What Really Happened at Tunguska?

100 years ago this week a massive "cosmic impact" occurred in rural Russia. To this day, experts debate what caused the widespread devastation and what lit up the sky all those years ago.

Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal

New on the scene in the growing list of paranormal TV shows, "Psychic Kids" follows Paranormal State's Chip Coffey as he tries to help families cope with children who see dead people.

Chip and a team of experts (child psychologists, historical researchers, et al) try to validate that these kids are the real deal. You'll be fascinated by their stories as you try to spot which kids have an overactive imagination and which ones have a special gift.

While the concept may be laughable, their abilities have taken a heavy toll on the families involved. Do you believe that your child is being tormented by a dead person or dismiss it as fantasy?

What makes this show so believable is that each child is different. Just as adult metaphysical abilities run the gamut from clairvoyance to psychic healing, these kids usually have a strength for one ability over another.

Whether you believe or not, this is one fascinating show!

Click on the title to check out the official website.

2nd Annual Ghost Grrls July 4th ROAD TRIP

Last year, it was hidden cemteries and ghost dogs! This year, it will be lost Native American heritage and Serial Killers! There will of course be the customary CAPS Uturns, comraderie, and hilarity! Starting at 10AM - Saturday July 5th! Join in the Adventure! Check out the link to Haunted NC's investigation of the area. Click on Title to Access this link.

The Legend of the Gullah Boo Hag

One of the great things about the South is the rich folklore woven into our history by other cultures. Particularly the Haitian and African cultures so prevalent in the slave trade. One legend in particular has captured the collective hearts of the CAPS girls; that of the "Gullah Boo Hag".

We were first introduced to this legend in Charleston, SC on a fabulous weekend of ghost hunting and hilarity. Late one night at the Piggly Wiggly (yes, those really do exist) we came across a "Gullah" cookbook that mentioned said hag.

For those unfamiliar, "Gullah" is a Creole language that was, in the recent past common to coastal South Carolina. The "Boo Hag" on the other hand is exactly as she sounds, a spirit in the form of a hideous old woman. Folks are warned to "git dat nasty 'ol Boo Hag" off their backs.

http://www.themoonlitroad.com/archives/boohag/boohag_cbg002.html

"Boo Hag" is one name for what seems to be a worldwide phenomenon. Since the dark ages, cultures around the globe report terrifying night time attacks by gruesome female monsters. Most commonly known as "Old Hag Syndrome", these experiences are now believed to stem from sleep paralysis.

http://theshadowlands.net/ghost/sleep.htm

Join us at the Charlotte Paranormal Meetup!

FRIDAY June 27th 7pm: Caribou Coffee 1531 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203

Meet a great group of people, chat about the paranormal and get your coffee on at this month's Paranormal Meetup. Held at the Caribou Coffee on East Blvd, this is THE event for those who are interested in or haunted by the unexplained. Not just for ghost hunters, this group covers everything from UFO's to psychic phenomenon. The group is headed up by the super sweet Ambur Rose through Meetup.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

Brattonsville EVP

Some spirits prefer peace and quiet, as we discovered in this EVP. Captured near Brattonsville, SC, site of a historic battlefield. Click on the title of this post and listen closely to hear said ghostie tell us to "Shut up!"

Thanks to CAPS own Susan Parish for such an awesome capture!

Michigan Dogman, Harmless Prank or Real Cryptid?

http://www.michigan-dogman.com/

A great site featuring the story of the "Michigan Dogman"; a creature that started out as an April Fool's Day radio stunt and became something else entirely. Is this creature real?

There have been similar reports in the United States, the most notable being the "Beast of Bray Road" in Wisconsin. And Native American Folklore warns us about the vicious Wendigo that walks the forests at night.

You Tube even offers a mysterious video of this dogman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBkTQDEcBpI

Jersey Group Uses Edison's Spiritcom to Talk to the Dead

Thomas Edison changed the world with his great inventions, but many folks have never heard of his Spiritcom machine. Edison was a firm believer in the paranormal. He constructed this device in a failed attempt to communicate with the other side. After his passing, the plans and the prototype were lost to history.

