Welcome to a Spooky 2021!

Happy New Year from Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State!

It's January, which means it's time for me to once again attempt the Ultimate Blog Challenge---that means that once again I'll be attempting to write a brand new blog EVERY DAY throughout the month. I haven't been doing too well with these UBC's, but I think January 2021 will be different.  This year, not only do I feel super motivated, but, I've 'cheated' just a little bit.  I've already started! I was able to use some of my down time over Christmas break to schedule-post quite a few blogs for January, and I think you'll really enjoy some of the strange and spooky topics coming up. (Unfortunately, I found out AFTER this was written that the UBC has changed it plans. Instead of a January challenge, they're doing a February challenge---which means you'll get TWO months crammed with new content here at Theresa's Haunted History!)

In addition to the Ultimate Blog Challenge, I've tacked on an added challenge for myself. Round 2 of my Haunted America page has been incomplete for quite a few years now. With only 12 states left to cover until completion, I thought the UBC would be a great motivator to finish that up. Over the course of the month, I'll be sharing the legend of a haunted bridge in Indiana, a library in Kansas where the head librarian refuses to leave, and a ghostly museum in New Mexico.

There will also be Friday Funnies, book reviews, vintage newspaper articles, personal ghost experiences, cryptids, haunted places in West Virginia, and a healthy dose of all things strange and fascinating. I hope you'll join me on this wild and weird paranormal ride, this month and throughout the year. Instead of my usual listing of resolutions and goals for the whole year, I think I'll be taking things one month at a time. Check back often to see if I can actually complete January's 31 Days of Blogs/12 Haunted America series, and whether or not I continue another challenge for myself in February!  

Let me know what spooky things 2021 has in store for you!  Are you planning any awesome investigations, or going on any ghost tours? Do you have a new book, YouTube channel or Podcast you'd like to plug? Lemme know in the comments below, or join me over at Theresa's Haunted History Facebook and share your paranormal plans for the year!  Stay spooky, everyone. 

April Updates at Theresa's Haunted History!

Oh, wow!  It's been a long time since I've updated the blog and given Theresa's Haunted History Facebook Page the attention it deserves!  But, it's a new month and a chance for a new start...and I'm ready to finally get back into the swing of things. 

If you've been following me on Facebook, you might have seen a quick post I made a couple of weeks ago, partly explaining my absence on social media and in the paranormal world:  I GOT MARRIED! That's not an April Fool's Day joke; I actually got married on March 14th at the Harrison County courthouse, wearing a pair of jeans and my Braxton County Monster t-shirt!

 After an exceptionally long bout with depression (which also added to my lack of motivation in keeping things updated around here) I was texting a colleague and accidentally typed in the wrong number.  In a weird case of synchronicity that I cannot explain and still have trouble understanding myself, the number I texted happened to belong to the love of my life....15+ years ago!  We found out who each other was, started talking, and well...the rest is happily ever after.

The only problem is...he lives in Grafton and I live in Teays Valley.  In fact, I actually wrote a blog post about a spooky experience I had on Route 50 (The Headless Shadow Being of Route 50) when I used to drive up here every weekend to see him during our first attempt at romance so many years ago. Now that things are finally calming down somewhat, I'm eager to get started back.  And what better way to get the ball rolling than to once again attempt the Ultimate Blog Challenge for April??  Yeah, yeah...it seems pretty crazy given my past track record, but I'm going to give it a shot, as I've got so many spooky stories, event updates, book reviews, photos, and much more ghosty goodness that I want to share with you all.

Thank you so much for being so supportive during a difficult-turned-magical time.  I hope you enjoy the fun stuff I have planned for the next month!  Spending so much time in Grafton has given me the opportunity to share photos and stories from a ton of spooky new places that I normally may not have had the opportunity to visit, so I'm hoping this month and all that follow are filled with plenty of inspiration!  I've missed you all and am so excited to start immersing myself back into the paranormal world...and sharing every step along the way with you all. 

Have a great April, and make sure to follow me on Facebook for updates on new blogs and plenty of other awesome, fun stuff.  Oh, and make sure to keep your eyes open...I'm close to an even 5000 LIKES on Facebook, and when that happens, there will be a HUGE giveaway!  I'll be sharing details about that later on, so make sure you check back often to see how YOU can win.  Stay spooky, my friends!

Welcome to a Spooky 2019!

Another year has gone by and while we say goodbye to 2018, we're charging full steam ahead into 2019! And...

