Down at the Holler General

How many West Virginia monsters can you spot down at the Holler General? Heehee, I love this graphic, which was created back in 2021 by Huntington artist, Jimbo Valentine. Not only is it a cool representation of some of West Virginia's most beloved cryptids, as a paranormal investigator working in this state, it hits home!

For years now, it seems like Dollar General stores have been taking over the state. I swear, it does not matter how far away from the rest of civilization you are, you're bound to run into a Dollar General Store out in the middle of nowhere. And these things seem to pop up overnight! 

Some of our investigation locations have been pretty...rural...and I kid you not, there might not be a gas station or grocery store for miles away, but we've always been able to find a Dollar General within 5-10 minutes of where we are. Therefore, a lot of last minute batteries, snacks and energy drinks have been purchased on the way to multiple paranormal investigation locations at various Dollar Generals throughout the state.  And, not gonna lie...I've seen some stuff AT the Dollar General itself that's been more odd and/or disturbing than what was found during the actual investigation. 

Anyway, you can find Jimbo's website at Amalgam Unlimited. He also goes by the InstaGram handle, amalgam_unlimited. Check him out, as he has lots of cool art for sale, including some other WV cryptid pieces. 

Investigator's Night Out: A Friday Funny

 

I cannot be the only one who identifies with this, right? Where are my fellow ghost hunters at who would much rather spent their evenings out searching for proof of the afterlife? Don't get me wrong--I have no problem with how others spend their free time (as long as they aren't hurting anyone), but to me, there's nothing more fun than exploring the haunted history of a spooky old building with my closest friends, hoping to make some sort of interaction with the dead. 

I know that we have to stress to people that ghost hunting is not always what you see on television, and that for the most part, it is NOT an exciting, non-stop action-filled adventure, but honestly, I don't mind. I still always have fun, even through the down times, and I'm never bored during an investigation. I'm fascinated by all aspects of the paranormal investigation and research process, no matter how tedious they may seem. I see those slow moments during an investigation as a chance to re-think our investigation strategy and come up with some new ideas to try out. Anyway...

As we get ready to enter into another weekend, I hope you take this fun little post as a reminder to have fun, but no matter what your plans are, please be careful out there! I love investigating hauntings...but I don't want to have to come investigate YOU. 

Cursed Fridge: AFriday Funny

 

My stepmother had a heart attack on our kitchen floor in the middle of an electrical storm, and her soul was transferred into the computer unit of our smart fridge. She has been subtly undermining me ever since, commenting on how many processed cheese slices I've eaten, or whether I've put properly a lid back on a thing.

Whilst my wife finds comfort in her mother's still being around, I'm starting to feel it completely unreasonable that she's decided to linger in our fridge, judging me on my culinary decisions. SHE HAS TO GO.  Aside from the soul within, the fridge itself is in complete working order, and I'm sure the unit would be farm more agreeably housed with someone who hadn't forced their 'perfect child' into a life of 'mediocre servitude' 

I've come across this little flyer for a haunted fridge up for sale a couple of different times on social media, and have definitely had a giggle. This sounds like the perfect plot for a sci-fi horror; actually, I'm pretty sure I HAVE seen a near-similar plot! Anyway, it's interesting and begs the question---can an appliance be haunted, especially one with such a high tech computer component to it, here a human consciousness may become intertwined? That's kinda horrifying to think about. 

Want MORE haunted appliance stories?

Satanic Toast: A Tale of a Possessed Toaster

Possessed Toilet

Friday Night Funny: Hot Bigfoot

 

You wouldn't think it, but summer here in the Appalachian Mountains can still get pretty dang hot! And, with all that long hair covering their bodies, I can imagine it can get pretty uncomfortable for Bigfoot during the hottest part of the year. No wonder they prefer the Pacific Northwest!  I say that in jest, but it does bring up an interesting talking point:  How do Bigfoot stay cool in the summer months? Do they migrate to higher elevations to escape some of the heat? Do they utilize the cooler temperatures of our various underground cave systems? Do they go swimming in our streams? Do they become more nocturnal, doing the majority of their hunting and/or gathering for food during the cooler night time temperatures?  Lemme know below how YOU think Bigfoot beats the heat! 

Early Podcasting: A Friday Funny

I've seen this posted around social media a lot over the past week or so, and there is nothing more Appalachian in my opinion! So much of West Virginia's ghost lore has been passed down from generation to generation through oral storytelling, sometimes over a roaring campfire, sometimes while sitting around the fireplace on a cold, snowy evening, and sometimes...while undertaking those tedious chores like churning butter. 