That is until the 1970's when avid researchers worked to recreate this device. New Jersey Ghost Research has done just that. Click on the following link to read a fascinating journal of their experiments:

http://www.njghostresearch.org/spiritcom.htm

The Legend of Crybaby Bridge

One of the most common urban legends is the "crybaby bridge". A bridge that is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a crying baby. Common elements of the story include a horse carriage or a car crashing over the railing and the death of an infant and usually one other parent.

These legends are one of the most fascinating views into the oral traditions of modern America. The tales are passed down from generation to generation; usually by bored teenagers looking for something to do on a Saturday night. These often rural bridges have been involved in countless high school dares over the years.

Deadohio.com has compiled an awesome summary of their local "Crybaby Bridges". Click on the link below to check it out:

http://www.deadohio.com/CrybabyBridges.htm

Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery

I had the pleasure of visiting this wonderful site on Thursday. The heat wasn't quite as oppressive, and Nathan was gone to his seminar, so I rolled out of bed midday and went exploring. Unfortunately the Pochi "bubble tea" station on the corner wasn't open. I was so looking forward to tasting the "Coffee & Avocado" smoothie. No seriously, I was!

Disappointed, I meandered down the street and caught the #2 bus to midtown. I debated whether I was going to chance the trip to Camp Chase at this point. It seemed so easy according to the COTA trip planner. But, I'd neglected to print a copy of the return trip...so I didn't want to get out there and be stuck.

I mulled it over in my head until the #6 approached. I got on, resolving just to ride down and glance at the place; making sure to note the nearest bus stop on the other side of the street.

It was about a 15 minute ride from the heart of downtown to cemetery. Unfortunately, this place was in the middle of the ghetto. On every corner and every street there were abandoned and boarded up houses. Sadly enough, these places flaunted the fancy architecture of the late 1800's-1920's. You could squint your eyes just enough to imagine the carriages clattering up the still obvious carriageways. You could picture ladies with their fancy hats and tight corsets striding down the thoroughfare. All that was left now was flaking paint, sagging support beams and glassless windows. I found it extremely sad that no one had tried to save these beautiful slices of history. But with the economy being what it is, maybe the saving was well beyond the pockets of the most optimistic investor.

It was almost 2:15pm as we meandered past the liquor stores and the dingy gas stations of the area. More and more, it seemed like a bad idea to trek out into the cemetery by myself. But as we got closer, there were less people...so my fear abated somewhat. Then suddenly, there it was! Shining like a hidden jewel buried in sand. Beautifully maintained, no graffiti, it was unbelievable!

The place was microscopic compared to Green Lawn. Only about 2 acres but from my view it barely looked that. The graves were aligned in the military fashion, in straight, stiff rows, all the way back to the fence. You could feel the energy here. Even in the daylight on a summer day. You could feel that you were not alone.

I quickly snapped some pics of the monument, the historic marker, and a really cool cannonball, all the while keeping an eye on the bus stop across the street. A couple of clicks of headstones and I saw the return bus approaching. With that I hurried across the street just in time to catch it.

Ghosts on Monsterquest

In a departure from series' traditional subjects of the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot, they are launching a good old-fashioned ghost hunt. Catch this great History Channel show as they investigate the Lizzie Borden House. On the East Coast, this episode airs tonight at 9pm.

For more info click the link:

http://tinyurl.com/2suy4o

Greenlawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio

With storms on the horizon and lower temperatures in sight, I ventured out to Green Lawn Cemetery this morning. Venture is the appropriate word here...I had no idea what an ordeal it would be to get there from my cozy room at the Blackwell hotel.

I first considered busing it, as the COTA bus system is even more user friendly than Seattle Metro, of which I was an expert some years ago. After much searching of the trip planner website and a phone call to COTA, I discovered that the closest bus stop was a good 1/2 mile from the place.

