www.ghostsofohio.org Volume 9 Issue 1 From the Spooky Desk of James Willis: I Do Not Rock, But I Do Recycle Last month, I got my received that mail. I even went so far as proof of existence of ghosts, so clearly I very first official hate to invite the author to write an article for still have a lot to learn. mail. Well, perhaps this newsletter. My request has, as of When all is said and done, we here at “hate” is too strong a this writing, gone unanswered. A shame, The Ghosts of Ohio want you, our word, as this person was really, because while I stand by what readers, to snatch up every issue of our merely taking issue with was written in the August newsletter newsletter and devour it. And when some of the articles from (and all other issues of the newsletter, you’re done, sit back and slowly digest it the August newsletter. In for that matter), I think the fact that while pondering all you’ve just enjoyed. James particular, the ones someone disagreed with what was Nod in approval with the points you pertaining to Zak Bagans and his show, written there proves exactly what I have agree with and disregard those you Paranormal Challenge. The author been preaching for years—when it don’t. But above all, think about what claimed that Ghost Adventures “rocks” comes to ghosts, no one has all the you’ve read. Because as long as we’ve and that I was disrespectful because I answers. made you think, we’ve done our jobs! was jealous and/or envious of Zak and Does that mean that Zak Bagans is an his shows—implying, much to my investigator that should be taken Cheers, chagrin, that I do not “rock.” seriously? Absolutely not! But please, James A. Willis I’ve since come to terms with my disagree with me! Argue your position Founder/Director inability to rock. What’s more, I with me and see if you can convince me couldn’t have been more excited to have otherwise! I’ve yet to find my personal SYFY Show is More Scare Than Snooze: “Paranormal Witness” Review SyFy’s new show suspenseful like a “Paranormal Witness” horror movie, with does what many other dramatic scenes, music, Jeff paranormal reality shows and sound effects. have not been able to do Some footage even in recent years: create a resembles the very unique paranormal show haunting “Paranormal concept. However, it Activity” movie’s style. Sheri does borrow its format The only issue that from the classic reality television of the piques my curiosity is 1990s, imitating shows like “Unsolved why, after over 13 years conducting to be embellished for dramatic Mysteries” or “Rescue 911.” The private investigations at some of the storytelling purposes? Because, as we all hour-long show takes one or two country’s most haunted locations, has should know by now, there is no such paranormal experiences, ranging from The Ghosts of Ohio never encountered thing as “reality” television; it leaves me hauntings and UFOs to Bigfoot and activity even remotely as dramatic as the wondering how much is real and how Ouija board experiences, and explains stories on this show? In addition, shows much of it is for entertainment purposes. the experiences of the eyewitnesses. The like “Ghost Hunters,” “Ghost Overall, “Paranormal Witness” is a show smoothly combines witness Adventures,” or “Paranormal State” combination of the most frightful parts interviews with actor reenactments to never collect solid evidence that could of “Paranormal Activity” with the tell the story. It weaves the dialogue, even hold a candle to the dramatic intriguing storytelling of “Unsolved which will sometimes include actual 911 events that are replayed on this show. Mysteries.” It’s refreshing that SyFy call tapes, home videos, or personal Oddly, the majority of the incidents on was able to break out of the photographs, with the story in a the show occurred primarily in the cookie-cutter ghost mold with this new seamless way. The storytelling and 1990s. One may wonder how much show. I recommend watching this one interviews are engaging and interesting. detail of the story you could possibly with the lights on! The witnesses seem sincere and recall after over a decade of time has Rating: believable. The reenactments are passed. And, how much of the story had Do You Believe? Page 1 Volume 9 Issue 1 The Ghosts of Ohio Go “Old School” at Waverly Hills Sanatorium It was a dark and stormy night. Suddenly, a woman screamed. That was me, trying to find my way to the Sanatorium whilst dragging the following group of cars Wendy behind me as I toured the lovely homes built along the golf course, cursing out my Magellan Roadmaster. Well, at least the views were pleasant. And it wasn’t stormy…it was clear and humid. A nice thunderstorm would have been wonderfully atmospheric, but sometimes you just can’t have your cake and eat it too. On Tuesday night, August 23, The Ghosts of Ohio invaded Waverly Hills Sanatorium for a private night of “old school” investigating. We went in without plug-in DVR systems and sound people took along camcorders and EMF Floor number 3 was next for us, and systems, and left the Vernier Lab Pro detectors, but I think the bulk of the this is where “Timmy” supposedly back in Columbus, preferring to tackle investigating was done simply by comes out to play. So we grabbed a the massive structure with only our walking through our assigned areas and green rubber ball, and kicked it down the hand-held devices and senses. After watching the shadows. Sometimes it is corridor as we made our way through everyone else who got lost arrived, we good to just let all the equipment go by the building. We (and the ball) stopped ran around taking pictures of the outside the wayside and just sit, look, and listen. at a double door opening, and hung out of the building before heading in for a You also don’t spend three of your there, trying to get EVPs. Jeff and Penny tour given by our volunteer for the precious investigating hours running headed down the hallway to continue evening, Tiffany. Once our tour was setup and teardown. investigating. At this time, I kept feeling completed, we gathered at our “base My group consisted of fellow Ghosts like something was coming up behind camp” in the museum/gift shop for some of Ohio members Jeff Craig and Tina me, but could see nothing. I asked Tina final words from Jim and to grab some Ferris, along with two of our contest to stand next to me and see if she could equipment. Taking a look around, the winners, Penny Brown and Tiffany feel anything. She was undecided, so we equipment pieces of choice were digital Mingus. After showing some handhelds walked into the room next door to voice recorders and cameras. Several to our winners, we headed off to our first investigate some light flashes (another assigned spot, the second group in the other wing of the building). floor. Here the ghost of a little Next, Tina, Tiffany, and I crossed the girl is seen, although her name hall into another room and out onto the is unknown. We sat in the area portico for some air. We came back into where she was last sighted for the hallway, and there at our feet was the a bit, and then did a walk ball, approximately five feet from where through of the rest of the floor. we had left it. All in all, nothing much As we questioned each other, “Did happened there. We headed you kick it?” “I didn’t move it.” “Where back to base camp for our was it?”…we re-established the ball’s between assignments initial resting spot, and then attempted to rendezvous, where we could recreate movement. The floors in grab a drink, a munchie, and Waverly are not flat, so the balls have a discuss with the whole group tendency to roll quite a bit. We set it anything we had experienced, back in its original position against the and to give the next group in double door, and then walked past it that spot a heads up as to without brushing it. No movement. I possible activity. then walked past, brushing it with the tip Continued on Page 5 Do You Believe? Page 2 Volume 9 Issue 1 My Personal Experience: Waverly Hills Sanatorium By: Oliver L. & Lady D, Cincinnati, OH It was Saturday, July 19, 2008, when immediately requested that he lower heck out of the room. I started pulling the following took place at Waverly Oliver all the way to the ground as he him to his feet almost begging him to get Hills Sanatorium. Oliver and I had had an injured shoulder and I did not up so we could get him out of the room. planned an outing to visit one of the want it injured further. I got onto the The other group member was still most haunted places in America, right side of Oliver and started to speak talking to whatever had a hold of Oliver. Waverly Hills Sanatorium. We drove to him. By this time, he was almost all When I finally was successful in getting down from the Greater Cincinnati area the way to the ground with his head Oliver fully standing, the other group to begin our tour at 10 p.m. that night.