Gettysburg Update #3

Gettysburg Update #2

We have arrived back in Tampa with blisters on our feet.
Sunday we visited the Battlefield during the late evening, taking pictures and evps within 300 feet of where the battle was fought and where President Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. Was quite a feeling of history. We felt several presences during the visit, watch for more stories and pics to come. The afternoon was spent at a wine tasting overlooking the battlefields.

Monday we travelled to Point Lookout on the Southern Maryland Coast. This was the location of the largest Union Prison Camp. The lighthouse, Fort Lincoln, and the prison camp are known to have activity. Unfortunately, we were not able to enter the lighthouse, but the camp and fort area were most interesting.

Andersonville/Americus June 26-28

Tampa Ghost Watchers will visit the Historic (and haunted) Windsor Hotel in Americus, Georgia
(Americus is just 30 minutes west of I-75, and approximately 5 hours north of Tampa)

This weekend is near the longest day of the year. The sun will not set until almost 9 PM.

REGISTER HERE


ANDERSONVILLE/AMERICUS REVISED SCHEDULE

If you are looking for or have space for another person to ride with you or if you are looking to share a room, let me know asap. One lady is looking for a room share now. This is a good 5 hour drive from Tampa.

Friday, June 26 - Late Night Meeting in Floyd’s Pub in the Windsor Hotel. The Windsor is said to be haunted on the second and third floors. (We currently have all the rooms on those floors reserved) Ghosts of a little girl and former housekeeper are thought to roam the hotel. Both were pushed down the elevator shaft in the early 1900’s. Windsor-americus.com

Saturday, June 27 -
8 AM Complimentary Breakfast Buffet for hotel guests

9 AM - Visit to the Global Village and Discovery Center. Center for Habitat for Humanity /www.habitat.org

11AM - Visit to Providence Canyon (admission included)

Noon - 3 PM Historic Westville - pioneer town from the 1800’s. Visions of pioneer farmers and Civil War veterans have been reportedly seen hereWestville.org - Admission included - Lunch at the Kiser House Restaurant (on your own)

3 PM - Visit to Andersonville Village including Pioneer Farm - Admission Included

5 PM - 10 PM - Andersonville National Park Visit/ Investigation - EXCLUSIVE NIGHT VISIT FOR US ONLY ! (Box snack and drinks provided)Special Presentation by historic researcher Kevin Frye.Reports of tragic feelings reaching to you have been reported. Of 45,000 Union soldiers imprisoned at Camp Sumter, almost 13,000 died, mostly of starvation. More info at www.andersonvillegeorgia.com

Sunday, June 28
8 AM - Complimentary Breakfast Buffet for hotel guests

9:30 AM - Visit to the Oak Gove Cemetey in Americus. Opened in 1856, the Oak Grove Cemetery is the final resting place of many of Georgia’s historic figures, from state chief justices and an 1865 candidate for governor to soldiers from the Native American, Mexican and Civil wars. www.georgiatrust.com

11 AM - Visit to Plains, Georgia. Home town of former President Jimmy Carter.

Depart for home as you wishSchedule and events subject to change


ROOM INFORMATION: Contact the Windsor Hotel directly for rooms at 229 – 924-1555 for reservations.
Remember to mention Tampa Ghost Watchers – Ghost Seminars to get the special rate of $76.95 for a double, add $10 per person each additional.

Cost per person
$ 99

Register online HERE.

More info:
bill@tampaghostwatchers.com
813-770-3902

More St. AuGHOSTine Details

We have a new confirmed speaker for our St. AuGHOSTine event in October.
Murray Silver has been called Savannah's Most Haunted Man and has visited us a few times before. He has visited us before and has always been a very popular speaker.

Watch for more details soon including an exciting location as well.
This event will sell out very soon. Get more info and register here.

Andersonville - Late June

Thanks for the great response ! We may be having a slight schedule change announced shortly due to a great opportunity for a Saturday night investigation while there. Watch for more details in the coming week - but this will be a very exciting change.

We are near sold out on this trip, so if you plan to attend or want more information please let me know asap. Apparently our website is currently down, will resolve when we get back to Tampa on Monday.