The morning air was beginning to steam and the cooling rain seemed some hours away. In light of that and my innate ability to get lost in even the most familiar surroundings, I opted to pay for a cab. In retrospect, I wouldn't recommend this approach. Green Lawn is best explore by vehicle, you'll see why in a moment.

Along with everything else in the world, cab fare has gone up! Way up from the last time I used this service apparently. $11.00 seemed outrageous for the scant few blocks we travelled from the corner of High & Broad to Green Lawn Avenue. But, cabbies have to pay 4 bucks a gallon for gas same as everyone else, so I couldn't complain too much about the price.

He dropped me off at the cemetery office. It was rather plain for such a historic (and allegedly haunted) cemetery. I was very excited to discover in my early morning Internet search that they offered bus tours of the grounds, complete with guides in period costume. And we all know how much I LOVE period costume!

Sadly, this was not the day for a bus tour. I inquired at the desk and was simply told:"No." A few seconds passed as I waited for a clarifying remark. "No, that's tomorrow" or "No, only on Saturdays". All I got was the no, but she did give me lots of paperwork about the place, and we all know how much I LOVE paperwork!

I glanced at the handful of maps and brochures, some of which noted graves of historical significance. "Is there a particular section of historical markers?" I asked. "They're all over the place, the first are quite a ways into the cemetery, we have over 400 acres here."

400 acres. That explains the need for bus tours. That also presents a sizable problem. I was on foot here. The day was just beginning to sizzle as the steam built up to greet those coming rains. Worse yet, there was no breeze. None. It was like being in a sauna. With my half empty bottle of water I was ill prepared for this trip. But what the heck, I was already here and I'd invested $11 to get here. Might as well drag my ass around the grounds for awhile.

This was the first time I viewed the map in earnest. As any CAPS member can tell ya, Kimberly is not so good at the map reading. Plus there was the added distraction of section numbers. After turning the colorful map over in my hands a few times; looking at it sideways and upside down, I decided just to start walking. Hopefully my "spidey sense" would kick in and lead me to the place I was seeking.

I began to wander...something at which I possess considerable skill...and eventually found my way to an odd little chapel...complete with a lovely stained glass window. If I had bothered to bring the proper USB cable, you'd be seeing pics of it right now! But I promise I'll add those later.

I snapped a couple shots and walked around the shadiest path I could find to some older looking markers. There was really no specific goal to this visit. Just to check out some historic graves, take some cool pics, and maybe get more than gravestones in the shots!

At this point, I had to take a breather. The sun was rising ever higher in the sky, making its way around leaves and branches and beating down on me ruthlessly. I found a quiet little concrete bench that offered a bit of shade, and sat down to catch my breath.

I sat there quietly, sipping my water, for some time. The hope was that some of the cemetery's permanent residents would come to pay me a visit. After about 20 minutes of watching and waiting, I decided to get moving. There wasn't much more walking to be done. I could tell that the far reaches of the place (where most of the older plots lay, of course) held no respite from the sun. Not wanting the embarrassment of having a heat stroke in a cemetery, I decided to take the shadiest path back to the office and call a cab home.

Shadiest and fastest were not in the same subset. The path meandered and it took longer than I expected to make it back to the office...which had no air conditioning let me mention. While waiting for my cab, I realized that I would have been better off renting a car or at best finding out beforehand when these mysterious tours take place. But regret wasn't going to help me know as I sat there panting and sweating while the receptionist offered me a glass of water.

Hunting this place would take a massive effort. I doubt you could do it in a night, even with a whole army of investigators. And don't even get me started on the fact that they have a whole section on the website dedicated to "nature". A CAPS girl's worst enemy!

Still it was a beautiful place.

