www.ghostsofohio.org Volume 9 Issue 6 From the Spooky Desk of James Willis: Ol’ Blue, The Circus Clown Car Those of you who on my clients’ faces when they see the While I was still pondering those know me well or have pile of equipment cases, cables, and questions, I decided to make it a focal followed The of monitors being wheeled into their house point of this newsletter. So for this issue, Ohio organization for any and they ask, incredulously, “all this we’ve got articles on all sorts of things length of time are no came out of one car?” people might consider bringing on an doubt familiar with Ol’ Recently, I’ve been embarking on a investigation; everything from digital Blue—my 1997 Honda series of overnight investigations for one recorders and psychics to salt. Yes, salt. Accord. For well over a of my upcoming books. Since these It’s our hope here at The Ghosts of Ohio James decade, Ol’ Blue has overnights have fewer people involved that you’ll give the articles a read and been my go-to vehicle for investigations than a typical Ghosts of Ohio start thinking for yourself about and hunts. That is due mainly to investigation (in some cases, I’m even investigations and what one needs (and the fact that Ol’ Blue is something like flying solo), I’ve had to take a look at doesn’t need) to bring along with them. those cars you see at the circus. You the mounds of equipment at my disposal If you reach any sort of consensus, we’d know, the compact cars that pull into the and pair things down to the bare essen- love to hear about it! We might even center of the ring and then an endless tials. And that got me to thinking; what feature it in an upcoming edition of our stream of clowns comes spilling out. are the essentials for a successful ghost newsletter. Well, that’s Ol’ Blue. You can pile as investigation? Is it actually possible to Think of it this way: inquiring much equipment as you want inside her bring too much equipment on an ghostly minds want to know: what’s in and she still wants more. It’s almost as if investigation? And to that end, what your bag? she’s bottomless. So much so that I’ve actually constitutes an “investigation” Cheers, grown accustomed to the amazed looks versus, say, a “hunt”? James A. Willis Founder/Director Salt and Superstition Anyone like me who’s men followed; trails became roads, a fan of the TV show and settlements grew beside them. Supernatural is all too When the human menu shifted from familiar with Sam and salt-rich game to cereals, more salt Dean Winchester’s mode was needed to supplement the diet. of spirit elimination: But the underground deposits were Samantha salting and burning the beyond reach, and the salt sprinkled deceased person’s bones. As with a lot over the surface was insufficient. of fiction out there, I often find myself Scarcity kept the mineral precious. wondering what inspires such an idea. As civilization spread, salt became Sure, fire is well known as a physical one of the world’s principal trading and spiritual cleanser. But what is the commodities.” Salt was considered story behind the use of salt? How did a symbol of wealth throughout the people use it in the past, and how did it world, and was often used in place become the subject of superstition and of money. In some places, it was folklore? even traded ounce for ounce for It makes sense to begin at the gold! beginning with man’s discovery of salt. Scarcity wasn’t the only reason A Time Magazine article from March of salt was considered precious. 1982 titled “History According to Salt” Besides being used in flavoring sums up salt’s history very well: “The food, it was also used to preserve it, history of the world according to salt is purify it, and it also made a good simple: animals wore paths to salt licks, antiseptic. Continued on Page 6

