It's been a couple of weeks, but I've been extremely busy.

I just wanted to thank Alan Rupnick for graciously agreeing to interview for our Taps Family Radio show.

Alan did a great job, and we really enjoyed having him.

Learned a lot about how hard Alan works to keep this place going for all of us.

When you folks get a chance to do so, do what I'm doing right now, and say,

"Thank you Alan," 

Jeff. 

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I don't think I've ever felt better or more proud to be a
Taps Family Member.

Kristyn Gartland
Case Manager
The Atlantic Paranormal Society
www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com

-------------- Original message --------------
From: **********@aol.com
Hey Taps. this is Shane SMITH. We live in **** Jacksonville rd,
******* PA, *****. My parents ask me to write you and e-mail
cause we have ghost in are house. We live in a ranch house with a
basement.

My parents name is Sam/ Stephinee SMITH. Our house
number is ******8 My dads cell is ********, my moms
cell number is (*******, and my cell number is *********
We are the owner of the house.

We have had active in the house for
the 4 years. It happens everyday at night and in the day time.
We lived here for 6 years. The people we bought the house from had
there kid hit in front of the house. He was delivering hoagies to the
neighbors. They put a cross in the front yard, and ever since we took
it out it got worst.
We took pictures with a digital camera and we had
orbs and a black streak. My dads one friend says we have a portal hole
in are laundry room. ETC ETC (Personal info)

Thank you,
Shane SMITH



After receiving Kristyn's e-mail from Ann, I called Bill Washell,
our founder, right away, to check his availabiltiy.
I then called the client, who was in a pretty sad state.

She was delighted to be speaking to a Taps Family Member, and after about 45 minutes, I was lucky enough to calm her down, giving her some alternate possibilities for her experiences, and assuring her that afterliving there for 6 years, nothing bad had happened to anyone, and there was no reason to think it would change now.

Another group, who had watched too much sci fi, and thought that because they had bought an EMF detector, thought it was ok to make up some cool things to look like GHOSTBUSTERS...told them that they indeed had a
"PORT-HOLE"....uh huh that's what they called it....
and that there were evil spirits coming in through there.

She also told me of waking up with heaviness on her chest and feeling
like she was choking...(classic sleep-paralysis), which we discussed and
she was very receptive. She also mentioned bed-shaking at night.

They care for her sister's baby, and the baby absolutely refuses to sleep in the nursery. Screams and cries til they put her in with the parents.

Research is very important in cases like this. We effect peoples' lives, and its a huge responsibility we have.

Later, Nancy Washell called her with a standard questioneer and calmed her down a little more.

Nancy is an extremely well-trained and has many years' experience in paranormal investigation.

We went to their home with Bill, Nancy, My son Jeff and myself.

These are some amazing people. They're foster parents who have adopted 6 of their foster children.
Stephanie has been through some terrible life experiences, having had multiple miscarriages, and it was obvious her concerns and fears were for the children and not herself.

Concerning the bed-shaking incidences, I did a geological study of the area, with which I was already familiar, and found there are limestone caverns honey-combing the area.
Also, there is a stone quarry a mile from the home, which explained the noises and shaking in the basement area.
My research showed that there are commonly slides at the quarry, which are then translated into motion in their home.

The husband confirmed that they "feel it" when this happens and accepted this explanation gladly.
Young Jeff....Jr. explained the anomalies in their video, and since he
went to Pittsburgh, for schooling in Video Production, and was able to explain his theories, they accepted his explanation too.

Her problem with waking up with pressure and choking was a classic example of Sleep Paralysis, which I outlined for her, printing out some information for her, and about which Nancy spoke to her further, going over it in more detail.
Nancy was able to convey the information very well, and this explanation was also accepted, and we were able to literally watch the family calming down.

As we were speaking, Bill's experience came into play, and he dragged out EMF detectors, taking the tri-field and giving me the digital.

"Come on", he said. "I wanna see something.".
Good call, Bill.
We got EMF readings OFF the charts!

The room the baby wouldn't sleep in, I got a reading of 107, at the light switch at the doorway.
Standard readings go from about point five to around four.

All through the house we got outlandish EMF readings.
I asked Shane, their son,
"Do you get that feeling really bad, right here?...like someone's watching you, and is standing right behind you?".

He said, "Yeah, how did you know?".
We got a reading of 170...that's right 170, and then the screen went blank, at the outlet, at the computer desk.

About the "PORT-HOLE"....oboy.....it was an easy call.
Paint, thinner, insecticides and plumbing glues completely filling a shelf above the washer and dryer.
Not to mention, as Bill pointed out, every kind of reflective surface you could think of...which caused the "Evil Orbs" in that "other" group's photos.

(Yes, they called them "evil")...criminey!

One little girl, around 7, who was amazed that we found all this, asked me,
"Who are you guys?"
I smiled down at her and asked,
"Did you ever watch Taps with your brother?".

