The Journal of the Maine Paranormal Society

For the last few days I have thought about our revisit to Cutler, Maine. Even after 48hrs to think  about it. Words and thoughts still tumble around in my head. This visit makes the first one look down right boring. Let me leave the thoughts to tumble a little more as I tell you what we found for evidence on our first visit.

I ended with “I wonder if we will be blessed enough to hear their voices.” Well, hear their voices we did. Whispered conversations took place all around us. An adult female whispers “I want them to leave.” An adult male responds ” I know…..shhhhhhh.” Other longer conversations waffered though the dark rooms. Too low to understand their words but loud enough for us to know they were there. An infant briefly cried out as soft music floated by like a rolling fog.

As investigators unpacked sleeping bags and picked their sleeping spots. The same adult male voice is heard to exhale loudly and say “Shit”. Resigned to the fact that we were there for the night the adult spirits seemed to settle. The child however, got more active. Humming to herself unworried of our presence.

All the activity fell on deaf human ears. But the recorders helped to solidify the potential of a family unit operating independently of the space we occupy. But intelligent and forever watchful of us. Jim asks “Are you male……are you female?” The adult female voice projects loud and clear from the recorder. “I’m a woman.”

To sit by the campfire and tell ghost stories is always fun. But to hear the voices of the past floods your mind so quickly. The thought process stops altogether. All your left with is “I don’t know.”

Checking in with Darcie a few days after our visit. She described hearing a little girl laughing, singing or talking. She had not heard the little girl before. We let her know that indeed, we had caught that same voice on the recorders. After hearing the evidence collected. Darcie accepted her ‘extended family’. The two families living in harmony with each other.

We had scheduled a revisit purely because of the quality of evidence collected. But when called to confirm. Darcie said her new boyfriend had been touched on the back while standing at the kitchen counter. He had heard the stories, even heard the evidence from the first investigation. But when that first personal experience happens. You have no choice but to reevaluate your beliefs.

So our destination entered into Tom tom. The equipment is hauled out to Luke’s vehicle. I step out of the house to  see three men staring into the back of the van puzzling over how to fit everything. I quickly slip between them and rearrange everything and we were ready to go. Luke made a comment about no silver bucket. Then proudly proclaims. “We will be riding in the golden nugget today.”

The golden nugget shot onto the turnpike and roared into life. Luke at the wheel. Jason was co-pilot and I sat in back with our newest member Scott. As all long rides go. Subject matter flipped from topic to topic. When movies came up the reference to ‘Super Troopers’ hit home.

“Team Ramrod.” Luke says.

“Team Ramrod …….in the golden nugget?” Scott asks.

“Sounds like a baddd movie title.” I add.

“Yeah theres a joke in there somewhere dude.” JJ snickers.

The discussion goes back and forth until Luke realizes I got quiet.  “No blogging about this!” he demands.

“Already started.” I absently answer.

So as I do with everyone else. I start asking Scott why he is riding in a car for 8hrs to investigate the paranormal. Scott’s shocking red hair and solid frame are very different than the  quiet, thoughtful personality. In a small voice he describes a life long interest in the paranormal. But above all, he wants to know if communication is possible. Strings of his heart hold fast to loved ones. “I would just feel that much closer to those I have lost.”

We chat about home life. Married with two kids, he proudly shows pictures. He says he plays drums, is an avid reader, decorates cakes, and is going to school for computer programming. (Not even mentioning his full-time job). ” I really enjoy just hanging out with the kids” . He gets quiet for a few minutes, then says. “I don’t know if I will find what I am looking for or if its even possible. But its getting there that interests me as well.”

As we enter Machias it hits home where we are going and what we are doing there. Luke asks for a run down. I start with the original claims. Full body apparitions, music heard, being touched or having your leg rubbed, and sometimes foot steps upstairs. I tell them about the audio evidence we got and remind Scott to just step outside if he gets overwhelmed.

When we arrive, Darcie and Chris are waiting. The home still feels peaceful and welcoming. I ask her what the happenings have been. She says the little girl talks alot and moves things. Chris tells the team about being touched. The boys set up the equipment and we are ready to investigate. Jason and Luke go upstairs and I sit behind the monitors. Scott paces restlessly. Going into the play room and back out again. Once he settles on the couch the house is quiet.

Chris looks at Darcie and whispers something. I heard “Darcie” said. Luke calls down. “Who is whispering?” I ask Chris if he said Darcie’s name. Both him and Darcie say no. I call up to Luke “They were whispering. But I thought I heard the name Darcie said.”

