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Ghost Trackers Newsletter - Vol 06 No 2 - 1987 06
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Title: Ghost Trackers Newsletter Issue: Volume 6, Number 2 Date: June 1987 Publisher: Ghost Research Society (GRS) Document Type: Newsletter
Magazine Overview
Title: Ghost Trackers Newsletter
Issue: Volume 6, Number 2
Date: June 1987
Publisher: Ghost Research Society (GRS)
Document Type: Newsletter
Editor's Page
The editor directs attention to the cover image featuring strange lights photographed by James Crocker in Marfa, Texas, offering full-color copies for sale via the classified section. The editor expresses gratitude to members and non-members who submitted photographs for analysis, including Sarah Estep (President of AA-EVP), Chris Williams, Valerie Tjaden, James Crocker, and Shinichiro Namiki. Thanks are also extended to those who contributed articles, books, and clippings: Lori Mellott, Lewis Harrison, Tom Perrott, Tom Buchanan, and Jay Halloran. Special thanks are given to Lori Mellott for a cassette tape of paranormal voices and material on the Calvert County Haunting, as well as a sample issue of 'The Quarterly Newsletter of The Spirits of St. Mary's'.
Congratulations are offered to Syd Sue Ellis on her recent marriage. The newsletter also extends condolences to the friends and families of three deceased psychics: Rev. Del Larkin, Phyllis Stuts, and Joanne Monzel.
The Ghost Research Society (GRS) is pleased to welcome two new regular columnists: Tom Perrott, President of the internationally known Ghost Club, who will write 'Psychic Britain', and W. Ritchie Benedict, who will author 'The Haunted Bookshop'. The GRS is also in negotiations with others, including Maurice Schwalm, whose article appears in this issue. The editor hopes these additions will enhance the publication's quality and encourages reader inquiries and letters.
Future plans include the use of computer enhancement for psychic photographs to aid in their analysis.
Ghost Research Society Membership and Publications
The GRS has added 8 new members and received renewals from 15 old members since the last newsletter. Membership benefits, such as discounts on books, lectures, and workshops, are only valid for active memberships. Various membership levels are offered: regular, sustaining ($15.00), contributing (includes newspaper clipping service), and Patron (includes regional director status). Lifetime memberships are available for $250.00, with discounts for 2 and 3-year memberships.
The new 'International Directory for Psychic Sciences' and 'Chicago Psychic Directory' are available for $7.00 each. Back issues are available at clearance prices: $6.75 and $5.75 normally, now $8.00 for both purchased together or $4.50 each.
The newsletter 'The Gate', a Fortean-oriented publication covering Bigfoot, UFOs, phantom animals, and ghosts, is available for $4.00 for four issues ($8.00 overseas).
A contest is underway to find a motto for the GRS, with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. The motto should be a catchy phrase or short anecdote (10 words or less) depicting the GRS's purpose. Entries should be sent via postcard, and the deadline is September 15, 1987. Winners will be announced in the October edition.
Psychic Britain by Tom Perrott
Tom Perrott accepts the invitation to contribute a regular feature on the British psychic scene. He plans to discuss legends of haunted sites, ongoing investigations, interview leading personalities, and review relevant publications. He encourages readers to send feedback on subjects of interest and assures replies.
Perrott recommends 'Specialist Knowledge Services' of Frome, Somerset, for recent publications, owned by Dr. Hugh Pincott, a parapsychologist and former Hon. Secretary of the Society for Psychical Research, now General Secretary of ASSAP. For out-of-print or secondhand books, he recommends 'Magis Books' of Horrabridge, Yelverton, Devon, owned by Tom Clarke.
Perrott can be reached at 93 The Avenue, Muswell Hill, London N10 2QG, England.
Haunted Pubs of England by Tom Perrott
This article explores the phenomenon of haunted public-houses in the United Kingdom. Pubs are described as centers of community life, with many dating back to the Middle Ages. Some establishments are reported to have resident apparitions or poltergeists, which may be figments of imagination or genuine phenomena.
An account is given of the Bugle Hotel in Newport, Isle of Wight, where a chef reported feeling something brush past him, a plate of butter moved, and a plunger mysteriously reappeared in a sink. The manager, Mr. W. Herbert, and a waiter also witnessed these events.
The Wishing Tree pub in St. Leonards, Sussex, is mentioned as having benevolent apparitions. The licensees, Mr. and Mrs. John Northwood, experienced their dog screaming and howling, and their son heard laughter in a specific room. A young woman, daughter of a previous landlord, explained her brother used to laugh in that room, and it was believed one of the former owners might be the haunter. A woman in period dress pushing a pram was seen, but vanished upon investigation.