Tarpon Springs 2

Sunday, June 14, we will be having a more in depth visit to the Zone in Tarpon Springs with Bruce Moen and Caryl Dennis. The visit will include a much more intensive and informative workshop than our usual effort. The cost is $20 per person to be paid at the door, but we need to know you are coming if you have not RSVP'd so far. This event is open to anyone that would like to participate and will start at 6:30 pm and last for several hours.

Gettysburg Update #1

We are about to start day 3 of our trip.
We arrived on time and got everyone together for a super visit to the Edgar Allan Poe home and grave. Before we left Baltimore we also had time to overlook the harbor from Ft. McHenry where Francis Scott Key wrote the words to the Star Spangled Banner. Friday night we spent on the Gettysburg College campus and saw the location of the Blue Boy. As legend goes, he escaped from a life of abuse at the nearby orphanage to be taken in at a girls dorm on campus. In a search for him in the cold of the winter, he hung onto a third floor window ledge for an extended period of time. He was never found, nor did any indication exist that he fell. However, he does decide to return every now and then.

We spent Saturday on a two hour Battlefield bus tour that was most informative. Over 50,000 men died in the 3 days of the battle. One location was 10,000 killed in just over 2 hours. We later returned to many of the battle areas for evp research and for lots more picture taking.

Two hours was spend in the afternoon with Gettysburg historian Mark Nesbitt. This time was most precious and informative. We were joined at Mark's home by psychic medium Patty Wilson. This was a definite highlight of the trip.

Last night we spent midnight at the Jennie Wade house, the only civilian killed in the battle. We could see where the errant bullet entered the house and where she was standing in the kitchen when she was hit. This was a very good visit, however, it was followed by a visit with a medium that was excessively disappointing.

Our lodging at the Farnsworth Inn has been exceptional. Several of us reported some type of activity after the first night, so far we have not tagged up to compare last night's notes.

Today will be a little more relaxed as we enjoy the town and a wine tasting later today. We are going to try to get a group picture, but with 13 of us, that can be difficult.

Our Memorial Trip Next Year will be to New Orleans, want to come with us ?

Recent events and postings

Hi Bill. I must say that the recent events you planned sound like they would have been fun. However, after reading through the blog I can see that the petty bickering and childish behavior still have a strong presence. It is unfortunate because I can honestly say that I enjoyed participating in the events and meetings until the end of 2007 when all of this started (which is why I have not attending anything in almost two years). Hopefully people will realize that everyone needs to grow the heck up and stop being so petty then the old members would return. I know that you put a great deal of effort into the planning but you can't make everyone happy. Seriously people.....let's grow up and be adults. It is one thing to have an opinion and not everyone has to agree with that opinion but stop the petty bickering and back stabbing already. Can't you people see that by doing this it only drives members away and creates a hostile environment!?!?!?!?! This group is about ghost watching. If you aren't happy join another group or keep your snide remarks to yourself. Don't ruin it because you can't play well with others. You should all be greatful that Bill takes the time to put things together. Onyx (Helen)

Tarpon Springs Investigation #1

Tarpon Springs - Sunday, May 17

Tarpon Springs is a beautiful area with a Greek heritage that is evident at the very nearby Sponge Docks. The Docks have plenty of unique gift shops, restaurants and bakeries.
If you want to arrive earlier, I will be at
Snookers Grill at 606 N. Pinellas Avenue in Tarpon Springs at 6 PM.
http://www.snookersgrill.com/

The investigation will be at the Zone Lounge building at 121 E. Tarpon Avenue, Downtown Tarpon Springs. Meet at the door to the lounge at 7:45 PM. PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE.

Sunday, May 17 from 8 PM as we investigate a building in downtown Tarpon Springs built in 1894. The building was used as a bar, office, brothel, and more over the years. Reports of apparitions, voices, and more. There will be NO Cost to attend this investigation, however, this is exclusively for paid members of Tampa Ghost Watchers ! If you are not yet a paid member you can still join here. Be sure to tell me what size t-shirt you require.

YOU CAN JOIN TAMPA GHOST WATCHERS here.


