Universities
in≈ Comments Off on This Week on Archer Paranormal Radio
This week on the Archer Paranormal Radio:
1. Owners of Waverly Hills Sanatorium want to convert it to a 4-star hotel. Would you book a room?
2. In the News: Lost to History. University discovers 2,000+ unmarked graves in construction expansion.
3. Parting thoughts from GhoStock 2014.
4. Why attending paranormal conferences enhances your education.
Tune in to Archer Paranormal Radio every Thursday evening at 7 pm EST on www.liveparanormal.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.