Home » Mind & Soul » Ghosts » At The Ghost Conference

At The Ghost Conference

© Janice Oberding

As an area rep for Troy Taylor's American Ghost Society, I was thrilled to be invited to speak at this year's the American Ghost Society's "Haunted America National Conference" in Alton, Illinois.

Alton is a charming little town some 20 or so miles from St. Louis. When we arrived the city was sweltering under a heat wave the likes of which I'd never encountered. Midwest summers, my husband had attempted to explain, were quite different than those in the Sierras. He was right of course! But, heat or not, I thoroughly enjoyed the conference.

Meeting Troy in person was indeed an honor. With his knowledgeable and easygoing manner it is plain to see why he has risen to the top of the heap in the ghost investigating /history, paranormal field. He knows what he's talking about. Couple that with the fact that he loves his subject. All this becomes clear as he gets into his talk "Confessions of a Ghost Hunter" and tells the audience about some of the spirits and haunts he's investigated and written about. Written about? He is a prolific writer with well over a dozen books to his credit.

Also on the line up of speakers was Patti Starr, President of Ghost Chasers International, Inc. Patti is a lovely outgoing person. She is a certified ghost hunter who lectures and teaches on ghosthunting, and its theories. Patti uses a dowsing rod in her investigations and shared some fantastic photos and EVP with us. Her latest book is Ghost Hunting in Kentucky and Beyond.

Author Dave Goodwin was on hand to talk entitled Enigma of Haunted Military Posts. His new book is Ghosts of Jefferson Barracks, History & Hauntings of Old St. Louis. Service men and women don’t scare easily. Some of these ghostly encounters would certainly frighten most of us. It was an interesting talk. Both my husband and I enjoyed the book.

Dale Kaczmarek talked on spirit photography (his new book) and Windy City Ghosts. Dale was kind enough to render an opinion on two 35MM photos I showed him. The first photo was not an anomaly, only a camera strap. Ah, but the second! After much consideration, he thought perhaps it could be an anomaly. Dale is an expert. His books prove that! Anyone who wants to learn more about photographing ghosts would do well to get his latest book on Spirit Photography.

Paranormal Investigator/Researcher, writer, Jim Graczyk was another of the talented people we met at this year's conference.

The copyright of the article At The Ghost Conference in Ghosts is owned by . Permission to republish At The Ghost Conference in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.