The Paranormal Ridge
By Carol Flynn
Halloween. It’s that time of the year when our imaginations turn to ghosts and goblins.
As many of you know, in addition to my work researching and writing about local history for the Ridge Historical Society, I also collect local ghost stories and tales of the paranormal. So far I have a good 70 stories from the Ridge and close by – everything from little children ghosts who like to play, to home owners and employees who never left their physical domains, to beloved pets who stayed behind to still be with their owners.
I collect these stories as urban folklore. I record stories that living people have experienced. I am not here to prove or disprove the existence of the spirit world. I am not a “ghost hunter.” In fact, I do not condone harassing and conjuring up the deceased – I think they should be left in peace, they are the souls of our loved ones, and they do not exist to be entertainment for us. I resist all requests to write a haunted guide to the Ridge and to help alleged “ghost hunters” get into private residences. Any stories told to me are kept confidential unless the people have gone public themselves with their stories. I may speak of experiences in general terms, but I NEVER reveal a private name or address without permission.
The last two years I did in-person events about “The Paranormal Ridge.” The first year it was at Open Outcry Brewing Company and we had about 200 people attend – thanks, John Brand. The second year it was at the Givins Beverly Castle, the site of many local stories – thank you, Beverly Unitarian Church. This year, it was going to be at Mount Greenwood Cemetery – a perfect place for such an event – but we are postponing that until we can safely do a group meeting again. We will do that event some time this year, Halloween 2021 at the latest, and my thanks to Paula Everett.
I love to hear from people of the Ridge who have had unusual experiences. If you have a story you would be willing to share with me in complete confidence, please send me a private message or an email to cflynn2013@yahoo.com. I will follow up with an interview.
This year, during October, I will recap my research and presentation about the ghost stories at the Givins Beverly Castle – what people have really reported they experienced and what is myth.
Starting tomorrow, October 1: Part 1 – The history of ghost stories.