Oh. My. Gosh.  Why do I keep doing this to myself?  Once again, I have signed up to participate in the Ultimate Blog Challenge.  That means that once again, I will be pushing myself to publish a brand new blog post EVERY single day throughout the month of January.  That's starting the year off with thirty-one new blog posts! 

It's not totally out of reach, though.  Although I nearly finished last April and totally bombed out last July, I rocked the October challenge, successfully publishing a new blog every day for the entire month.  Given that my favorite holiday, Halloween, awaited me at the end of the challenge made the whole thing a little easier.  There's just a lot to write about that time of year on a blog like this one!

I'm hoping that this challenge will just as easy as October's...and just as rewarding as well.  I think it's going to be an excellent way to kick off 2019!  Like always, I have tons of plans in store for where I want to take this blog, as well as where I want to take my work in the paranormal research field.  I'm not going to bother with any New Year's Resolutions or goals this year, other than I want to push my own comfort levels and make this year better than last.  I truly want those who read and/or follow my work to walk away informed, entertained, and maybe even a little bit inspired.

But what about you?  Do you have any paranormal related goals you're hoping to accomplish this year?  Are you starting or expanding a YouTube Channel, blog or social media group?  Are you starting or joining a new investigation group?  Do you have any really cool investigations coming up this year, or any haunted places you really want to hit up?  Any awesome books on your to-be-read list that deal with the paranormal?  Let me know how you plan on making 2019 your spookiest year yet!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

A Very Ghostly November!

The Halloween season is over for another year, but the spooky fun never comes to an end here at Theresa's Haunted History!  

In October, I participated in the Ultimate Blog Challenge---a challenge that involved me publishing a brand new blog post EVERY day throughout the month.  I have attempted this challenge before, but this was the first time that I completed it.  So, while November won't have nearly as many new blogs as last month, I think you'll be pleased with what's coming up!  There will be more ghosts, more witches, and more weird and spooky stories from West Virginia and elsewhere.  I've got at least one more book review to share, a couple of personal experiences, and plenty of Friday Funnies!

November will also be a big month for Theme Days and Theme Weeks!  Both here on the blog, and over at Theresa's Haunted History Facebook Page (and maybe on Theresa's Haunted History's Twitter) I'll be blocking off  specific days or even full weeks for special topics.  There will be a Ouija Wednesday and a day dedicated to the original Mothman sightings. The first week of November will be dedicated to serial killers, and haunted objects will be featured later in the month.  There will be several more special topics throughout the month, so be sure to check back often.  

Also, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for LIKING Theresa's Haunted History on social media, reading my blogs, and sharing my posts.  Your support and kind words keep me going, even when I completely lose my motivation.  I love learning about all aspects of the paranormal world and I love sharing what I learn with all of you; it thrills me that there are people out there that enjoy it as much as I do.  Thank you so much for everything you do, and please, always feel free to message me about your own experiences or to make suggestions for topics to discuss.  

Have a wonderful month and stay spooky, everyone! 

Welcome, October!

BOO!  Welcome to October at Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State!  October is my favorite month, but its also my busiest month in real life AND here on the blog.  I'm excited to bring you a month FULL of spooky stories, ghost sightings, cryptozoological updates, and all things paranormal-related.

I've decided to once again give the Ultimate Blog Challenge a try.  Yep, that means that theoretically I will be posting a brand new blog each and every day for 31 days, culminating with my favorite day of the year---Halloween!  Although I did really well during the April Blog Challenge, I had to abandon my July attempt due to illness.  I'm feeling pretty good about the October challenge, though, and have already schedule-posted quite a few blogs.  So, you know you'll at least get SOME new content, even if I tap out early.

Witches, werewolves, vampires, UFOs, and of course, GHOSTS will be flooding this blog all month long, with an emphasis on stories from West Virginia.  But, if you're not from the Mountain State, don't fret---there will be haunted locations from other areas featured, as well as plenty of general ghostly goodness.  I'm actually really excited to be sharing some awesome new stories...and there will also be an occasional update to older blogs thrown in for good measure.

The fun won't end with just new blog posts!  October is full of special features over on Theresa's Haunted History Facebook, as well.  Every Wednesday, I'll be sharing a Halloween-themed ghost story from the popular site, WVGhosts.com.  Each day at 3 p.m. I'll be sharing a vintage ghost-themed Halloween graphic for your visual pleasure.  Mondays will be discussion days where I'll be asking YOU for your opinions and stories on a variety of spooky topics.  There may be a few additional surprises thrown in throughout the month as well as plenty of shares of anything and everything paranormal-related that I think you all would enjoy.