Luke says he heard it too. The tension in the air is noticeable. But after an hour everyone relaxes. Scott goes upstairs with Luke. As hes sitting on the end of the bed. I see him sit up quickly and inhale sharply. He reports it felt like someone ran a finger up his back. The next time it happens I feel a flutter of energy. I tell him. “I swear she is getting a thrill out of it. You squeek everytime she does it. Your a squeek toy to her.”

“Yeah I get that. I’m trying to not make any noise.” Scott answers exhaling.

I head upstairs to sit with him and try to get our little friend to play ball. A few hits on the K-II and RF meter but we were not able to get her to repeat it. Eventually Luke makes his way back up the stairs. He sits in the rocker and I sit on the end of the bed. We both see shadows and light fluctuations. Luke says he hears music. I see a shadow just to the left of Luke. Seconds later he bolts out of the chair saying “shit!”

“You alright?” I ask him.

“Dude…..I just got touched!” he exclaims.

As I laugh very hard at Luke’s excitement. I feel something hit the head of the bed and my feet slide on the hardwood floor. “Something just jumped on the bed.”

“I heard that.” Luke says about the springs of the matress creaking and the legs of the bed squeeking on the floor.

Now this is what you call being painted into a corner. Having just laughed at Luke. I can’t jump up. So I stay sitting and with a deep calming breath I clap and cheer our spirits on. “Good job! We certainly know your here now.”

Luke investigates the corner he was sitting in thoroughly. “I felt a hand come down on my shoulder. There was some pressure to it. I could feel the fingers. Did you see anything?”

“Ummm……” I suddenly find the floor very interesting.

“What did you see?” he asks, still looking in to the corner.

“A shadow.”

“Where?” Now hes looking at me.

“”Behind you.” I manage to eep out.

“You saw a shadow behind me and you didn’t tell me?!”

“I didn’t want you to get up. And besides there have been lots of shadows in that hall.”

JJ can be heard laughing downstairs. “Why don’t you come up here tough guy.” Luke challenges. JJ comes upstairs and Luke descends. JJ sits in the same rocker. Its not long before hes asking me to snap some pictures. “I have the sharp fuzzies.” He says.

I snap pictures. Then he descirbes a feeling of something sitting on his lap and the place feels quiet and calm again. “I guess we are tired.” JJ says.

“Probably time to wrap up anyway.” I yell down to the guys. “Hey why don’t you guys come up and try one more EVP session with all of us.”

From below two voices. “We’re good.”

So we thank our friends and head down the stairs. Darcie is all smiles. I thank her again for letting us come visit and ask Chris if hes all set. As crazy as it got. They meant no harm. He says hes fine and they both look forward to hearing what evidence we got.

The ride home was quiet. The only thing Scott asked was “Is is always like that?” Meaning is it always so startling when you get touched. Answer being yes. You can’t see it coming so you can’t prepare for it or expect it.

Halfway home Luke confessed he was glad we were not spending the night. “I wouldn’t have been able to sleep there.”

Even people who believe in the paranormal have a threshold they are uncertain about crossing. Everything you’ve ever known threatens to fall away. I look at these two new members and wonder when did I get so comfortable. I replay the events of the night. But all I can see in my minds eye is a father resting his hand on Luke’s shoulder. And a little girl running behind me and jumping on the bed. Squeeling with delight as Luke is startled. It all seems so normal. like sitting down with another family for a holiday meal.

I can’t shake the feeling that we walk away from this with more than just experience.

Excitement bubbled and humor spilled over. Last minute preparations had Holly and I going over a list of items to display at the presentation. She asked about a list of optional items that might infuse humor into the evening. In the past a 5hr energy drink was added. The conversation quickly spiraled downward………adding:

A first aid kit in case you fall through a porch, Fabreeze if your investiagting with Jason, earplugs for the overnights with Jim and Jason, Barf bags because your using Tom tom to get from Benton to Thomaston. Holly adds Gas X and Beano now……….be no gas later. I sit at my computer snickering and snorting. Holly sends that she is at work cracking up alone in her office. Soon poor, unsuspecting, Luke  joins the email circus and we tell him there is a glitch with the presentation. He will have to do the chicken dance and magic tricks till Jim arrives. Guess he didn’t want any part in it. He “closed the computer and went to do dishes”. Deep down I suspect he would do the chicken dance. After all……he is a Jason hire.

