Author: Laptop

The Paranormal Press
The Official Newsletter of the Northwest Indiana Ghost Trackers

Volume 2, Issue 4

APRIL 2006

Inside This Issue

IGT News	1
Deadlines (Headlines)	1
The Library / (Articles & Stories)	2
IGT Investigation File	3
What’s on Slab / (Upcoming Events)	4
Local Haunts / (Places of Interest)	4
Creature Feature / (Entertainment)	5
Gravesites (Websites)	5

Newsletter Creator
and Creatrix
Chris & Jennifer
Mojica

IGT NEWS

Yard Sale Fundraiser
Looking for donated items
(Friday &/or Saturday in May or June)
Barbee Hotel, Warsaw
on May 13th
Porter County Fair
July 20-29th
Fair committee forming; Volunteers needed to man our booth; Creative ideas for items to sell welcomed
Members needed for Research—April dates to be announced at meeting—Please volunteer for this necessary part of our organization, at least a few times a year!!
Investigation practice at Sheila Reed’s home following 101 & 102 classes forthcoming. This will be a fantastic way to familiarize ourselves with equipment & get a sense of what investigations entail!
Got books??
Looking for donations to our library. See Ed Henning if you are interested in donating &/or borrowing.
Cemetery restoration class in May. This will be for NW, Southlake and Chicago chapters. Instructor needed.
Halloween Party committee forming. Email Jennifer Mojica (newsletter email address) with name and telephone number, if interested.
Submit your fundraiser & PR ideas to Wendy Deiotte

DEADLINES

Mary King’s Close—Open for Ghost Festival
By Christopher Lee Mojica

Whether you‘re a Jr. ghost-hunter or a seasoned paranormal investigator there are a few places that you are compelled to investigate before you retire the old dowsing rods. One of those places on your list has to be Mary King’s Close, located in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland.
The second Edinburgh Ghost Festival will host several events including overnight tours (in the close which was shut for two years due to the plague), EVP workshops, the history of witchcraft, haunted bus tours, haunted distillery whiskey tasting, clairvoyant and psychic talks and much more.
The vault was named after Mary, the daughter of Alexander King, a wealthy Edinburgh businessman. Mary died as a result of the plague. The vaults were built in 1788 and used as storage for nearby merchants; as time passed they discovered that the vaults were prone to water leaks causing business owners to abandon the dark catacombs for higher ground. Not too long after, the secluded hideaway made an ideal location for seedy gambling establishments, brothels and a safe haven for drugs and alcohol. In the early-mid 1800’s the vault flooding became so prevalent that even the scurrilous were forced out. Once again abandoned, the undercity now became a disease-infested slum for the homeless and criminal. Hundreds of people died in the labyrinth making it a ghost-hunter’s paradise.
The festival runs May12-21. For more info visit:
realmarykingsclose.com.

A look into the vault

Volume 2, Issue 4

Page #

THE LIBRARY

Chaplain and author, Robbin Renee Bridges, hopes to clear up misconceptions about the nature of the soul and the afterlife. In her landmark book, A Bridge of Love between Heaven and Earth: Self-Induced Contact in the Afterlife, she analyzes the nature of the soul in the afterlife, including its concerns and capabilities, and applies this information to the ghostly sights and activities during a haunting.