In planning this investigation I have had discussions with author and psychic Caryl Dennis. (You can find out more about her here) We have planned the Tarpon Springs investigation in TWO Parts. (Date for second part will be Sunday, June 14 from 6:30 - 10 PM) The second visit will feature a spiritual workshop and investigaton involving Caryl and International speaker Bruce Moen. (More info about him here. ) There is not a cost to attend the event on May 17 if you are a paid member, but there will be a cost of $20 to attend the June 14 event. More details to follow.

The investigation will be at the Zone Lounge building at 121 E. Tarpon Avenue, Downtown Tarpon Springs. Meet at the door to the lounge by 8 PM.

Call me only if you have a real problem. 813-770-3902 cell.

American Victory Ship

Thanks to everyone that participated in the American Victory Ship investigation. There were a number of experiences reported and we hope you will share them here.
A couple of participants indicated they were "disappointed" in not having had an experience. While most were very impressed and some plan to attend the special ship event this weekend. An investigation at a large location usually means everyone wanders the area for awhile to see where they feel something and then return to conduct a more thorough investigation with cameras, voice recorders, concentration, or more.
This isn't the bird show at Busch Gardens at 1:15 and 3:15. You have to work at this - and mostly, be patient and very attentive.

Let's Make this Clear

My job is to provide you with as much opportunity to have a paranormal experience as possible. Everyone has a different belief as to what a ghost is and as to what the experience is.

With my experiences I have my opinions. With your experiences, you have yours.

In the words shared by my good friend Dusty Smith with the Daytona Beach Paranormal Reserch Group, there is no right or wrong.

I don't like it when passersby start saying "boo" and other things while we are investigating. And I don't like it when I think you are too busy looking at a blinking meter that you don't really know what it means than being aware of the actual activity around you. I want you to have experiences that you remember for the rest of your life and I will work hard to put you in that situation with the right attiude and knowledge to do just that - but only if you let me instead of walking in with total preconcieved notions generated from a tv show. It is not an easy job trying to keep so many people with so many diverse backgrounds and desires happy.

The previous writer's grumbles centered around a cemetery investigation on a hot day rather than an evening home investigation. The cemetery we visited has been written about in at least 4 different books because of screams heard, apparitions seen, and more. As I have asked before, do you want the opportunity of a paranormal experience or are you just trying to fill your social calendar ?

I am fortunate, I already have a busy social calendar.


At our recent visit to the Belleview Biltmore, several attendees went into states of fear and depression in one of the wings. Observing and sharing that experience will be continually with me as I remember paranormal investigations. I want to have and to share paranormal experiences that are bigger than the last, that is my simply defined but very complex task for Tampa Ghost Watchers.

Tarpon Springs Investigation

INVESTIGATION FOR PAID TAMPA GHOST WATCHERS MEMBERS ONLY !

Sunday, May 17 from 7 PM as we investigate a building in downtown Tarpon Springs built in 1894. The building was used as a bar, office, brothel, and more over the years. Reports of apparitions, voices, and more. There will be NO Cost to attend this investigation, however, this is exclusively for paid members of Tampa Ghost Watchers ! If you are not yet a paid member you can still join here. Be sure to tell me what size t-shirt you require.

RSVP BY SENDING ME AN EMAIL WITH YOUR NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS.
I will send you the exact address upon receipt of your RSVP.
The investigation will be from 8-10:30 PM. BUT some of us will be meeting nearby at Snookers Grill at 6:30 PM. Get directions to Snookers here.

In planning this investigation I have had discussions with author and psychic Caryl Dennis. (You can find out more about her here) We have planned the Tarpon Springs investigation in two parts. (Date for second part will be Sunday, June 14 from 6:30 - 10 PM) The second visit will feature a spiritual workshop and investigaton involving Caryl and International speaker Bruce Moen. (More info about him here. ) There is not a cost to attend the event on May 17 if you are a paid member, but there will be a cost of $20 to attend the June 14 event. More details to follow soon.

My Comments About Hans Holzer

With Sadness I report the death of the Greatest Ghost Hunter of All -

Hans Holzer.
(more about Dr. Holzer below)

With over 100 books to his credit, he investigated using spirit mediums with followup support using more scientific methods. Reading his first book when I was in high school is the basis for my involvement in paranormal investigations.

