Wee Ghosties

Spirit Cabinets, haunted dolls and the Psychic Ghost Theatre

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey Graham) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:16:00 +0000

A few years ago, my husband and I joined friends for a night filled with mystery, spine-tingling adventure and something to do with bugs. At least that's what they promised. They also dangled a Spirit Closet in front of me - how could I resist? We arrived late to the theater, the second-story of a magic shop outside of Washington, D.C., and scooted up the stairs to find the front room filled with about a dozen other theatergoers. We shuffled our way into the narrow back room as I ran over fire safety pamphlets in my head since there was only one way in and one way out. Two long sets of theater chairs were set up stadium-style, facing a desk and the spirit closet - a freestanding set of four curtains on PVS pipe hanging around a chair, a length of rope and some musical instruments.

I've had a mild fascination with Spirit Closets for years and if you've been reading the blog for long, it probably wouldn't surprise you to hear that I tried to rig one up as a teenager to figure out how mediums channeled their livlihoods from ectoplasm oozing out their noses and how they... let me explain.

Spirit Closets developed under the hand of the Davenport Brothers in the mid-19th century after their father discovered they could mimic the sounds made by the Fox Sisters earlier that decade. Seeing this as a sign to develop the boys’ talents further, the boys were trained as illusionists, using the spirit guide or control of a ghost of a man called John King.

King would assist the brothers in their nationwide act of using a Spirit Closet or Cabinet Séance. According to witnesses, the men would be bound hands and feet while seated on a bench in a large cabinet, measuring six feet by two feet balanced on two sawhorses off the floor. During the séance, the brothers closed the doors of the cabinet and within minutes were free to the amazement of the crowd. They then re-entered the cabinet and after the doors were shut and the lights dimmed for effect, the doors opened by assistants to reveal both men tied up. To make things even more interesting, the assistants would then place musical instruments such as a guitar and a tambourine in the Spirit Closet and the doors shut again. Almost immediately afterwards, music would be heard coming from the box played by King.

The Davenport Brothers would invite skeptics to join them in the box but only if they agreed to be tied up as they were for their own protection from the spirits. One man reported feeling ghostly fingers run over his body while he sat in the dark box and music played around him.

Later mediums adapted the act to include "manifestations" of ghosts by having them appear as ectoplasmic residue, some of which looked earlier like cheesecloth ---ooooh, and ghostly limbs appearing from their variations of the Spirit Closet.

So.

I waited in great anticipation for the magicians to hop to it and get to the good stuff, wading through an hour of mediocre magic tricks and one excellently bad haunted doll that moved down a hallway via strobe light and really really loud music. The lady down the row from me wouldn't stop giggling though I suspect now it was more from nervousness rather than mirth since she kept grabbing my brother-in-law. After brief periods of darkness where we'd be tickled with feathers and slapped in the face with a wet sponge - yes, I paid a ticket for this - we got to the cabinet.

One of our friends was chosen to accompany the magician so as he tied her to the chair before the curtains closed, I watched for any leaking ectoplasm or heads up for extra, well, heads. As the he disappeared from sight after closing the curtains on her demand before she went into her trance, music started. A clamor of trumpets and cymbals, and I think even a whistle, erupted from inside the makeshift Spirit Closet. Clothing flew from the top of the curtains and there was great shaking inside as if Chris had himself been taken over by an unseen force and coerced into its paranormal boogie. He pulled back the curtains to reveal the magician still tied to her chair, yet now wearing his jacket and still deep in the trance state. Back went the curtain, more shaking and trumpets, and again open to reveal her in another state of trace-like serenity, only now missing items of clothing. I had to wonder what kind of show I'd signed us up for at that point.

The act ended with her at last being released from her paranormal spell and the audience being ushered out with an invitation to buy a t-shirt and a mini-Snickers.

I freakin' loved that place and yes, I bought the t-shirt.

Victorian Halloween costumes with a dash of WTF?

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey Graham) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:03:00 +0000

I'm fascinated by early photography but not the "Look! A landscape!" photos or stiffly posed people, I like a little WTF to make it sassy. Since Halloween is about as messed up as you can get and not be arrested, I've combined the two with my favorite pics from the late 19th century - early 20th century.

What the ?

The Girls' Ghost Hunting Guide

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:46:00 +0000

Want to really see what's going on out there? It may not be a mouse (shudder) after all! My book, The Girls' Ghost Hunting Guide (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky), will be released May 2012. Filled with great information for all ages of girls and boys, GGHG explains how to conduct an investigation step-by-step, helps you determine if it's really something interesting or more mundane, interviews with ghost hunters and more.

Visit The Girls' Ghost Hunting Guide's website today!

A haunting at the Old Chapel? Or just frisky raccoons?

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 13:52:00 +0000

It started with a creak and a soft slam as I nudged the iron gate closed - almost - closed. The girls and I pulled over to read a historical marker about the Old Chapel in Millwood, Virginia about twenty miles from our house on the way home from a playdate. And since I can't resist a lovely old cemetery, we quickly hopped out of the car and, finding the gates open, passed through them.

