Oct 19, Madison Iowa: Ghost Hunt will return to FM

From Fort Madison Daily Democrat : Ghost Hunt will return to FM

Historic river towns have their share of haunts and the paranormal, and Fort Madison is no different.

The Ghost Hunt allows for visitors to document the paranormal activity that surrounds us.

On Friday, Oct 19, or Saturday, Oct 20, visit six private and haunted locations with "Mysteries of the Night: paranormal specialists...bring your digital camera, if you dare!"

Tickets are $25, available at Fort Madison Area Artists Association's gallery on Avenue G, the Fort Madison Main Street office, The Bookmark and at Weird Harold's in Burlington, starting on Oct 1.

Participants have their choice of Friday or Saturday night. The event starts at 7 each night.

Call 1-800-210-TOUR for more info and for lodging discounts, or visit www.fortmadison.com.

 

Stanley Hotel's Ghosts Reluctant to Bring Positive Energy to Couples Retreat

From PrWeb:  Stanley Hotel's Ghosts Reluctant to Bring Positive Energy to Couples Retreat

Colorado Springs, CO (PRWEB) September 21, 2012

Like their live counterparts, ghosts are reluctant to change. So much so that they remain largely invisible, often replaying their life-ending tragedies.
People can become glued to the “rear view mirror”, too; looking backward so much that they never see what’s ahead of them. Like ghosts, sometimes couples don’t know there’s a way out of that bind.
Over 16 years of private practice, Kathe Skinner, Certified Relationship Specialist and Marriage & Family therapist, has seen people whose difficulties today result from what happened in the past along with the choice to remain stuck in it. “We can’t do something about what keeps us unhappy unless we recognize and acknowledge that we are indeed unhappy. And you’d be surprised at how many people have no clue there’s a problem and that they’re part of it,” she finishes.
Skinner goes on to say that it isn’t until something attention-getting happens – a spousal affair, an acting-out child, divorce, inability to keep friendships – that a hard look is taken. Skinner thinks that the hard look needs to begin with taking a look in and around yourself.
Noted psychologist and marriage researcher John Gottman’s oft-repeated assertion that it takes 6 years for a couple in trouble to seek help points toward the concept of developing self-awareness before other-awareness can occur. Six years or sixty years can pass before some people are unhappy being unhappy; haunting may develop around people who choose to remain unhappy to the end. What better place than a haunted hotel to talk about that.
“I’m not advocating being trapped in place like a ghost,” Skinner explains, “but I do think that ghosts, in this case ghosts of our past, have a lot to tell us.” There’s no arguing that spirits have had a long time to think about what to say.
Noted psychologists Jeffrey Young and Janet Klosko may have had some ghostly input into their development of “schema theory”, which holds that maladaptive adult behavior results from the confluence of nature and nurture in early life. For example, a child growing up in a family that believes that “children should be seen and not heard” and discourages self-expression, may not grow up to like Speech class, or be a storyteller around the campfire. Most specters would most likely agree that some experiences on the mortal plane are deadly to the spirit.
Kathe Skinner hopes that some ghosts will be listening in on Being Heard’s Couples Retreat as couples hunt for the ghosts of their past. Could be that The Stanley’s ghosts would have more reason to hang around, and that the hotel would drop off the list of haunted hotels. Somehow, life after death, like life during life, won’t be that easy.

 

UK, Oct 13: Cumbria ghost team to stage a hunt in Millom theatre

From Northwest Evening Mail:  Cumbria ghost team to stage a hunt in Millom theatre

