Ghost Trackers Newsletter - Vol 16 No 1 - 1997 02

Magazine Overview

Title: Ghost Trackers Newsletter
Issue: Volume 16, Number 1
Date: February 1997
Publisher: Ghost Research Society

This issue of the Ghost Trackers Newsletter is the official paranormal publication of the Ghost Research Society, founded in 1978. The newsletter, published and edited by Dale D. Kaczmarek, is released in February, June, and October. The Ghost Research Society is a membership organization dedicated to the study of the paranormal, offering various membership levels with benefits such as discounts, photo analysis, and a newspaper clipping service.

Editor's Page

The editor dedicates this issue to the memory of Raymond Manners, former president of the International Fortean Organization, and Paul Johnson, founder of the Spiritual Advisory Council (SAC). The editor also notes the passing of astrologer and psychic Jeane Dixon. The page thanks numerous individuals for their contributions, including SPR Journals, crop circle video tapes, alleged spirit photographs, newspaper clippings, and books.

Ghost Research Society Updates

John Lamb is congratulated on his appointment as Area Research Director of Southern California. New Patron Member Ken Welch and several Contributing and Sustaining Members are welcomed. The newsletter announces the addition of nine new members and renewals from six veteran members. Information is provided about 'Up Close,' a quarterly review of New Age and Alternative Publications compiled by Darla Sims. The editor also discusses plans for the 'Mysterious Indiana Tour' and highlights the use of a new HP 4P flatbed color scanner to improve the newsletter's quality, including a new section on spirit photography.

Articles and Investigations

Ghost Hunt at La Purisma

This article, reported by Richard Senate, details an investigation at the restored Mission La Purisma in California. A psychic reported seeing a phantom soldier, and subsequent investigations by a team including students and psychics revealed sightings of a black-robed monk, cold spots, phantom sounds, and other images. The soldier's uniform description, initially thought to be inaccurate, was later explained by historical context related to supply issues during the Mexican War of Independence and potential Czarist Russian uniforms.

Strange Ghostly Experiences

Reported by Susan Mantle of WRAPS, this case involves Wendy Graham from Burnley, England. Since moving into her house in May 1992, Wendy and her son have experienced torment, including her son's disturbed sleep, the destruction of a baby gate, and loud scratching noises from the loft. A friend babysitting experienced levitating saucepans. The house is described as having paranormal activity, possibly related to monks, and has been blessed by mediums Janet Vaughan and Phyllis Long.

The Role-Playing Ghost

Authored by Maurice Schwalm, this article discusses a ghost that haunts an empty house with no prior connection to it. The author explores the possibility of ghosts in unused structures and describes an encounter in a deserted house where a presence was felt, and a flashy blond woman was seen. A photograph taken at the scene showed a slight fog.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on paranormal investigations, personal accounts of hauntings, and the activities of paranormal research organizations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into paranormal phenomena, encouraging submissions and participation from its members. The publication aims to provide a platform for sharing experiences and research within the paranormal community.

This document is a collection of articles and submissions from "WEIRD N.J.", a magazine focused on paranormal phenomena, local legends, and unexplained events. Issue #5 is highlighted as being "BIGGER THAN EVER - 32 PAGES!". The magazine appears to be a compilation of reader-submitted stories and researched articles.

Ghosts of the Japanese Internment Camps

This article, submitted by Dennis William Hauck, details the hauntings at the site of a World War II Processing Center for Japanese-Americans in Citrus Heights, California. The center was a transit point to the main Japanese Internment Camp at Tule Lake. According to records, eleven Japanese individuals died at the Citrus Heights Processing Center before being transported. The area, now a 1980's housing development, encompasses the former compound. Paranormal events reportedly began in 1982, with sightings of a Japanese man and a couple. The spirits are described as appearing together, sometimes posing for pictures, and the man has been seen leaning next to a garage. Japanese faces have been seen looking out of a heater, and the ghosts appeared in the living room when a newborn child was brought home. Apparitions have also been seen outside under a large tree. The family in one reported case experienced the house being "slimed" and the old wooden fence vibrating when family members spoke disrespectfully about the ghosts. Psychic Robyn Street has reportedly worked to clear the presence in the Citrus Heights area. Dennis Hauck is identified as the California State Coordinator for the GRS and author of "The National Directory of Haunted Places."

