Ghost Trackers Newsletter - Vol 12 No 2 - 1993 06

Magazine Overview

Title: Ghost Trackers Newsletter
Issue Date: June 1993
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Publisher: Ghost Research Society

This issue of the Ghost Trackers Newsletter, the official paranormal publication of the Ghost Research Society (GRS), offers a diverse range of articles and updates for enthusiasts of the unexplained. The GRS, founded in 1978, is dedicated to researching paranormal phenomena, particularly ghosts, hauntings, and poltergeists. The newsletter is published and edited by Dale D. Kaczmarek, President of the GRS.

Membership and Subscriptions

Regular memberships are priced at $12.00 per year, which includes three issues of the newsletter, a GRS button, membership card, discounts on events and tours, and a free photo analysis service. Sustaining memberships are $17.00 and offer additional benefits, including participation in ghost research and field excursions. Contributing memberships at $22.00 include a newspaper clipping service for your specific region. Information on multi-year, Patron, and Lifetime memberships is available upon request. Back issues of the newsletter are available for purchase, with different pricing for members and non-members.

Current Chain of Command

The leadership of the Ghost Research Society is detailed, with Dale D. Kaczmarek serving as President & Editor, Martin V. Riccardo as Founder of GRS, and Tom Perrott as Area Research Director. Regular Columnists include Rosemary Ellen Guiley, William Hauck, Maurice Schwalm, and Richard Senate.

Editors Page

Dale D. Kaczmarek begins the editors' page by thanking numerous individuals for their contributions, including donations of items, articles, newspaper clippings, audio tapes, video tapes, photographs, computer software, and books. He expresses pleasure at the ongoing contributions to the GRS archives. The newsletter is dedicated to Stephan Horvath, a recently deceased member and friend of the GRS. Kaczmarek shares personal anecdotes of his interactions with Horvath, including a research trip to Ohio where Horvath assisted him in exploring local haunted sites. The editor also notes the addition of 12 new members and 17 renewals since the last issue. He introduces 'PSI Spirit,' a new publication from the Parapsychological Studies Institute, edited by Tom Keith.

Ghost Research Society Updates

This section congratulates Martin V. Riccardo and Rosemary Ellen Guiley on their articles featured in 'Fate Magazine.' Randolph Liebeck is announced as the new New Jersey State Coordinator and his appearance on the Sally Jessie Rafael show is mentioned, where he discussed a family claiming to be molested by a ghost. The article emphasizes keeping an open mind about the paranormal. Opportunities for becoming a State Coordinator, Area Research Director, or Field Investigator are advertised. Randolph Liebeck and Darin Scott are welcomed as new Contributing Members. Howard Heim has resigned as Research Director due to a conflict of interest. Fran and Lisa Pizano are introduced as new Field Investigators in Illinois, who recently investigated a haunted house in Oak Forest. The next bi-monthly meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 17, 1993, at the Oak Lawn Public Library.

Ghosts On Wheels

By Tom Perrott

This article explores the phenomenon of 'Ghosts On Wheels,' which are spectral manifestations of vehicles. Perrott distinguishes them from 'cyclic ghosts' that commemorate their own demises. The article details various accounts of phantom coaches, including those at Blickling Hall (associated with Anne Boleyn) and Okehampton in Devon, where a 17th-century coach is said to be constructed from the bones of Lady Howard's murdered husbands. It also recounts the spectral appearance of Colonel T.E. Lawrence's Brough Superior motorcycle in Dorset. A significant portion of the article is dedicated to a ghostly bus phenomenon reported in Kensington, London, during the 1930s, which caused numerous accidents. Perrott concludes by questioning the nature of these sightings, pondering whether they are genuine paranormal events or products of imagination influenced by local legends.