The Cumbria Ghost Hunt squad will be trying to uncover the spooky secrets of the Millom Palladium Theatre.
Founder of the team, Mark Hankin, says they are very much looking forward to exploring the mysterious ‘energies’ lingering in the St George’s Road building.
He said: “There has been a few people who say they’ve felt a presence in the palladium. I’ve been down myself to have a look at the location and I picked up on two areas straight away where activity has been reported by people.
“We’re very hopeful that we’re going to have a good investigation there.”
The Cumbria Ghost Hunt team will hold its investigation in Millom overnight on October 13.
Mr Hankin, who oversees Cumbria’s roads network as part of his day job with Capita Symonds, said the team will be looking to deploy several ‘spirit communication devices’ in Millom, including seances and an automatic writing planchette.
He said: “We’ll be looking to do a couple of seances at the Millom location – it’s absolutely rife with activity that we can’t explain.
“It is said there is a presence on the stage area. When I was looking round the building, the stage was one of the places where I picked up an energy and I went right to the exact spot where it has been experienced before.
“It’s my guess that it may have been someone who did amateur dramatics or was involved with the theatre.
“But we won’t know until we do the investigation. We’re very much looking forward to investigating it.”
Since starting in January last year, the team has been busily investigating locations throughout Cumbria, including the Millom Discovery Centre and the Nan Tait Centre, in Barrow.
Mr Hankin has been a medium for the past 23 years, starting with tarot card readings before progressing in to psychic development work.
He said: “I’d be doing readings at people’s houses and they’d say ‘can you just have a look in the back bedroom, we think there’s something there?’ Sometimes there was something, others there wasn’t.”

 

Posts resume Sep 24 2012

My mom, who is 75, wants to go up to teeny tiny town near Rapid City, to see her sister, who is 80. They live in a house in the boonies and have no internet.

I'll be back online on Monday the 24th and promise not to miss another day.

Please bear with me, your patience is appreciated!

’Ghost Hunters’ introduces new paranormal investigation equipment

From Examiner.com:  ’Ghost Hunters’ introduces new paranormal investigation equipment

“Ghost Hunters”, SyFy’s hit paranormal reality show, continued with its new improved format with Jason Hawes, lead paranormal investigator, doing a voice over on the episode that aired at 9/8c on Sept. 12. But, that’s no all that has changed. The team also introduced two new pieces of ghost hunting equipment designed to improve the viewer experience and to increase the chances of documenting paranormal evidence as it happens.
The team had a GoPro2 camera converted to film in the IR (infrared) range. IR camera’s reveal the spectrum of light normally invisible to the naked eye and is believed to capture paranormal entities, such as ghosts and spirits.
Jason and Steve built the mount to allow them to wear the GoPro 2 camera over the shoulder, allowing viewers to see exactly what the investigators were seeing. Unlike the cameras used in other shows, such as “Destination Truth” and “Haunted Highway”, this camera did not sit above the head. The mount, put together with PVC pipe and glue by Jason Hawes and Steve Gonsalves, proved to be more stable than the head-mounted cameras, producing less bouncing and picture distortion as the investigators moved.
The team used a multimeter device based on the “Mel Meter” for the first time on air. The updated multimeter features an EMF field sensor, ambient temperature sensor, audio recording, an LED torch flashlight and a camera function. Alarms sound when the EMF field is interrupted, or the ambient temperature rises or falls. The device uses the built-in features of Android devices.
Judging from last night's show, "Ghost Hunters" fans can look forward to both improved formatting and an increased use of technology to capture evidence of paranormal activity. Although it may not replace Grant Wilson, it may make the hunt more enjoyable.

 

Texas: Ghost hunt at Helena Museum set for Sept. 22

From MySouTex.com: Ghost hunt at Helena Museum set for Sept. 22

HELENA – The National Paranormal Society (NPS) in conjunction with the Karnes County Historical Society will be hosting a ghost hunt and a meet and greet on Sept. 22 at the Karnes County Museum Complex at Old Helena.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet the NPS founder, and state representatives from north, east, and central Texas.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to also meet Barry Harrin, author of Helena, Texas ‘The Toughest Town on Earth,” and Mike Roberts, CEO of D-Mented Entertainment and author of “I am a ghost hunter.”

The meet and greet will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

All paid attendees will be split into groups and the ghost hunt will take place from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Tickets are available for a donation of $25.

Organizers said that all proceeds of this event will go directly to the Karnes County Historical Society.

The event will give interested spectators the chance to investigate what is considered by many to be one of the most haunted locations in the country, and also support the efforts of the Karnes County Historical Society.

Organizers are asking participants to bring their own ghost hunting equipment or follow along with the paranormal experts.

Non-refundable Tickets can be purchased at www.karnesmuseum.com.

Receipts must be printed out and brought to the event for admission.