Ghostly Shorts

This section features several short, personal accounts of paranormal experiences:

• Helen's Candy: Linda Haluska, a GRS member from Willow Springs, Illinois, recounts how candy left on her deceased friend Helen's grave marker disappeared on two occasions, suggesting Helen's spirit enjoyed the treats.
• Cemetery Overpass Encounter: Cara Marie Silverbird of New Orleans, Louisiana, describes an experience eight years prior while walking near a cemetery in Garder, Massachusetts. She and her roommate felt an overwhelming wave of fear and terror near a railroad overpass, perceiving it as a large, invisible cloud of pure evil. They believe they narrowly escaped a ritual or sacrifice.
• Choking Sensation and Floating Object: Christopher Roberts, a GRS member from Billings, Montana, recounts an experience where he felt choked and had a heavy object pressing down on him. He then felt an icy wind and sensed a large, floating object emitting hatred and anger before it disappeared, leaving him physically released and tingling.
• Brother's Experience: Roberts also shares an account of his brother being pushed off his bed by a sensation, followed by a bright light and a humming sound that "malfunctioned," after which he was lifted back to his bed.
• Mysterious Light Click: Roberts describes a recent experience of a very bright light clicking on and off with a sharp, loud sound that he could not replicate with any house switches, leaving him to question if it was his imagination.

OUR LADY OF CONYERS

This article by Todd Womack discusses the supposed manifestations of the Virgin Mary, focusing on the events in Conyers, Georgia. It mentions historical apparitions in Guadalupe, Lourdes, Fatima, and Medjugorje. In the United States, Marian manifestations have increased, with reported appearances in Texas (1988), Florida (1994), and Kentucky (1995). The Conyers case involves Nancy Fowler, who began receiving messages from Mary in October 1990. Initially, only Fowler saw Mary, with messages like "God love you" and "Heed his words." Crowds grew significantly by 1994, leading to traffic jams and complaints from neighbors. Fowler announced Mary would return annually on October 13th, a date significant for the end of the Fatima "Miracle" in 1917. Reports of strange phenomena in the sky above Fowler's house, including "golden lights" and a "wobbling Sun," began in early 1994. The article suggests these visions could be caused by staring at the sun or be projections from the subconscious. The author notes that thousands of believers continue to return to Fowler's farm.

The Twilight Zone House of Mayport, FL.

Authored by Lee Holloway, this piece describes the "haunted house" at 4627 Ocean Street in Mayport, Florida, known as the W.J. King House. The house gained its haunted reputation after the death of the elder King. John Franklin King, the son, reportedly had encounters with the supernatural, including bumps in the night and sounds of "tongued hussies" heard upstairs. Following his death, the house fell into disrepair and became known for its hauntings. In 1968, the Psychical Research Foundation conducted an investigation, and British medium Douglas Johnston pronounced the place haunted, attributing the disturbances to a music-loving, stubby-bearded seaman. Attorney Al Millar rescued the dwelling from demolition, converting it into a law office while maintaining its eerie appearance. Employees and visitors have reported strange incidents, including knocks, scrapings, wraiths, and phantom voices.

Who Killed My Daughter?

This section promotes the book "Who Killed My Daughter?" by Lois Duncan, described as a "tragic story" and a "celebration of the psyche." The book details Duncan's experience after her teenage daughter, Kait, was murdered. Duncan claims that details about the murder, including the killer's identity, had appeared in her previous books. The family consulted psychics who provided consistent information, and Duncan herself received messages from Kait. The book explores psychic phenomena, telepathy, psychometry, and automatic writing, and discusses the possibility of the soul retaining consciousness after death. Critical reviews highlight the book's heartbreaking nature and the "amazing aspect" of Duncan's involvement with psychics.

Book Advertisement: GHOSTS Appearances of the Dead & Cultural Transformation

This is an advertisement for the book "GHOSTS: Appearances of the Dead & Cultural Transformation" by R.C. Finucane. The book is described as a readable, entertaining, and well-researched nonfiction work that surveys reports of ghosts from ancient Greece through the twentieth century. It explores how physical aspects of ghosts, their functions, intentions, and general beliefs about them have varied over time. The advertisement includes contact information for discount information and review copies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Weird N.J. are ghosts, hauntings, apparitions, and unexplained phenomena. The magazine appears to present these accounts from a perspective that is open to the possibility of the supernatural, often featuring personal testimonies and researched cases. The editorial stance seems to be one of exploration and documentation of the "weird" aspects of life, particularly within New Jersey and surrounding areas, but also extending to broader paranormal topics.

This issue of the magazine, titled 'Spirit Photography Page,' focuses on a paranormal investigation and includes several book reviews and advertisements related to the supernatural. The issue date is January 1996.

Spirit Photography Page Article

The main article, 'Spirit Photography Page,' details an investigation conducted in January 1996 in Huntsburg, Sussex County, N.J. The investigator, who took the photograph, was responding to a family that had been experiencing general haunting activity since 1961. This activity had escalated in the 1980s and 90s to include poltergeist phenomena, such as objects disappearing and reappearing, and instances of family members being forcibly held down in bed. During one event, a family member felt 'something' with thick, coarse animal-like hair behind her head.