The Old Chapel itself dates to 1791, rebuilt in stone after a fire destroyed the former structure, its windows shuttered and painted a dull brown, its door closed to the public and iron doorknob hanging askew. It was unused and set off from the busy road, looked hidden if not forgotten. The cemetery behind it wasn't large but held in its bosom the remains of one of Virginia's early governors and other local dignitaries, it seemed more of an extended family plot, a testament to the close-knit community of rural Virginia. The congregation moved from the building to a larger stone church after they outgrew the Old Chapel in the 1840s so it stands empty except for twice-a-year sermons.

So - back to the story.

I half-pushed the iron gate back to its former position and turned to join Syenna when I heard the scrape of a shutter being closed. The shutters that were already closed on all sides of the building.

"Did you hear that? I thought I heard a shutter?" I said.

"Nah, it's just the gate."

We joined the other two girls in reading dates on tilted stones and enjoying the quiet sunny afternoon on a rare non-humid summer day. The cemetery is well taken care of without being fussy, the grass tickling out feet and a plant or two out of control left years ago by a well-meaning visitor taking over a grave or two. A very large tree dominated the churchyard, on closer inspection we saw that it had grown around a stone tower, we still can't figure out what the heck the tower was for (water pump? Indian lookout?).

After about an hour, Wynter and I turned to join the others at the Chapel.

"Mom, I heard music." Vyo, being five-years-old, was very confident. I told her she may have heard it from a passing car but she swore it came from inside the building.

"I told her to knock on the door and see if anyone was there," Syenna said. At fourteen, I knew she wasn't quite as quick to assign phantom music to an old building. "Then we heard a huge crash! I'm surprised you didn't hear it while in the cemetery!" Well, that got my attention. Birds? Raccoons? The structure looked sound but critters can get in almost anywhere if they have a mind to.

One shutter was loose and we were able to open it to see a cracked window revealing a room devoid of anything but empty pews. So what was knocked over? Who moved the still shutters? And what the heck was making all that racket inside?

Stay tuned, I'm hoping to get a peek inside.

I did hear a ghost. I did! I did! I did? Caffeine and things that may go bump in the night

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:21:00 +0000

Oh sure. I see you looking at me via the Internet spycams *waves*. I'm knocking back my third cup of coffee and you're thinking, "This woman needs to comb her hair and does she know she still has toothpaste drool on her chin?" Let's put that aside for now. *wipes chin*

La Trobe University in Australia has released a study claiming that participants knocking back copious amounts of coffee (five cups or more a day - child's play) and under stress may hear things that you won't find on Pandora -- like your seventh grade teacher asking for your book report on the worm reproductive cycle. The study asked test subjects to listen to white noise and indicate when 'White Christmas' by Bing Crosby was played. Those with higher levels of caffeine and subjected to more intense stressors (not listed but I'm assuming a five-year-old was involved) were found to boogie to Bing even though the song was never played.

So how does this relate to ghosts? If the investigator is highly focused on finding something - and hopped up on coffee during the night - are they really likely to hear a voice float out from the ether? Or is it the combination of caffeine and the brain making them more susceptible to suggestion?

Or does the caffeine make them more receptive? Hmmmmmm, they didn't cover THAT angle, did they? (not the purpose of the study)

Like any good study, more research is needed. I'll keep you in the loop as always.

Spirit photos

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:17:00 +0000

Photo by William Mumler

One of the chapters I'm working on for THE GIRLS' GHOST HUNTING GUIDE is the history of spiritualism and the fascinating realm of spirit photography of the mid-19th - early 20th century.

Infamous for his spirit portrait featuring the deceased Abraham Lincoln cozying up to his very-much-alive-but-slighty-wacky wife, William Mumler turned an amateur photograph of himself and a reportedly deceased young cousin into a media sensation in 1862.Turning a double exposure into a thriving business by capitalizing on the grief and deep pockets of others during and after the Civil War, Mumler continued to churn out hazy photographs of the living and their +1.

Mumler was eventually brought up on fraud charges in 1869 after it was discovered that some of his "ghosts" still had a pulse, though the charges were dismissed due to lack of evidence. The popularity of spirit photography continued past his death in 1884, however he never managed to pop up into any other photographs.

Photo by William Hope

Photo by John Hollowell
[I thought Queen Victoria and George Washington were a nice touch]

Image credit: Collection of National Media Museum

Image credit: Collection of National Media Museum
[note the hand creeping up the seance table]

What are some of your favorites?

Ghost hunting birthday parties

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 20:36:00 +0000

Spooky ghost stories are fine at sleepovers but what if your child wants a bit more zing to their fling? Armed with flashlights, digital recorders and cameras, a ghost hunting birthday party for your child puts a spin on traditional celebrations. Get the party started with episodes from their favorite ghost hunting television show or Scooby Doo then go over the basics:

No one goes into an area alone
Everyone stays within shouting distance of each other
An adult will be present at all times
Remember to leave a place as you found it - no garbage, damage or leftover birthday cake

Discover haunted places to explore via favorite books or The Shadowlands online (as well as other directories) before the party and call ahead to make sure it's an appropriate place for children to climb around as well as permission from the property owner if needed.