A Boy Named Betty: Ghost Photo Source

By Maurice Schwalm

Schwalm presents a case involving two photographs taken by a Ms. TR in March 1992, which appear to capture a ghostly apparition. The photos show a dog and, in the second, a smoky, male form of approximately five feet tall with broad shoulders and a muscular build, possibly wearing a skirt. Ms. TR recounts strange occurrences at her house, including the doorbell ringing at odd hours and the TV and alarm clock activating spontaneously. She also mentions her brother, BT, who died of AIDS, and his interest in psychic development and crystals. Schwalm interviews Ms. LW, who confirms that 'things' have been happening at her house since BT's death, including his rolodex and stereo turning on by themselves. The discussion delves into BT's artistic background and his interest in photography and drag. Schwalm suspects BT may be the 'ghost photographer.' Further investigation into background factors for the photo on May 16, 1991, reveals no significant astronomical or magnetic anomalies. Schwalm then experiences an involuntary meditation where he communicates with a young man who identifies himself as 'Betty,' the photographer. Betty explains that TR was not composing the photos, allowing his artistic sense to compose the image, likening it to poltergeist activity where nothing moves when observed directly.

STRANGE Magazine Advertisement

An advertisement for 'STRANGE Magazine' is included, describing it as a publication featuring well-documented articles on strange phenomena, UFOs, cryptozoology, and paranormal topics. Subscription details and a list of back issues with their contents are provided.

A MUSEUM OF UFOs

A section promotes the National UFO Museum (NUFOM), described as a project to educate the public about UFOs. NUFOM aims to be an archive and repository of UFO data, artifacts, and memorabilia, featuring exhibits on UFO theories, government cover-ups, and alien bases. It also plans to operate as a bookstore and gift shop, conduct its own research, and publish a quarterly journal called 'Notes from the Hangar.' Interested individuals can join the NUFOM mailing list by sending $2.00 for postage and handling.

Summerland Ghosts

By Richard Senate

This article details the history of Summerland, a community in California known for its picturesque seaside setting and links to spiritualism. Founded in 1883 by H.L. Williams, Summerland was intended as a place for spiritualists to practice their beliefs freely. The streets were named with spiritualist significance, and the community was designed with spiritualism in mind. The article mentions that many old houses in Summerland are considered haunted, with some whispering that occult symbols were incorporated into their construction. The early spiritualists erected a church called Liberty Hall, nicknamed 'Spook Hall.' The community's idealistic vision was altered by the discovery of oil, which led to an influx of oilmen and capitalists. Despite this, sightings of ghosts remain common in the beachside community. The Big Yellow House Restaurant is highlighted as a well-known 'haunted house' in Summerland, featuring a ghost nicknamed Hecter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around ghosts, hauntings, and spectral phenomena, with a particular focus on 'phantom vehicles' and historical accounts of hauntings. The Ghost Research Society's stance appears to be one of open inquiry and research into paranormal events, encouraging members to contribute their findings and maintain an open mind. The editorial tone is informative and investigative, presenting various cases and personal accounts while also acknowledging the subjective nature of paranormal experiences and the challenges of proving their existence, as exemplified by Tom Perrott's concluding thoughts on truth.

Title: Cosmic Current News
Issue: Sample issue
Publisher: Ancient Truth Research Foundation
Date: Not specified

This issue of Cosmic Current News delves into various paranormal phenomena, including hauntings, mysteries, and personal encounters with the unexplained. It features a collection of submitted stories and articles exploring psychic phenomena, metaphysics, and UFOlogy.

Articles and Features

Local Hauntings

The issue begins with a collection of local hauntings, including the story of a ghost named Hecter at the 'Big Yellow House,' who is described as a 'dirty old man' ghost with a penchant for attractive young ladies. The Tidepool Reflections shop on Lillie Avenue is also mentioned as having been haunted, with objects moving on their own until a spiritualist 'blessed the house.' Tom Carrol, a radio personality, recounts his experiences in an older home on Lillie Avenue in Summerland, where cigarettes and shoes vanished and reappeared, suggesting the presence of a woman's spirit.

