Should Haunted Places Be Used For "Haunted House" Businesses?

I know what your thinking, "Of course! Where else will you do it in?". I have a question? How many of you guys remember in the '70s the first Haunted Houses that were made for people to visit all year long?  Not the old fashioned amusement park ones. But the first-ever actors in costumes, rooms built for the propose to scare. The first one I went to, believe it or not. Was in an actual house that was on the real estate market awhile. It was made temporarily as a haunted house. The second one that I went to was in Long Branch, NJ. It was huge. Long lines that no one mind to stand on for hours. People all of NYC traveled into Jersey to see it.  It was a big moneymaker for years. Until: People had the bright idea of doing these "attactions" in real haunted locations. It seems to me a little of a contradiction. When people investigate they are told to go by certain rules. One being to respect the dead. Talk to them clearly. Do what you have to do. And then get out. These "shows" are a shear riot of noise, laughter, lights, people yelling. It's disrespectful.
For me I think a building built or reused (not a haunted location) for this sole purpose is fine. To make it year round would be something of a treat for family and friends to enjoy.

History of the Haunted Mansion
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1585767/haunted_mansion_of_long_branch_new.html

http://www.darkinthepark.com/Haunted%20Mansion/Home/lbhome.htm



Sorry, but I'll be back on Monday (hopefully), My computer is in the shop. So have a Happy and Safe Holloween!

Breaking News From The "Ghost Hunters" Front

Lately things have been going faster then I can keep up with. As many of you know. I don't write on weekends. But, this pass weekend there was so much information with the Ghost Hunters franchise that came up.
First, I found out the Dustin Pari is going to be on a new show called "Paranormal Highway". I don't have any information about it. It was heard about during a recent convention.

Second, Brandy Green left? Or was fired from GHI. The why and when? I have no clue. But it did happen. As to do with Robb? I don't think he's coming back either? That was heard through the grapevine

Third, Britt Griffith was fired by Syfy. That was based on a recent radio broadcast. That he was quoted saying, "let's say" politically wrong phases.  The paranormal community is at odds with one another on this (many of them we know).  I believe he was just working on, recently, the new GHI shows to come.

And the most funny news. Jason and Grant (but for a good cause) are going to be on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" Oct. 29th.

If you guys heard anything else? Let me know.

The Famous Chesea Hotel NYC Is Up For Sale

This is the "other" famous hotel of NYC (first being The Plaza). More notorious. Sid and Nancy lived there. As well as many artsy people. From music, artists, models, actors, writers, photographers and so on. And most definitely "haunted". It was built in 1883
I can't even begin to write to stories about his huge red brick wroth iron hotel,  But I am going to recommend you to read the blog called chelseahotelblog.com. It's fascinating. So many ghost stories. I'm just surprised why investigators haven't checked this one out yet. But then in the other hand. It's a very lively place. For so many spirits.

A "must read".
http://www.chelseahotelblog.com/living_with_legends_the_h/ghosts/

Article about the sale.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/10/20/travel/main6975079.shtml

About the hauntings.
ttp://www.associatedcontent.com/article/402192/haunted_hotel_chelsea_in_new_york.html

The Story Behind The Movie: "Arsenic and Old Lace"

This is a great old fashion Halloween movie to watch this time of year. Even if it "old". It's fun and scary (not too scary) at the same time. Love Cary Grant.
But there is an actual story behind the title. As in the movie it's based on a woman (in the movie "women") who murder old men. The "real" story is about Amy Archer-Gilligan who ran a nursing home in Newington, Conn.  The murders happened between 1910-17.  Authorities believed it was a total of 48 people to be exact. The name of the facility was "Sister Amy's Nursing Home for the Elderly". The story went nation wide due to an articles written by The Hartford Courant starting May 9, 1916. The articles were called "Murder Factory".
On June 18, 1917 she was found guilty and declared insane.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Archer-Gilligan