Arm them with their own ghost hunting kits:

Notebooks
Pencils
Disposable camera
Stopwatch or watch
Flashlight
Digital voice recorder for teams to share

Start off the investigation by dividing the party into teams (if a large party) and assign partners. Make sure there is an adult with each group. As the kids explore the area, have them ask questions as the voice recorder runs, pausing between questions to hopefully capture an answer back. If the sugar rush from the cake has worn off, have them sit for ten minutes at a time and observe the area. Have them write down in their notebooks any changes in temperature, smells, sounds, etc, so they can share later with their friends and interpret what they experienced.

At the end of the party, have them create a group ghost story using the location you just visited with themselves as the investigators. Their notes may be used to fill in blank spots in the story, and share the voice recording- writing down anything that may come across as ghostly. Make a CD of the recordings to send home with each guest in their ghost hunting kit and a copy of the ghost story to share with their family.

Have fun!

Image credit: stellarbaby.com

Thar be ghosts and goblins on my mountain

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:28:00 +0000

I live in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia, overlooking the Shenandoah Valley, and as the skinny, twisted trees shake in the wind that punishes the mountainside, I swear I hear them. Not far from my house (literally 1/4 mile), a jet crashed in the early 1970s, killing more than 250 people aboard on a foggy night. The nosecone came to rest against a large boulder that now holds memorials and a small headstone. Houses now dot the forest where once there was only charred bits of metal and humans, my own house built five years ago on the scarred face of tragedy.

As my husband built the house, he'd tell me of being in the forest near twilight and hearing the branches snap. Footfalls far heavier than deer or woodland creatures would echo to his ear. After my family moved in, he and I would see flashes of light outside our windows, snagging the eye and fading just as quickly. I've written before about random hauntings but this was different. These, do not wander. These were at home in the forest and we were but a momentary blink in their reality.

So what the heck was that I hit in the road last week? I could have sworn it was a dirt-covered snow chunk... except it hadn't snowed yet. Square and at least eight inches tall/wide, it straddled the yellow dividing lines on the mountain road; my eyes were strained from the weak winter sunlight at dusk -- perhaps an animal -- couldn't be sure. A square, rock-solid beast that didn't squish when I winged it with a tire. I thought little of it aside from a "dang it" when I heard the knock against the car door as I passed.

My daughter and I returned thirty minutes later, discussing the subtle nuances of the song Dancing Queen (there are none) when I came upon the rock again. This time, I slowed so I wouldn't hit it... but a few feet from our passing, the rock turned and stared at me with eyes not apparent before. I yelped, to put it mildly. Then feeling horrible that I had inadvertently hurt something and we turned around to see what it was and if we could help. It had vanished. The animal/rock/goblin was gone and nary a roadkill was to be found.

Paranormal? Probably not. Freakishly weird and hoping this thing doesn't have a grudge. You bet. I know enough about Elementals* to wonder if I'd chanced upon another one of the mountain's other residents, however. Something tells me this ain't over.

What roams around your neck of the woods?

*Elementals are spirits of the Earth such as pookas, fairies, banshees, goblins, etc.

Just a little zombie story...

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 02:17:00 +0000

Happy holiday, my friends! I'll be at zomBcon over the 31st so wanted to give y'all a little sumthin' sumthin' while I'm schmoozing with the Undead. If you're in the Seattle area, I'll be signing copies of HUNGRY FOR YOUR LOVE at Barnes & Noble on Saturday at noon and on the author panel discussion at 4p for Zombies Are People Too. I'd love to see you there, come by and say hello!

Below is a nibble of zombie goodness for this Halloween week, I'll be back later in the week with a ghost tale or two.
-----------------------------

The Hanged Man
by Stacey Graham

“Cecilia, really, it can’t be this bad.” Attempting to pace the room, Ian’s face creased into a scowl as he pulled one leg in front of the other. Why did he come back to this place? Dramatic sweeps of dark fabric hung over the windows, the illusion of mystery lost when the school bus let out the noisy gaggle of children in front of the ranch-style house. Cecilia rolled her eyes and shuffled the cards. Spreading them into a complex pattern on the TV tray, her fingers flipped the waxy cards into a semblance of his future.

“Ian, I’ve already told you.” Her voice raspy from the lack of Diet Pepsi and allergies to her small white dog, Cecilia coughed into the back of her hand, leaving a trail of spittle. “That taco stand was always iffy and you couldn’t resist, could you? That’s not indigestion, my friend, that’s the smell of the Undead. I thought it was me for a moment but…” Her voice trailed off as she saw his gaze travel to her dog.

“Look at the cards. They don’t lie.” Her hands waved above the tray, reliving the game show hostess of her younger years with fingers splayed though now tipped with yellow from too many cigarettes and bile green polish.