At the King's Arms pub in South East London, the manager, Mr. Terry Payne, shared that the building, built on the site of one destroyed in WWII, is reportedly haunted by an elderly woman, possibly the former manageress. Strange footsteps, smashed glasses, and voices singing wartime songs have been reported. Dogs also refused to enter the wine cellar.
The author concludes that on dark nights, in old pubs, it is easy to imagine strong emotions and the lingering presence of past events.
Occult Studies: Investigation of a Possible Transitory Haunting by Maurice Schwalm
This article investigates the historical site of the Alexander Majors' home at 8140 State Line, Kansas City, home of the Pony Express founder. The Occult Studies Group decided to investigate the locale despite no tradition of it being haunted.
Historical material revealed Majors was a national figure, and his granddaughter, Louisa P. Johnston, devoted her life to preserving his memory and house, dying on the premises at age 89. The house, built in 1856, is in disrepair and requires $100,000 for structural soundness. Its preservation relies on Louisa's efforts.
A plaque near Majors' grave in Union Cemetery marks the Pony Express route. The Russell, Majors and Waddell firm was crucial in establishing Kansas City as a transportation hub.
Psychic activity was reported: one psychic claimed to see Louisa there as a frail, smiling figure. Another psychic, Nita Tesko, felt optimistic feelings of a transportation hub around the home and a transitory presence obsessed with inadequate gifts of money near the cottage where Louisa died.
Photographically, a .75 cm long unidentifiable white-robed form was captured in a window of the house on Polaroid type 667 film on July 24, 1983.
Maurice F. Schwalm's contact information is provided.
Family Ghosts by Patty
Patty shares two ghost stories from a bungalow house in Oak Park, Illinois, where her family lived from 1965 to 1984.
Her mother, who read in bed before sleeping, often heard footsteps coming up the basement stairs late at night. She would check the basement but find nothing amiss. This occurred until one night around 1952 when, while reading in bed, she heard footsteps and felt a presence in the room. She observed the mattress sink as if someone had sat down.
Inexplicable events also occurred in the dining room, where her father heard strange laughter next to him while doing paperwork. There was no TV or other noise at the time.
A former neighbor mentioned that a previous resident of the house was unhappy and an alcoholic.
In another incident, Patty's mother, who was gravely ill, heard the voice of her deceased mother (dead since 1967) telling her not to be afraid, the day before she was rushed to the hospital. Doctors worked for 36 hours to save her life.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The newsletter consistently focuses on paranormal phenomena, including UFO sightings (Marfa lights), hauntings (pubs, historical homes, residential houses), psychic experiences (EVP, readings, premonitions), and historical investigations related to anomalous events. The GRS promotes membership and engagement through contests and encourages reader contributions. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and sharing of reported paranormal experiences, with a desire to document and analyze such phenomena.
This issue of The Psychic Press, dated from an unknown month and year, focuses on paranormal investigations and phenomena. The cover story, 'GHOST HUNTING IN SANTA BARBARA' by Richard Senate, details an investigation into a reported haunting.
Personal Account of Psychic Visitation
The issue begins with a personal narrative from a reader who recounts two unsettling experiences. The first involves hearing a voice whisper their name, leading to a feeling of being spooked. The second, more significant event, occurred when their mother, in a coma before brain surgery, spoke the words "don't be afraid anymore" twice. The narrator was particularly disturbed because people in comas are not supposed to speak, and later discovered their mother had heard her own mother's voice saying the same words before entering the hospital.
An editor's note accompanies this account, encouraging readers to submit similar experiences despite the fear of ridicule. The GRS (presumably an organization associated with the publication) urges readers to share their personal encounters for potential publication or simply to relate their experiences.
Ghost Hunting in Santa Barbara
The main article, 'GHOST HUNTING IN SANTA BARBARA' by Richard Senate, describes an investigation at the home of two elderly ladies, Nell and Betty, who reported a "horrifying" ghost. Upon arrival, the investigators experienced a significant cold spot in Nell's bedroom, which seemed to move and interact with one of the investigators, Nadean, who felt it holding her hand and pulling her across the room. Nadean's impression was that it was a friendly young Oriental boy.
Later, Betty recounted an experience from December 6, 1980, where she awoke to see a woman standing in her doorway, described as slender, wearing a nightgown and slippers, with gray hair and bright blue eyes. Nell also reported seeing and hearing unexplained phenomena, including a group of four Oriental girls in the garden who vanished and a young boy running down the hall at night.
The investigators' objective was to relieve the ladies' fear. They advised repeating "Go to the light, go to the light" when frightened and assured them they could not be harmed. Nadean announced the boy had left once they were outside. The article concludes by questioning whether the experiences were true hauntings or imagination.