The tour is limited to a maximum of 30 people and tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

Organizers say that this is not a ghost tour but is “the real deal.” 

Ariana Grande Goes Ghost Hunting

From Nickutopia.com:  Ariana Grande Goes Ghost Hunting

Ariana Grande is braver than us for sure! She hung out with two of her friends recently and they all decided to go ghost hunting! Watch the videos below to see the three ladies get prepared to go on the hunt to find ghosts, and find out if they saw any!
We are loving all of the things they brought with them to keep them safe! What would YOU bring with you if you went on the hunt for ghosts?

Go to the link above on a computer to see the videos mentioned here. If you're interested.

 

Back To Basics Of Paranormal Investigation 101: Oct 6

From Carson Now :  Back To Basics Of Paranormal Investigation 101

Carson City, CA: Ghost hunting isn't about TV shows. It is about effort and participation. The Mesopotamians, the Egyptians, those in the Renaissance era, and investigators throughout history had to hunt for spirits in basic ways.
A "Back To Basics In Paranormal Investigation 101" class is being held by the Thin Veil Investigators ghost hunting team. Learn how to hunt ghosts applying simple techniques and common tools.
Learn about the importance of: spirit communications, protective agents, and how your interest and enthusiasm matter most.
It's time that ghost hunting returned to hunting ghosts.
Room is limited:
Tickets:
http://back-to-basics.whindo.com/event/default.aspx?lock=2436628-0-0-0-0...
Back To Basics Of Paranormal Investigation 101
Saturday October 6 , 2012
10:00 am - 4:30 pm
$60.00 per person
Class includes Sandie La Nae's book "The Ghost Hunter's Guide Book, handouts and a paranormal investigation.
For further information: admin@sandiespsychicstones.com

How Hurricane Isaac Could Scare Up Paranormal Activity in Shreveport-Bossier

This article is two weeks old but interesting.

From KVKI: How Hurricane Isaac Could Scare Up Paranormal Activity in Shreveport-Bossier

With Hurricane Isaac bearing down on the Gulf Coast, is it the right time to go ghost hunting? Absolutely! Get your best ghost hunting equipment handy and ride out the storm with your ghostly friends.

The theory behind thunderstorms and ghost hunting is that the spirit can draw from the extra electrical energy to help it become more visible or detectable by the living. And since we the living are also experiencing the added atmospheric energy from the storm, it helps us become more in-tune with the spirits’ level. Therefore, we have a much better chance of a paranormal sighting than on a clear, calm night.

Even if you can’t time a ghost hunt with a thunderstorm, it most definitely doesn’t hurt to drag out the compass, digital camera and whatever else you have in your ghost hunting kit next time you are sitting at home during a strong storm. You may be surprised at the results!

The full moon is also by far the most active time to experience paranormal activity. There are many theories as to why this is — from the air being charged with extra positive ions to the added gravitational pull on the earth and us. The full moon has been associated with paranormal and supernatural activitys since the beginning of time.
The new moon is probably the second most active time for experiencing paranormal phenomena. During this time, the moon rises at the same time as the sun. Because of this, you can’t see the moon, making for some really dark ghost hunting. We have found no theories as to why, physically, this is a good time to ghost hunt, but it seems to hold true.
The sun is also believed to play an important role in how open we are to ghosts and paranormal activity. Most of us don’t realize how often we actually go through a geomagnetic storm caused by solar wind, which, like a lightning storm, is thought to somehow increase paranormal strength. Any serious ghost hunter is well aware of solar conditions at any given time.
So take it from this seasoned ghost hunter: don’t pass up an opportunity to investigate the paranormal just because of inclement weather.

 

Review: 'Ghost Hunters' still has life without Grant, but he's missed

From Detroit News:  Review: 'Ghost Hunters' still has life without Grant, but he's missed

“Ghost Hunters” returns to Syfy tonight without one of its core members.

