Catch up with AHRT author Kala Ambrose (Ghosthunting North Carolina and Spirits of New Orleans) as she revisits her October book tour through The Big Easy. She will take you to the French Quarter, to unique shops and bookstores, and even to the Anne Rice Ball. You can read her full article HERE.
Mary Ann Winkowski is one of the inspirations behind the hit show “Ghost Whisperer.” Why? Well, Mary Ann is a ghost whisperer–a real life one.
Winkowski was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and has been communicating with earthbound spirits for most of her life. Her earliest memories include talking to spirits of the deceased as if they were living people and helping these entities cross over into the White Light.
Over the course of her work as a paranormal investigator, Winkowski’s reputation has spread. She was a consultant to the CBS hit television show “Ghost Whisperer,” has appeared on numerous TV and radio news programs, and has spoken at countless lectures. Still living and working primarily in the Cleveland area, Winkowski has offered her abilities to those in need as far away as New Mexico, St. Lucia, and Scotland.
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Much of her experiences aren’t as sensationalized as the crafted stories in Hollywood, but her experiences have been very real. In her book Beyond Delicious: The Ghost Whisperer’s Cookbook, Winkowski includes the best paranormal conversations she has had, as well as recipes she has received from restless spirits. It’s not every day we get to try a recipe passed on by a ghost, and just in time for the holidays!
Winkowski has a gift, and this gift is shared through the stories she shares in her books. Talking with the paranormal, there will always be something interesting uncovered.
Ghosts can haunt anyone, even celebrities! Here are five with their own paranormal encounters.
Nicolas Cage
Nic Cage has had several ghost encounters, but his favorite story is about when he stayed at Francis Ford Cappola’s house in Napa Valley. Cage was staying in the attic one night when a lady with big hair appeared in front of him. At first, he thought it was his aunt, but as the lady drew closer, Cage knew it couldn’t be her and was sure it was an apparition. Regardless of who it was, he had the pants scared off of him.
Matthew McConaughey
In 2003, Matt, the shirtless heartthrob, moved into a reportedly haunted house. Every night he heard a loud sound, like a dime was being dropped from 10 feet in the air. One night, Matt jumped out of bed, grabbed a baseball bat, and ran around the house, naked of course. Matt has since claimed that he and the ghost are on better terms now. He even calls her Madame Blue. The obvious reason for the calmed spirit comes from Matt walking around naked at night.
Jenna Bush
Daughter of George W. Bush, Jenna claimed that while living in the White House, 1920s music would sometimes drift out of the fireplace in her room. Concerned, Jenna told her sister about the strange music. Jenna’s sister stayed in her room the next night only to confirm that the music was indeed coming from the fireplace.
Ace Frehely
Kiss guitarist, Ace, claims that a ghost tried to hit him. While in his recording studio, a book dragged off the shelf and was flung toward him.
Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart
Stars of X-Men, and numerous other films, these two British actors were performing Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot at the Haymarket Theater in London. One night, Patrick had a moment where he just froze for a moment in the first act. When Ian asked what was wrong, Patrick claimed to have seen the ghost of John Baldwin Buckstone, an actor-manager from times gone by.
Share with us your own ghost stories–we want to feature a great one, and it could be yours!
With colder weather on our doorsteps and the holidays right around the corner, ’tis the season to get away for the weekend and explore local lore and history.
Like any tour, the best tours are the ones where the guides actually know the history behind the stories and can prove what they say is legitimate. A ghost tour may not have as much concrete evidence as a tour of Boston Harbor, but proof doesn’t always have to be seen.
To get the most out of a ghost tour, check out their website and see what information they can give you, such as length of tour, tour options available, and history of the area. Sometimes, reviews will be posted about a tour, and it’s always good to look those over, but take them in with a grain of salt. A longer tour may mean there are more stories about the area and will give you the most for your money. Usually, a true ghost tour guide will be able to provide background to ghost stories and experiences people have had at different locations throughout a tour. Most importantly, do your research on a ghost tour to make sure it’s not a scam. If you’re interested in a ghost tour then you probably want to experience something paranormal, not made up.