In lieu of my pics...please take a look at the COPRG website (Central Ohio Paranormal Research Group). Only a few shots of the place, under the pictures on page 1, but more interesting stuff from a ghost hunter's perspective:

http://http//www.centralohioparanormalresearchgroup.com/Pics.html

See also the Green Lawn website, chock full of interesting stuff! Click on the "Cemetery Founding" link on the left sidebar for an interesting story of how it came to be.

http://http//www.greenlawncolumbus.org/history/history.php

Salsibury Home Hosts Many Ghosts

A great story about a local family and their gaggle of interesting ghosts...

http://www.salisburypost.com/Lifestyle/060608-Etters--haunted-house-investigation2008-06-06T05-51-46

Kelton House, Columbus, Ohio

Sunday afternoon brought a wonderful opportunity to visit the Kelton House for a historic reenactment. It was a raging hot day and I had my doubts about spending a few hours in the stuffy swelter of a Victorian era home (which most assuredly lacked the modern convenience of AC.)

The beautiful neighborhood that frames Kelton House is rife with many exquisitely designed buildings that appeared to date to the same time. After a few moments of oohing and ahhing we laid eyes on the small unassuming home that was now the historic Kelton house museum. We were pleasantly surprised by the comfort of the place, especially the old stone basement where the reenactment took place.

The performance wasn't quite what I'm used to in terms of reenactments. No battles, no soldiers, just a lone man at a podium giving a speech.

It took me awhile to realize that this man was reenacting the speeches of Frederick Douglass, a former slave who spoke openly and passionately for the Abolitionist cause.

The effect was amazing, as we listened to this talented man, the words of over 100 years ago reverberated through the simple stone cellar. Every word carved a sick and suffering picture of life as a slave. Douglass eloquently argued for abolition with the same words Thomas Jefferson used to declare independence from England. He questioned why the black man wasn't included in the "...all men are created equal" equation and why they were denied the "unalienable right" of "liberty" that Jefferson called "self-evident".

This was a stirring tribute to an amazing man.

After the reenactment, we journeyed up the narrow, creaking staircase for a tour of the house, built in 1852. I then realized the glaring differences between the historic sites in North Carolina and this museum. The plantations at Brattonsville and Latta are from an earlier, simpler time. The furnishings aren't quite as exquisite as those at Kelton. The other glaring deviation was the brightly-colored and extensively-patterned decor.

Most people would consider it garish; the strange collision of pink patterned scrollwork wallpaper with bright green, yellow, and red patterned carpet. It's certainly enough to make you dizzy! Add to that the fact that every room features a different patterned wallpaper and crazily-colored carpet and there's somewhat of a funhouse effect. You think of all the dull and dingy daguerreotypes you've seen of the time. People not smiling, houses in the limited palette of brown, light brown and lighter brown and you'd never guess that those same people were surrounded by such a colorful melange!

You think also of the Victorian era...buttoned up, etiquette driven, and pristine. These two things seemingly have nothing in common.

The Kelton family was considered upper middle class, but the original furnishings of the house tell a different, more opulent story. Horsehair chairs and settees, "stuffed with horsehair" the guide exclaimed, "as springs hadn't been invented yet". The elaborate marble fireplaces, some crafted from the same type of warm Italian marble used by Michelangelo.

The guide explained that each of the luxurious rooms had a purpose. What we call a "drawing room" got its name because this was where the ladies "withdrew" after dinner while the gentlemen puffed away on their cigars in the parlour. She also mentioned that women of the time wore wax makeup and showed off the bronze and glass "embroidery stands" which served the dual purpose of framing their artwork while shielding their faces from the heat of the fire.

She then lead us to the room specifically set aside for "calling". With no telephone or Myspace, the most efficient way to get the latest gossip was to have calling hours. Each lady would have calling cards with their names and their calling days and hours on them. During calling hours, the lady of the house would sit in the room in all her finery, offer treats for her guests, and allow each visitor only 15 minutes to sit and gossip. Every guest would leave their calling card in a decorative silver dish on their way out the door, thus giving the host a chance to come calling at their homes. One imagines that these ladies had tremendous restraint. I couldn't have a 15 convo with my CAPS homies if my life depended on it! Too much hilarity and too much time laughing hysterically at various CAPS scenarios!