“The Fool, yeah, okay. New beginnings and all that crap. The Hanged Man? What’s he about?” Poking his finger at the card showing a man hanging upside down and legs crossed, Ian drooled a little bit as the dog came closer.

“An alternate reality. Get it? You’re one of Hell’s Handmaidens now, Sparky. You can’t go around pondering the meaning of life since you don’t have one anymore. Stop coming here and bothering my dog.” Exasperation tinged her voice. Cecilia had seen worse in her years in Hollywood. Everyone eventually came by her place for a tarot reading; it was like a right of passage for the fresh meat that hopped off the bus from Paducah-ville. Her fingers pulling frayed fringe on the lounger, Cecilia hoped she was right about this one. After his reawakening, he came straight to her for answers, she could only interpret the cards and hope the Zom-B-Gone kicked in after an hour. Any longer than that and they became cranky.

“I can’t believe I’m gone. I had so much to live for.” Melodramatic and whiny, that taco was the best thing that ever happened to him. He could focus on moving from bit roles on cable television to major motion pictures that featured sparkly bloodsuckers with similar acting skills.

“I know, I know.” Rising from the deeply cushioned chair, Cecilia led him to the door and away from where her dog nibbled kibble in the kitchen. Ian was becoming a handful, she thought, she needed to up the automatic spray of repellent to every thirty minutes. Patting his arm, she recoiled slightly as the maggots wiggled under the skin. “Cheer up, Sugar. Your afternoon snack just got off the bus.”

Ask a Ghost Hunter

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:45:00 +0000

Photo credit: watchmojo.com

Have something going BOOOOOOMP in the night? Have your questions answered at my other blog: Ask a Ghost Hunter!

Can't slip anything past them...

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:40:00 +0000

So much for me keeping the girl ghostie on the down low. My daughters have been seeing her for months. Last night as I fell asleep, I heard a distinctly male voice call my name in my ear. Why wasn't I more surprised? Meh. I rolled over and went to sleep.

I'm noticing an increase in phenomena, not only in my house but touching others' lives. My friend and fellow investigator, Susan Utley, has been having her own ghostly issues for a while now, she shares on her blog - Creative Procrastination. I'm also being contacted by those who have been freaked out by what they feel may be ghosts, what the heck is going out there? Stay tuned!

So this is the Dead of Night... ;)

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:26:00 +0000

Just when you think it's safe to get back to dreams of Daniel Craig and chocolate ice cream, another ruckus. Getting to bed around 1am, my husband and I heard a loud crash and a flicker of orange light -not unlike a flame, in the living room (as seen from the hallway). I popped up and went to check, of course nothing was out of the ordinary. I'm not one to panic nor jump to conclusions so went to sleep. Meh. I'd figure it out in the morning.

Daylight brought the usual: breakfast for my husband before he went to work, copious amounts of coffee and the unusual - one of my daughters before the crack of noon during summer vacation. She wondered why I was in her room shouting her name at 8am. Nope. Not me.

I may need to crack open that notebook again.

Follow up on random hauntings

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:29:00 +0000

Well, we can't say I didn't give it a good try. After charting the oddities that stroll through my house at night for a few weeks, I came up with:

sleepwalking preschooler
dogs with... gas
more children with gas - what the heck am I feeding them?
EVPs with nothing but a ticking clock. I don't have a ticking clock.

So, aside from the clock anomaly, there wasn't much to go on this time around. I haven't had a repeat of the child vision nor felt any eyes that didn't belong to a family member wanting juice boring into the back of my head. This supports my previous post on the random nature of hauntings. Sometimes they just pass through and we're in the way.

What are your thoughts on random hauntings? Have you been subjected to a pop-in ghostie?

Random hauntings

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:08:00 +0000

Last night, I encountered an anomaly in my own house. Now, I don't normally bring things home with me from investigations nor invite them in through various means but a small child, about two-years-old, ran through my living room. I have five daughters ranging from 15-4 years and the youngest was asleep as it was about 11pm. I hadn't sensed any extra energy - hadn't thought about ghosts at all for days - what the heck was that?

That got me thinking about the possibilities of random hauntings. Ones that pop in to check on the living without taking up residence to mess with them. Months ago, I did pick up on a presence in my house. I had nightmares and when I awoke, I watched the hallway at night where I dared it to make itself known. Ghosts don't frighten me. I wanted its name. A week went by and the nightmares stopped though I did still look behind me occasionally because of feeling watched. EVPs garnered nothing but my husband's snoring though now I'm wondering if I should again try while the house is quiet during the day - and if I really want to find out. I've chased ghosts for twenty years, was I ready to find them in my own house?

Perhaps.

Theory is that ghosts aren't tied to one place, they are able to travel at will and choose to be in a location or near a person/s. They constantly move about, without us knowing or sensing their presence, every day. The friend who tells you of her resident ghostie may not be the only one with activity, you may just be missing the signs of your own phenomena. I'm going to pay a bit more attention to coincidence in my house and see what I discover. Check back in two weeks to see what my log says...