Do You Believe? Page 1 Volume 9 Issue 6 Using Psychics on Investigations The use of psychics that energy is on the move, whether re- on investigations seems sidual or intelligent. So, is putting all to be an ongoing debate, your eggs in one basket a smart thing? not only whether you You could be setting up the equipment should use them, but how to watch a spot where a team member you can work them into “felt something” an hour ago… your group dynamic. meanwhile that energy has moved to a Some groups prefer to part of the building you are not covering Wendy investigate only using and you end up with another investiga- scientific equipment (especially if you tion with no evidence. So using your are looking for acceptance within the sensitives as sniffer dogs has its plus and scientific community), while others rely its minus. on having a person on their team who Which leads us to and even harder can not only point the way, but can also scenario—using actual psychics— help a trapped spirit move on to their people who can see, hear, and talk to next phase of existence. So is there a dead people. And there are several fac- middle ground? I don’t think you should tors to consider: be too much of either. Only working - How did you find the psychic? with the science rules out our innate - What is their track record/ feelings…our gut instincts. And those reputation? can be very important. On the other - What will they be getting out of hand, only doing an investigation working with your group? “psychically” isn’t providing your client - How should you utilize them? occurred where Patrick used his arsenal or the scientific world with any hard Once you’ve answered those of equipment in an attempt to capture evidence. It’s merely your “word” that questions, there are (what I feel) a solid evidence that spirits were actually you want them to trust. couple of very good shows to use as in contact with John J. and Carla. The Ghosts of Ohio have been giving guides on how to properly use psychics Anything they came up with was handed this a lot of thought. A lot of teams are during investigations. over to the police in the hope that it science-driven, yet they have people The first show ran on Crime TV would catch the person who had within their group that are sensitives. (now TruTV) called Haunting Evidence committed the crime and close the case. They can feel energy fields and (no longer in production—*sob*). These In this show, Patrick never gave the fluctuations, and can sense when were not paranormal investigations per psychics information beforehand. They something else is in the room. This can say, but rather a psychic look at cold went in blind. This is key when using a give the team the ability to weed out cases. The team consisted of John J. psychic. You do not want to give them whether there are electrical circuits or Oliver and Carla Baron on the psychic information that they may latch on to appliances that are leaking EMF, work, and Patrick Burns handling which can taint their vision and feelings. creating an energy field that a sensitive equipment and research. Basically, the If you have ever gone to see John person can pick up and this proves to be psychics would be driven to an Edward or Lisa Williams in action, you helpful when setting up equipment. undisclosed location—the scene of a will hear them say time and time again: But, if the team decides that the crime or the scene where a body was “do not give me information, just answer “something else” is not human or found—where they would attempt to with a yes or no.” Giving a psychic electrical interference, then what should connect with the murdered or missing information when they are attempting to they do? The assumption is that it could victim. The goal was to come up with understand what they are seeing/hearing be spiritual energy, and we should some sort of information that could be from the other side only causes them highlight that spot with our equipment. given to the police as a fresh lead. confusion, because they can’t tell if what But, if it is spiritual, it is not static and Afterwards, a communication session Continued on Page 8 Investigations and Consultations: Continued Scheduling for 2012 The Ghosts of Ohio is continuing to request. All investigations are offered situation and what help we may be able schedule investigations for 2012. If you free of charge, and confidentiality and to offer. or someone you know is experiencing discretion are assured. For more information, please visit something unexplained in a home or Not sure if you want or need an http://ghostsofohio.org/services/ place of business, contact us at Investigation? The Ghosts of Ohio now investigations.html. [email protected] or visit our offers consultations. Let us sit down website to fill out an investigation with you to discuss your current

