Spirit Society of PA.
A P P A R I T I O N S
A Monthly Journal of News & Upcoming Events • Vol 15, Issue 2 - NOV 2010
“ROO’s” BOOS - Notes from SSP Founder Kelly Weaver
What a whirlwind the last few week were! We had great success with our Mechanicsburg ghost walk this year. There
were an overwhelming number of people who attended - so
many that the last tour went almost until 11:00! We were to
have the last tour at 8:30; all agree this will change next year.
and change with the seasons. My Aunt Mary wanted everyone to enjoy these pieces of art and not let them collect dust
in the basement. Also displayed is a picture of him dowsing
at Alfred’s Victorian at our very first Haunted dinner. He was
a charming character and beloved in the town. (Some odd
things happened with the planning of and during the event
that suggest that Cecil might be making his presence known!)
We love and miss you, Uncle Cecil.
Thanksgiving Superstitions and Traditions
New York Thanksgiving Tradition: In New York City there
are lots of engaging Thanksgiving traditions. For example, a
lot of New Yorkers don’t buy the frozen Thanksgiving turkey.
They prefer to buy the bird live and then push it in front of a
subway train. David Letterman
Getting Betrothed at Thanksgiving: A strange Thanksgiving
Tradition in the Chinese areas of San Francisco is for engaged
couples to buy a lock and key, then chain the lock to the Golden
Gate bridge and throw away the key.
Thanksgiving Superstitions
Mechanicsburg Ghost Tour SSP Member Guides: Craig Telesha, Melissa Telesha, Kelly Weaver, Jack Thomas, John Weaver, Tracey Roy & Betsy Barnacle - Thanks to all of you!
I attended two doggy events and was thrilled to see so many
furry babies dressed up in the cutest/creative outfits during
the second, called “Dachtoberfest”. “Doxies” love to dress
up! There were witches, hippopotamus, a fireman in his truck,
and a baby to name a few. It was a great amount of fun.
I was the hostess at the Harvest Moon Bread and Breakfast
in New Holland on Halloween weekend. John and I thrilled
the guests that night with spooky tales and some of our best
EVP’s. It was a progressive dinner and included the guests at
the Artist’s Inn located in Terre Hill.
The best event of all was in honor of my late Uncle Cecil
at the Middletown library. (Which we have discovered has
“activity”. Curiously, it is a former firehouse, and like the
Washington Fire Company new to our Mechanicsburg Ghost
Tours this year, we hope to do an investigation soon)
Among with Dowsing and other interests, he was a wood
craftsman and made whimsical items for show and to wear
on his hats. His items will remain there on a continuous basis
Before putting the turkey in the oven, knock 3 times on a
wooden board and the meat will taste succulent.
Pulling the wishbone. The person with the longer end will
have their wish come true.
If you eat a child’s turkey leftovers then it will make a boy
naughty and a girl cry.
Contrary to popular opinion, turkey at Thanksgiving was not
invented by the “Farmers’ Market”. Of course, it was William
Bradford and his ‘History Of Plymouth Plantation’ that established the tradition of turkey at Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Riddles
Why did the Pilgrims eat turkey on Thanksgiving? They
couldn’t get the moose in the oven!
Where did the first corn come from? The stalk brought it.
Why did the Indian chief wear so many feathers? To keep his
wigwam.
What happened to the Pilgrim who was shot at by an Indian?
He had an arrow escape.
How did the Mayflower show that it liked America? It hugged
the shore.
Which side of the turkey has the most feathers? The outside.
Can a turkey jump higher than the Empire State Building? Yes
- a building can’t jump at all.
Top Ten Thanksgiving Trivia
The first Thanksgiving celebration in 1621 lasted for three
days, it included not only food, but also games. Furthermore,
the Pilgrims gave thanks for the bountiful harvest with the
Wampanoag Indians.
1. Pulling the “wishbone” is an ageless tradition at Thanksgiving (and Christmas). Two people pull the turkey’s breastbone
apart, only the person who has the larger piece of bone is allowed to make a wish.
2. A full-grown turkey has over 3,000 feathers. Guy’s aunty
once counted them!