"Yeah."

I showed her my Taps Family Member pin,
"You're THEM? No wonder you guys know all this stuff! I love you guys!".

Cold spots in the basement?
Old-style wooden French doors leading outside, that leaked like a sieve.

We went back up stairs and finished checking outlets and switches, as well as appliances.
The "sister-in-law" who can't even go into the house? She feels tingly and a little sick just coming in.
A reading of over 70 at the front door switches.
Nancy was quick to advise the family to check for "hot Spots" on the walls, due to the very dangerous wiring.

Nancy, on a hunch, asked Strephanie if she had a clock radio by the bed.
She did...a reading of 35 to 40....
Another good call by an experienced investigator.

Outside, we checked a few outlets, and Bill and Jeff Jr. debunked the "shadow" person, as they watched trucks headlights hit the window of the "haunted"room, and saw the effect from the curtains.

There was a tree that looked like it was dying out front, which was considered "proof" of the haunting....(another "great" call by the other group)....until my schooling in Forestry told them about the high PH levels in the soil, this was caused by a highly acidic additive they used as fertilizer.

Solutions:
They're getting estimates from electricians right away.
They're moving the chemicals out of the house.
Having the door fixed in the basement.
Rechecking the mold in the basement.
Oh, and they're getting some Muracid for the base of the tree, to lower the PH.

As we were walking outside, we got a very nice tribute from the little girl who loves Taps so much.
"I'm just glad there aren't any ghosts! I'm not afraid to sleep in my room now.".

That's what it's all about, my friends.

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So here's how it happened.

I got a call from a good friend who needed a bass-player for
a wedding reception, which just happened to be on Christmas eve.

"Hey, you'll get done by 10 O'Clock and be home in time to put together the bikes. I really need you, so you'd be doing me a huge favor.".
I felt kind of bad about playing on a religious holiday....but.....

Ever traveled the highways and hills of Central Pa. on Christmas Eve?
We had, of course a nasty snow storm that night, but it was a wedding,
and I REALLY needed the bux.

After traveling half way, and watching the cars languish in snow banks along
the road, I got a little concerned, but I'd promised, so I was stuck.
I was driving possibly the ugliest car ever designed by the evil geniuses
in Detroit.
A Green Pacer, nicknamed "The Turtle.".

When I reached Ebensburg, on TOP of the mountain....I asked where the
hall was....and had pointed out to me. Pennsylvania's version of a paved Grand Canyon....

Easing my ugly ride to the edge, I of course slid sideways down the hill,
gaining speed and indigestion as I went.
Fortunately, the car piled snow beside it on the way down, and stopped just facing the parking lot.

A very nice red-neck in a very huge monster truck asked me if I needed help, and of course
I thanked him and said, "Sure!".

He violated my ugly car with his big metal version of a lonely 4-wheel drive inmate, and sent it uphill...through the parking lot and out the other side,
where my car parked itself nicely, along the opposite street.

Opening the door, I watched my 1972 Fender Precision bass slide out the giant ugly door, and down the hill, on top of the crusted snow.
No case by the way....
So putting my common sense in my back pocket, I stepped out and followed the guitar down the hill on my back, all the while thinking
UN-Christmasy thoughts.

After climbing up the hill on my knees, one hand cracking through
the snow-crust at a time, and my bass following....I got to the hall.

Going inside, Terry...the guy who called me for the gig....said,
"JEFF! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?".
more UN-Christmasy thoughts.....

"Uh, you called me and begged me to be here, a month ago."

"Didn't I call you and tell you I hired a regular guy, and you didn't have to play?"

So....after playing half the gig...for half the bux...I was on my way home through the ice and drifts....

It wasn't long til I discovered my heat had gone out....and frost was coming out of my defrosters....
OK...I'll deal.....then I noticed visibility was getting poor....
OK headlight out on the drivers' side....

OK...I'll deal.

A few minutes later...hitting rumble strips where there was no exit, I decided to stop and get my bearings, because the snow was blowing
cross-ways across the front of the car, and I could see nothing.
Roll down the window at 17 degrees, to get my bearings..
No big deal...there's no heat anyway....
But the window got stuck half way down....no up...no down....just stuck.
OK...I'll deal.....
More un-Christmasy thoughts....

So I stopped, and opened my door so I could try and see where I was.
The wind immediately changed direction, grabbed my big ugly door,
and slammed it against mt big ugly fender.
Then it slammed it again, tearing it off the hinges, and sliding it up the road, not unlike a big ugly sled.

After I got done staring stupidly, I had more un-Christmasy thoughts.

So here I was, throwing my no-handle-to-grab, big ugly door at my big ugly car, trying to get it to latch....as other cars went by, with drivers and
passengers laughing and pointing at the idiot throwing the big ugly door at the big ugly car....and they could see me well, as the wind died down to nothing, right after violating my car.