Speaking of sharing, I wanted to share the info on this adorable graphic I found to illustrate today's blog post!  I came across this and thought it was perfect for me. The image is called Super Spook, and is the work of DeviantArt artist, CodiBear. Check out CodiBear's other work and social media platforms at the link provided.

Stay spooky ya'll and have an awesome October!

Theresa Takes on July's Ultimate Blog Challenge!

Woohoo! It's time for another round of the Ultimate Blog Challenge, in which I challenge myself to create a new post every day for an entire month.  That's 31 blogs this month, but I feel confident.  Back when I attempted the challenge in April, I ALMOST completed it---I was short just THREE blogs for the month.  In my defense, I was suffering from a super-crazy, super-painful bout of TMJ, but this time, I have no excuses.  I'm either going to complete this challenge or die trying...and if that happens, I'll have plenty of hands-on ghostly experience to hopefully share during the next challenge!  

Please check back daily for fun and spooky new content concerning all things weird, ghostly, and paranormal throughout West Virginia, the tri-state, and beyond.  And, if you'd like to see a certain location or topic featured, you can find me over at Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State Facebook page.  Also, if you're a blogger yourself, definitely check out the link above to the Ultimate Blog Challenge.  It's free and open to everyone.  

Watch Your Language! Speaking to the Dead in Their Native Tongue

It's been awhile since I've posted a Monday Meme, but I saw this one and knew I had to share it. It's hilarious---it definitely made me chuckle, because it is something that I've seen more than once. And every time I see it, I think, "What are they thinking?"

While it is funny, it actually is pretty thought-provoking as well. In today's paranormal investigation/ghost hunting culture, EVP (electronic voice phenomena) work is an integral part of the process. Personally, I feel that some of our strongest data and potential evidence comes from our audio. Therefore, its crucial to do everything possible in order to maximize EVP results. Way back in 2012, I blogged about some EVP Tips and Tricks, but I didn't really go in depth about language.

I understand that not all of us are as lucky as the TAPS team is above. Most of us will probably never conduct an investigation in a foreign country where the official language is not that of our own. That doesn't mean that we should just ignore the whole topic of ghosts that speak a different language, however.

This is where a little historic research comes in. Just because you and everyone around you speaks the same language, doesn't necessarily mean that was always the case!  The town of Gallipolis, Ohio was once a French Colony! However, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone living there today that speaks fluid French as a first language, on a regular basis.  In Northern West Virginia, many Italian, Hungarian, and other immigrants worked the coal mines and many never learned much, if any, English at all. You might live in an area that was once home to a large Native American population.

Italian Miners in WV
Photo from Marcia Green Hilton

If you suspect that you might have a ghost that speaks a certain language other than your own, familiarize yourself with a few key phrases that you might want to ask/say during your EVP session. It doesn't have to be anything fancy; a simple "Hello, my name is....What's yours?" is a good start. If an entity can understand you and thinks you can understand it, they may be more likely to attempt communication.

Similarly, you might get an EVP that sounds like speech---but it sounds like its in another language. If you are familiar with some different languages that were spoken in that area or may have been spoken by the people associated with the location, you can more easily and quickly get it translated.

One last thing to consider is this...is it all necessary? I've seen instances where investigators go into a location in a foreign country, speak their own language, and then get an EVP response IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE!  If we use the posted meme for an example, why would a 500 year old German ghost respond to a question in English?  If I could answer that, I'd be a hero in the EVP world. Alas, I am not...but there are a few theories floating around out there:

1. Spirits vs. Ghosts---While the terms are often used interchangeably, its pretty widely accepted that there is a difference between spirits and ghosts. Spirits are entities that are 'higher up,' so to speak. They are the souls of people who have passed and crossed over...but have returned for whatever reason. They may also be entities that were never human, such as nature spirits. Ghosts, on the other hand, are usually described as the souls of deceased persons who are earthbound---they've never crossed over. If you're contacting a spirit, who is a higher being, perhaps things such as language and other earthly constructs are not a problem. They can understand and communicate in any language.

2. You're not really getting a response from any spirit, ghost, or other paranormal entity. Instead, you're picking up radio waves, your own thoughts telekinetically imprinted on the recorder, or tapping into free-floating voices and sounds that are just out there, floating around. I know, it gets a little strange...but that's why we love it right? Part of the joy of paranormal investigation is trying to make the unknown known, to unravel the mysteries that have been eluding us since the beginning of time. Keep searching for answers, and have a wonderfully spooky Monday!

