By KATELYN ZIEMS
BG Independent News
With Halloween just around the corner, many people are seeking out stories surrounding terror and the supernatural. Others are searching for the truth about the paranormal. Both topics were recently discussed at the North Baltimore Public Library in honor of the season.
The library hosted award-winning journalist and paranormal investigator Don Allison on Oct. 22. Titled “Ghosts Busted: Beyond the Fear,” the talk was part of the town’s Halloween Happenings events.
The talk had a significant turnout, with both believers and skeptics of the paranormal in attendance.
“I’m not so sure I believe in the paranormal…But I think you have to have an open mind,” said attendee Rick Van Mooy.
The lecture began with Allison sharing the story of his first encounter with the paranormal. A prior skeptic, Allison described how he purchased a 1835 home to renovate with his wife, and the two experienced multiple encounters with the paranormal. He heard footsteps throughout the house, doors mysteriously being pulled shut on their own, and a distinct encounter where a pine cone was neatly placed on the newly renovated porch of the home.
Allison then transitioned to his first formal investigation into the paranormal, which took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. While on a spring break trip with his grandson, he investigated the Sachs Covered Bridge, which during the time of the Civil War was used as a field hospital. Allison described his experience using a ghost box, or a device that continuously scans between radio stations, where he was able to communicate with a potential soldier from the war.
Following this story, Allison discussed the importance of research and history when considering the paranormal, and how it helped with the writing and publication of his first paranormal work, “I Met a Ghost at Gettysburg.”
“It’s easy to find out.” Allison said when asked about the importance of researching the history of the paranormal. “There’s libraries, newspaper archives, old police reports, you can find out…It shows that we’re grounded.”
He emphasized the importance of doing research and discovering for oneself the history behind a paranormal encounter. He explained how there are many elements to paranormal investigations that can be hoaxes, but researching can help prove the validity of these encounters.
Allison also demonsrated some of the paranormal tools used in investigations and discussed other niches in the paranormal field, such as a technological focus and specific roles such as mediums. He demonstrated tools used across investigations, including the electromagnet reader, dousing rods, the Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) machine, and the ghost box. He also emphasized the importance of recognizing errors with these devices, and how they must be used meticulously to provide accurate results.
Following his presentation, members of the audience provided their own paranormal encounters, rounding out the discussion with participation from the crowd.
Regardless of the audience’s belief or disbelief in the paranormal, there was an overall interest from the crowd in the topics of the talk, especially the attention to Gettysburg.
“This was an interesting one,” said attendee Pam Van Mooy. “We’ve gone to other lectures…but this has a little different twist to it. We’ve read about and been to Gettysburg, and you do feel different.”
Allison is the author of multiple novels about the Civil War, with the novels “I Met a Ghost at Gettysburg” and “I Met More Ghosts at Gettysburg” focusing on his paranormal investigation of the war site. His other works include “Hell on Belle Isle: Diary of a Civil War POW,” ”Almost Award Winning Christmas Carols,” and “The Best of On My Mind.”
North Baltimore’s Halloween Happenings continue through the week with the North Baltimore Trick or Treat on Oct. 29 and the North Baltimore Halloween Parade on Oct 31. The D.S. Brown Trunk or Treat was held on Oct. 28.