Update: Since this post originated, the house has been hopping! My daughters and I see the little girl running through the house more often than ever (where the heck is she going? Paranormal play date?) and a variety of shadow figures. I still wouldn't classify my house as haunted but I think the likelihood that random hauntings are more prevalent than we thought is worth investigating more.

What do you think about random hauntings?

The edge of the battlefield -- WEE Ghosties investigation

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 23:51:00 +0000

A recent investigation on the bare outskirts of Manassas (or Bull Run) Battlefield yielded more than Civil War souvenirs for the WEE Ghosties team on March 13, 2010. Earlier phone interviews with the homeowner told me that while eager for us to come and find out what was in her house, she was more concerned with what we'd discover - or worse, nothing at all and we thought her insane. Meh, it happens.

Susan and I arrived early to scout out the battlefield and see where in relation to the fighting was the house - we discovered it was no more than a couple of miles from where the start of the 2nd Battle of Manassas began and a stone's throw from General Lee's headquarters. It was possible that what was disturbing the family had its roots in those bloody days in August, 1862.

In previous phone interviews, the homeowner described shadowy figures roaming her house at odd hours, whispers to her teenage son, audible signals to her other children and visuals of a young girl in the dining room with regularity. I suggested keeping a journal so the family could record the occurrences along with who was in the house, the weather, time/days to see if we could form a pattern of the anomalies. The homeowner did a great job in keeping me informed of their progress and looked forward to us coming on the 13th.

After we arrived, we met the family and toured the house. I learned more about the teenage son who had seen an arm waving to him from the master bathroom as he used the computer in the bedroom and was glad he had agreed to stay with us during the investigation. Both mother and son were open, funny and had a healthy skepticism but wanted answers. We taught them the basics of ghost hunting with minimal equipment so they would be able to continue work after we'd left.

Soon after videotaping interviews of the mother, son and neighbors who were having similar intrusions, we began our work. My team sat in separate places in the house with recording devices, and the family with me. We had a prolonged silence and recorded for ten minutes. Susan, placing her recorder in the hall bathroom where the teenage son repeatedly heard whispers and closing the door which later revealed a successful EVP.

Photos and videos of the reported active areas were recorded but yielded no results. As the night wore on, there was one sighting by the son of the young girl during another period of silence for EVPs. My back was to her so I failed to see what he reported as a girl of about 12 years old in a white dress (tenant farmer style) and long hair. The mother had also seen her on previous occasions. They both described her to me as looking as if she had been in an overexposed photograph - too much flash. She moved from one end of the dining room to the other, only seen framed through the doorway from the kitchen.

As we gathered our things to leave late that night, I glanced up to see a shadow figure moving in the master bedroom. It was the first time I'd personally seen a dark figure so thought, even after all these years, my mind was playing a trick on me. After that night, now I'm not so sure.

Stay tuned!

Photo credit:http://www.historycentral.com/

Spirit photography

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:05:00 +0000

Ghost or toast? Sometimes it can be hard to tell, especially when you're in the right mindset to see something. I spent the weekend watching a whole lot of ghost-related shows a friend had taped and after I stuck my eyes back in my head, I wasn't so sure I could tell the difference.

Then along came this little gem. The photographer assured me there were no weather anomalies, it was too warm for cold breath and she doesn't smoke. So what did she photograph out in the woods last weekend?

You tell me.

Books with a boo--

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:50:00 +0000

I am constantly searching for great ghost books. As a writer of ghost stories and a fan of the odd and strange, I stalk old bookstores for a forgotten treasure - a personal memoir. Not all are written well; some are short and have spotty descriptions, others have more creativity than a reader is able to swallow. But still...I search.

Below are some of my favorites from my bookshelf. Have a great one? Please leave me a note in the comments, we'll start our own Wee Ghosties collection!

- Ghosts - Caught on Film by Dr. Melvyn Willin
Loved this book and wish I'd thought of it first! Detailing some of the most famous photographs from the Society of Psychical Research archives, it gives a bit of history along with the image.

-Coast to Coast Ghosts by Leslie Rule
Ghosts run in her family as well as writing; the daughter of Ann Rule, Ms Rule is an excellent storyteller in her collection of true stories from across the USA.

-Ghosts in American Houses by James Reynolds
Ghostly folk tales retold by the author is a great old book to have up on the bookshelf for a dark and stormy night.

-Grave's End by Elaine Mercado
Probably my favorite personal account of a haunting, Ms Mercado's book takes a real look at how living in a haunted house affects the entire family.

-Possessed Possessions vol. I & II by Ed Okonowicz
I'm a sucker for haunted objects and Mr Okonwicz has spun some great tales around antiques, furniture and things lurking under on the curio cabinet.

-GHOSTS by Hans Holzer
-A huge tome that should be required reading by all ghost hunters. Mr. Holzer's career spans decades and continents. His recent passing is a loss for many of us with a fascination for the world beyond.