Happy Easter from Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State!

Happy Easter from Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State!  Also, Happy April Fool's Day!  It's not often that we get to celebrate two holidays in one day, so make the most of it...just keep your pranks funny (and even spooky!), but not too mean. If you need some inspiration, just check YouTube for a never-ending stream of ghost prank videos, many from Japan.

And, since its the first of the month, I wanted to share with you an exciting endeavor I'm taking on throughout April. I have joined the Ultimate Blog Challenge! The main 'challenge' component is 30 blog posts in 30 days.  That means that I will have to post a brand new blog EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Never in the history of Theresa's Haunted History have I been able to post a new blog 30 days straight. It's a daunting task, but I'm ready to take it on in order to bring you all a ton of new and interesting content!  And speaking of content...if you're jonesing for some more Easter goodies, check out my blog about Horrifying Easter Bunnies!  Stay spooky and have a great Easter/April Fool's Day!

Washington, D.C. and the Demon Cat

The most evil creature in Washington.  Aww...

Washington, D.C. just isn't our nation's capital.  It's a symbol of all the freedoms and ideals that make America, well...America. It's history, politics, and a study of the human spirit all shoved into its tiny borders. Oh, and its bursting with ghosts!

My favorite of these ghost stories is a little different than the classic spooky tales of deceased presidents roaming the halls of the White House offering advice to anyone who will listen.  This is a tale of a Demon. Well, a Demon CAT!  

The Demon Cat, affectionately and cleverly nicknamed D.C., has been terrorizing security guards in the nation's capitol ever since the early 1800s!  It is believed that the phantom feline originates from a living, breathing cat that served its country many, many years ago.  Evidently, not long after the White House and surrounding buildings were built, Washington, D.C. had a problem.  The basement tunnels under the city were plagued with rats!  Cats were brought in to take care of the problem, but one cat remained long after the rest had wandered away or were adopted:  The Demon Cat of Washington, D.C.

To witnesses, the Demon Cat initially appears as a normal cat, often even being described as a helpless kitten.  However, as they approach the cat, its eyes begin to glow a sinister shade of red.  The tiny kitten grows to the size of a regular house cat, then to the size of a large dog, and then continues to grow until its the size of a lion, tiger, or by some accounts, even a bear!  Those who are lucky will witness the cat simply disappear into thin air.  Others aren't so lucky, and will feel a paralyzing fear as the creature lunges at them, only to disappear mid-air.  In any event, the creature is only said to show itself to those who are walking alone.  Twice, once in 1862 and again in 1898, the cat was shot at and at least one person is said to have died as a direct result from contact...dying of a heart attack allegedly brought on by fright.

There's no limit to the Demon Cat's area of prowess.  It is seen both above ground and in the basement tunnels of various government buildings, but it does tend to favor a specific area...a pretty creepy area in its own right.  When a deserving person dies and lies in state at the Capitol Rotunda, the casket is placed on a pedestal base known as catafalque.  The present catafalque dates back to the hastily constructed platform used in the funeral of Abraham Lincoln, and aside from a few adjustments, is basically the same as it was nearly 150 years ago.  When not in use, it is stored in an area below known as the Catafalque Storage Room, a crypt that was originally supposed to be the final resting place of George Washington.

Catafalque

And while the Demon Cat seems to freely roam for the most part, he's usually only seen only during specific times.  Reports of the cat have taken place around the time that a new president is elected into the White House, but more spookily, the Demon Cat seems to be an omen of great tragedy befalling America.

Allegedly, the cat has been seen before the deaths of Abraham Lincoln, FDR, and JFK.  He's been seen before the stock market crash of 1929 and even on the eve of September 11th.  

The last "official" sighting took place prior to the 1940s, though.  That's because during that decade, an "official" explanation was given.  Basically what they were saying was that former security guards had a long history of being drunkards...and that in one specific incident, a drunken guard was lying down on the job, got licked by a normal cat, and since he THOUGHT he was standing up at the time, overestimated the cat's size! Due to this hilarious accusation and the tightening security protocols, guards stopped reporting sightings of the demon cat, and today, the newest stories are only coming from retired personnel.  

(Going back in time with this post!  This was supposed to be the August Blog Challenge's Day 10: Write About an Animal!)

