Tag Archives: haunted librarian

Chad’s the “Man” for Ghost Stalker Premiere

18 Thursday Sep 2014

Posted by in Famous Locations, Ghost Hunting, Haunted Houses, In the News, Media, Paranormal, Real Estate, Reality TV, Reviews, Scarefest

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Ghost Stalkers

Ghost Stalkers

Chad’s the “Man” for Ghost Stalker Premiere

Scarefest 2014 attendees screened the pilot episode of Ghost Stalkers, starring Chad Lindberg and John E.L. Tenney. Produced by Ghost Adventurer’s Nick Groff, Ghost Stalkers follows Chad and John as they tool around in a Coachman RV and investigate six highly active haunted locations. The “Whispers Estate” was profiled in the first episode.

Built around 1894, the “Whispers Estate” was originally owned by Dr. George and Sarah White. They sold the 3-story Victorian house to Dr. John and Jessie Gibbons, who adopted orphaned children. One child was Rachael. At age 10, Rachael started a fire in the first-floor parlor. Badly burned, she died within a few days. Other family members died in the house. Paranormal investigators believe some are still attached and haunt the house.

The current owner, Vann, rents the house out for paranormal investigations. The caretaker, Gwen Zeigler, has a profound attachment to the property. Both believe that a vortex exists in the parlor.

The 30 minute preview consisted of Chad’s lockdown in the house. Both Chad and John spend a night at the location while the other monitors the cameras from inside the RV. Although neither stated how each episode concludes, I would image that there is some sort of evidence review incorporated into the show.

At this location, Chad experiences strange anomalies prior to his lockdown and during. He hears disembodied voices and footsteps. He even captures an EVP recording. At one point Chad begins to breakdown and to question his ability to complete the lockdown. Chad replays the digital voice recorder and hears “Chad…Be a man.” With that challenge, Chad finds his courage and proceeds.

Chad’s compromised emotional state is refreshing. His fear is real. Yes, I know he is a paid actor; however, his inability to control his voice and shaking hand earns my respect. When the “shit got real,” Chad reacted. [Note: See “Chip Coffey is not the Western Union of the Dead” for context.]

Equally real is the bat that appears out of nowhere. After filming, both inquired about the bat. According to Vann, no one has ever witnessed a bat in the house before. [Teaser: Seems a bat appears in all 6 episodes AND Chad’s favorite superhero is Batman. Interesting.]

Chad was respectful during his lockdown announcing, “I come out of love and respect.” I look forward to screening the entire episode. My early assessment is positive. I hope Chad and John break new ground. The 6 episode season highlights locations that have not been overexposed by other TV shows. This remains to be seen. Although John remained tightlipped, he did offer a teaser: former Maryland mental facility. Tune in, set your TiVo or DVR, or watch On Demand on October 19th at 10 pm EST for Ghost Stalkers, Destination America’s latest paranormal offering.

 

Rossendale Fairies Redoux

22 Thursday May 2014

Posted by in Animals, Fairies, Famous Locations, Famous People, Great Britain, Hoaxes, Radio Show

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Cottingley Fairies, 1917

Cottingley Fairies, 1917

Rossendale Fairies Redoux

In 1917, two cousins painted fairies onto paper boards, strung them of trees, and photographed themselves mingling with the “fairies.” Named for their town, the “Cottingley Fairies” pictures were a sensation. The hoax fooled the likes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Doyle was a strong proponent of spiritualism and used the photographs to illustrate his belief in fairies. Shucks. Who doesn’t want to believe in fairies?

Cottingley Fairies 2

Cottingley Fairies 2

Interest in the “Cottingley Fairies” dwindled by 1921; however, the girls remained adamant that the images were real until 1983—some 60 years after their publication. And now it seems that another Brit has photographed a new crop of fairies.

British professor John Hyatt thought he was capturing flora and fauna but discovered shortly thereafter that small, winged anomalies were also in the pictures. Hyatt claims they are fairies. One entomologist disagrees. She thinks that the anomalies are “midges,” a small species of fly. Former Fact or Faked: The Paranormal Files host, Ben Hansen, boldly declares them as doctored images. Hansen takes exception to the clarity of the “fairies” in contrast to Professor Hyatt’s story. Basically: “Why are the “fairies” in focus when Hyatt was photographing the flora, which is not in focus?”

Rossendale Fairies

Rossendale Fairies

Entitled “Rossendale Fairies” (a take on the Cottingley location from 1917), Hyatt’s photographs are currently on display in England. But what about fairies? Are they only seen on the British Isles?