Grant Wilson (Syfy)

Grant Wilson left the show a few months ago at the midseason finale to pursue other interests, among them the gaming company Rather Dashing Games.
Grant was my favorite, and the show suffers a bit for his absence. The hunts are still fun (and tonight’s episode is a doozy), but co-founder Jason Hawes doesn’t have the same rapport with his other teammates. The closest he comes to it is with Steve Gonsalves, but they don’t have the same years of friendship.
Everybody says they miss Grant, but it’s business as usual for the team. The most noticeable difference is that a lot of the exposition you’d get from Jay and Grant bantering is now done by Jay in voiceover. It’s a bit clunky as he tries to get a feel for it.
What tonight’s episode has going for it is an exciting hunt. The team visits Old City Jail in Charleston, S.C., which has all sorts of nasty claims, including (mostly) women getting scratched. The country’s supposedly first known female serial killer, Lavinia Fisher, was imprisoned there, and lots of people died in its walls.
But for the most part, the team is left alone. Sure, there are the usual “What was that?” footsteps and whatnot, but the star of the show is skeptical camerawoman Hagar, one of the usually nameless crewmembers who follow the gang around. She gets scratched several times, and we see the welts on her arms, neck, back and hip.
Even Ami Bruni, who announces to the audience she’s pregnant, doesn’t see much ghostly action, though she does quit the hunt at one point, concerned for the safety of her baby. Apparently, some theories in ghost-hunting circles say a spirit can attach itself to an unborn child.
I still enjoy the show and the genre, and I’ll keep watching, I’m sure. But I can definitely see my eyes wandering to the many knock-offs. “Ghost Adventures” on the Travel Channel has a lot of, um, spirit, and I recently stumbled across “The Dead Files,” also on the Travel Channel, which has an interesting premise.
A former cop, Steve Di Schiavi, and a medium, Amy Allan, investigate the same building without discussing the case at all prior to the event. Then they meet at the end with the client and compare notes, which, at least in the few episodes I’ve seen, include an artist rendering of the ghost Amy saw, which looks just like a photo Steve found.

Illinois: Ashmore Estates offers paranormal classes

The Friday in question was last Friday, but they will doubtless hold more events like this in future. Check 'em out if you live anywhere near.

From Daily Eastern News: Ashmore Estates offers paranormal classes


Non-believers and anyone curious about the paranormal will get the opportunity to learn how to hunt down ghosts at Ashmore Estates’ Paranormal 101.
Guests will familiarize themselves with ghost hunting from 6 to 10 p.m. and again from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Friday.

There will also be a witching-hour special from 12:30 to 4:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Ashmore Estates has hosted an annual haunted house since 2006, but this is the first time it will open its doors to amateur ghost investigators, said Michelle Baker, paranormal investigator and member of the Mid-Illinois Ghost Society, one of the groups hosting the event.
Since 2010, according to Ashmore Estates’ website, 31 paranormal groups have ventured into the building and claimed there were several signs of supernatural activity.
Baker also said she thought she once heard a ghost roaming around the building. She had no intention of looking for ghosts that day.
“I walked into a room that was completely empty, and I heard a very young woman say to me, ‘Well, hi there!’” she said. “I can’t prove that happened, but I know it happened.”
She also said members of MIGS once stayed in the building overnight to find out if Mary, one the building’s famous ghosts, really haunted the building.
To find out if Mary haunted the building, Baker said they propped a board in front of her old bedroom door hoping her ghost would open her door.
“Sure enough, she did open the door, and we have that on video,” she said.
When tracking down ghosts, investigators like Baker use audio recorders, video cameras and EMF meters, which are used to measure electro magnetic fields, and thermometers to measure changes in temperature.
Students—because the event is a class—will learn how to use equipment similar to what the professionals on shows like “Ghost Adventures” use when searching for ghosts.
Sometimes, Baker said, some people carrying electronic devices note that their devices’ batteries run out upon exiting the estate.
Elisha Woolridge, another member of MIGS, said this program is geared for people who are passionate about the paranormal but cannot find an outlet that will help them further their knowledge of spirits and ghosts.
However, with all the enthusiasm for the show, the two paranormal enthusiasts said there are always people who come into the building and end up leaving scared for their lives, swearing never to return to the building.
The building is known for apparitions, ghosts, phantom smells and a strange odor that cannot be attributed to its source, Woolridge said.
MIGS, the Illinois Metaphysical and Paranormal Society and Ashmore Estates will host the event.
Tickets can be bought online at Ashmore Estate’s website for $50.