Tweet This!

Today's Blog Challenge topic is to write a list of people to follow on Twitter!  Here's my list of the Top 7 most interesting accounts to follow for plenty of updates on paranormal topics.  If you're on Twitter, go give 'em a follow!

1. Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State---shameless self-plug here!  This is the account that I use to share updates on this blog, Huntington Paranormal news, and information about our Haunted and Historic Guyandotte Tours.  I also like to share quotes, Netflix recommendations, and re-tweets of awesome articles on a variety of paranormal subjects.  I try to offer a little bit of variety from what you'll find on my FaceBook fan page!

2. Two-Lane Livin' Magazine---this local publication has lots of great information on Appalachian culture and homesteading, but my favorite feature is the haunted history segment by paranormal author, Sherri Brake.

3. Maine Ghost Hunters---a paranormal group out of Maine, obviously.  They post lots of interesting, thought-provoking questions of interest to both investigators and enthusiasts of the paranormal.

4. Para-Civility---an organization devoted to promoting civilized interactions between paranormal groups and debunking the myths behind "paranormal unity."

5. Who Forted?---an online magazine/website sharing some of the weird news going on in the world.  Ghosts, monsters, UFOs, and all sorts of fortean phenomena are discussed in oft-times hilarious and always well written/researched articles.

6. Paranormal SOS---daily compilation of paranormal news stories.  Always a little something for everyone...and several times my blog has made the cut!

7. Loren Coleman---Updates from probably the most well-known contemporary cryptozoologists in the world.

*Craving more paranormal social media?  Check out my list of 11 Top FaceBook Fan Pages!*

Captain Disillusion Takes on the Gas Station Ghost

Day 18 of the August Blog Challenge is upon us, and today's challenge is to write about a video that I love, that inspires, and/or that teaches!   The first thing that popped into mind was a YouTube series by a "super hero" that goes by the name of Captain Disillusion.  As described on his website:

In a world where the content of digital images and videos can no longer be taken at face value, an unlikely hero fights for the acceptance of truth.

Captain Disillusion guides "children" of all ages through the maze of visual fakery to the open spaces of reality and peace of mind.

So in short, Captain Disillusion, complete with his silvery face make-up and high tech video editing, tears apart controversial videos, showing just how easily they can be explained through natural means, but mostly, how easily they can be faked.

I chose to highlight this particular video because even though he's pretty crass and rude to the reporter involved, its news stories like this that further lead to the devolution of the paranormal field.  Shoddy and sensational journalism highlighting the ignorance of the general population on paranormal matters at its best is illustrated beautifully.  Oh, and this case took place in Ohio, so I thought it related nicely!

Captain Disillusion's video series is always an inspiration.  Humor infused with science allows for an easy understanding of certain concepts, many of which aren't as simple as a bug on a camera casing.  If you get a few minutes, check out the plethora of Captain Disillusion videos on YouTube.  Many videos have a paranormal (mostly ghostly) theme, but other topics are discussed as well.

Captain Disillusion's YouTube Channel
Captain Disillusion's Official Website and Blog

Haint Blue

From Kitchen and Residential Design

I've always been a Southern girl at heart even though I technically have never lived in the deep South!  Still, I think that fascination with southern culture ultimately influenced my love of the color and legend of Haint Blue.  Have you ever looked at an older house, especially one in the South, and noticed that the porch ceiling was painted a beautifully soft shade of pale blue-green?  THAT is haint blue...but where did this trend start?

Blue painted porch ceilings can be found in most locations throughout the United States in one form or another.  On the East Coast, it is not uncommon to find Victorian Mansions implementing a variety of blues, greens, mustard yellows, and terra cottas.  The Victorians loved to paint their homes in colors that reminded them of nature, and a blue porch ceiling was obviously a nod to the sky on a beautiful clear day.

There is also a belief that a blue porch, and blue window trimmings also serves as a deterrent against insects, who are fooled by the color into thinking it is just a continuation of the sky, and thus, don't "settle down."  While this is a very romantic notion, the truth is in the chemistry:  The formula for these wonderful blue paint shades was often a milk based paint using lye as an ingredient.  Lye, being a natural insect repellent, was actually what was causing the bugs to keep their distance.

From Curious Expeditions

Bugs weren't the only thing that this paint was said to repel, though.  Sometimes referred to as Gullah paint, haint blue was said to be a color that kept restless spirits of the dead, or "haints," from approaching or entering a house.  The Gullah culture of South Carolina's lowcountry believed that haints could not cross water, and that by painting the home with the same blue-green color as water, especially near any openings, would keep any evil spirits from crossing.