An editor's note mentions that Richard Senate could not be located and provides his last known address. It also advises against telling spirits to 'go to the light' as it may not always be helpful.
The Haunted Bookshop: Occult Boom in Britain
This section, written by W. Ritchie Benedict, reports on a significant increase in occult interest in Britain, dubbed an "occult explosion." This trend, which began in the 1960s hippie movement, has surged in the last five years due to concerns over social problems and economic recession. Hundreds of Britons have taken correspondence courses in spells, astrologers report a tenfold increase in clients, and sales of occult items like herbs and crystal balls are booming. Marian Green, a writer on the occult, states this is the biggest occult boom since the 1880s. Tanya Luhrmann, an anthropologist studying the occult, notes that interest in magic grew out of the 1960s economic expansion and provided solace during the 1980s recession. Kevin Grove of the Camden Town Psychic Centre reports people using spells for power and influence, seeking jobs, housing, and stock predictions, and an end to nuclear weapons. Witchcraft is identified as a fast-growing area of the occult, with many women drawn to its lack of hierarchy, seeing it as a way to regain power.
Ghostbuster Star Believes in Ghosts
This article reports that Dan Aykroyd, star of the movie "Ghostbusters," is a believer in psychic matters and an active member of the American Society for Psychic Research. He supports the society with donations and believes in the possibility of communicating with the deceased, specifically mentioning his friend John Belushi. Aykroyd expresses a desire for Belushi's peace and rest, stating he doesn't want to "open the door" to dangerous spiritual contact. The "Ghostbusters" movie has spawned fan clubs, with one in Pittsburgh marketing "Ghostbuster" kits and "job applications" for ersatz ghost removers.
Reader's Opinion Poll
This section features feedback from readers. Betty Stone of Carmel, California, praises the magazine's content but questions the cost-effectiveness of video tapes over newsletters. Andrew R. Jarett of Berwyn, Illinois, suggests investing in a word processor/printer, improving photo reproduction, and notes that many letters are interesting but poorly documented, lacking credibility. He encourages the magazine to 'buckle down' and accept that sharing experiences is crucial for support. Douglas Tussing of Toledo, Ohio, appreciates the straightforward content and unique focus on ghosts, wishing the newsletter were thicker.
Upcoming Lectures
The issue lists several upcoming events: The 24th Annual National UFO Conference in Burbank, CA (June 12-14, 1987), featuring speakers like Stanton T. Friedman and James Moseley. The American Association Electronic Voice Phenomena presents "Pathways To Consciousness" in Baltimore, MD (August 7-9, 1987), including workshops on EVP and spirit photography. The Annual Fortfest Conference in Tyson Corners, VA (October 10-11, 1987), will include a haunted bust tour of Washington D.C. Lastly, The Mind Center presents Dale Kaczmarek discussing "The Evidence for Spirit Photography" (July 16, 1987).
Book Reviews
On The Track Of The Poltergeist by D. Scott Rogo: Reviewed by W. Ritchie Benedict, this book examines four major poltergeist cases. Rogo, a veteran investigator, attempts logical explanations, resorting to paranormal theories only when other possibilities are ruled out. Cases include a 1974 Los Angeles incident involving a stressed teenager, a 1976 Simi Valley case with multiple fires centered around a young man, a 1978 electronic poltergeist in a Hollywood factory, and a 1983 rock-throwing incident in Tucson, Arizona. The review notes Rogo's exploration of his own potential role in poltergeist activity through an out-of-the-body experience and contrasts his PK/O.O.B.E. hypothesis with Colin Wilson's focus on deceased personalities. The book is praised for its balanced approach between analytical investigation and on-the-spot case studies.
Classifieds
The classified section includes listings for books like "The Common Sense Approach To Ghosts," newsletters, fanzines from Baker Street Publications, and a new publication titled "GHOSTBUSTERS." It also advertises "NEW METAPHYSICAL MAGAZINE," services from ESP expert Milton Kramer, and Marfa Mystery Light photographs.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The recurring themes in this issue are ghost hunting, psychic phenomena, hauntings, and the occult. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, encouraging reader participation and the sharing of experiences, while also providing information on related events and literature. There is a cautious approach to paranormal claims, with an emphasis on investigation and logical explanation where possible, but an acceptance of paranormal theories when other explanations are exhausted. The publication also seems to have a regular column by W. Ritchie Benedict, "The Haunted Bookshop."
This document, identified as issue number 20 of MINI EXAMINER, is primarily composed of advertisements and listings for various services, publications, and organizations related to the paranormal, occult, New Age, and esoteric interests. The content is presented in a format typical of a classified or directory section within a magazine.