I finally got the hatch opened, and got a couple nails out of my tool box,
which I used as replacement hinges.
Got the door on and latched, although there was a gap of about 3
inches at the top, near my head.

Now the fun part...door locked....passenger door frozen shut, and I couldn't get in.
OK...I'll deal....climbed in through the hatch, which I had to then bungie shut...
though it bounced and smacked the whole way home.

So the window was half down, the door gapped, and the heat was dead, but I was moving.
After driving, and scraping my windshield every mile or so, from the inside....I noticed a flopping sound.... Yep.
Flat tire on the front passenger side.
More un-Christrmasy thoughts.....

I pulled into Altoona, Pa...17 miles from the hall...2 hours after I left...
Freezing and shivering, in my one-eyed, peg-leg, heatless monstrosity of a car, stopping at a friends house.
Mike is a mechanic and recommended junking it....
but he put in some fix-a-flat...some antifreeze and recommended I go home quickly.
"You shouldn't have been playing on a religious holiday! It's bad luck!"
"That's a butt-ugly car anyway.", he said.

Drinking some coffee he gave me for the road, I scalded my tongue to the point of not tasting Christmas dinner the next day.
Of course, I jerked from the scalding, spilling the liquid fire all over my lap.
VERY Un-Christmasy thoughts!

When I got up on Christmas morning, there was a message from the band with a request to play another gig with them.
I turned it down flat.

It's on Valentines Day, and I'm not taking any chances!

Just thought I'd share that with my friends here....

6 comments View Entry

I promised some updated material from the cemetery investigation.

First things first....One of my main functions, other than debunking photos....is being a calming force in the group...or....a skeptic....LOL...

But I've had to rethink a few things.....

At one point during the investigation, I got very light-headed, almost going to my knee....and at the same time, my fully-charged batteries went completely dead in my digital camera.

I backed up about 5 feet, and the camera display came back on....but the batteries read very low....and my light-headedness went away.

Steppng forward again, my dizziness came back...and the camera died again....this time for good.

Checked the batteries....put them on the charger....and they're fried.

Had to get new ones.....Also, my cell phone, which I had on me....completely dead.

 
These were taken at the point of the odd events. 

For the record...I don't lend much credence to the "ORB" photos, but these were there, so you'll have to judge for yourself. 

Other side, where I was standing when I got dizzy.

Different anomaly, within a few feet of the spot.

 A close-up of the oddBall anomaly.....

There were no reflectors....nothing that could have caused a reflection at this point.

 Also, as a point of interest, we got some high EMF spikes here.

Just an update, and we're doing the mansion next week end.

Jeff. 

8 comments View Entry

Well, we did a short shot at a local cemetery that's reported as haunted.

We had a few personal experiences....full batteries draining completely....Make sure you have lots of extra batteries.

These were fresh off the charger.

I did a complete circle of the graveyard, as there have been many reports of talking and no neighbors for a half-mile.

Through the woods looking for party spots, campfires....nothing.

Wet the other way...away from the cemetery and spoke in a natural voice, then progressively louder to see if there was an echo...nothing.

The Mansion we're doing, with another TAPs group, coming down from Maine, is immense...and very old.

Lots of stuff going on here.

I'll be sure to post anything interesting from this....

After I got done trying to prove there was nothing there, it was getting dark, so it was time to start looking for EVP's and using the toys...EMF detectors...nightshot video, etc.

Aside from some stuff I'm still trying to debunk, we did have noises and movement we haven't explained yet.

There are, from my batch of 300 photos, about 5 I'm still trying to disprove, or explain naturally....but I've been trying hard, and they still look convincing....LOL...

I'll let my friends here know what we find.

Can't wait for the Mansion Investigation coming up....My spot is going to be in the basement, with the coffins....yes, I said coffins.

I'll keep you filled in.

Jeff.

Little addition...Since some have asked and I should have thought to add it....

The home is occupied and reconstruction is going on.

All but 5 rooms are remodeled, and a strange story....and it's true.

One of the plumbers working for their contractor left the work-site and refuses to come back.

Grown man....left his tools and someone else had to pick them up for him.

He was working in that basement I'll be stationed in....LOL.

Thanks for your interest.

6 comments View Entry

OK, this Friday - the Thirteenth , by the way- We have an investigation at a private residence.

It's a 2-year-old home...very nice....very new...but the owners have submitted some interesting photos (NO ORBS)...and have related some odd experiences.

We'll get there at 8 P.M. and stay til 12 A.M., unless something earth-shattering happens....

That's the plan, but as you would expect, the "plan" is seldom the reality....and that's cool too.

I'm a Lead Investigator, also tech consultant, so I'll be busy....just like the rest of the group.

All very professional, and all well-suited for the job.

We're a TAPS Family group, and very honored to be so.

I'll post some photos and EVP's as I get them.

Thanks for checking it out, and I'll be updating pretty regularly.

Jeff

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