Today, there is a huge design aesthetic devoted to paying homage to Haint Blue, but many people still choose this as an outdoor color scheme based on a strong family tradition.  I personally love it and find it fascinating and whenever I explore an old building, I always make it a point to note any usage of "haint blue!"

(This blog post is Day 9 of the August Blog Challenge--Write About Color)

The Southern Spirit Guide

After taking another weekend break, I'm back with Day 8 of the blog challenge and today's topic is to write about a blog that I regularly read.  Honestly, I don't read as many blogs as I should, especially in my niche, but there is one in particular that I make a habit of reading whenever new material is posted.

That blog is the Southern Spirit Guide by Lewis Powell, IV!

As you can probably guess from the title, this blog covers all things spooky in the southern United States.  What I've tried to accomplish with my blog with West Virginia, Lewis has succeeded with an entire REGION.  Well-written and immaculately researched listings for haunted locations throughout the south are the cornerstone of this blog, making it a favorite read of mine.

There is so much variety; from haunted movie theaters to inns to everything in between, you're sure to find a location that interests you or that you're already familiar with.  Beautiful pictures, often original, accompany each blog, and a handy bibliography makes further research quite easy.

Lewis is also one of my favorite paranormal researchers on a personal level as well.  We both have a similar love for researching haunted locations, but also for books...especially paranormal-related tomes!  In fact, he's just about the only person I know whose library may be more expansive than my own.  He's also been such a wonderful supporter of Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State, often sharing and promoting my work, and always giving credit where credit is due--something I've found lacking in this field.

So between being an awesome person and having an awesome blog, that is why I chose to feature Lewis Powell's Southern Spirit Guide as one of my favorite blogs!  Please go check it out, and feel free to give him a shout on FaceBook as well!

Headless Shadow Being of Route 50

I wanted to take advantage of today's Blog Challenge topic (write about a memory that haunts me) to share with you another personal experience of a ghostly nature.  Having cultivated this interest in the paranormal since an early age, and a having a long history of seeing and experiencing things that I cannot explain, there are very few things I've encountered in my 30 years that really scare me.  Startle me, yes...but terrify me to the point of tears, no.  Therefore, today's story is definitely a memory that haunts me, and quite literally at that!

Nearly ten years ago I was completely in love with a guy who lived in Grafton, WV.  Being here in Winfield didn't exactly make our relationship easy, but we made it work.  At the time, I was going to Marshall and working as a 2nd assistant manager at Dollar Tree.  Sunday shifts at Dollar Tree were an all day shift, so only one manager was on duty the whole day.  So, every other Sunday it was MY day, which generally meant I had that Saturday off.  On each of those weeks, I would leave work shortly after closing on Friday night (9-10pm, depending on season) and drive straight up to Grafton to spend all day Saturday with my boyfriend.

This was a pretty routine trip and I had made it many times.  I'd get off at the Bridgeport exit and travel Route 50 on to Grafton.  Most nights were uneventful, and I made the trip in around two hours or less.

What started out as one of these uneventful trips would terrify me for the rest of my life.  I was driving on Route 50 and as I was approaching a small clearing on the right hand side of the road just past some trees, I noticed an inky black shadowy figure running from the field towards my car at top speed.  My first thought was DEER, so I started to hit the brakes.  Everything from that point kind of went in slow motion.  As I'm watching this thing approach me, I see that its not a deer.  It's not even an animal of any sort that I can make out.

What I see coming toward me is the inky black shape of a man.

All I was really concentrating on was this thing's legs.  Two strong legs ran at a fairly wide stride and as I saw the "foot" hit the white line on the edge of the road, I slammed as hard as I could on my brakes and braced myself for impact.  However, at the same time, I could see that the very millisecond this thing's foot hit the road, it vanished!

Not getting cell phone service in this particular stretch, I panicked and raced on to my boyfriend's house as fast as I could go.  As he came out to my car to greet me, he knew instantly there was something wrong.  I was speaking incoherently and blabbering before just collapsing in his arms and sobbing.  Later when I calmed down, I was able to tell him what I had experienced.