Seems the petite creatures are mainly found in Iceland, Ireland, Norway, and Scotland. Great Britain also has some sightings. Not all fairies were nice. In some cultures, people believed that fairies swapped sickly fairy babies with healthy human babies—the changeling belief. This belief was popularized by the 1895 murder case where a husband killed his wife, Bridget Cleary, thinking that she was a changeling brought to him by the fairy people. Michael Cleary was found guilty of manslaughter and served 15 years in prison. After his release, Michael eventually immigrated to Canada.

The Irish children’s rhyme asks: Are you a witch, or are you a fairy. Or are you the wife of Michael Cleary?

Creepy. Almost as creepy as the children’s song in The Birds. I’ll save that commentary for another blog.

Hanger 1: The UFO Files Delivers

15 Thursday May 2014

Posted by in Conspiracy Theories, Hoaxes, Media, Radio Show, Reality TV, UFOs

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Hanger 1: The UFO Files

Hanger 1: The UFO Files

 

Hanger 1: The UFO Files

If I ranked my paranormal/unexplained topic interests in numeric order, the listing would be:

  1. Paranormal;
  2. Mysteries;
  3. Urban Legends;
  4. UFOs;
  5. Conspiracy Theories.

However, the UFO topic may move up. Last year a fellow Rotarian presented his evidence about his personal quest for UFO information to my club. He was interesting, and it piqued my interest. The API (Archer Paranormal Investigations) discussed UFOs on our weekly radio show. That really got me thinking. Personal Disclosure Statement: I believe in extraterrestrial life. I’m not sure whether we are as fascinating to them (and cause them to observe us from afar) as we are with them. Personally, I wouldn’t bother. However, when you peruse the Internet, the images are thought-provoking.

When I was a teenager growing up on the water of Southwest Florida I observed a strange unidentifiable object. It was a UFO in a literal sense. I had no idea what it was. That’s not stating that it was an actual extraterrestrial spacecraft hovering over the Intercostal waters. Now I’m hooked and want to know more. So I turned where every able-minded person goes: Television.

Hanger 1: The UFO Files debuted on February 28, 2014. It airs weekly on H2 (one of the various channels for the History Channel) on Fridays at 10 pm. Named for the MUFON facility housing the 70,000+ documents and evidence, the show purports to open the MUFON archives to the American viewing audience. Immediately, any viewer should be suspicious. Television executives whose goals are generating revenue for their networks tailored a TV show to the masses. The show is similar to every other paranormal/conspiracy theory latent enterprise. If you believe everything on the show, then you are one of the fools born every minute = SUCKER!

But that does not mean you should stop watching. You should watch. And question everything! MUFON, the Mutual UFO Network, was established on May 31, 1969 by Walt Andrus. He collected a group of UFO hobbyist and formed the Midwest UFO Network, commonly known as MUFON. The geographic focus shifted from the Midwest to international, but the acronym remained the same. The named changed in 1973. MUFON is the largest investigative organization devoted to Ufology. In the 45 years since its inception, MUFON has investigated a ton of cases—enough to fill a “hanger.” The television series is an attempt to disseminate their “findings” to the public.

Hanger 1 is interesting. I actually enjoy it. I’m not bothered by the supposed inconsistencies reported by skeptics or hard-core Ufologists. Again, this is television entertainment. If you disagree with it airing on H2, a History Channel network, then I sure hope you are waiving your banner at the Weather Channel for airing non-weather related shows. Or TLC (The Learning Channel) for the not-so-educational pageants and cheerleading mama dramas. Remember: Networks air television shows that will make them money. Presentation of the “truth” may not always apply. (Nearly every “reality show” comes to mind)

Back to Hanger 1: The re-enactments are minimal; the “evidence” plausible. For me, the show attains its ultimate goal: My interest is further piqued and I want to know more. That’s a rare feat for most network programming.

 

The Shat Is Back!

09 Friday May 2014

Posted by in Conspiracy Theories, Disasters, Famous People, Paranormal, Radio Show, UFOs

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Weird or What? with William Shatner

Weird or What? with William Shatner

The Shat is Back!

I adore William Shatner. It’s true. I grew up watching Star Trek re-runs when you could only get 3—yes, 3—TV channels. Shatner has been able to parley the role of Captain James T. Kirk into an enduring career. Not bad for the 80-year-old pitchman. He is a fixture in the paranormal community. And he deserves every bit of kudos he can muster. Shatner’s TV show Weird or What? is a hoot, just like him.