-The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
By far, my favorite book in the world. Ms Jackson was a master storyteller and this gripping novel leaves you shaken.

West Virginia Penitentiary - Investigation 4.12.08

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:57:00 +0000

Well that was crazy. After a 4.5 hour trip west, we arrived at dusk at the imposing former West Virginia Penitentiary. Heeding the warnings to dress warmly, we packed in our bags, coats and foldable chairs into the small lobby and waited with about 75 other ghost hunters. Mostly college students, I saw my fair share of moms and grannies in there ready to mix it up with whomever messed with their hair.

For an excellent write-up and EVP of our experience by Susan of Wee Ghosties Investigations, please visit our new website and find out how we can help you with whatever is keeping you up at night!

Speaking of hair, my own was fondled a bit in the Death Row Cafeteria during our tour. I'm used to having a grunt or hair tug when I work on investigations but these boys must've enjoyed picking on a chick with long hair. I marked that section down to come back to after the tour and we moved on to see the Hole, Sugar Shack - not as nice as it sounds, people - the cell blocks, gymnasium and psycho ward - painted white and pink. Unfortunately for us, the night was relatively quiet.

A few odd things of note:

Men's bathroom on the psych ward: no electricity in the building save the lobby and we heard the distinct hum of a fluorescent bulb. Not feeling perky about this since we were standing in water due to leaks throughout the building. Checking with the lobby lady later, she told us the power refuses to turn off there, even after removing the breaker. Noting the bulb, she said she has taken it down time after time only to find it replaced the next morning.
Hallway window across from the Maintenance room near main cafeteria. Every time we passed by there, we'd hear a tapping as if someone was trying to get our attention from the outside. Only they can't reach the window due to bars set two feet back from the glass. I chalked this up to poorly hung windows and wind as the weather outside had some gusts (and daaaaaaaaaang cold). Teaming up with others, one member went outside to tell us when the wind kicked up via walkie-talkie. The other lead member and I asked questions in the general direction of the window and were amazed when we'd get knocks/tappings back regarding questions pertaining to a murder in the Maintenance room years before. Going into the Maintenance room, the other lead member and I searched a larger room in back of it to check out any floating heads. As we asked questions and poked around, the tappings increased wildly in the hallway, said our team.

Sugar Shack: Click on the photo to get a good look at the dust - or orbs. You decide.

Shadows in the Dark - Blog Talk Radio

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:25:00 +0000

Note from Stacey: Groups! I am happy to promote your work if it fits in with the Wee Ghosties style. Email me at weeghosties @gmail.com.

WILKESBORO, NC – (April 9, 2008) – Internet radio program Shadows in the Dark celebrates its one year anniversary on BlogTalkRadio with a 24-consecutive-hour paranormal broadcast live from the haunted Smithey Hotel in Wilkesboro, NC at midnight Eastern time on April 19, 2008, continuing through April 20 until midnight.

Sponsored by paranormalnews.com, FATE Magazine and Mysteries Magazine, Shadows in the Dark hosts will welcome celebrity paranormal guests, giveaway prizes and engage in live investigations of three haunted locations during the celebration.

"I have always been a huge fan of Art Bell, George Noory and Coast to Coast AM and dreamed of one day doing what they do, bringing awareness to the world of the unknown and mysterious,” said creator and host of Shadows in the Dark, Jeremiah Greer. “Now, Shadows in the Dark is celebrating one year of doing exactly that. BlogTalkRadio has made this possible; made a dreamer into one living that dream."

Participation in the show is free; registration is required (also free) to engage in the text chat. The show streams live from the Shadows in the Dark BlogTalkRadio profile page at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/shadowsinthedark and archive recordings of the show will be available at the same link. The call in number for the program is (718) 508-9887.

Special Guests
Paranormal experts include John Hogue, Nick Pope, The Dream Dudes and Barrie Schwortz, to name a few, will join the show during the live stream. Guests that will be on location include Florida’s “Master of the Weird” and author Charlie Carlson, Actor Dot Dehli of the upcoming movie “Henry Blackhart is Dead” and Founder of the Anomalies Network and Conspiracy Theorist Olav Phillips. Complete schedule can be found at http://www.shadowsinthedarkradio.com/24hour.html.

“Shadows in the Dark are dispelled in happy illumination appearing with Jeremiah Greer,” said self proclaimed rogue scholar John Hogue (http://www.hogueprophecy.com). “His is one of my favorite stops on the radio talk show circuit. Take it from me, that's saying a lot about the quality of what you'll hear on this program because I've done somewhere around thousand interviews on four continents since 1994."

John Hogue has traveled three times around the world studying meditation disciplines, reporting on new religious movements, cults, and compiling a reference of the world's prophecies concerning the future of humankind entering a new millennium. Considered a world authority on Nostradamus and other prophetic traditions, Hogue is critically acclaimed for his ability to cut through the social, religious, and nationalistic projections of prophets and their interpreters to find threads of insight they all share. He has received wide international recognition appearing on over 100 television and 700 radio shows on three continents.