A psychic brought to the location by the TV crew 'Sightings' sensed an 'angry animal' type entity roaming the house. The photograph in question was taken on the 3rd floor in a small closet-like room where the investigator was picking up unusual EM effects on a Tri-Field meter. Nothing unusual was visible at the time the photo was taken, but an image became apparent when the shots were printed.

The image, located in the lower left portion of the window panes, appears to be an animal head/face looking in from outside. It is described as resembling a cross between a bear and 'ALF' from the TV show, with a snout, nostrils, eyes with ridged eyebrows, and pointy ears. The window is on the 3rd floor, with a sheer drop outside, and there were no trees visible. The incident occurred during an intense snowstorm, identified as the Blizzard of '96. The investigator notes that the image is interesting, especially in light of the homeowner's and psychic's prior impressions. The image appears to be a flat image on the glass, and the investigator wonders if it could be unusual frost or condensation, or if it is three-dimensional.

Camera and film information provided includes: Olympus OM2 (N) 35mm SLR, 35mm-50mm zoom lens, strobe illuminated, Kodak Tri-X film, ASA 400, and auto-exposure mode. The exposure information was not recorded.

The submission was made by Randy Liebeck, NJ State Coordinator, PO Box 756, Totowa, NJ. 07511-0756.

Advertisements and Other Content

Seeing Ghosts Video: An advertisement promotes a how-to video for amateur ghost hunters titled 'Seeing Ghosts' hosted by Richard L. Senate. Senate, a researcher since 1978, has conducted hundreds of investigations and appeared on various TV shows. The video, nearly an hour long, demonstrates how to conduct a ghost hunt using inexpensive tools. It can be ordered from Peter Kuehn Productions, Inc. for $29.95 plus shipping and handling.

Book Reviews: The issue contains several book reviews, all by Dale Kaczmarek:

• The Bell Witch by Brent Monahan: Reviewed as the best rendition of the Bell family's story, told through the eyes of an eyewitness. The reviewer found it well-written and easy to read, rating it 7 out of 10.
• Dealing With Ghosts by Rob Conover: A booklet and accompanying video tape are reviewed. The reviewer notes Conover's reliance on religious beliefs and states that while sincerity is important, a strong religious background is not necessary for paranormal investigation, rating it 4 out of 10.
• Sightings: Beyond Imagination Lies the Truth by Susan Michaels: This book is described as a retelling of segments from the TV series 'Sightings,' covering hauntings, UFOs, and the unexplained. It includes pictures and is rated 8 out of 10.
• Echoes Of Valor by Nannette Morrison: This book connects the paranormal with the Civil War. The reviewer felt there was too much emphasis on past-life experiences and reincarnation, rating it 6 out of 10.
• Haunted Asheville by Joshua P. Warren: The book centers on the investigation of the Grove Park Inn and its ghost, 'The Pink Lady.' It also covers other haunted sites in Asheville. The reviewer notes a minor error regarding infrared photography but highly recommends the book, rating it 9 out of 10.
• Haunted Ohio III by Chris Woodyard: The third in a series, this book covers various haunted locations and phenomena in Ohio, arranged by category. It is described as well-documented and complete, rated 8 out of 10.
• Haunted Hotels by Robin Mead: This North American guide lists haunted hotels, inns, motels, and bed and breakfasts, providing details on history, hauntings, contact information, and pricing. The reviewer calls it one of the best informational books on the subject, rating it 9 out of 10.
• Adobe Angels: The Ghosts of Las Cruces & Southern New Mexico by Antonio R. Garcez: The third book in this series, it is written in both English and Spanish and covers ghosts of the southwest. The reviewer found it his most interesting book yet, rating it 7 out of 10.
• Haunted Decatur by Troy Taylor: The first in a series about downstate Decatur, Illinois, this book covers haunted sites in the area, including cemeteries and theaters. The reviewer highly recommends it, rating it 7 out of 10.
• Appalachian Ghost Stories and Other Tales by James Gay Jones: A collection of folklore, folktales, and ghost stories from the Appalachia region. The reviewer found it interesting but hard to find, rating it 4 out of 10.

Classified Section:

• CATALYST: A New Age Directory Limited Edition is advertised.
• A COLLECTION OF GRS APPEARANCES VIDEO: A VHS tape featuring appearances by Dale Kaczmarek on various TV shows is available for a suggested donation.
• STRANGE MAGAZINE: A magazine exploring unexplained phenomena, presented twice yearly.
• GRS CAPS: White baseball caps with embroidered 'Ghost Research Society' are available for purchase.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around paranormal investigations, ghost sightings, haunted locations, and the documentation of such phenomena through photography and writing. The book reviews cover a wide range of topics within the paranormal field, from specific historical hauntings to broader guides on haunted places. The editorial stance, as reflected in the reviews, appears to be critical yet appreciative of well-researched and engaging content, with a focus on paranormal experiences and investigations. There is a clear interest in promoting resources for those interested in the unexplained, including books, videos, and magazines.