Do You Believe? Page 2 Volume 9 Issue 6 Bad Mexican Food & The Ghost of Rush Limbaugh: Misadventures in EVP Land Let me just get something out the way from the very start: I am a weirdo who has been chasing after ghosts since way too early an age. It’s strange. It’s uncommon. It’s downright spooky… James and I wouldn’t change a thing. I say that because, while it may seem odd to some people, I was still in elementary school when I decided I wanted to try and talk to ghosts. I’d already been peeking under my bed and walking around cemeteries looking for them for a few years. But then I stumbled across an old book that made me want to take my hunting to the next level. I found the book in an old bookstore Although stylish and practical for most standard recording situations, the AIWA reel-to-reel (I was a rabid reader and my mom device lacked the microphone quality necessary to effectively converse with the other side. always encouraged me to read as much Communication with the Dead, was the mid 1970s. Even though I was still a as I could). The cover was unassuming written by Konstantin Raudive. Long wee lad of 9, the idea of being able to and had the very bland title story short, Raudive had stumbled upon, talk to the dead had quickly become Breakthrough. But what really caught and been intrigued with, the work of somewhat of an obsession. For some my eye was the subtitle: Friedrich Jurgenson. Seems that reason, I got it in my head that I would An Amazing Experiment in Electronic Jurgenson was out one day recording be able to just sit down with my Communication with the Dead. What’s bird calls and when he played back the oh-so-stylish (and slightly used) AIWA that? Communication with the dead? tape, he found that there were human reel-to-reel tape deck with its clunky Sign me up! voices on there, too. iPhone-sized microphone and engage in Published in 1968 (although we’d Anyway, Raudive was intrigued by two-way conversations with the ghosts. have to wait until 1971 to read it in the idea of capturing ghost voices and So I would just sit in a well-lit room (I English), Breakthrough: An Amazing decided to start experimenting with a was still young and skittish, after all) Experiment in Electronic reel-to-reel recorder. He chronicled his and ask questions for the ghosts to work in Breakthrough. It’s answer. I can remember thinking, for interesting to note here that some reason, that I would also be able to throughout the book, hear the ghost’s answers with my naked Raudive never uses ear in real time. So I would quickly get the term EVP or impatient and immediately go to the even Electronic Voice recorder and rewind it to see what, if Phenomena. In fact, the anything, I had managed to capture. For voices Raudive captured the most part, I only succeeded in were often referred to recording my muffled voice as the qual- simply as “Raudive ity of microphone I was using was, shall Voices.” It would not be we say, very poor. I did walk away from until several years later that phase of my EVP obsession with a than the term Electronic key learning: either get a better quality Voice Phenomena came to microphone or get the ghosts to move be. closer to said microphone. Otherwise, I Regardless, using what wasn’t ever going to capture anything. little information my tiny The next stop along my EVP journey brain could absorb from began in the early 1980s, when I began Konstantin Raudive’s work in Breakthrough serves as the book, I began my first dabbling with using cassette recorders as foundational reading material, pioneering research in the realm of Electronic Voice Phenomena. foray into trying to capture opposed to my reel-to-reel. It seems to ghost voices sometime in Continued on Page 5

Do You Believe? Page 3 Volume 9 Issue 6 Locked Inside Mansfield Reformatory with The Ghosts of Ohio On Thursday, July 21st, The Ghosts of Ohio gathered up a few lucky contest winners and whisked them away to Mansfield Reformatory…where we promptly locked them in for the night! As part of our Spend the Night with The Ghosts of Ohio program, we randomly pulled a few names from our list of newsletter subscribers and gave them a chance to investigate Mansfield Reformatory with us during a private hunt. The Ghosts of Ohio provided all the equipment, our guests provided their courage, and the Reformatory provided the pizza…and the ghosts. Beginning at 7:00 pm, our tiny group of 20 was given a guided tour of the prison. After that, we broke into smaller groups and then, lights out! For the rest of the night and into the wee hours of the morning, we had the entire prison to ourselves! And while no ghostly prisoner appeared before us to proclaim his innocence, some of the activity reported that night included hearing footsteps, muffled voices, K-II interactions, the feeling of being touched, and in one scream-inducing moment, an extremely loud noise that sounded like a cell door, complete with chains, being slammed shut. All in all, a very memorable evening! A final congratulations go out to all of our contest winners. And to all those who didn’t win this time, hang in there; there are more Spend the Night contests coming up soon. So keep your fingers crossed!

