haunted

Haunted Houses, Pad Thai & FREE DVD CONTEST

August 1, 2014 By Dayton937 9 Comments

Chicken Pad Thai – A staple on the menu at Siam Pad Thai.

What does Pad Thai have in common with Haunted Houses? That’s easy. A Food Adventure, celebrating today’s nationwide DVD release of local horror film “Haunted House on Sorority Row.” Want to win a free autographed copy of this scary ass movie? All you have to do is comment below, and one winner will be chosen at random.

The Food Adventure Crew recently sat down with the film’s director, Henrique Couto and cast members Erin Ryan and Joni Durian..

The Food Adventure took place at Siam Pad Thai on Wilmington Pike, a favorite spot of both Big Ragu & Henrique Couto. We ate and talked about the film, various favorite foods and favorite horror flicks. Everyone was very excited about the release of the DVD. We let the noodles and the comments fly!

First, let’s start with the film HAUNTED HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW…… now available on DVD ! Want a copy?

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Locally filmed thriller, with suspense, blood, guts and boobs.. check out the intense trailer HERE !

— Dayton’s own, Henrique Couto is making a name for himself in independent movie circles.

“Haunted House on Sorority Row” was filmed locally. The DVD is now available on Amazon.com, or win one by commenting below !

MUST SCREAMS:

— The DVD may be bought at these retailers: Amazon.com, Game Swap at the corner of Dorothy Lane and Woodman Dr. and FYE at the Fairfield Commons Mall.

— If Amazon needs to restock, you may have to wait a few days, but in the meantime order our favorite film, by Henrique, last year’s dvd Babysitter Massacre !

— You can find more of Henrique’s items HERE.

You may recall that The Big Ragu went to the theater showing of “Haunted House on Sorority Row” earlier this year at Englewood Cinemas.

What makes this film so special? Henrique says it is his scariest movie of all time. Joni believes the scenes of pure survival in the house, comes across strongly in the film. Erin thinks the psychological, role driven aspects of each character, gives the film its frightening feel. As for you the viewer, well you gotta a pick up a DVD and see for yourself.

We also got a chance to ask the group some questions about their favorite scary movies, restaurants and more !

See how you stack up to their answers:

Hope you didn’t eat any popcorn during the flick, we are about to eat. We also hope we didnt scare you with the spooky, locally made, must see movie.. if we did, just relax.

Coconut Soup – delicious and unique. Click to enlarge

Now let’s talk Thai – Oh yeah, we talk Thai.. we talk Thai gooooddd. *** SIAM PAD THAI *** to be exact!! Now can you deal with this?

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Since 2008, owner “Fon,” has brought her recipes from past restaurants she owned like Ban Thai, and Yummy Burger

— Seating is limited to about 30 people in this little spot, located at 3027 Wilmington Pike

— Attractions include Thai Specialties and Sushi !

With our many visits to Siam Pad Thai, we have developed some favorites, we list as “must eats.”

MUST EATS:

— THAI TEA: Feel free to send us thank you cards for this tip. A mix between an iced tea and a milkshake, this is one of those “you gotta try this” items.

— COCONUT SOUP: Warming to the soul, this soup contains lime leaves, tomato, mushroom, lime juice and of course coconut milk. Perfect for a cold day, actually perfect for any day. A delicious taste of Thai.

Deep Fried Terminator Roll: Try it and “you’ll be back”

— SOFTSHELL CRAB: One of the only places we know of that serves this delicacy year round. It is a delicacy and dare we say Food Adventure on a plate. Get over your fear, because this crab is edible, shell and all !

— THE PAD THAI: It doesnt matter if you get chicken, shrimp or vegetable, this is the real deal and some of the best stuff in town. Our filmmaking pal Henrique Couto agrees and pegs this his favorite dish at his favorite restaurant.

— THE DEEP FRIED TERMINATOR SUSHI ROLL: Sushi roll with Cream cheese, cooked salmon, eel sauce, sesame seeds, then deep fried in a light batter. They must call it a Terminator Roll because once you try it… “You’ll be back.”

Honorable Mention: The Mango Dessert served with sticky rice and coconut milk is a good one. Also, seafood lovers will love the Seafood soups in a Clay Pot for a nice Food Adventure. There are a few variations of seafood,noodles, etc. so choose your interest.

****PRIZE CONTEST****

ONE lucky fan who comments and shares the story will get a free DVD copy of “Haunted House on Sorority Row,” autographed by the director Henrique Couto !
The winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday.

Thanks to Henrique, Erin and Joni for joining us on an official Food Adventure!