Whether these tales were passed down as entertainment to drown out the monotony of a hard life in the mountains, or whether they held a more significant message, I really love the comparison to modern day podcasting. I'm grateful that so many wonderful spooky stories of West Virginia's strange and unusual history have been preserved in this manner, and are reaching a new audience through means like  modern podcasts and websites like Theresa's Haunted History!

So let me know in the comments below: What are some of YOUR favorite spooky podcasts featuring ghost stories, cryptid tales, and UFO encounters?

Fresno Fashion

 

I know my last Friday Funny was from the Cryptid Club, but I am seriously addicted to these hilariously adorable depictions of famous cryptids! The Fresno Night Crawlers are one of the newest, and honestly, WEIRDEST cryptids to hit the spooky scene, and normally, I would refer to them as anything BUT cute.  But, DANG! These lil' hotties are rocking those booty-enhancing leggings! Slenderman, the Jackalope, and that little alien are rather...shook? I dunno if I'd say that. I'd say they're enjoying the view quite a bit!

This particular cartoon was posted to the Cryptid Club's Facebook page on April 14, 2022. Go check them out and give them a LIKE!

Mothman: Harbinger of Doom?

Ever since the fall of the Silver Bridge in December of 1967, Mothman has been associated with being a bad omen. Sightings of him immediately before the events of Chernobyl and 9/11 have cemented his reputation of being a harbinger of doom. But is he really?  That's a debate for another day! 

In the meantime, enjoy this adorable cartoon from Cryptid Club. Cryptid Club always has hilariously cute depictions of Mothman, the Flatwoods Monster, Nessie, and many other popular cryptids, and today's Friday Funny selection is a prime example. I just wish Mothman would have shown himself to ME before I made some pretty disastrous life decisions...including my own moment of weakness when I felt that bangs would be a fun change (see below)! If I had seen him beforehand, I may have taken a moment to reconsider!

I hope you have a fun and spooky weekend...and as much as you might WANT a sighting...I hope there's no Mothman waiting around the corner, waiting to signal bad luck or disaster. But, if you're desperate for some Mothman in your life and you're nearby, go check out the Mothman Museum and Mothman Statue, located in Pt. Pleasant, WV! 

That Time I Tried Bangs
Where were you, Mothman?!?

Three Wishes

 

If you know, you know!

I've mentioned the Mothman Statue's "Shiny Hiney" a couple of times here at Theresa's Haunted History, and I'm proud to say that over the years, Mothman's muscular, well-formed buttocks have become appreciated the world over...as evidenced in this little cartoon! 

But on a serious note, if you could have three PARANORMAL wishes, what would you wish for? I think mine would be: 1. Unlimited access to any alleged haunted location I choose. 2. The space and resources to create a combined paranormal library/study center. 3. All the newest and latest technology and equipment available.  That's not too much to ask for, right?  Let me know in the comments, or join me on Theresa's Haunted History Facebook to discuss it further! 

Friday Funny: Find the Right One

 It's almost Valentine's Day, so I thought this might be a good reminder. If you're feeling alone, don't be! Your demons are always with you! Have a safe and happy Valentine's weekend, and remember to stay spooky. 

(NOT) Taking Psychic Relationship Advice: A Friday Funny

For my birthday last month, my husband and I had a tarot reading with the lovely Josey Rose, based out of the Crystal Lotus Shoppe in St. Albans. Both of our readings were extremely accurate, and extremely relevant to what we both needed to hear at the time. It was a very positive experience for both of us, but my husband had a few misgivings before the reading. He was convinced that the psychic was going to tell me that I should leave him...and he was convinced that if she did, I would actually follow up on it! 

I hope he knows that I'd never be so shallow as to leave him over a psychic reading. However, there's a good chance that if the reader was picking up clues from my higher self telling me what I needed to hear, well...that's another story, lol. Luckily, I have a wonderful husband and a strong marriage based on trust, love, and communication. So, we're good. In today's Friday Funny blog, I'll be sharing the story of another couple who ended up being good, but almost got divorced when a Spiritualist medium told the husband that he would find his 'dream woman.' 