3. Firkee is the Native American name for this tasty bird. Firkee sounds a bit like turkey.
4. When a Tom turkey [male turkey] gobbles, it can be heard
from as far away as a mile. In fact, only the Tom turkeys gobble, female turkeys make a clucking or clicking sound.
5. Puritans from the Mayflower used to drink beer. This was
probably weak ‘boy’s beer’ and safer to drink than transporting
water on a ship.
6. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in
November in the United States. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the second Mon in Oct in Canada.
7. Benjamin Franklin, proposed that the turkey should become
the official bird of the United States. Turkeys now look jealously at the protected rights given to the Bald Eagle when they
won the Official USA Bird status.
8. 87% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving according
to the National Turkey Federation. During a year the average
American eats 17 pounds of turkey, that’s the weight of a decent sized bird.
9. Sorry to burst the bubble, but the Pilgrims on the first thanksgiving ate deer and not turkey.
Window in the rear of
Mechanicsburg’s Washington Fire Co. where
the figure of a long time
member and company
President who died in
the building has been
seen by at least 2 different members. We heard
numerous credible accounts from several
witnesses that suggest
this is a very “active”
building (both residual
& intelligent events)
and hope to investigate
it soon. Thanks to those
on the tour who helped
the “Washies” with donations.
Uncle Cecil’s sense of humor is seen in this page from a scrapbook where he kept Polaroid photos of all his carvings. (Many
were given as gifts to friends, relatives & co-workers)
Spirit Society of PA.
AA PP PP AA R I T I O N S
Kelly with Aunt Mary and the display holding Uncle Cecil’s
woodcarvings in the Middletown Library.
Story & Photo Contributions are Solicited - send to:
[email protected]
S.S.P. Website: www.spiritsocietyofpa.com
Comments from noted SHC and Fortean Researcher Larry Arnold on a Harrisburg Patriot-News/Pennlive.com article on
the increased interest in “Ghosthunting” Kelly and I were interviewed for. Many in SSP are familiar with Larry’s work; his
perceptive observations reflect his stature as one of the most
respected people in this field:
Yes, the paranormal has become quasi-Mainstream, due to 1)
broadening of consciousness and 2) the plethora of television
series devoted to the strange and presumed inexplicable. Sadly,
John Weaver is correct when saying pursuit of the paranormal
is largely a tedious endeavor and that TV has damaged the
credibility of paranormalists/forteans who take their research
seriously.
Isn’t it interesting that Grant & Jason of “Ghost Hunters” along
with the hosts/teams of other shows in this venue expect - and
find - evidence of the inexplicable manifesting before their eyes
and their equipment within a few hours of nighttime surveillance? My oh my, if that were to be the case even 20% of the
time! Some of these shows have been caught in fraud too, not
surprisingly. (As Rick Fisher & others have clearly proven - JW)
Melissa checks out the fascinating Washington Fire Co Museum. Photos include a deadly 1950s fire that killed 3 children.
It’s very difficult - and time-consuming - to research, let alone
document, infrequent events that do not embrace the scientific
method. If spontaneous human combustion occurred every
week and could be replicated repeatedly in the laboratory, why
heck, Mainstream science wouldn’t be able to continue with its
facile denials. Be wary of denial of the paranormal when evidence available is too cavalierly dismissed. Likewise, be wary
of claims for paranormal events when “evidence” is too easily
and quickly obtained.
Forteana is a quest not for the faint of heart, nor should it be
the domain of the huckster. At least that’s our experience since
1976 as director of ParaScience International. - Larry E. Arnold
SHC Happens - even at a UFO event! Also attending the
Bucks Co. MUFON Con. Kelly, Tracey and I went to was Larry
Arnold, seen here talking with Kathleen Marden, niece of Betty
Hill. Her presentation on the famous Betty & Barney Hill UFO
abduction incident in 1961 was outstanding and her book Captured (Co-authored with Stanton Friedman) - is the most
compelling and detailed account ever of this classic case.
From the Cecil Downing exhibit: (Above) Cec loved nature
subjects (the birds are for Heidi!) Note both background photos of Cec are from CGF/SSP
“Haunted Dining” events at Alfred’s Rt: Happy Thanksgiving!
A Turkey, perhaps stuffed with
a holiday greeting. (We learned
he would often carve out compartments to hide $ or notes.)