Excerpt from Chapter 24 "For Love of Ghosts" I was thirteen years old when I saw my first ghost. It was at my maternal grandmother's funeral. It was a sunny summer morning. Here in North Carolina the mortuary puts a tent over the gravesite to protect the mourners from the summer sun and sudden rain showers. I was sitting on the front row with my parents. The preacher was giving grandmother's eulogy. It was hot, and I was ready to have the service over with. I was looking up at the preacher when I noticed a young blond woman standing beside one of the tent poles. She was smiling as she listened to the eulogy. She looked familiar to me. As I was looking at her, trying to figure out who she was, a breeze moved the branches on a tree behind her. That's when I realized that I was seeing "through" her. She was transparent. She appeared solid enough that I hadn't noticed until the branches moved behind her. I quickly elbowed my mother. But as I did that, the pretty blond ghost turned her head towards me. She smiled, placed a finger to her lips, and shook her head "no" as she made a "shhhh" sound, and then she faded away. Later at the house, I looked through some old family photos. The picture of grandmother when she was twenty-one years old looked exactly like the apparition at the funeral. Yes, grandmother was enjoying her eulogy. And so began my fascination and love for ghosts. Down through the years I've seen so many of them and felt the warmth of their presence that I can't help wanting to shout it from the rooftops. They're beautiful, and they won't hurt you! They reach out to you and wrap you in a blanket of comfort and serenity. Their only desire is to assist you, and love you, and tell you that the afterlife is a place of joy and spiritual progress. Oh, sure, there are some that are downright embarrassed by their low estate, but those undeveloped souls aren't able to appear to anyone in the physical realm without help. A ghost's appearance is slightly luminous. It's light seems to create swirling patterns as if it were some sort of plasma. When you see a ghost, you might even think that he or she is an angel. I've made that mistake too, but angels have a different demeanor. Angels radiate a sense of power and authority. I always have a feeling that I should kneel and bow my head in reverence when I encounter an angel. But they are quick to inform that they do not want adoration. Service is their goal, their joy, and their privilege. Unlike angels, ghosts were once like you and me. They were people living in physical bodies. But now they are free from their physical cage, and they are delighted with their freedom. They enfold friends and family that are still in the physical body. They look forward to the day that their loved ones are born into their world of beauty, radiance, joy, and love. How can you know that you are in the presence of a ghost? Perhaps you may see a faint glow in the darkness. Sometimes you'll only see their beautiful eyes with lashes that flit like butterfly wings. Maybe you will smell a sweet, soft fragrance almost like baby powder. Possibly you will feel a touch as if someone dropped a silken scarf on your naked flesh. Perchance you'll hear a soothing whisper in your ear. These are indeed messages from someone who loves you beyond the veil. And if you are really blessed, you may find yourself standing in the presence of your beloved one. They linger near you because your bond of love enables them to assist you with insight and intuition. If God permits, you may see their apparition. They will appear similar to the way you remember them but with the glow of health and happiness. The apparitions are translucent with rays of light shimmering like a corona around them. This ghostly apparition is actually a transfiguration of your loved one. You will feel no fear, only love and happiness. It is my hope that you will be visited.