I have been frequently angered by investigators that have become totally reliant on "meters that go blink" for reasons they don't really know why instead of recognizing that we are seeking the remnants of a former real human spirit and that maybe a more spiritual approach is the most valid method of investigation offering a greater opportunity for personal experience. The "meters that go blink" have become the staple for tv ghost shows such as TAPS and Paranormal States. Jason, Grant, and others experiences pale in comparison to the worldwide investigations of Hans Holzer. He was best known for his investigations in Amityville NY.

In planning our upcoming Tarpon Springs investigation, on Sunday, May 17, I have had discussions with author and psychic Caryl Dennis. (You can find out more about her here) We have planned the Tarpons Springs investigation in two parts. (Date for second part to be announced, but tentatively Sunday, June 14.) The first on Sunday, May 17 is for our members exclusively to visit with the "meters that go blink" and then a followup with a spiritual workshop and investigaton also involving International speaker Bruce Moen. (More info about him here. ) My plan is simply to provide you with the opportunity to experience and learn for yourself what I feel is the real way to investigate paranormal activity rather than the hype generated by well produced tv shows provided for entertainment.

It is hard to take any supposed investigator seriously if they haven't read at least one of Hans Holzers books. He will be missed.

Bill

Hans Holzer Passes to the Other Side

Hans Holzer, whose investigations into the paranormal took him to haunted houses all over the world, most notably the Long Island house that inspired "The Amityville Horror," died Sunday at his home in Manhattan. He was 89.

The death was confirmed by his daughter Alexandra Holzer.

Mr. Holzer - who wrote more than 140 books on ghosts, the afterlife, witchcraft, extraterrestrial beings and other phenomena associated with the realm he called "the other side" - carried out his most famous investigation with the medium Ethel Johnson-Meyers in 1977. Together they roamed the house in Amityville in which a young man, Ronald DeFeo Jr., had murdered his parents and four siblings in 1974.

The house had become notorious after its next owners claimed to have been tormented by a series of spine-chilling noises and eerie visitations, set forth in the best-selling 1977 book "The Amityville Horror: A True Story," written by Jay Anson.

After Johnson-Meyers channeled the spirit of a Shinnecock Indian chief, who said that the house stood on an ancient Indian burial ground, Mr. Holzer took photographs of bullet holes from the 1974 murders in which mysterious halos appeared.

Mr. Holzer went on to write a nonfiction book about the house, "Murder in Amityville" (1979), which formed the basis for the 1982 film "Amityville II: The Possession"; he also wrote two novels, "The Amityville Curse" (1981) and "The Secret of Amityville" (1985).

Hans Holzer was born in Vienna, Austria, and developed an interest in the supernatural when his uncle Henry told him stories about ghosts and fairies. He studied archaeology, ancient history and numismatics at the University of Vienna but left Austria for New York with his family in 1938, just before the Nazi takeover.

After studying Japanese at Columbia University, Mr. Holzer indulged an infatuation with the theater in the 1950s. He wrote sketches for the short-lived revue "Safari!" and the book and music for "Hotel Excelsior," about a group of young Americans in Paris, which opened in Provincetown, Mass., and proceeded no farther. He also wrote theater reviews for the London Sporting Review.

He earned a master's degree in comparative religion and a doctorate in parapsychology at the London College of Applied Science. He went on to teach parapsychology at the New York Institute of Technology.

In 1962, he married the Countess Catherine Genevieve Buxhoeveden. The marriage ended in divorce. In addition to his daughter Alexandra, of Chester, N.Y., he is survived by another daughter, Nadine Widener of New York City, and five grandchildren.

In pursuit of ghosts, Mr. Holzer began investigating haunted houses and recording the testimony of subjects who believed that they had had paranormal experiences. This field research, usually conducted with a medium and a Polaroid camera, provided the material for dozens of books, beginning with "Ghost Hunter" (1963).

Mr. Holzer called himself "a scientific investigator of the paranormal."

From the San Francisco Chronicle