Author Archive
May 2009 Newsletter
by MarieColby on May.08, 2009, under Newsletters
First Newsletter
Welcome to the first newsletter of the National Coalition of Ghost Hunters! The NCGH is a nation-wide organization dedicated to the promotion of networking, open communication, and cooperation between paranoramal investigative groups/individuals who use science-based techniques.
The NCGH was founded in Sept. of 2008, having been launched at the SpiritFest convention in Joplin, MO. There are currently 11 member groups in the Coalition from 6 different states.
In October of 2008, the NCGH was featured in conjunction with the MoSo Ghost Hunters on Gore Girl’s Variety Hour. We are actively looking to expand group and individual memberships
Featured Member Group
Commonwealth Paranormal is an investigative team out of Kentucky. They have 13 members and have been featured in the media multiple times, including having a case on the popular TV show Paranormal State.
Commonwealth Paranormal has been nominated for the International Paranormal Acknowledgement Awards (IPAA) “Best National Paranormal Group / Team” Award.
Updates and News
The member groups within the NCGH have been very busy in the past several months. Some notable activities and appearances of members include:
* ComParacon was held on April 4th by Commonwealth Paranormal in Carlisle, KY.
* Damon Priest of Ghost Hunters of the Ozarks was featured on an episode of the Gore Girl Variety Hour on March 18th.
* Ghost Hunters of the Ozarks was recently pictured in Haunted Times Magazine.
* Ernie from the Tricounty Paranormal Society is in the process of putting together a book about paranormal investigation experiences.
Upcoming Events to Note
* The MoSo Ghost Hunters and the NCGH to be on Newmakers TV show in the Joplin, Missouri area, airing several times in June and July.
* The Ghostly Knights Paranormal Society presents “Knights of the Round Table Summer BBQ”, stay tuned for more details.
* Chris Dedman will be a speaker at Chautauqua-Con 2009 on Sept. 19th in Shelbyville, IL.
* The ScareFest, one of the nation’s largest paranormal conventions, will be in Lexington, KY Sept. 11-13th.
Lasers and Nightlights
by MarieColby on May.08, 2009, under Articles
As paranormal investigators, we’re constantly looking for new techniques and, in particular, cost effective equipment solutions for detecting and recording paranormal activity. An idea prompted by an episode of Paranormal State involving laser pointers and automatic night lights that we tried recently works wonderfully for detecting motion and coming in at under ten dollars for initial setup, certainly qualifies in the cost effective department, too.
Take a light sensor-activated nightlight (found at Walmart for around $5 for a 4-pack) and plug it into an outlet or power source. We used the LED version because it takes less power to get the nightlight to illuminate. At some distance, take a simple laser pointer (the $3 magnetic-backed ones from Walmart work wonderfully) and securely mount it so the laser beam shines on the light sensor of the nightlight. The nightlight will stay dark as long as the laser shines on the sensor, but if anything passes through the beam, the nightlight will instantly light up. This gives a low-tech, very bright, and fast response alert without all of the hassle of motion sensors that require a security system controller and extensive setup.
This article was featured in the May, 2009 newsletter.
Visit haunted Waverly Hills Sanitarium (Examiner)
by MarieColby on Apr.24, 2009, under News
Chicago’s Ghost Research Society (GRS) will be leading an overnight investigation of the haunted Waverly Hills Sanitarium on Thursday, June 11, from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
GRS President Dale Kaczmarek said the group will be “using the most advanced state-of-the-art paranormal gadgetry with hopes of uncovering some real supernatural evidence.”
Kaczmarek is the author of a number of popular books, including Windy City Ghosts, Windy City Ghosts 2, A Field Guide to Spirit Photography, and Illuminating the Darkness: The Mystery of Spooklights.
Waverly Hills Sanitarium is in Louisville, Kentucky, and currently owned by Charlie and Tina Mattingly. They have a neat history of the place and great photos at their web site.
The Mattingly’s saved this structure and it appears they have a most interesting business and restoration project going there now. Several networks have done television shows here.
The site opened in 1910, but the large structure there today opened in 1926, built to house tuberculosis patients. In the early 20th century, Jefferson County had a huge outbreak of tuberculosis cases - and this site was used to construct the existing structure. There are many myths and legends about this property - and some of those can be read on this Wikipedia page.
Watch this excellent History Channel video about the place.
About Ghost Research Society
GRS describes itself on its web site: “The Ghost Research Society was formed as a clearing house for reports of ghosts, hauntings, poltergeist and life after death encounters. The society members actively research and investigate all reports that come their way including private homes and businesses. The society also analyzes alleged spirit photographs, video and audio tapes that they come across from ordinary people or society members.”
The group, based in south suburban Oak Lawn, has a variety of ways to become a member. In addition to the group, Kaczmarek and co-founder Jim Graczyk also operate Ghost Research Society Press, founded in 2004, which publishes books on the paranormal.
Graczyk is the author of several paranormal books, including A Field Guide to Chicago Hauntings, Field Guide to America’s Most Haunted, and Chicago Hauntings for Teens.
The group also operates Excursions into the Unknown - Haunted Chicagoland Tours. Find out more by calling them at 708.425.5163