The Quest for the 'Mary Celeste'

Reverend Speaker Gerald A. Polley presents a detailed investigation into the mystery of the 'Mary Celeste,' a ship found abandoned in 1872. Despite extensive research and attempts to contact the spirits of the crew and passengers through his 'agents in The Spirit Realm,' Polley found that none of them could be located, deepening the mystery. Even his extraterrestrial contacts had no record of their abduction, leaving the fate of the Mary Celeste's occupants unresolved.

Alleged Haunting in Sauchie, Central Scotland

Malcolm Robinson documents an investigation into claims of hauntings in three conjoined houses in Sauchie, Scotland. Residents reported strange footsteps, noises, bangs, smells, and phenomena, particularly from the loft area. Incidents included a daughter experiencing dizziness on a stair, bad dreams, a television set switching on and off, a reflection of an unrecognized face, and voices mimicking family members. A particularly intriguing account involved a transparent man and woman holding a baby, who claimed they were looking after the baby until its owners returned. The investigation involved 'Strange Phenomena Investigations' (SPI) and consultations with university professors, though assistance was limited. The case was explored further with the Alloa Christian Spiritualist Church, where unexplained footsteps were heard.

Ghostly Odds and Ends

This section presents several brief accounts of ghostly encounters:

• German Castles: Bewartstein hosts the ghost of 'die Weissfrau' (White Lady), and Trifels once held Richard the Lionhearted. The Pirmasens army post in Germany is the scene of a haunted barracks room where the author experienced a presence of evil, a greenish male lion ghost, and heavy breathing.
• Mysterious Death: A neighbor named Chris died suddenly and mysteriously. The night before her death, the author was awakened by a cold breath of air and saw a dark figure by the bed.
• Evanston Haunting: In Evanston, Illinois, a friend named Paulette Roeske experienced unexplained events in her apartment, including herbs being removed from a window ledge and emptied on the floor, and antique kitchenware shattered. This occurred on the day her uncle committed suicide. Other phenomena included scuffing sounds, scratching noises, and lights turning on and off.

The Wild Places Journal

A new journal of the paranormal called 'The Wild Places' is advertised, covering topics such as UFOs, crop circles, ghosts, spiritualism, and aliens. It is described as a 40-page issue with various contributors.

Opinion Polls and Letters

Several readers submitted comments and suggestions:

• SGT. Joe Buonopane, Jr. suggested a Pen Pal page or a state-by-state listing of members interested in ghosts.
• Kenneth Smith commended the publication's seriousness and suggested glossy paper.
• Jack Elrick inquired about the electronic means used by the society to track supernatural entities.
• Brian Manion felt the publication was not informative enough for serious students of the paranormal, despite well-written book reviews and stories.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are hauntings, unexplained mysteries, and personal paranormal experiences. The magazine appears to adopt a serious and investigative stance towards these phenomena, as evidenced by the detailed accounts and the inclusion of opinion polls seeking reader input on investigative methods and content. The editorial stance seems to be one of open exploration of the paranormal without sensationalism, as highlighted by Kenneth Smith's comment about the publication not treating the subject like a joke.

Title: TOTAL ECLIPSE!
Issue: 1 (6)
Date: 1992
Publisher: First Editions
Country: USA
Focus: Occult, Bizarre, and Unusual topics.

Book Reviews

This issue of Total Eclipse! features a comprehensive section of book reviews, primarily focusing on paranormal, ghost, and haunting phenomena. The reviews are conducted by W. Ritchie Benedict and Dale Kaczmarek, offering critical assessments of various titles.

I Never Believed in Ghosts Until.... (100 Real-Life Encounters)

Collected by the Editors of USA Weekend, this book presents 100 ghost stories submitted by readers. The reviewer notes that while personal experiences can reduce skepticism, the book could benefit from more background information on the narrators, dates, and locations of the incidents. Despite this, it offers a diverse insight into ghost experiences from a wide range of people. Examples include a military tale of 'Phantom Hoofbeats' in India and a Vietnam-era encounter with a soldier who vanished. Another anecdote describes a ghost appearing with a camera, raising questions about thought-forms versus actual spirits.