Weird or What? airs on the National Geographic Channel. It delves into “mysteries and strange phenomena.” It also allows Shatner to interject his pithy humor. The episodes vary and run a full gamut of subject-matter. The API (Archer Paranormal Investigations) gals discussed one of the topics on our weekly radio show, Archer Paranormal Radio. The case involved the mysterious disappearance of three fishermen off the Australian coast in 2007. While the final determination is unknown, several theories have been bandied about: 1) They all fell overboard; 2) A giant squid attacked them; and 3) A USO (unidentified sea object) abducted them. This is good television, my friend!

This case is fascinating. The catamaran Kaz II was found drifting 5 days after the party set sail. All were experienced sailors. When officials boarded the boat, nothing seemed amiss—except the missing crew. I don’t think a giant squid attacked them. There would be noticeable signs on the boat. Nor do I believe in USOs. I do, however, believe that a UFO can submerge like a submarine. But a USO? Pass. So what really happened? I don’t think anyone will know. That is unless they pop up out of the blue like Travis Walton. Unfortunately, I think all three men are lost to the sea. But, thanks to Shatner’s show, I learned something: People love to make up their own acronyms. And Shatner ROCKS!

The Wonderful Talking Board, Part 1

10 Thursday Apr 2014

Posted by in Artists, Artwork, Famous People, Ghost Hunting, Paranormal, Paranormal History, Radio Show, Toys & Games

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The Ouija Board

The Ouija Board

The Wonderful Talking Board, Part 1

Nothing divides a room than a discussion about playing with the Ouija Board. On one side sits the ardent not-in-a-million-years group. On the other, the occasional player. Where do you fall?

America was in a frenzy with the rise of Spiritualism in 1848. Spiritualism was compatible with Christian ideology. Séances were en vogue. Mediums enjoyed a celebrity type status. A simplified planchette was manufactured and sold across the country. However, a savvy businessman saw the potential to make millions.

The man who brought Ouija to the masses was in it for the money. Kennard Novelty Company patented the Ouija Board (Patent Number US446054 A) in 1891. Ironically, in order to receive a patent, the company had to demonstrate that the board actually worked. The Ouija Board game was introduced as a parlor wooden board game in the early 1900s—right as interest in the afterlife was growing. It was priced at $1.50 and consisted of a wooden board and wooden planchette.

Where does the name originate? Despite numerous stories, the name is not a combination of the words “Yes” and “No.” The most likely source of the name comes from co-founder Elijah Bond’s sister-in-law Helen Peters, a medium in her own right. Peters asked the board what it wanted to be called, and the response was “Ouija”—loosely translated as “good luck.” Dig a little deeper and you learn that Ms. Peter’s was sporting a locket containing the picture of women’s rights activist Ouida. Hmm.

Norman Rockwell

Bernice Bobs Her Hair, Norman Rockwell, May 1, 1920.

The Ouija Board was a mainstream activity in homes. Norman Rockwell added one in his May 1, 1920 illustration for The Saturday Evening Post. Polite society sat in their parlors and attempted to communicate with the dead. All hands would lightly rest on a teardrop-shaped planchette. A question would be called and mysteriously the planchette would move to reveal an answer. The answer may come in the form of a “yes” or a “no.” Or the spirit may spell out the answer one letter at a time. Or indicate a number. This process of deciphering a message from beyond the Veil could take hours. And many waited.

By the time the Kennard Novelty Company sold the game to Parker Brothers in 1967, the game turned into a multi-million dollar business. All was good until 1973 and The Exorcist. The sole factor in how a seemingly harmless parlor game turned into the portal of evil rests squarely on one motion picture. The Exorcist is loosely based on one pre-teenage girl (in real life it was a boy) who played with the Ouija Board and let loose the Devil. Parker Brothers was sold to Hasbro, current owner of the game. Since the movie’s premiere, the great divide on where people stand on the board has widened. Ouija Board games are ceremoniously burned with the likes of Harry Potter. Pat Robertson warns that demons can reach us through the board. Church leaders denounce the usage. The board game became spooky. But is it really? “Good-Bye.” For now…

Archer Paranormal Radio

25 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Ghost Hunting, Live Paranormal, Media, Paranormal, Radio Show

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Archer Paranormal Investigations

Archer Paranormal Investigations.

Archer Paranormal Investigations (API) consists of three female investigators: a daredevil, a researcher, and a physical medium. Together with a support crew, API investigates paranormal activity in the Metro-Atlanta area. Visit us at www.archer-pi.com; like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Archer-Paranormal-Investigations; follow us on Twitter @JMSpear, @HauntedLib, & @MagnoliaPsychic.

Tune in every Thursday night at 7 pm EST to Archer Paranormal Radio on www.liveparanormal.com.