Finding the best tour depends on your preferences, but a true ghost tour will satisfy your paranormal cravings every time.
Depending on your level of bravery, these haunted tours may or may not be for you. Claimed to be some of the most haunted spots in America, these locations offer up gruesome histories that make the paranormal all the more normal. Numerous reports of ghosts have been reported at these locations, but if you want proof, you will have to explore them yourself.
Waverly Hills, Kentucky
The Waverly Hills Sanatorium, located in southwestern Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky, was once a two-way hospital that housed 40-50 tuberculosis patients. Bodies of dead patients were thrown down a tunnel in the building to save time. The Sanatorium is open to the public, offering guided tours, self-exploration, and even overnight stays.
Mansfield Reformatory, Mansfield, Ohio
The Mansfield Reformatory opened in 1896, its architecture meant to inspire prisoners to turn from their sin and embrace a clean spirituality. The reformatory housed over 155,000 inmates throughout its lifetime and is open to the public as a historic landmark with a lot of paranormal activity. The reformatory was also used as a location for the film, The Shawshank Redemption.
Fort Mifflin, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Also known as the Island Fort, Fort Mifflin was a turning point in the American Revolution. The 400 American soldiers held off a British naval fleet long enough for George Washington and his men to arrive at Valley Forge. Fort Mifflin offers guided tours and the option to stay overnight.
Harem of Horror, The Sultan’s Palace, New Orleans
Located in New Orleans, the house at 716 Dauphine Street appears to be an ordinary house. However, ordinary is far from the truth. In the late 1800’s, a young, Turkish man rented the house from a wealthy plantation owner. The Turkish man had a brother who was a sultan. The house underwent massive changes; guards with scimitars kept watch constantly, heavy draperies covered the windows and a hoard of people filled the house. Hardly anyone ever left. One day, a stream of blood could be seen flowing from the house’s entrance. Upon investigation, the entire home was turned into a slaughter house with no sign of survivors.
Manhattan Bistro, New York
The Manhattan Bistro was built around a well that became the hiding place for Gulielma Sands’ body. Sands was planning to meet her lover on the evening of December 22, 1799, when she was never seen alive again. Her body was discovered in a well in Manhattan.
Driskill Hotel, Austin, Texas
The Driskill Hotel is reportedly the most haunted hotel in Texas. Owned by Colonel Driskill after the Civil War, the hotel became a popular place for all of Texas, including the Texas Senate. Ghosts of several patrons have been said to appear in the hotel. Most notably, Colonel Driskill’s ghost follows a scent of cigar smoke.
For further information, all locations can be found in the America’s Haunted Road Trip series books.
America’s Haunted Road Trip author Kala Ambrose has just posted a great article on her blog, Explore Your Spirit with Kala, where she discusses the presentation of Madame LaLaurie on FX’s American Horror Story: Coven. Madame LaLaurie is covered in-depth in Ambrose’s book Spirits of New Orleans, both her history and the rumored ghost stories behind it all.
In Spirits of New Orleans, Ambrose states that “more horrific activities have occurred at this home [LaLaurie’s] over the years and no one is ever able to rest easy in the home. The house appears to have a “presence,” an entity that has developed from all the torture and misery experienced in the home. The entity seems to have an effect on all who stay in the home, leading many of them to do dark deeds of their own.”
In the article, Ambrose claims that “as to Madame LaLaurie, she is buried in New Orleans, where she reportedly is still at rest, unlike her resurrection in the first episode of American Horror Story: Coven.”
Check out the entire article here, and then decide for yourself whether or not American Horror Story: Coven’s portrayal of Madame LaLaurie is fact or fiction! If you are interested in knowing the rest of the story behind all of the characters being portrayed in American Horror Story: Coven, you can dive into the rich history and infamous spirits of New Orleans with Kala Ambrose’s book, Spirits of New Orleans.
Just about every city has a homegrown ghost story that is closely linked to the town’s history. If you’re interested in exploring the unknown, here a few haunted road trips near the Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia borders. Explore rich history, haunted locales, and enjoy some of the best fall foliage along the way.
