ASBURY PARK PRESS
Supernatural means a lot to one group
By BOB VOSSELLER • Staff Writer
• April 2, 2009
LACEY — When things go bump in the dark, Southern Jersey Shore
Paranormal Research and Investigations bumps back — or at the very
least — they record the sound of the bumps.
"Friday
the 13th was an interesting time to do this," Lacey Historical Society
member Liz McGrath said of a visit by the group to the Lacey Historical
Society School House Museum.
McGrath
joined society president Eleanor Ditton and a few other society members
watched as the Southern Jersey Shore Paranormal Research and
Investigations used various recording devices, motion sensors and
cameras in search of any paranormal activity at the museum.
Lori
Flurchick heads the Barnegat-based group which investigates paranormal
activity, ghostly encounters and a wide range of paranormal phenomenon
and unexplained activity. She said she is a psychic, medium, and
clairvoyant and has a degree in the medical field.
Group
members said they were excited about coming to the museum and to use
their skills to see if any ghostly activity might be present at the
building which was built in 1868.
Joining
Flurchick were team members Miriam Sutera, a fellow psychic of
Bloomfield, Pat Dalton of Cape May, Assistant organization director
Josh Praznic of Seaside Heights and members Tammy Charhor of Ocean Gate
and Kathy Peterson of Bayville.
The
group spent close to five hours in the building on March 13. Most of
that time was spent in the dark as the team members used tape
recorders, motion detectors and video cameras to see if any paranormal
energy was present in any of the buildings rooms.
"It
is a very old building," Dalton said. This marked his first time to be
part of an investigation. I have been interested in this type of thing
for years. I believe in the paranormal world," said Dalton, who works
as a bouncer at a nightclub.
Peterson
works for a insurance firm in Toms River, but her skill as a part-time
photographer is usefull for the group's investigations. Praznic is a
musician and has knowledge in audio which has come in handy for using
sound equipment during investigations.
"There has been no prior evidence of paranormal activity here but
with a building this old there may be some imprint of energy in it
since it dates back to the 1800s," Flurchick said.
Flurchick
said despite what a person's religious beliefs are the use of certain
religious practices and prayers be they from Judiasm, Catholiscism, or
other faiths can be used to better understand, contain or rid a
dwelling of a paranormal entity.
"When
you do a paranormal investigation, you have to see what else is out
there if you want to help a person who believes they have psychic
activity in their home."
"We
help individuals, with any unexplained activity they are having or
feeling in their home or business. It is our goal to bring a better
understanding of the paranormal. Our psychics give an overall
impression of the site and are there to help you deal with every
situation," Flurchick said.
Observers
of the night's investigation noted that camera lights kept switching
off at various times for no particular reason and that batteries in
some of the equipment seemed to be drained.
Some observers also heard what they said was a little girl's voice saying "mommy."
Presley said he felt something tug at his pant leg and his equipment noted rapid temperature changes in the attic of the museum.
McGrath said she saw the crystals which dangled from a lamp move several times for no reason and then abruptly stop.
Flurchick
said that the information compiled from the various recordings and
photos taken during the night would be examined and that the group
would be in touch with the historical society about its conclusions.
She added she looked forward to her group's returning to other old structures in Lacey Township in the future.