GL TV Review: Ghost Lab, Discovery Channel

Ghost Lab? Yes, I'm just as surprised as you are. I just so happened to have caught it on the TV listings last night. But don't worry. They'll be on again tomorrow at 10PM E/P.
Last night's new season show was in Gettysburg. Which if anyone of you remember this was the place where the Klinge brothers of Everyday Paranormal. Many years ago. Caught on camera a complete regiment of soldiers on video.  I've seen this video before. To me it looks like a "real" group of people marching. Solid. As they explain "One moment their were there. The next their were not". Check it out if if have a chance.
I always had a problem watching these guys. They talk about a electronic "net" that they place over a building? Also that they have a "special" EVP recorder?  Meaning it's recording in real time. So you can hear a "voice" speaking to you right then and there answering you back.
As it's stated on the Discovery Channel website, they use the "world's most sophisticated equipment". This is just to tell us that they are the best of the best out there right now. So we have to believe everything we see is fact. On this particular show. They hit jackpot! A very clear looking shadow person. Class A EVP's, only. They never seem to walkaway empty  handed.  I myself am not into investigating. But I do understand that this is not the case for paranormal investigators. Usually you would come back empty handed.
I really hope that "Extreme Paranormal" doesn't come back. That would be way too much!
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/ghost-lab/

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1.03.01

Paranormal Activity 2. Watch If You Dare!

This is the trailer they had to pull out of a lot of theaters due to complaints. Probably from parents. I saw the first one. To me personally, it wasn't that scary. Maybe because of all the hype. It's a different director this time (maybe more professional).  I'll wait for it to come out on Netflix. Or read the reviews first before going.
Coming out this Friday.
http://www.paranormalmovie.com/

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1.03.01

Pukwudgies, Who?

The name sounded so much like the rhyme "Pudgy Wudgy was a bear..."
If any of you have watched the start of the new season of "Paranormal State" yesterday. You would know what I'm talking about.
The family did look very concern about this entity that is living in their home.  Frighting their children and themselves out the door.  Just to hear Ryan say (nothing against him) at the end of the investigation "Pukwudgies" was so funny.  And the homeowners faces were golden. They were so stone faced. I think it's just out of confusion and just plain stunned. I can see it in their eyes, "This is what is haunting our home?". I can't get into the whole story. But it's all based on American Indian folklore. Mostly around the area of Cape Cod, MA. Hairy midget creatures with claws.

Also another controversy will come up based on this particular episode. A la "Collargate" fame of GH. Remember that Halloween Special? Chad was in the basement when he said he felt a scratch on his leg.  It did showed up on camera that you can see the back of his shirt being "tugged", hard, around the sametime. If you missed it. Give it time. It will show up on Youtube, trust me. I'll keep you posted.

http://www.masscrossroads.com/pukwudgies

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1.03.01

Country Singer Loretta Lynn's Haunted Plantation

I have heard of this house for many years now.  Located in Hurricane Mills, TN she and her husband Mooney purchased this house back in the '60s.
It's an old plantation where 19 Confederate soldiers are buried.
The plantation is haunted by the original owner, a woman, and slaves that were kept in a slave pit.
Here's the write up on the story of the plantation:
http://www.prairieghosts.com/hur_mills.html

Youtube on the song she wrote "This Haunted House"

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1.03.01

Halloween Countdown: 3D Custom Masks

I have to thank Mary (who wrote on my "recent comments") about this website, ThatsMyFace.com. Have to pass this along. It's so creepy!
You can make a "real" looking mask of anyone (maybe a pet). As I was checking the site. You can also make custom action figures, ornamental heads, and jewelry. It's a site to really check out for yourself. You wont be disappointed.