From the 04 April 1914 edition of The Fairmont West Virginian: 

So, what happened was that a couple from Huntington, WV had filed for divorce. John W. Strauss, 83 years old, wanted to divorce his wife (who was 30 years younger) because he had alleged that she 'tantalized him by taking his clothing from the hooks and tossing them on the floor." It's not clear as to whether John sought the advice of a spiritualist medium before or after the initial request for a divorce was made, but at some point, he was told that if he were divorced, he'd find his dream woman---a blonde of unusual beauty. But, when he couldn't locate this replacement, he decided to work things out with his wife and NOT file for divorce.  Now, if he just wanted to divorce his wife because she threw his clothes on the floor, that's his prerogative. It's still kind of lame, and if that's the worst thing she does, then he should probably feel pretty lucky. But, I can see where that could rub on your last nerve until you finally snap. But, I don't think that's the reason. I think that was the EXCUSE he used to help justify why he wanted to leave a perfectly fine partner, thirty years his junior. I don't think he wanted to explicitly state that he was leaving his wife to wander the state in search of a beautiful blonde soul mate! 

Obviously, I would advise you against filing for divorce solely because a psychic told you there was someone better out there. Ending a relationship is a big decision, and shouldn't be taken lightly. Feel free to seek out the advice of a trusted reader if you want, but use some common sense. As you can see, Strauss never did find his beautiful blonde, but luckily for him, it seems as if his wife was willing to forgive him and take him back. I sincerely hope, though, that the rest of their marriage was filled with her throwing his crap on the floor every day of the year! 

Bigfoot Tackles the Real Estate Market: A Friday Funny

Happy Friday! Who's ready for the weekend? I know I am. Let's kick off the end of the week with a different sort of Friday Funny...

So, the real estate market can be a competitive field, especially in these strange times we're living in. As a result, agents sometimes need to take a creative approach to getting their listings noticed, and then sold for the best price possible for their client. One agent in Ravenna, Ohio, took the creative approach to a whole new level of awesome.

Several year ago, the paranormal community got a hearty laugh out of the 'For Sale' signs noting that the property for sale was 'Not Haunted.' But beginning in late 2019, the Bigfoot enthusiasts got their own taste of real estate hilarity with the actions of an agent named Shauna Bailey. 

Shauna Bailey, an agent for Century 21 Goldfire Realty, was selling a piece of vacant property near Newton Falls. After the property had sat on the market for longer than she'd like, Shauna knew she had to get creative in order to get the property noticed. So, she bought a Bigfoot costume, made her 6'4'' husband put in on, and took some pictures of him roaming around the property.

Another client loved the idea so much, that they requested similar...services. Mike and Shelly Mowen wanted to sell their 3-bedroom home on Hattrick Road in Ravenna, Ohio. Out of about 35 photographs, showing off the garage, the kitchen, and various improvements and upgrades to the 2.88 acre property, about 5 random shots feature Bigfoot engaged in everyday tasks, such as having a cup of coffee, and making use of the restroom facilities! It must have worked, because the house sold. By mid-November of 2019, several different news stations, including Fox8 and 19News, had picked up the story and shared the hilarious listing. 

What makes this story especially interesting, aside from it just being super clever, original, and hilarious, is that there's some history to back it up. Portage County Ohio might actually have a real Bigfoot in residence. In a 2007 article, CleveScene reported that the Bigfoot Field Research Organization put Portage County as the Ohio county with the most Bigfoot reports (13). The neighboring county of Geauga came in second with 7 sightings. That's prime Bigfoot-spotting territory! 

The story doesn't end there, however. After his Ohio domain was sold, Bigfoot must have headed west. In 2020, Bigfoot helped sell a million dollar historic home in the woods of Felton, California! Reading, lounging, baking cookies, and even yoga were all activities that made this particular house a home for our favorite cryptid. Definitely go check out that story as well, over at BoredPanda! 

Ghost Photo Bomb

 It's Friday, so let's have a funny! Today's cute lil' comic comes from Cryptid Club and was originally published on 7 December 2021. Cryptid Club is created by artist Sarah Andersen, who has a ton of awesomely funny comic strips involving Mothman, The Flatwoods Monster, ghosts, aliens, and many other creepy (yet adorably cute) crawlies. Follow them on Facebook or over at Web Toon. And the next time your photo is ruined by a pesky airborne particle floating by, just assume that its actually a mischievous ghost or two photobombing you and your friends! 

Have a great weekend, and stay spooky my friends! 

Fashion with the Flatwoods Monster: A Friday Funny!

 Happy Friday from the Flatwoods Monster! I think that anyone who wears dresses can absolutely relate to this. I know I can, lol. Anyway, this adorable image is from the Cryptid Club. Follow their work on Facebook for more cartoons about Mothman, ghosts, the Flatwoods Monster, and all the spooky, fun creatures that either visit or call this planet home. 

Mothman is Coming...to Inform You About Your Car's Extended Warranty

 

Happy Friday! I hope your weekend is full of spooky fun, and your phone is free from calls regarding your car's extended warranty. But, if you do get a call from an unknown number, maybe go ahead and answer it ...unless of course you WANT to be chased down the highway by West Virginia's favorite flying humanoid. 