Willoughby, Ohio
The Willoughby ghost walk is a guided tour through the haunted historic district of downtown Willoughby, beginning at Cathi’s store on Erie Street, The Spice Peddler. The tour covers approximately twelve blocks and takes about 90 minutes. Described as a rough town, the basements of stores along the ghost walk used to be homes of brothels, speakeasies, and number rackets back in the twenties and forties.
Fort Mifflin, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
All battlefields and forts have their resident ghosts, but Fort Mifflin ranks high on the list when it comes to the paranormal. Some visitors claim Fort Mifflin to be one of the most haunted places in the country, especially during a moonlit night. There are plenty of phantom activities, but the most renowned ghosts are the Screaming Lady and the Faceless Man. Ghosts have been reported all over the fort, in buildings and out in the open. The 14 buildings of the fort sit on 50 acres on Mud Island, a stone’s throw from Philadelphia and its International Airport.
Ghosts of the Valley, Winchester, Virginia
Winchester may very well be the most haunted city in the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. Located at the north end of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester is the northernmost community of any size in the state. The Fuller House Inn and Mount Hebron Cemetery are only a couple of the haunted locations in Winchester. Several ghost tours are offered in Winchester.
To find out more about these sites and more in their areas, or to discover other haunted locations in your area, check out the rest of the books in the America’s Haunted Road Trip series here.
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*All ghost hunts excerpted from AHRT books.
Often, when people think of ghosthunting, they don’t generally think of education being a big part of the field. Sometimes it’s not, but many ghosthunters pride themselves in backgrounds ranging from psychology to medicine to science. All of these disciplines lend themselves to better ghosthunting research, but do you believe that further education is necessary?
Many organizations, small paranormal shops, individuals, and even some colleges now offer ghosthunting courses and certifications. One example is The Ghosthunter Shop out of Lexington, Kentucky. Patti Starr owns and operates the shop with her husband Chuck Starr (these are the same folks that produce Scarefest) and they offer an introductory course, a certification class, and a certification from home class for reasonable prices.
The question is, what do you think about ghosthunting education? Do you believe it’s necessary for a ghosthunter to be certified to be considered an expert?
The newest addition to the America’s Haunted Road Trip series, Chicago Haunted Handbook, brings you 99 ghostly places you can visit in and around the Windy City. Authors Jeff Morris and Vince Sheilds profile 99 of the most haunted spots in Chicago, covering all the important information such as location, directions, a brief history of the spot, the ghost story behind the spot, and tips for when and how to visit.
Are you ready to hunt for ghosts in the Windy City?
All 99 locations are open to the public, and suggested tours are included in the back (Paranormal Pub Crawl, Gangland, etc.), which make this guide the perfect tool when planning your next ghosthunt in the Midwest. Combine this book with John Kachuba’s Ghosthunting Illinois or Helen Pattskyn’s Ghosthunting Michigan and make a real road trip out of it!
All books in the AHRT series are available at AdventureKEEN.
Just this past month, America’s Haunted Road Trip attended the 6th annual Scarefest Horror & Paranormal Convention in Lexington, Kentucky. Produced by Ghost Chasers International, Scarefest has become one of the largest horror conventions in the United States, and this year was no exception.
This year’s star-studded guest list included Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange, Star Trek Generations), Rutina Wesley (Tara), Jim Parrack (Hoyt), Janina Gavankar (Luna), and Jessica Clark (Lilith, the Vampire Goddess) from True Blood, Chandler Riggs (Carl from The Walking Dead), and of course, the Scarefest staple babe, Danielle Harris.
There where were more vendors than ever before at Scarefest 2013, with 82,000 square feet of artists, entertainers, tattoo artists, paranormal groups, booksellers, ghosthunting gear, novelty items, and much more. Seminars from experts in their fields stacked the 3-day schedule and drew huge crowds.
We had an extremely successful year this year at Scarefest 2013 and we can’t wait to return next September 12-14, 2014!