Do You Believe? Page 4 Volume 9 Issue 6 Misadventures in EVP Land—Continued Continued from Page 3 me that it was around this time that people began postulating as to exactly The Evolution of EVP Recording Equipment how ghosts were able to imprint their voices onto the tape. Some believed that the tapes were simply picking up something the human ear couldn’t hear. But there was another camp that theorized that since ghosts can have an effect on the electromagnetic field, that they were somehow manipulating it so they could get their voices on the tape. With that in mind, I decided to try to capture ghost voices using magnetic tapes as opposed to regular cassette tapes as I figured since the tape was magnetic (and as such, part of the electromagnetic field), that the ghost would have an easier time manipulating As the popularity of digital recording technologies increased, the ghost-hunting community widely things. Of course, since magnetic tapes adopted the pocket recorder as a new standard, replacing reel-to-reel recorders for EVP were more expensive than ordinary ones, sessions. The Ghosts of Ohio has since taken audio recordings a step further, implementing I wasn’t able to conduct as many studio-quality Superlux microphones and multi-channel mixers to capture pristine sound during investigations. experiments as I wanted, especially since I was a poor student at the time onto the scene in the 1990s, I was one of weren’t getting any results, I decided to and also because I made it a point to not the few people who didn’t jump sit in the living room with another reuse tapes to avoid the possibility of an headlong into the fray and begin using investigator and put my digital voice old recording bleeding through and them. For one, it threw my whole idea of recorder on the table between us. We did being mistaken as a ghost voice. “ghosts manipulated the electromagnetic the standard routine and asked a bunch Lucky for me, I don’t believe any field to imprint their voices on the tape” of questions. Not feeling or hearing photos from my initial EVP experiments out the window, mainly because there’s anything strange, we packed up and during this period exist. That’s because no tape involved with digital voice went home. my first cassette recorder of choice was recorders. On top of that, it went against Days later, as I am pouring over the a gigantic Sony “boom box,” complete my belief that one needed to have the audio, video, and photos from the with equalizer. I recently came across a best microphone possible to capture overnight, I grabbed the digital recorder photo of me with the boom box at the EVPs. I just couldn’t believe the tiny and started listening to what I had beach and while I looked totally cool built-in microphone on these recorders recorded. About 10 minutes into the back then, looking at the pic today could pick up anything. For me, it just session, I ask the question “could you elicited much laughter and mocking. I seemed like a big step backwards. make a noise so we know where you can only imagine what reaction a photo But as more and more of my are?”, which is immediately followed by of me with it “conducting experiments” ghost-hunting friends and associates a very soft, yet quite distinguishable, would have. started using, and swearing by, digital growling noise. Actually, it sounded like I had learned my lesson about using a voice recorders, I finally broke down a growling-gurgling noise. I was better microphone, though. But to be and got one in 1999. If for no other floored! This recorder really picked honest, with my meager income, I was reason than I had finally gotten tired of something up! I had been there at the only able to afford a Radio Shack stereo everyone mocking me dragging around time of the recording and had heard microphone, but it was a huge step up my microcassette recorder. The first nothing, which excited me even more. from what I had been using. Still, I was night I broke out my new digital Not wanting to wait a minute longer, only able to capture a few muffled recorder, I was out on an overnight at a I called the other investigator who had “things” that may or may not have been private home where the owners had been there with me that night and played voices. Even switching over to a reported hearing weird growling noises the recording over the phone to him. It compact cassette recorder (and then a coming from various corners of the was then that the investigator microcassette recorder) didn’t have a house late at night when nothing was embarrassingly had to admit that the significant impact on the number of there. For most of the night, I just had growling noise I heard was actually his voices I captured. the recorder in my pocket, turned off. stomach, the result of consuming what When digital voice recorders burst But at the evening wore on and we he termed “bad Mexican” for dinner. He Continued on Page 7