The next morning he suggested that we go see if I could show him the spot where it happened.  In the daylight things looked a lot less ominous, but I noticed something I hadn't before.  The section of road where this happened was in a curve, and out in the field, right in the middle of this curve, was a fairly large tree stump that looked as if it had been struck by lightning---it was charred and jagged.  When I told him this was the spot, my boyfriend got a weird look on his face and asked me what I noticed about the tree.  Apparently, it HADN'T been struck by lighting.  What had really happened was a car full of teenagers had struck it, decapitating at least one of them.  What was even weirder he said, was that it was a local legend that years prior to that, there had been a massacre that left two people decapitated.

Spooky Tree Stump by Hovis

I had seen a ghostly image of someone running in the same spot where these two horrific accidents were said to have happened.  Perhaps I had just seen the tree stump and gotten spooked thanks to being tired after a long shift in retail.  Perhaps my boyfriend had made it all up; after all, I still haven't to this day tried to confirm any of these events.  Or, maybe I did see something paranormal.  Perhaps it was a member of the massacred party I saw attempting to flee.  Or maybe it was the spirit of one of the young people trying to get home.  I always thought it was interesting that I don't consciously remember the figure actually having a head, and if it really didn't, and wasn't just a detail that I conveniently forgot, then that could lend some credibility to these alleged tragedies.

At this point, I honestly don't want to know what it is I saw that night.  I want to remember my experience for what it was...but I will admit that it was terrifying.  After that happened, I could NEVER drive alone on that road again after dark.  After one attempt sent me into a horrific panic attack, it became the norm for me to just leave my car at a hotel in Bridgeport and have my boyfriend come pick me up.  This happened nearly ten years ago, yet it is still fresh in my mind, as if it happened yesterday.  It is a memory that will forever haunt me.

*There's another ghost sighting on another stretch of Rt. 50.  Near Salem, a faceless woman in red has been spotted!*

Happy Anniversary HPIR!

Photo by Melissa Stanley

After taking the weekend off to share another haunted location (the surprisingly popular entry about the ghost of Anna Potts!), we're back to the August Blog Challenge. The challenge for Day 3 is to write about something I am proud of...and there's nothing in the paranormal world that I'm more proud of than being a part of Huntington Paranormal Investigations and Research.

This August, HPIR is celebrating its SEVENTH year together!

Over these past seven years, HPIR has truly grown into much more than a bunch of people with a common interest who get together once in awhile.  We've become friends, we've become family, and we've become a renowned organization known for providing professional paranormal investigations, awesome ghost tours, and community service.

I am proud to have been accepted as a member of HPIR in September 2006 and I am proud of what we've worked so hard to become.  I'm proud of my fellow teammates and their commitment to the field of paranormal research.  I'm even proud to have been given the opportunity to investigate so many interesting places and share their history.  We've got some great things coming up this year and I hope you'll continue to follow us on our journey.

So Happy Anniversary, HPIR!  Here's to the next 7 great years!

*Melissa also blogged about the HPIR anniversary, so go check out the official HPIR Para-Blog!* 

Blog Challenge Countdown:

Day 1-Someone I admire (Hans Holzer)

Day 2-The Goal of Theresa's Haunted History

The Goal of Theresa's Haunted History

It's Day 2 of the blog challenge and today I have been asked to write about a goal I have and how I plan to get there.  This has been an especially hard challenge for me as a procrastinator.  I have no problem SETTING goals...but follow-up is a little different!  It's been this way my entire life, and it hasn't gotten any easier when it comes to providing fresh, new content on this blog!

It's always been the primary goal of this blog to provide the largest and most accurate collection of haunted places in West Virginia, and so far, I've done a fairly good job, I think.  I get a decent amount of traffic and most of the feedback on specific locations has been very positive.  However, there is always room for improvement!

Opinions, please!

One of the biggest issues I face is simply a lack of motivation.  I have a huge list of locations that I've stumbled across or have been submitted to me, and I lack the motivation to getting around and fully researching and posting them.  It's not that I don't have the TIME in most cases...its just simply a personal hurdle of feeling overwhelmed, overanxious, and under appreciated, lol.  In other words, its the ADHD kicking in.  I can't finish one project because I'm too busy thinking about 6-7 others!

That's partly why I joined this challenge; its a way to stay accountable and a way to get into the habit of daily writing.  This particular blog challenge leaves the weekends free, and I've made a promise to myself, and now to YOU readers, that I will try my best to fill in those weekends with new locations and new articles!  Feel free to help keep me accountable--if you haven't seen me post anything new, or want to suggest I write about something in particular, call me out on FaceBook or Twitter!