Website:
http://www.thatsmyface.com/

Maps To Haunted Locations

I have been seeing these maps for a while now. They have been getting better. But they are still missing a lot of major locations. So your basically forced to look at more then one.

http://find.mapmuse.com/map/haunted-houses

http://hauntedhouses.com/map.cfm

International map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&om=1&t=h&msa=0&msid=110928014468620648443.000001124a32bbafe0a42&ll=14.604847,152.578125&spn=152.503258,360&z=1&source=embed

The Lazaretto Quarantine Hospital, Essington, PA

Built in 1799 for patients coming from Philadelphia and immigrants entering the new world. The site is self was settled by the Lenape Indians and then first Europeans settlers there, the Swedish in 1643. There is also a Immigrant burial ground.
It is the 4th largest intacted quarantine station in the world.
Believe it or not. This hospital is located on one side of the Philadelphia International Airport. On the opposite side is Ft. Mifflin.
This Saturday, Oct. 16th from 6 to 12 midnight will be the first ever paranormal investigation of the place. Only to the first 50 who donate $50.00 be able to join the members of The PAST paranormal group.
Let's see what these guys find. Should be interesting with all the history.

Paranormal Investigation:
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/~dbarnes/Flag-Lowering_Event.html

History:
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/~dbarnes/1879_description.html

News Article:
http://www.ushistory.org/laz/index.htm

What Is A Doppelganger?

If any of you guys just watched this pass Friday the Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures at Waverly Hills. It was mentioned to Zak to watch out for his "doppelganger".  Or aka doubleganger, someone seeing or seeing your own "double".
Here's the definition:

"a ghostly double of a living person that haunts its living counterpart"

"Doppelgängers are often perceived as a sinister form of bilocation and generally regarded as harbingers of bad luck. In some traditions, a doppelgänger seen by a person's friends or relatives portends illness or danger, while seeing one's own doppelgänger is an omen of death."

How many of us were told by someone.  That they have just seen "you" somewhere else?  Creepy huh? What I find even more unnerving is the very thought of coming face to face with you own self. *shutter*

Here's a strange website to find your doppelganger:
http://findmydoppelganger.com/

Are Paranormal Investigators Scientists? Are Some Shop Owners Shops Really Haunted?

Your probably wondering. Why are these two questions put together for the same post?  It all had to do with a ghost story that I was trying to piece together.First of all I like to write about hauntings that is not very well known. To bring in fresh air into the paranormal. It seems we always hear about the same places over and over.
I'm not going into who I am talking about (not yet). There is a well known paranormal group that have been around "longer" then the other usual ones you hear about (you know, on TV).  That being said. They are very scientific about all their findings. A matter of fact. You never read about the "story" of any of the so call hauntings on their website. You know, the history of the hauntings. They basically just write about the "data".  Are they "true" scientist? No, not at all (particularly after you read their bios). And that's what causes a big problem to all their data they obtain.
Now to the shop owners. Are some shops calling paranormal investigators to come in a check out to see if their place is haunted? Yes, more now then ever before due to the economy. If it brings money in, sure come on down! As for my "story" that I wanted to write about? I called up this particular shop to find out "the story" behind the so call hauntings she wrote about on her website.  To my surprise...she had none!  She said it's based on what the investigators told her (about her shop being haunted). Not from her own experience which again...was none. Huh? Why did this very well known group go in to do an investigation in the first place? Very interesting!
Who contacted who? Is what I'm wondering about? Did the paranormal group called her because of the age of her shop and the kind of merchandise she handles could "cause" a haunting? So hey, let's call her if she would let us come in with all our equipment to see if her shop is "haunted".  I personal think this is so wrong in more was then one.
I personally believe that a person or client should call the investigators first. And that there should be a series of stories (experiences) connected to the house or building before you start an investigation.  All this data that this group obtained. For me at least for this case. I deem unusable information.

GL TV Review: Ghost Hunters: Milton School

I'm not going to talk about the entire show. Just my personal take on one aspect of it.

