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Vine Grove
group investigates paranormal - 20081107
lBy ROBERT VILLANUEVA
VINE GROVE — Not everything
that goes bump in the night is paranormal, but for those things
that seem to have no logical explanation, P.A.S.T. is present.
“I’ve always had an
interest in the paranormal,” Stan Howard, co-founder
of Paranormal Activity Search Team, said.
Along with his wife, Julie, Howard formed
the non-profit organization based in Vine Grove about two
years ago. They perform investigations of residences as well
as businesses.
Certified through Patti Starr’s Ghost
Chasers International, the husband and wife team often is
joined by a couple of regular members and, occasionally, a
few others.
They have traveled to various locations in
Kentucky and Indiana to do their investigations. They realize
not everyone believes in ghosts.
“I think if you’re close-minded,
you’ll be less likely to experience it,” Julie said.
Most of their excursions take place during
the weekend, since members often work during weekdays.
“It’s our hobby,” Julie said.
But the group takes its investigations seriously.
Their equipment includes such things as electromagnetic frequency
(EMF) detectors, infrared cameras, infrared flashlights, digital
and analog recorders, temperature gauges and a thermal temperature
gun.
One of the newest pieces of equipment P.A.S.T.
has acquired is the Ovilus EMF detector, a device that “gives
the ghosts a voice,” Stan said. Equipped with a dictionary
of more than 500 words, the device “speaks” when
it picks up high electromagnetic fields.
The group used the device in an investigation
of Bridgewater Cemetery in Scottsburg, Ind.
“That’s the most haunted place I’ve
ever been to,” Stan said.
As P.A.S.T. investigated the cemetery, 60
percent of which is children’s graves, members performed
EVP work and took photos. While they stood by the grave of
a young girl, Stan felt his jacket being tugged when no one
was there. About the same time, the Ovilus spoke.
It said, “Demon.”
They left shortly afterward.
Reviewing their recorders, they found they
had a recording of a child’s voice that said “Mama.”
That was followed by another voice — this one male —
that said “You go away.”
While they believe most orbs that appear in
photographs are specks of dust, there they managed to capture
one that looked particularly bright, with a blue lace-like
pattern inside it. It was taken beside the headstone of the
girl’s grave.
P.A.S.T. members also caught what they believe
was a ghost or entity inside Two Theatre in Owensboro. And
they’ve had personal experiences.
Courteny Hammack grew interested in the paranormal
through her boyfriend, Justin Brown, Julie’s brother.
On an investigation trip to Owensboro, she
was walking near the courthouse talking to someone when she
felt something pull the bottom of her leg.
“It freaked me out,” Courteny said.
Justin recalled being at his grandmother’s
house hearing footsteps coming down the hallway when no one
was there.
As a team, the group tries to help people
understand the paranormal. While Stan specifically avoids
conflicting with people’s beliefs, his goal is to be
honest about what they find.
“We’re a ghost-hunting group that’s
not afraid to say we didn’t find anything,” he said.
And there are a few tricks of the trade, Stan
said.
Investigations during the night are most successful
because during the day the sun’s light interferes with
sound waves. Likewise, the stereotypical stormy night haunting
is somewhat accurate, Stan said, because the charged ions
produced by thunderstorms provide energy for ghosts or spirits
to draw on.
And Stan pointed out the difference between
ghosts and spirits: Ghosts are people who have died but stayed
behind and haven’t “crossed over” for some
reason; spirits are people who have “crossed over”
but have returned specifically to communicate.
Another ghost-hunting tip involves recorders.
While P.A.S.T. uses digital recorders, analog recorders that
use cassette-type tapes are better, Stan said. The ferric
oxide, he said, captures certain sound waves better.
P.A.S.T. puts priority on cases involving
children or those that have gotten violent. But anyone is
welcome to call for an investigation. And there is no charge.
That keeps things on the level, Stan said.
“We’re gonna be honest,” he
said.
P.A.S.T. is open to anyone with an interest
in the paranormal, too.
“Anyone that goes ghost hunting with
us is more than welcome to use our equipment,” Stan said.
“We are always looking for new members for our team or
just anyone that would like to go along sometime for an investigation.”
“It’s exciting,” Courteny said.
Justin cited “the thrill of it”
as the reason he enjoyed going on investigations.
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