Do You Believe? Page 5 Volume 9 Issue 6 Salt and Superstition—Continued Continued from Page 1 For these reasons, salt became cured scorpion stings; associated with longevity and health. In and the Swiss thought fact, the Roman word for salt—sal—is bread and salt in the related to Salus, the goddess of health. pocket could ward off Therefore, spilling salt was not only evil. In Hawaii and considered a waste of money, but it was Samoa, salt was also a symbol of bad luck. sprinkled in the four It was during the Middle Ages that corners of a home and people began getting superstitious with on the door threshold salt. Since they knew that it had healing to ward off evil spirits. properties and protected food from In Scotland, a family’s spoiling, people thought it would protect salt box was the first them, too. By far, the most common item moved into a new superstition in cultures throughout the home, and salt was world is that of spilled salt, and the most added to beer during brewing in order to Superstitiously speaking, there’s common remedy to avert such bad luck keep witches from ruining it. Even nothing on Earth that can hold a candle is to toss a pinch of salt over the left today, several European countries still to the powerhouse that is salt. Its shoulder. Why the left shoulder, you believe that salt thrown into a deceased influence on economics, politics, health, ask? It may derive from the Kabala, person’s coffin will keep the devil away. and especially folklore and religion has which describes three paths: the It isn’t an exaggeration to say that this been monumental. Given all of the ways right-hand path, which is love and light, list can go on and on and on. salt has been used throughout history, the middle path, which is the one most Besides all of the regional hocus it’s easy to buy into the idea of of us walk, and the left-hand path, which pocus about salt, its story wouldn’t be dispelling angry spirits with Sam and is the path of evil and the devil. It is complete without mentioning its role in Dean’s salt-loaded shotguns, keeping believed that by throwing salt into the religion. It seems clear that this evil at bay by pouring salt along eyes of the devil, you are blinding him mineral’s ancient folklore had a large windowsills and doorways, standing from seeing your error. influence on faiths around the world. To inside a salt circle to be protected from It appears that every culture in every them, salt represents purity, and has evil, and salting and burning the bones country around the world has used salt therefore been used regularly in of the dead to keep their spirits from to ward off evil and promote good blessings, prayers, rituals, and spells. coming back. Do I honestly believe that fortune. The superstitions vary wildly. In Covenants were even sealed with it, any of that works in the real world? Not Japan, actors sprinkled salt on the stage which is how the word “salvation” came really. But I suppose it couldn’t hurt to to ward off bad luck, hosts sprinkled salt into being. Although it’s not clear which keep a little salt on hand...just in case. on their doorsteps to avert any evil religion used it first, they all use salt for brought in by their guests, and families the same purpose—to ward off evil. It is Salt Trivia threw salt into their fireplaces to prevent customary for Buddhists to throw salt discord among family members and over their shoulders after funerals to promote good fortune. In Ireland, prevent evil spirits from following them • Ancient Greeks used salt to purchase newlyweds were given plates of salt and home. Hindus use it in housewarmings slaves. If a slave wasn’t living up to his price, he was said to be “not worth his oatmeal to ensure happiness. In and weddings. Jewish Temple offerings salt.” Germany, three grains of salt in a milk include salt, and Jews dip their bread in • Ancient Romans paid their soldiers with pot would ward off witches, and salt on the Sabbath. Wiccans keep a dish salt rations. Their pay was called salarium homesickness could be cured with salt of it on their alters and use it to cleanse argentum, which is where we derived the sprinkled in the afflicted person’s areas of negative energies. The Pueblo word “salary.” A soldier’s salary was cut trouser hems (while he/she looked up the Indians worship the Salt Mother, and the if he was “not worth his salt.” fireplace, of course). In Holland, salt Hopi Indians have restrictions on who is • In the late 18th century, guests at a was sprinkled in cradles to protect permitted to eat salt. The Shinto religion banquet were ranked by where they sat in relation to the salt on the table. babies from harm; and Canadians uses it for purification purposes; and, of Distinguished guests sat “above the salt” sprinkled salt in stable doorways and on course, Christians use Holy Water at the head of the table, while everyone the backs of horses to ward off (which contains salt) to purify and else sat “below the salt.” mischievous imps and fairies. Egyptian protect against evil. Interestingly, this • In the Roman Catholic Church, holy water women threw salt on burning coals to may have been inspired by the ancient is created by exorcising and blessing salt bless a caravan’s journey, and salt was Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, who and water separately, then by dissolving among the funereal offerings left in called upon their gods with salt and the salt in the water with a benediction pronounced upon it. Egyptian tombs. In India, salt and wine water offerings.