"Shadows in the Dark is a great show,” said Nick Pope (www.nickpope.net), author and leading authority on UFOs about his last appearance on Shadows in the Dark. “It flowed really well and with lots of sharp questions it was a great opportunity to present new and interesting information."

Nick Pope used to run the British Government's UFO project at the Ministry of Defense. Nick also looked into other mysteries such as alien abductions, crop circles and ghosts. He now continues his research in a private capacity and is recognized as a leading authority on UFOs and the unexplained. He does extensive media work, lectures all around the world and has acted as a consultant on numerous television documentaries.

Giveaways
Hourly giveaways will include; signed copies of Linda Godfrey’s “Beast of Bray Road” and Robert Shcneck’s “The President’s Vampire”; gift certificates to FATE Magazine’s online store, a full set of Mysteries Magazines back issues, 50 Shadows in the Dark commemorative t-shirts and more.

Haunted Locations
Haunted locations being investigated include Old Wilkes Jail, Robert Cleveland House and The Smithey Hotel.

The Smithey Hotel was built in 1891 and purchased by Nikeard “Nike” Smithey in 1906. No longer an operating hotel it is used for special events by the current owner. Many people have reported seeing the ghost of Mrs. Smithey walking the hallways. Other experiences include seeing the ghost of the school nurse Bertha Bell and a lady floating around the painted ceiling at the top of the stairs.

The Old Wilkes Jail was built in 1859 and most notably held two famous inmates, including Otto Wood, who was incarcerated at 15 for stealing a bicycle. Otto escaped all 10 jails and prisons except for the Old Wilkes Jail. The most famous inmate was Tom Dula, of the ballad made famous by The Kingston Trio, “Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley.” Many have claimed to have experienced numerous paranormal activity here from footsteps, chains being dragged across the floor to voices arguing in the upstairs cells. The ghost is credited as being Tom Dula, who many believe was innocent of the murder he was charged with.

The Robert Cleveland House was built in 1779 by Robert Cleveland, an American revolutionary who was from Wilkes County, NC. It said that the rocking chair in the downstairs room occasionally will rock on its own and many have reported seeing a woman dressed in era clothing sweeping in front of the fireplace.

Other Happenings
Prior to the show on Saturday, April 19, Greer invites listeners to participate in Wilkesboro’s famous candle light ghost tour guided by Wilkesboro Historian RG Absher. Guests will be taken to many of Wilkesboro’s haunted locations, including a Civil War enactment during the tour. Locations do include The Old Wilkes Jail, The Robert Cleveland House, The Smithey Hotel and many others. The tours start at 7pm Eastern and admission is just $5 per person.

About Shadows in the Dark
Shadows in the Dark is a paranormal-themed interactive internet talk-radio show presented by Eastern Paranormal Investigators Group (E.P.I.C.) and hosted on BlogTalkRadio. Launched April 20th 2007, Shadows in the Dark began with the goal of helping others understand the mysterious world we live in. Hosted by E.P.I.C. co-founder Jeremiah Greer, the twice weekly show airs on Sundays at 9:30pm and Thursdays at 10pm Eastern time.

Greer has over 12 years experience researching and studying the paranormal and other topics that might be seen as controversial. He feeds his passion for the unknown through books, documentaries, investigations or just about anywhere else that might discuss it. He keeps an open mind to all the theories that are out there with a strong belief that "anything is possible no matter how crazy it may seem".
About BlogTalkRadio.

Launched August 2006, BlogTalkRadio is a free, web-based platform allowing any user with a phone and a computer to host a live, interactive radio show -- no downloads or extra equipment needed. Hosts call into the service by phone to broadcast. Each show can accommodate unlimited live listeners. Completed broadcast, are automatically archived as a podcast. Since the company’s launch, thousands of hosts have broadcast more than 72,000 shows. Notable guests on BlogTalkRadio such as Yoko Ono, Brad Pitt, John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Brian DePalma and more appear on the Best of BlogTalkRadio page. Notable hosts include The Department of Defense; Marla Cilley, the FlyLady home and life organizer; Doug Christie, former NBA player; and the LAFD. BlogTalkRadio’s citizen broadcasting network can be found at http://www.blogtalkradio.com

West Virginia Penitentiary

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:34:00 +0000

You have to love a State Pen that has a tour guide.

Next month, two friends and myself are headed to the former West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville, WV, for a wee bit of rattling the bones. This will be my friends' first time on an investigation, I'm just looking forward to finding out what movie they're picking out for us to watch before they turn us loose. Any bets on The Ring? How about Texas Chainsaw Massacre? I'll be the one checking her watch and itching to get moving without the other groups tagging along.

We're discussing starting a ghost investigation group for our part of Virginia, I'll let you know when we're open for business!

A student's journey

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:22:00 +0000

Once in a while, school gets it right. The daughter of a friend recently returned from Edinburgh, Scotland, with her class from Pacific Lutheran University where they spent a month exploring the world of the barely scratched and dark world of the supernatural.