Reprinted from www.spirit-sanctuary.org

IGT
Investigation
File

(Written and submitted by Bill Robinson)
Investigation Date: October 17, 2005
Place: 69East, Valparaiso, IN
Moon Phase: Full Moon
Investigators: Mike McDowell, Bill Robinson, Anne Ubis, Meagan Dunfee, Vicki Isley and Wendy Deiotte
Equipment Used:
Wireless Infrared Cameras, Natural Tri-Field EMF Detector, Cell Censor (EMF Camcorder, Digital Voice Recorders (Various Models), Marantz Tape Recorder, 35mm Mamiya Sekor Camera, Digital Cameras (Various Models)
Historical Research:The history of this building through research shows the time it was first built in 1885 it served as Noel Wilfred Undertaker until 1886. Then in 1886 to 1908 it became Finley Furniture store upstairs and Bartholomew Funeral Home downstairs. Bartholomew Funeral Home then moved to Washington Street. In 1911 it was J.D. Stoner Furniture. In 1921 – 1931 it became Lincoln Theater and Papes Gus Billiards. In 1931 it became Porter Community Skelgas Agency, Lincoln Barber Shop, and American Legion Hall. From 1933 – 1973 the building became the Royalee Restaurant and Lounge and later changed to This Side and Up. In 1974 the building reopened as th
e Court Restaurant until 2004 when it sold to 69 East.
The investigation was scheduled for 9 pm on the evening of October 17th, 2005. The selected investigators waited outside while all of the team gathered. At 9:14 the investigators entered the building, spoke with the manager, his family, some workers a reporter and a photographer that wished to be present during the investigation. The downstairs bar area was still open and a few people were there. At 10:17 the investigation questionnaire was filled out and access permission was granted for the top floor and main floor only.
The infrared wireless system was wired into place and completed at 9:43. Locations for the infrared cameras were on the west upper level side and the stairway to the basement.
At 10:35 the investigation began.
11:16 – Most of the group except Bill and Mike who were repositioning a camera went into the men’s restroom on the upper level floor.
11:36 the entire group of investigators, a reporter and some of the work staff gathered around the large table on the south side of the upper level and performed evp using all recorders.
12:30 all the investigators went to the downstairs dining room to perform evp using all recorders.
Paranormal Activity Evidence
Physical Evidence:
Upstairs Men’s Restroom: Three of the investigators experienced a strong smell of roses. One felt something touch her and all noticed a temperature drop and cool breeze.
Downstairs Dining Room: Three saw a shadow fluctuation on the wall towards the bar area. Mike witnessed the shadow pass in front of the light blocking it from shining momentarily.
Electromagnetic Evidence (EMF Detectors):
While the infrared camera was set up, Wendy used a Natural Tri-Field in the south end of bar to detect electrical lines on the upper level and got consistent readings of 0.4-0.5 for 10 min. The readings occurred in an approx. 1x3 ft. area, about 4ft. off the ground. The owner stated that there was no electric wiring in this area of the bar, or in the floor. The floor is concrete. She returned to this area several times to repeat EMF and the readings were intermittent and ranged from 0 to 0.02.
Vicky, used a Cell Censor and found an electrical panel behind the upstairs bar that led to a room attached to the upstairs kitchen. It did not emit enough electricity to make the unit go off. However, the air above the bar did activate the unit.
Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) Evidence:
1) Wendy: (In Men’s restroom) Did somebody close to you pass away?
“shut up”, “Marsha”, “to-ah”(child’s voice overlapping during the start of the question
2) Wendy (upstairs dining room):
Can you tell us why you’re here? “We’re living”
3) Wendy (downstairs dining room):
Were you in the basement? “It was you”
4) Anne: Downstairs Dining Room:
Did you like Meagan’s joke? “yeah, yeah”
5) Anne: Why are you here? “Living”
6) Anne: Did you bring roses for the ladies or is that you?
“Thank you”
7) Anne: Give us your name “Get Out”
Video Evidence:
Camcorder - no evidence could be found.
Infrared Wireless – no known evidence found.
Photograph Evidence:

A bright orb in Bill Robinson’s path. Photo taken by Meagan Dunfee

Picture Taken by Vera Schweiger-September 4th, 2005 hunt (prior to investigation).

Volume 2, Issue 4

Page #

WHAT’S ON SLAB

APRIL

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
						1 IGT MEETING
2 Daylight / Savings / Begins	3	IGT / TALK	5	6	7 HANNAH / HOUSE / OVERNITE	8
9	10	11	12	13	14 Good / Friday	15
16	IGT / TALK	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30	31	Notes: 4/1 Meeting: Langel’s Pizza (Highland) @ 4pm / 4/4 Talk: Valpo Lions Club @ 7pm / 4/17 Talk: St. John Community Center @ 7:30pm

LOCAL HAUNTS

On March 4th members from the Indiana Ghost Trackers held a candlelight vigil at the Porter County Home in Valparaiso.
The Porter County Home, once a respite for the ill and the needy, will soon meet its own demise as it’s set for demolition. As you may recall, the building was the victim of arson back in November 2005. The fire caused extensive damage which led authorities to restrict access to the facility as the arson investigation continued.
In the past a large number of deaths were known to have occurred here. The former hospital is a hot spot for paranormal activity and the site of some of the most compelling paranormal evidence collected by IGT. The most active area being in the basement where the seriously mentally ill were kept.
The vigil was held for any spirits that may still be attached to the property, that their souls may not linger once the building is leveled.

NW IGT Holds
Porter County Home Vigil
By Chris & Jennifer Mojica

“You ever feel the prickly things on the back of your neck?... And the tiny hairs on your arm, you know when they stand up? That’s them. When they get mad… it gets cold”
Cole Sear,
The Sixth Sense (1999)
In the murder trial of commercial real estate broker Lisa Poslum, a janitor testified that her ghost appeared to him in the building she was found dead, to shed light on who her killer was.