The second part of attaining my goal is something I'd really like everyone's input on.  In order to feel more like I'm doing something worthwhile and simply not wasting my time, I've been seriously considering monetizing this blog.  It won't be anything huge...just a few small ads placed at the bottom or in the side-bar.  I think that if I knew that I had the potential to make a few extra dollars by doing something I love, I'd be more inclined to do it more often!  But, since this blog wouldn't be where it is today without the readership and support of all you out there, I wanted to get some honest opinions first.

So...what say you?  Yea or Nay to the ads?

If you have any experience with ads on your blog, feel free to shoot me some advice as well!

Blog Challenge Posts
Day One-Someone I Admire (Hans Holzer)

Hans Holzer--A Short Bio

"After all, a ghost is only a fellow human being in trouble"

Welcome to Day One of my August blogging challenge!  Today's topic is to write about a person I admire.  There are a lot of names connected with the field of paranormal research and parapsychology, and many of those names are associated with people who have really done groundbreaking work that have made this field what it is today...still not fully accepted by science, but definitely much more accessible and generally more acceptable.

When trying to narrow down just one of these people, I've found that my age (I'm 30) does actually play a large role in who I would say I admire.  Well, my age....but also the fact that I have been studying and researching ghosts, apparitions, and all things spooky since I could talk, plays a role as well.  Many people, especially younger folks, who have began exploring their interests in the paranormal after 2004 will undoubtedly tick off a list of para-celebrities as their top influences in this field, and while I have nothing against anyone who has their own show, I can't say that I'm necessarily influenced by someone who is my contemporary....but just got lucky enough to be on TV.  The best way I can explain this would be to quote a line from Bob's Burgers in which Torpedo advises Bob on his choice of role models: "Little bit of advice, Bob.  If you want a role model, choose an old guy.  By he tie you're grown up they're dead."

So, I chose someone who is no longer with us, but played a role in my early paranormal education, Hans Holzer. Hans Holzer obviously has had his flaws, and he's no stranger to controversy, but to me, he wa one of the pioneers.

I was introduced to Hans Holzer's large library of work as soon as I could read, almost.  My grandparents had a few of his books, and then later on, my mom brought me home another from the high school library where she worked.  Today, I only have 14 out of well over 100 different titles, but Holzer remains a large influence in my life.  In fact, he was the first parapsychologist I ever heard of, and was the inspiration for my own career goal of becoming a parapsychologist (which for you younger readers, was the accepted term over ghost hunter or paranormal investigator at the time).

Hans Holzer was born on January 26, 1920 in Vienna, Austria.  As a young man, he studied archaeology and ancient history, but like myself, had his interest in the paranormal sparked by a family member.  Unfortunately, the threat of Nazi invasion caused the family to doubt their safety, so in 1938, they moved to New York.  In the 1950s, Holzer became involved heavily with theater before returning to higher education.  After going on to pursue a parapsychology degree, Holzer taught classes at the New York Institute of Technology.

He married in 1962, and today, his daughter Alexandra has taken over the ghosting business, and has made a name for herself in this field.

One of Hans' most famous cases, despite its connections with the Warrens, was actually the Amityville Horror case.  It was his work with medium Ethel Johnson-Meyers that yielded the theory that the home was built on a Native American burial grounds, which revolved around facts later debunked by the local historical society.  His first book, Ghost Hunter, was published in 1963, and although the term "ghost hunter" had been used as early as 1936, many claim that this was the book that brought it into mainstream vocabulary.

Hans Holzer died in New York in 2009.  He was a vegan, a Wiccan high priest, and a supporter of reincarnation, himself believing he had fought in the 1692 Battle of Glencoe.

Hans Holzer, while not the only "paranormal investigator" of his time, was definitely one of the most vocal, most published, and certainly an individual not afraid of going against popular opinion.  His research has paved the way for a new generation of paranormal researchers to build upon and approve.  He was an educated man, but chose not to limit his mind just to "accepted" science. As the opening quote infers, he's one of the first to really give a human personality to what we would call "ghosts," and is an attitude embraced by most of the community still to this day. And that is why I admire Hans Holzer!

New York Times Death Notice

*Theresa's Silly Note:  Have you ever seen the movie, Summer School, with Mark Harmon?  It used to be my all-time favorite movie, so it took all my strength from taking this blog in another direction...like when the class had to write an essay on the person they admire most and Denise wrote about the person she admired the least, and then went off on a diatribe about her boyfriend, Andre!*