Heehee, on a separate note, I've seen this artwork many times before the hilarious caption was added, but I never really took the time to look closely. I love the license plate (which hopefully I'm correctly interpreting as meaning 'Fortean') and the fact that the steering wheel is on the opposite side of what you'd see in Pt. Pleasant, WV, leading me to believe the artist may be European?

If you or someone you know is responsible for the original artwork, or for adding the bit about the extended warranty (which is cracking people up all over social media) let me know so I can give credit where credit is due. Stay spooky, ya'll. 

Celibate Sasquatch

 

You better think twice before getting yo' freak on within the confines of one of the United States' National Parks! 

Have you ever visited a National Park and felt the overwhelming urge to make love, right then and there? Fortunately, Celibate Sasquatch is watching...ready to remind you that it is illegal to do so, and that you should probably go rent a room, somewhere else. 

According to a blog post by Zack Rock, so many hippies were running around getting busy in national parks that it became threat to the environment and of course, common decency.  Therefore, in 1967 his ad firm partnered with the United States Parks Authority to create the Celibate Sasquatch campaign. Unfortunately, Celibate Sasquatch failed to become as big an icon as Smokey Bear, and was largely forgotten about, aside from the slang phrase 'sasquatching the celibate,' meaning to smoke tree bark. 

But, like most things you'll find here at Theresa's Haunted History, there's more to the story than meets the eye! I know I certainly wanted this ad campaign to be real, but it's not.

Zack Rock IS the creator of this wonderfully fun poster and character of Celibate Sasquatch.  However, instead of being created for a 1967 National Parks campaign, the poster was created in 2009 for a vintage-inspired ad contest on the Sugar Frosted Goodness blog. In fact, Zack was named one of three winners in the contest for his work on Celibate Sasquatch! 

I can only hope that if the parks system ever does find that overzealous lovemaking becomes an issue in the parks, they convince Zack to let them use Celibate Sasquatch! 

Soul Reaping: A Friday Funny

It's always important to leave feedback! I love the spooky comics put out by War and Peas, and this one is pretty hilarious. There's a certain annoyance when you're put on the spot and asked to leave a review right then and there...especially when the service provided wasn't exactly asked for! 

 

Mothman's Mittens

 

Brrrr.....it's been a cold, snowy week here in the tri-state, as well as throughout the eastern United States! Mothman has the right idea, though. Taking a cue from Bernie's warmth-over-fashion look as seen in this year's Presidential Inauguration, West Virginia's favorite cryptid knows how to stay comfortable in this weather. This little image, combining pop culture and my favorite creature, was too good not to post here for historical documentation. The best part is...you can purchase merchandise featuring Bernie Mothman from the Look Human web store. Stay warm. Stay safe. Stay spooky, everyone. 

Communication with the Dead: A Friday Funny

 

At this stage in the worldwide Coronavirus Pandemic, I think we're ALL ready to ditch the masks. Unfortunately, that's not possible if we want to continue to follow guidelines and protect ourselves and those around us.  However, there are exceptions to every rule! It seems that if you're communicating with SOMEONE WHO IS DEAD, it's perfectly acceptable to forgo the mask!

It makes sense---if they're already dead, it's not like they can catch anything from you. So, ghost hunters, Spiritualists, paranormal investigators, and psychic mediums---here's your free pass. 

Hehehe, this unfortunate typo (I assume that it should read 'someone who is DEAF') was found shared by Haunted Hills Paranormal Society and Newcastle Ghost Tours. It appears to be local to Australia, and has hopefully been corrected since publication, lol.  Stay safe, stay spooky, and wear your mask---unless of course you're communicating with the dead. 

Start Small

 

Happy Friday!  January is the time of year when most people are focused on setting goals and resolutions...and after the whole fiasco that was 2020, I know I'll be personally trying to go full-steam to make up for everything I didn't accomplish last year.  But, whatever your goals, plans, resolutions, or dreams are, don't forget to take it one step at a time.  Start small and work your way up for a better chance at success!

This cute lil' ghost from Feel Afraid reminds us of just that---start small! Have a safe and spooky weekend, everyone. 

Ghost Vs. Poltergeist

 

Have you ever wondered what the difference was between a ghost and a poltergeist? Thanks to Poorly Drawn Lines, you now know!  Poltergeists are nothing more than fancier, wine drinking lil' ghosts. 

Happy Friday, everyone.  Have a safe and spooky weekend!