One of the most touching and amazing artifacts housed in the calling room was a scrapbook kept by Anna Kelton. Through the protective glass you can the see the actual telegram that informed the family of son Oscar's death in the Civil War. It says briefly in light flowing script, "Oscar dead, killed in battle, body in the hands of enemy". To look at this simple piece of paper and imagine the grief and despair it brought the Keltons, to think of the tears they shed over the browned and faded scrap; it drove home the point that the ghosts in the paintings were real people once and we were spectators of their reality.

Of course I could barely contain my excitement when the guide mentioned that the place was allegedly haunted! Obviously, that was the sole reason I was there (get it, "soul" hahaha).

The last grandaughter of the Kelton family, Grace, died in 1975 at the ripe old age of 94. She was described as a flamboyant, independent woman who created her own interior design company.

She willed the house to the Columbus foundation, with the stipulation that it be restored and used as a museum. If the money couldn't be raised to complete the restoration, she wanted the house destroyed and a children's park built on the property. Luckily the association came through and now this wonderful glimpse of history is here for all to enjoy.

If you ever get the chance, it's definitely worth the trek! Not just for the house itself; for the history, the neighborhood, the appreciation of those who came before us.

Here's the link to the Kelton House website:

http://www.keltonhouse.com/index.html

Ghost Hunters by Deborah Blum

I just finished this awesome book and let me tell you...it is a must-read for those who are serious about paranormal research!

The title is "Ghost Hunters" but if you're reading this for the latest techniques, you'll be sadly disappointed. In fact, there's scarcely a mention of spooks in most chapters. First and foremost, the book chronicles the beginning of serious scientific research on the paranormal.

Any ghost hunter can tell you the derision we face from all manner of skeptics. The pioneers in the field faced no less a challenge. The founders of the British and American Societies for Psychical Research were college-educated men of science. Psychologists, physicists, and chemists made up the motley crew. They experienced lifelong criticism from their colleagues and even their respective universities for even considering such "frivolous work". And all this at a time when the Spiritualist movement was spreading like wildfire across America.

You'll meet all manner of thieves, tricksters and frauds claiming to be legitimate mediums. You will get to know these dedicated scientists who risked their careers to make sense of the ethereal.

You'll witness in-fighting that threatens to destroy the whole endeavour. (A common thread even in today's ghost hunting community.)

In the end you'll understand the challenge these men had before them; how to make scientific sense out of random paranormal events. The interesting theories put forth in the book will put a new spin on ghost hunting as well as spirit communication.

The experiments of mediumship and life after death will strike fear in some and cause others to rethink their beliefs about the subject.

This book was published in 2006, so you may be lucky enough to find a copy at the local library.

Whatever the case, it is an interesting read and fascinating peek into the little known history of paranormal research.

Authenticating the Shroud of Turin

An ancient shroud discovered in the Judean desert in 1993 may help researchers authenticate the Shroud of Turin.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1211872840691&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

The Mystery of UFO's in Renaissance Paintings

Art historians and paranormal researchers have been baffled for decades by the discovery of what resembles alien spacecraft in Renaissance paintings. Here's a new theory about their appearance and the artists chose to include them:

http://www.ufomystic.com/wake-up-down-there/ufo-art-old-paintings

Japanese Crypto Creatures

The creepiest cryptids you've never heard of:

http://www.pinktentacle.com/2008/05/seven-mysterious-creatures-of-japan

Not Paranormal, Still Scary!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/expats/expats%20news/article1228255.ece

Vietnam Under Attack By UFO's

A strange story from Vietnam regarding an exploding UFO and pictures of alleged debris.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2047779/UFO-blamed-for-mystery-explosion-in-Vietnam.html