Check out where she went and how she processed the experience. Leave her a note and tell her the Wee Ghosties said hello!

The Traveling Me: Savannah's Personal Travel Blog
http://savannahexplores.blogspot.com/

PLU Scotland Sojourner
(the travel blog for the group)
https://sojourner.plu.edu/groups/scotland

Savannah's PLU Blog
https://sojourner.plu.edu/blog/137

Where they went:

Edinburgh Castle
http://paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa042301a.htm
http://www.wyrdology.com/edinburgh/castle.html

Greyfriars Covenanters Prison
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7V3vdyb-kg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_7Mn9jGf8g&feature=related

Secrets of the Royal Mile
http://www.mercattours.com/secrets-of-the-royal-mile.asp
http://www.mercattours.com/haunted-underground-experience.asp

Jackie Drummond Medium
http://www.ayrshire-mediums.com/about0.html

Dr. Watt & Dr. LaMont Paranormal Research
http://carolinewatt.co.uk/index.html
http://moebius.psy.ed.ac.uk/index.php3

Edinburgh Vaults
http://www.stuckonscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/vaults.html
http://www.ghostfinders.co.uk/edinburghvaults.html

Mark Turner Scotland Ghost Hunters
http://www.ghostfinders.co.uk/homepage.html

Rosslyn Chapel
http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/majorsites/rosslyn2.html
http://www.rosslynchapel.org.uk/

Mary King's Close
http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/

Holyrood House
http://www.holyroodhouse.com/

Bunchrew House (her suite)
http://www.bunchrew-inverness.co.uk/wyvis/wyvis_pics.htm#wyvis_pics
http://www.bunchrew-inverness.co.uk/roomslideshow/wyvis.htm
http://www.bunchrew-inverness.co.uk/index.htm

Joanne Brocas Medium
http://feelthevibes.org/content/view/19/39/

Rothiemurchus Estate
http://www.rothiemurchus.net/

Jacobite Tours Loch Ness
http://www.jacobite.co.uk/

Goldfield Hotel - Flying brick or flying schtick?

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 20:45:00 +0000

Yes, I am as much as sucker as the next person in watching ghost TV shows. Last fall I tuned in to Ghost Adventures because they were visiting one of my favorite scary places - The Goldfield Hotel (click here for story) and while I can't vouch for the lead investigator (I love it when a man runs and screams like a wee girl - does a lot for ratings), I still can't figure out the brick. The rest of the show had some great footage, watch for reruns! :)

Look closely for the flying brick. Is it real or movie magic?

Nightmares

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 20:42:00 +0000

What is the residue of a nightmare? Do you carry it with you throughout your day or shrug it off and forget it? Authors of our darkest stories play within the shadows of dreams, are they accurate or merely echoing a society's fears?

This season, while the trees die and the wind chills the spirit, visit some of my favorite websites to poke around their nightmares:

Edgar Allen Poe
The Shadowlands
Ghost stories in American folklore
The Moonlit Road - one of my very favorite sites!

Join the discussion and add your own favorites to the list!

You have been BOO'd!

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:38:00 +0000

The Halloween moon is soon to rise, kick off the season with a fun tradition in your neighborhood! Visit You Have Been BOO'd for original Wee Ghosties poem, ghost and goodie bag ideas.

Ask a Ghost Hunter

noreply@blogger.com (stacey) — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 17:51:00 +0000

I love hearing from people about their experiences with the living impaired. Through the years, I've responded to hundreds of emails from people around the world wanting to know more about what the heck is going on in their house - or under their sink - or beneath the flowerbed. Today I've opened up a blog forum to answer some of those questions so others can see they're not alone and perhaps we can get through this wacky time together.

Please visit my new blog: Ask a Ghost Hunter (yes, I know, inspired title). Drop me a line at info-at-weeghosties.com with your questions and I'll answer them on the blog or in a personal email if you don't wish it published.

Happy Haunting!
S

Wee Ghosties

Spirit Cabinets, haunted dolls and the Psychic Ghost Theatre

Victorian Halloween costumes with a dash of WTF?

The Girls' Ghost Hunting Guide

A haunting at the Old Chapel? Or just frisky raccoons?

I did hear a ghost. I did! I did! I did? Caffeine and things that *may* go bump in the night

Spirit photos

Ghost hunting birthday parties

Thar be ghosts and goblins on my mountain

Just a little zombie story...

Ask a Ghost Hunter

Can't slip anything past them...

So this is the Dead of Night... ;)

Follow up on random hauntings

Random hauntings

The edge of the battlefield -- WEE Ghosties investigation

Spirit photography

Books with a boo--

West Virginia Penitentiary - Investigation 4.12.08

Shadows in the Dark - Blog Talk Radio

West Virginia Penitentiary

A student's journey

Goldfield Hotel - Flying brick or flying schtick?

Nightmares

You have been BOO'd!

Ask a Ghost Hunter

I did hear a ghost. I did! I did! I did? Caffeine and things that may go bump in the night