Posted on 07/28/2005 11:41:39 AM PDT by nickcarraway
ASHLAND -- A local firefighter who has investigated spookiness at Stone's Public House says he hopes to launch a paranormal investigation of an alleged Town Hall ghost named George.
Firefighter and paramedic Dave Retalic, who in his spare time researches and investigates paranormal activity, said he would like to look for George.
"It's kind of like being a detective," said Retalic. "We want a rational explanation for everything."
The story goes that George was a prisoner who hanged himself in the late 1800s while locked in one of the town jail cells, originally located in Town Hall's basement. These days George is said to turn lights, and once a television, on and off and open and close doors.
Yesterday morning, Retalic left a message for Town Manager John Petrin to ask permission to check out the nearly 150-year-old building. Petrin yesterday afternoon said he does not want to open up the newly renovated building to a ghost hunt.
"I'm not interested," said Petrin. "I'm not going to cooperate unless I have to."
Retalic said the offer still stands. He agrees with Petrin the focus should be on the town's "fantastic new Town Hall," and not an investigation.
A paranormal researcher for more than 15 years, Retalic said for the last two to three years he has been seriously checking out spooky sites with a five-person team dubbed "Haunted Happenings."
"Our whole goal is to try to explain things that are unexplained," said Retalic. "If we can't find a rational explanation for it, we don't come out and say, 'Yes, it's a ghost,' because that gets into people's own beliefs."
A member of the Ashland Local Emergency Planning Committee, Retalic said the team takes a scientific approach to any investigation. He has been fascinated with paranormal activity since he was 12.
"There's no exact science to it, and there is no exact authority for it," said Retalic. "Ninety-five percent of the time they (paranormal claims) are benign."
Retalic's team investigated the Colonial Inn in Concord in May, and last December they scoured Stone's Public House on Main Street. Next month they are due in St. Albans, Vt., to investigate a more than 100-year-old home undergoing renovations.
For a typical investigation the team researches town records, historical society archives and death certificates, said Retalic, a self-described history buff. The team also interviews people who claim to have witnessed paranormal activity.
Finally, they perform a field investigation using video tape, audio tape, flash photography, digital photos and Polaroid pictures to try to capture any images of the paranormal.
"It's along the idea of a home inspection," Retalic said.
Some things are explained by science, he said. Items might slip off a counter because the top is at an angle. A light bulb might repeatedly burn out because the electricity wattage runs too low.
Stone's Public House, a 170-year-old former hotel, is said to be haunted by several ghosts, including the spirit of a traveling salesman rumored to have been murdered there and a little girl who was hit by a train car.
Historical records confirm two people of similar descriptions likely died in, or near, the building. But, Retalic said, he witnessed paranormal activity at an event after the investigation.
During a Feb. 26 dinner to discuss paranormal activity -- coincidentally scheduled on original owner John Stone's 226th birthday -- a chandelier began to rock back and forth like someone had pushed it. None of the about 30 people there had touched it, Retalic said.
"There was no train (going by), and no breeze, and a roomful of people who witnessed it," said Retalic.
--"Ghost Host", The Haunted Mansion
bump
Ghost Ping...
That is one hell of a good question! I believe those folks are just saying: "I'm still for a weaker military and more taxes. I'm incredibly soft on crime, and I believe same-sex marriage is perfectly normal and should be promoted."
I should do my standard denial here:
NOT my fault.
;-)
The keywords never lie. ;)
I live in DC and there are tons of Kerry/Edwards stickers still on tons of cars. I think its unreal, much spookier than the ghost ping stories.
D'oh!
I'm not too worried about ghosts, because they seem to be unable to do anything much (or anything at all). Interesting story though.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.