Knowing that not many people believe in "demons" but may believe in spirits. This might be to much to understand. It's true what they said at the reveal.  That all that huge manifestations that we were noticing usually happens with a spirit of a "child" or "children".  But they did not mention it can "also" be caused by a demon, or malevolent spirit. Which personally I think it was. They did look very uneasy. Like they couldn't get out of there fast enough. A couple of them said they have never "in all their years involved" in the paranormal witness anything like this. For me, for the first time "watching" their show I can feel the feeling of "dread". I never experience that myself either. The woman showing the place looked so tickled pink. I know, I know, to make money off the "spirits". I don't think that that's would be such a good idea. I believe the place should be excorsized asap.
And if you really didn't notice? Jason didn't say, "We would love to come back!".  That says it all!

Lady Gaga And The Paranormal

According to the London Sunday Daily News (back in May).  Lady Gaga spent nearly $5,000. on paranormal equipment. She believes she is haunted by evil spirits and wont take any chances on road tours. She ordered her close aides to do a "spirit-seeking sweep" before she preforms on stage. She's terrified of bad energy. Dan Webb of a ghostbusting firm in London was the one who received a call from one of her aides for a paranormal "kit".
On top of all that, she believes she a reincarnated spirit of her dead aunt.
Enough said!

GAGA CALLS IN GH STBUSTERS - mirror.co.uk
http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/lady-gaga-calls-ghostbusters_1169323

Universal Studios Orlando "20th Annual Halloween Horror Nights". Looks Good!

20 years of Fear is their slogan. It looks so awesome. Would love to go!
They have 8 houses:
(Here's little samples of what they have)
Catacombs "Black Death Rising"
The Orfanage "Ashes to Ashes"
Legendary Truth "The Wyandot Estate"

6 Scarezones:
The Coven
Saws N Steam
Esqueleto Murte
And, 2 Live Shows.

*GH Steve and Tango are going to be there Oct. 7th 7-9PM Autographs

Online: On Facebook they have a mystery game going on called "Legendary Truth-The Collective (Official)
Visitors become "operatives". You can share theories, conclusions and observations.
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20431569,00.html

Official Website: (Pretty cool!)
http://www.halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando

Check out: Warehouse (a little game)
http://www.halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando/warehouse/index.html

Real Beautiful Halloween Art Pieces To Put In Your Home.

Halloween Queen's is a blogspot that features several true artists works that are up for sale. Beautiful pieces! As you know, I'm continuing all this month with ideas for Halloween. What I like about this art work is that these are pieces you can treasure all-year-long. So if it seems too expensive to you? It really isn't, when it's a piece of art to decorate your home with. And this is not your commercial "Kitchen Witch" either (Remember those!).
So check them out (each of the artist blogs)!  Plus they have give-aways too! Halloween is just around the bend.
http://queenscastlebootique.blogspot.com/

Here's one featured artist :
http://www.etsy.com/shop/spookyhollow

GL TV Review: Destination Truth, "Ghosts of Truk Lagoon"

First, I love Destination Truth. I really enjoy it! But, sorry Josh! Your not the first to do an "underwater paranormal investigation".
I wrote on this blog on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 my post "Underwater Ghost Hunting. Yes, Really!"
http://ghost-lounge.blogspot.com/2009/07/underwater-ghost-hunting-yes-really.html
It's been mentioned on several forums as well. I'm surprised it took as long as it did for someone else to try this type of investigating. As I figured watching the show. It's difficult to say what they are "seeing" and "hearing"? First Josh mentions that he sees a black shadow. But he did mention before that there are sharks that surround that area. So that's hard to call. As for "sound"? He kept on hearing the sound of an engine (he was near the engine room of a boat). At another location he was hearing the sound of a truck engine (there were trucks in that particular location). The problem with all this is: Sound travels pretty easy underwater. As for how much of a distance? I'm not sure. I thought when I first wrote about underwater investigations it was dead on arrival. Just because of what I just mentioned above. What blew my mind is what Grant of Ghost Hunters mentioned during helping Josh reviewing evidence? He said that "they" (Ghost Hunters) might be interested in doing this themselves. Really! I would love to see Jason in a wet suit! Just joking!