Quote of the Month

Eerie Facts

OFFICERS

Northwest

Director
Denise Williams
Secretary
Jen Jacob
Treasurer
Michelle Walavich
Public Relations
Wendy Deiotte
Trainer
Mary Shea

Volume 2, Issue 4 Page 5

CREATURE FEATURE

The CW set to launch this fall
by Christopher Lee Mojica

WB’s Charmed runs out of luck
by Christopher Lee Mojica

This fall The CW Network will make its highly anticipated debut.
The CW is the creation of two heavy hitters in the entertainment industry. CBS Corporation (UPN) and Warner Brothers (WB Network) will have equal ownership in this joint venture. In case you were wondering, “CW” stands for “C”BS and “W”arner. Yes, Pure Genius!
The two networks will continue operations up until September, but The CW will announce their new line-up next month. The line-up will consist of a combination of hit shows from each network, including WB’s Smallville and Gilmore Girls and UPN’s WWE Smackdown and Everybody Hates Chris.

With the demise of an entire network, there are bound to be a few casualties. After eight seasons the WB will close the spellbook on its longest running series to date. Charmed, the supernatural series featuring a three female lead, will end this May.
The Halliwell sisters (Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano and Rose McGowen) are witches who possess the power of three and use their magic to rid the world of demons and evil spirits.
It’s not quite evident what motivated the cancellation; however, the past few seasons have seen the show’s writing decline from its unique fantasy-drama to annoying junior high school drama.

Not so “Charmed” after all

GRAVESITES

www.cauldronliving.com
Pagans, wiccans, new agers—All welcome
www.spirit-sanctuary.org
Ghosts; afterlife communication

oldhaunts.blogspot.com
Halloween images from 1900-1970s
www.chaostrips.com
Haunted & historical tours by IGT’s own Founder and President Mike McDowell

Remember Investigation Protocol
(a final note)
Investigation Coordinators, Sheila Reed & Cindy Butrym, have requested some info from members who are interested in investigation invites: Name, Phone #, Email address, City where you live, Date joined IGT, Position (if any) held, Equipment you own, IGT-related skills (like being a sensitive), Number of investigations you have attended and Your availability (work schedule). Please send your responses to SWE4U33@comcast.net. Remember...You must have taken 101 & 102 before you can be added to the investigation list. (See Mary Shea, Training Coordinator, if you need the classes.)
Investigation Protocol requires that you attend a pre-investigation meeting, the actual investigation and a post-investigation meeting. Investigations necessitate a professional and organized team beginning the moment we arrive and continuing through to the final report. IGT’s reputation is at stake. Failure to abide by this requirement will exclude you from any future investigations.
One special note from Sheila: “At times we get info on investigations, but once we talk to the homeowner they do not pan out. At times we set up an investigation and for some reason the homeowner backs out. We also get info and make the call and never get more than a repeatedly ringing phone or answering machine, at that point you don’t want to come off pushy.”

E-mail submissions for The Paranormal Press to: paranormalpress@hotmail.com

www.indianaghosts.org

Paranormal Press

It’s been over 10 years since The Nightmare Before Christmas was released and for Tim Burton fans it’s been 10 years too long since we have been blessed with one of his dark fantasy stop animation film. The Corpse Bride, now playing, is based on an old Russian fairytale about a

http://playtonium.com/g.php?g=halloween
(knock over ghosts & ghouls; if you dare!)
www.oakalleyplantation.com
(haunted Louisiana)
www.hauntedvoices.com
(EVP, articles)
www.frightshop.com
(Halloween supplies)
www.wicca.com
(self explanatory)
www.halloween-website.com
(history, recipes, party ideas)

CREATURE FEATURE

Volume 1, Issue 4

(Editor’s note: The views and opinions expressed here are strictly of this film school graduate and should in no way be taken to heart.
Don’t take my word for it, see it for yourself!)

Volume 1, Issue 6

(Continued from page #)