Dark Zones

Edited by Sharon Jarvis, this book is a companion to 'Dead Zones' and contains short, true ghost stories by multiple authors. The reviewer expresses a concern that Jarvis may have rewritten the stories in the third person, obscuring the original authors' voices. The book includes familiar tales like 'The Tower of London' and 'The Winchester Mystery House,' which the reviewer considers repetitive. However, it also features interesting stories such as 'The Phantom of the Organ Loft.' The reviewer rates it a 3 out of 10, suggesting it's not one of Jarvis's better attempts.

The A-Z of British Ghosts

Authored by Peter Underwood, President of the Ghost Club, this book aims to be a definitive guide to hauntings in the United Kingdom. While it contains many interesting stories, some well-known cases are omitted. The book is illustrated with pictures of locations and includes practical information like nearby hotels. The reviewer notes that the author visited many locations personally but researched others via mail. It is described as an illustrated guide to 236 haunted sites. The reviewer rates it a 5 out of 10.

Ghostly Tales & Sinister Stories of Old Edinburgh

This book by Alan J. Wilson, Des Brogan, and Frank McGrail is reviewed by Dale Kaczmarek. The reviewer suggests the title should perhaps be 'Sinister Stories & Ghostly Tales' due to the prevalence of darker narratives. The book is described as extremely interesting and at times gory, with a detailed account of the brutal execution of 'The King of Traitors' in Edinburgh during the 1300s. It includes stories of people who died violent deaths and may still be haunting their descendants. The book is well-researched with illustrations and drawings, though many stories are brief. It is rated a 6 out of 10.

New England's Ghostly Haunts

Written by Robert Ellis Cahill, this regional book features short, true ghost stories from New England, including tales like 'Maine's Haunted Inn' and 'Salem's Haunted Houses.' The book includes two ghost photographs, one showing a semi-transparent figure. The reviewer finds regional books on ghosts and hauntings to be consistently interesting and valuable research material. It is rated a 7 out of 10.

New England's Things That Go Bump In The Night

Another book by Robert Ellis Cahill, this one is part of a series on New England oddities. It covers not only ghost stories but also other paranormal tales, such as 'Spooky Spirits of the Sea' and 'Werewolves and Witches of Dogtown.' While it has fewer pictures than the previous book, the ghost stories are considered worth reading, even if some topics, like the Dover Devil, have been covered extensively elsewhere. It is rated a 5 out of 10.

Other Content

The issue also includes advertisements for other publications and services:

• TOTAL ECLIPSE! subscription information, offering 6 issues per year for $12.00 US.
• The Journal of the International Fortean Organization General Index (Issues 1-50) is available.
• PSYCHIC PATHWAYS NEWSLETTER is a bi-monthly publication.
• COUNT DRACULA FAN CLUB offers membership information.
• THE EAGLE'S SPIRIT is a monthly newsletter seeking New Age writers.
• VOICES FROM SPIRIT MAGAZINE! offers subscriptions and related services like Tarot Card Readings.
• ENIGMAS magazine, published by Strange Phenomena Investigations (SPI), covers UFOs, poltergeists, hauntings, and more.
• An Eclectic Directory of Psychic Services lists various practitioners.
• NEW MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES (1993 Edition) is a business and trade directory for the New Age/Metaphysical marketplace.
• Information on Sound Portraits by Howard Richman, offering personalized musical compositions created by mail or in person.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on the occult, bizarre, and unusual, with a strong emphasis on paranormal phenomena, particularly ghosts and hauntings. The editorial stance appears to be one of exploration and documentation of these subjects, providing reviews of relevant literature and information on related services and publications. The inclusion of diverse perspectives, from personal anecdotes to researched guides, suggests an open-minded approach to the unexplained.