Do You Believe? Page 6 Volume 9 Issue 6 Misadventures in EVP Land—Continued Continued from Page 5 admitted that during the night, when his on investigations, we also incorporate a the voice of Rush Limbaugh. After a stomach growled and I didn’t react, he Korg D888 mixer with an internal hard quick online search confirmed that Mr. would just pretend he didn’t hear drive to help us try and capture EVPs, as Limbaugh was still alive, I was resigned anything, either. It was then that I well as any other ghostly noises like to the fact that I was picking up RFI realized that despite their small size, the footsteps. And in keeping with my (Radio Field Interference) and needed to mics on digital voice recorders are practice of always trying to use the best check my mic cables. surprisingly strong. Not only that, but as microphone you can afford, we also use So after all this time and equipment, I was to come to find, they really like to professional grade Superlux studio where do I stand today with regard to distort things. I can’t tell you how many microphones. As soon as we started EVPs? Good question. Obviously, I times I caught what I thought was a using the mixer/microphones, we believe that there’s something out there. ghostly male voice only to find that it noticed a sharp decrease in the number But if that “something” is actively trying was a female investigator’s voice that of EVPs we were capturing as opposed to communicate with us verbally, I’m had gotten distorted by the recorder. I to when we were using the digital voice not so sure we’ve hit on the right way to can even remember one famous Ghosts recorders. This was due mainly to the go about doing that. I’m sure there are of Ohio investigation where one quality of the studio microphones, many researchers out there who will investigator captured what, to all of us, which, when coupled with a shock disagree with me, but I just have a hard sounded like a demonic dog growling. mount to reduce vibration, quickly time believing a ghost is going to store Turned out it was nothing more than allowed us to hear things for what they up all its energy in order to another (male) investigator whose voice were (stomachs growling, etc.) as communicate with you and then just say had been distorted due to a combination opposed to hearing them distorted. “left…side…” I would think it would of being off to the right of the recorder’s That’s not to say we the studio mics want to blurt out its name or maybe just mic and having his voice echo through haven’t fooled us on occasion. On a “yup, I’m a ghost.” So I think we’ve still the empty room. And I can’t tell you recent investigation, after running cables got a ways to go before we land on the how many times a gentle breeze blowing down from the microphone we placed in correct way to communicate with the across the mic had made me think, if a “haunted” room to the mixer, I was other side. Which is why when people only for a second, that there a kindly shocked to hear the voice of a man ask me how to capture EVPs, I tell them ghost whispering into the recorder’s mic coming through the mixing board to do what I do: experiment. Bring all (something to think about next time you headphones. It clearly sounded like there your audio equipment along on the see someone on a ghost reality show was a man up in the room, speaking to investigation and mix things up. See violently whipping their voice recorder someone…only that someone never what works best. But you might want to around in the air). Lesson learned? responded. Still, the man kept talking leave the boom box at home and don’t Digital recorders will pick up lots and and talking. I was about to start decide to try out a new Mexican lots of weird stuff…and only a small frantically signaling the other restaurant before the investigation. portion of it may be caused by ghosts. investigators over when I suddenly While I and The Ghosts of Ohio realized the man’s voice sounded a bit continue to use digital voice recorders familiar. Sure enough, I was listening to Interact with The Ghosts Need a spooky friend? If you have a MySpace account, swing by and add The Ghosts of Ohio to your friends list: www.myspace.com/ghostsofohio. Got a Scary Story to Tell? And for those of you who use Have you had a ghostly encounter in going to appear in. That way, you can Facebook and/or Twitter, you can find Ohio? Want to see it featured in a future get all your friends to sign up for the The Ghosts of Ohio on those sites, too: issue of The Ghosts of Ohio Newsletter? newsletter so they can see how famous Facebook Then here’s all you have to do: you are! http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/ Just write down your story and send pages/Columbus-OH/The-Ghosts-of- it to [email protected] with the Ohio/60704381381?ref=mf subject line “Newsletter .” Be sure to also include your name as Twitter you’d like it to appear with the story. http://twitter.com/ghostsofohio

We’ll take it from there and send you an email letting you know which issue it is