Now I am not one for omens. But when I look back on the afternoon and evening. I should of known it would be a challenging night. Grabbing the clear acrylic sealer instead of hair spray would of been my first clue. Sitting down with Holly at the Thai resturant and ordering the drunken noodles would of been the next.

This is our first meeting with our new member Luke. Another man with a wide stance and a buzz cut. He held a relaxed, self confident pose with a hint of nervous energy. Left to introduce himself to two giggling broads who are already flinging jabs at team members. The cards layed out on the table all at once  and no immunity was granted for a newbie.

He walked us through his paranormal journey. He grew up ‘haunted’ in Fryeburg, walked with ghosts in Scotland, and is now fresh out of TAPS boot camp. He describes a belief in the paranormal, seasoned with skeptisism. He wants the truth about whats out there. He describes several personal experiences. The most recent at the Spaulding Inn with Jason and Grant.

Shadows and bumps in the night left him awake and alone in his room. “I thought the closet door would fly open at one point as the handle rattled and turned aggresively.” Having time to bend the ears of investigators present. He asked all the pressing questions and shared in the wonder of that historical site. The experience left him hungry for more.

We pressed him for more details. He works at a  group home and finds the work very rewarding. His hobbies include working out, martial arts, playing drums, and snow boarding. He missed the Maine winters and moved back here a year ago this month. No ladies, I didn’t ask the most important question. Cause, well…nothing makes a guy more jumpy than being lost in the middle of no where with two girls running amuck. I guess Holly and I had a little sympathy for the newbie after all.

On the ride to Fryeburg, we tried to convince him Holly’s silver Focus was nicknamed the ‘silver bullet’. But as it chugged up the hills his sense of humor peeked out and we heard a mumble. “More like the silver bucket.”

“It was that trip to Cutler that did her in!” Holly defended her ailing ride.

As scary as the ride to Culter and Thomaston were. The ride to Fryeburg turned nasty quick. At the town line of Brownfield the engines reved and cars roared by our meek little ride. Everyone in town passed us. I believe I even saw the General Lee. But when they started trying to pass the cars that were already passing and going three wide. We looked at Luke.

My involuntary “eep!” was heard from the back seat.

“What kind of place is this?!” Holly demanded.

“I usually travel a bit faster than this.” He shrugged.

Jim chose then to call Holly and say he was leaving Gorham at that time. I think the picture of Jim’s little red car rocketing toward us went through all out minds. Holly asks “Was one of those cars that passed us a red Focus?” I resist the urge to turn around in my seat like a little kid and watch for him.

As we entered Fryeburg, the age of the town and the magnitude of the history locked into each building became obvious. The huge  sprawling homes a testiment to a more functional, hardy time. Luke’s past gave us a sampling of the paranormal happenings. He pointed out the house his grandmother used to own. And the home his aunt owns. Reliving even more stories from childhood.

Debra and Erlon from The Fryeburg Historical Society met us in the parking lot of the American Legion Hall. Big smiles and firm handshakes assured us we were with good Maine people. The hall was full and we set up quickly. Erlon intorduced us and in true MPS style, we were off and running.

The presentation started like any other. But the questions started sooner than usual. And there were some tough standards to be met. Facing people who are used to asking questions and digging out truths and hidden treasure of the past. I would like to believe our team stood up to the scrutiny. Letting citizens and potential clients know that we are ready and willing to face any and all questions, criticisms and discussions. We happen to believe  its healthy. After all, asking questions is what we do best. A debunking is as much a sucess as an unexplained event.

We raised the bar and let it be known. Any paranormal team, psychic, or medium should have the same openess about them. If they are in fact in search of the truth. Time shows all. And the important thing is documentation.

Our time with the Fryeburg Historical Society energized us and reminded us why we do this. The written words and photographs as important to them as the voices we catch on our recorders are to us. Adding a new dimension to historical documentation is what we hope to do. To this team it seems only logical. Learning the history of this great state is energizing. Meeting the people along the way is life changing. There is always a story to be told. And for us the journey is as important as the destination.

We will indeed return to Fryeburg for an investigation. As a matter of fact. Catch us at the Dyer Library October 24th at 3pm. We are holding a silent auction. Highest bidder will join us on this very investigation as our guest.

You have ever tried to get to Machais via Bar Harbor.

You have ever sniffed a stranger’s wall paper at 1am

You have ever ‘pulled a groin’ on an investigation.

You have ever fallen through a client’s front porch.