Do You Believe? Page 7 Volume 9 Issue 6 Using Psychics on Investigations—Continued Continued from Page 2 they are getting is real. After John J and episode…and fell in love. alone, carries on interviews with owners, Carla had done their psychic work, one This show features a team of two: witnesses, talks to local historians, and of them (usually Carla) sat down with former NY Homicide Detective Steve does library research to document what the victim’s family and tried to ascertain DiSchiavi and psychic Amy Allen. went on and who lived/died in that more information about the victim by While they are a team, they never work building. At the end, he sits down with seeing or handling personal articles. together. They want to keep their Amy and the clients, and Amy begins to Otherwise, they knew nothing about the personal experiences and information tell what happened to her. He then backs case. from tainting the other person’s findings. up as much as he can with The second show is currently airing Amy arrives in the evening with her documentation he has found. She on The Travel Channel at 10 pm on husband Matt, who removes all presents her sketches (which are sealed Friday and is called The Dead Files. I photographs, maps, etc. in the building until the reveal) to Steve and he looks at have pretty much stopped watching any that might influence or distract her them before handing them to the clients. paranormal show. The market is just before she walks in. She speaks to no If he can match her sketches with over-glutted with paranormal shows at people, has no idea who the clients are photographs he has found, he does. The the moment, none of which are teaching or what the situation is. Basically she client is then able to clearly connect me anything. So when a co-worker walks through the site, contacting the their experiences to what Amy, backed asked me if I was watching Dead Files, I spirits, getting descriptions and feelings by Steve, has found. replied that I wasn’t watching any of what went on (all recorded via video All in all, it is an extremely paranormal TV at all. He suggested that by Matt) and afterward sits down with a interesting show. You are watching a I catch an episode, since it was sketch artist to come up with a portrait psychic in action, and you are watching completely different than anything else of who she was dealing with. her information being utilized properly. on TV. So I set my DVR to tape an During the day, Steve, who arrives Continued on Page 9 Have Spirits, Will Travel: Come Out and See The Ghosts! Hard to believe, but before you know We’re still cooking up a couple of it is free and open to the public. Still, it, October will be here. And while it super-spooky and fun events, but for some of these locations have strict makes us all a bit sad to realize another now, here’s some of the confirmed guidelines with regard to how many peo- summer has slipped by, it also means it places where you’ll be able to find us ple can attend before the room is at ca- won’t be long before you can some out this October. pacity. It’s always a good idea to call the and meet The Ghosts of Ohio and swap Please note that unless there’s a venue for times and more information, a scary story (or two…or three) with us! dollar sign ($) associated with the entry, just to be on the safe side.

OCTOBER Wednesday, October 10, 2012 @ 6:00 pm Friday, October 19th–Saturday, October 20th, 2012 "Meet The Ghosts of Ohio" TEEN Presentation Lima Lantern Tours $ Fairborn Community Library Allen County Memorial Hall 1 East Main Street 120 W. Elm Street Fairborn, OH 45324 Lima, OH 45801 http://www.greenelibrary.info/Branches/Fairborn- http://limalanterntour.com/ Community-Library.html Tuesday, October 23, 2012 Thursday, October 11th, 2012 "Meet The Ghosts of Ohio" Presentation “Meet The Ghosts of Ohio” Presentation Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library 270 Lilly Chapel Road 270 Lilly Chapel Road West Jefferson, OH 43162 West Jefferson, OH 43162 http://www.hbmlibrary.org/

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 @ 6:00 pm Thursday, October 25, 2012 "Meet The Ghosts of Ohio" TEEN Presentation "Meet The Ghosts of Ohio" Presentation Lane Library: Fairfield Branch Southern State Community College: South Campus 1485 Corydale Drive 12681 US Rte 62 Fairfield, OH 45014 Sardenia, OH 45171 http://www.lanepl.org/fairfield.html (740) 362-3861 http://www.sscc.edu/about-us/campus/south.html

Saturday, October 27, 2012 Somerset Ghost Tour Details To Come

Do You Believe? Page 8 Volume 9 Issue 6 Using Psychics on Investigations—Continued Continued from Page 9 Her reactions/experiences are not surfing. They should go in with a person way, neither the psychic nor the tech influencing Steve in his research and to document what is happening on team can finagle their findings to more interviews, and his research is not video, so that you can then play that closely match. influencing her thoughts. back and match up parts that your tech/ So these were just my thoughts that I So, if you do want to use a psychic, research team has come up with. wanted to throw out there as food for or currently use one, these two shows The two shows differ on the reveal thought. Whether you decide you want may give you a good idea of how to start portion. With Haunting Evidence, the to stay completely technical, you want to your process, or tweak the process you team is working with the police, so at go by the guidance of your sensitive, or already have in place. There are some the end, the psychics were working with you want to work with a psychic is a basic steps you do want to incorporate. Patrick as he was trying to get evidence decision for you and your team…no one You want your psychic to have using equipment to back up the events else should influence you. But as we absolutely no information going in. He/ the psychics said were occurring. It was strive to be professional in what is not she should talk to no one before, during, necessary for Patrick to have everything considered a professional field, we need or after the investigation. They need to put together as one file to present to the to keep in mind that when we create be kept in the dark. A true psychic police department, so he was privy to all guidelines for how to use our equipment shouldn’t want to be led by outside the information BEFORE the reveal. properly, we also want to give that same information any more than a tech person In The Dead Files, Amy and Steve attention to the people within our group. might not want to be led to put his are working with private clients. The All it takes is one person faking equipment in a place he might not want first time they speak to each other about evidence, or one supposed psychic to put it. Don’t tell them what to say/ the case is at the reveal. The first time coming up with information they feel/hear…let them come up with it on they are comparing their findings is in actually gleaned off a team member or their own. That is the only way to know front of the clients. Since paranormal personal research to throw your entire that what they are getting is genuine, and groups are generally working for private team’s reputation into question. not just something they heard someone clients, I think that following the Dead else say, or worse, gleaned from Internet Files scenario would be advisable. That Got Ghosts? Request For More Information Special Event Announcement: Merry-Go Round From time to time, The Ghosts of Museum Investigation Ohio learns about a haunted location On Saturday, November 17th, 2012, provided by The Ghosts of Ohio for you that, try as we might, we just can’t seem The Ghosts of Ohio will be taking part to use as you please and we will be there to dig up any additional information on. in a very special fundraiser with the to give you a crash course in ghost That’s when we turn to one of the largest Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky, hunting. groups of Ohio ghost experts out there— Ohio. Raffle tickets are available for our newsletter readers! That’s right, One lucky raffle winner and a guest purchase at the Museum (301 Jackson we’re asking you to let us know if you will have the unique opportunity to Street, Sandusky, OH 44824) and can have any information (or better yet, have investigate the Merry-Go-Round also be ordered over the phone (419- had a personal experience) at any of the Museum with The Ghosts of Ohio. 626-6111). All proceeds benefit the following locations. If you have, shoot The evening will feature an Merry-Go-Round Museum. us an email at [email protected]. all-you-can-eat pizza dinner and then For more information, visit http:// And who knows? You just might get the you and your guest will take part in a www.merrygoroundmuseum.org/ or chance to investigate the location along hands-on ghost hunting experience. All http://www.facebook.com/ with The Ghosts of Ohio! ghost hunting equipment will be merrygoroundmuseum. Bloody Island (Columbus/Franklin county)

Glendower State Memorial (Lebanon/Warren county)

Green Eyes Cemetary (Shelby/Richland county)

Hell’s Church (Batavia/Clermont county)

Weidler’s Pass (near Arcadia/Hancock county)

Do You Believe? Page 9 Volume 9 Issue 6 The Ghosts of Ohio 2012 Jamboree Once a year, everyone from The Ghosts of Ohio likes to turn off their infrared video cameras, put the EMF back in its case, and kick back and relax with each others’ families. It’s sort of like putting the ghosts on hold for a while to focus on what’s really important—family and friends. Because without their love and support, there’s no way The Ghosts of Ohio could exist. This year was no exception as The Ghosts of Ohio invaded Salt Fork State Park, where we spent a nice, long weekend sitting in the sun (or diving for shade) during the day and huddling around the campfire at night. Since Salt Fork is rumored to be the stomping grounds of Bigfoot, several of us were asked if we spotted the big guy while we were there. Well, the answer to that is “no,” sadly, there were no sightings. However, upon our return home, it was discovered that little Courtney Willis now had a new Bigfoot bestie, courtesy of Adam & Sheri Harrington!

Coming Up—Next Issue: October

• Do Ghost Apps Really Work? • The Ghosts of Ohio Hits the Road • Tricks & Treats • James A. Willis’ Ghost Library

The Ghosts of Ohio Newsletter Staff Administration

The Ghosts of Ohio Newsletter is a free, bimonthly email newsletter. To subscribe, Editor-In-Chief: James A. Willis unsubscribe, or change your email address, please visit http:// Copy Chief: Kathy Boiarski mailman.ghostsofohio.org/mailman/listinfo/ghostsofohio. Please do not send vacation notices or other auto-responses to us, as we may unsubscribe you. Designer: Adam Harrington The Ghosts of Ohio collects your name and email address for the purpose of Photo Editor: Sheri Harrington sending this mailing. We will never share your name or email address with advertisers, vendors, or any third party, unless required by law. Contributing Authors The Ghosts of Ohio will never sell, trade, or rent your personal information. For Wendy Cywinski more information, please visit us online at www.ghostsofohio.org. Samantha Nicholson

Do You Believe? Page 10