Had enough to eat? After seeing the film and eating at Siam Pad Thai, you will know the difference between a Columbian Neck Tie, and a Pad Thai.

If you want more of Food Adventures, then you MUST CLICK LIKE on Facebook HERE !!!

Until then, check out our sexy, scary and scrumpious photos from our visits over the years to SIAM PAD THAI !

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Food Adventures does “Dinner and a Ghost!”

October 21, 2013 By Dayton937 3 Comments

Is Snow Hill Country Club Haunted ? Have dinner and decide yourself

Ever had dinner with a ghost? Well here is your chance, Ghost Hunters! Snow Hill Country Club is haunted, and had been serving up “Dinner and a Ghost” nights on Fridays in October for the past 12 years. In fact, the place is so legendary, that it was featured on an episode of the Biography channel’s “My Ghost Story.” The country club is located just outside of Wilmington, on State Route 73. The “Dinner and a Ghost” nights feature food, fear and even an overnight stay.

The Food Adventures Crew have eaten in many scary places, but this was our first “Haunted Food Adventure.” The food is pretty straight forward. On our two trips to the country club, buffet items included turkey and ham, while another night they featured ribs and salmon. The meal is rounded out with salad, a couple of sides and a dessert plate shared by the table, or possibly some cake.

But we weren’t here for the food, we were here for the ghosts. And Snow Hill delivered….

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— “Dinner and a Ghost” features appetizers in the bar and a buffet style dinner. The menu has improved since the 1820’s and they wont be serving rabbit, steamed onions, venison and beef tongue anymore.

One of our dinners featured Ribs and Salmon

— After dinner, the hosts take you on a guided tour complete with historical information, sound recordings of unexplained voices, and even a couple of photos believed to be “supernatural.” Tour gurus include historian Kathleen Madison and Ghost expert/Paranormal Investigator Shelly Suittor. Supporting cast includes Ghost Hunters Kat Powell and Alicia Soich.

— After the tour, guests are encouraged to look around for about an hour and explore for themselves. During this time a few notable unexplained “phenomenon” have been known to occur.

— Attendees may purchase alcohol at a full service bar on the main level.

— There are 6 guest rooms, and groups may make reservations to stay the night for about 100 bucks per room. Included in the stay is “ghost hunting” all night, if you have the guts to roam the halls late at night. Even golf may be arranged during good weather.

— Snow Hill Country Club is located in New Vienna, Ohio at 11093 New Vienna Rd (Daytonians know this as State Route 73). Famous visitors have included Henry Ford, Eleanor Roosevelt, and legendary 1920’s golfer, Walter Hagen.

— Minimum groups for ‘dinner and a ghost’ are 12 people. Cost of dinner and tour is $45 per person.

Click to enlarge: What you think of the “orb” in this photo. Is it the sign of a spirit ?

MUST SCREAMS:

— Snow Hill was built and owned by the Harris family in 1820. It was a popular Inn and tavern up through the 1900’s. One of the oldest running businesses in Ohio, the country club is said to be haunted by spirits of past owners, family members and past guests.

— Many stories abound from the 70’s and 80’s like a man whom believed he hit a pedestrian in the road, but noone was found. Or records of police and firefighters responding to alarms and seeing unexplained light and movements throughout the house.

— The Food Adventures Crew had a few unexplained happenings during our two tours:

Big Ragu was taking photographs in the dark, damp cellar thought to be a passage for the underground railroad. In some of the photos, some circular orbs appeared, one very prominently. We were told that many ghost hunters believe these are tell tale signs of “spirits” in the room. To be honest, we do not know what to think, other than the orbs were strange and not in photos taken of the same place seconds earlier. The prominent orb in the photo had a distinct outline and almost looked to have “veins” running through it. Odd indeed. Is it a spirit? You decide.

The Big Ragu was in the storage area of the basement, when the door next to him opened about an inch and then slammed quickly. He looked around the room at the handful of people near him and they had that “oh crap” look on their face. Ragu opened the door and saw a dark empty hall with a staircase, there was nobody there. There was also a moment where the Big Ragu felt something grab his back pocket. He was unsure if this was a fan who liked his behind or a ghost.

Elegant, yet Spooky: Stay the night… if you dare

— During our 2nd visit to Snow Hill, one of our fellow guests took a photo of what appears to be an apparition in one of the bedrooms. Again, unexplained and just plain weird.

— Employees tell stories of glasses shattering, chandeliers swinging violently, and various apparition sightings.

— Recordings of various unexplained voices gave us goosebumps, especially one particular ghost that whispered the word “Becky” as clear as day on the recording. The voice was creepy like Golem from Lord of the Rings movies, or like someone who ate too much at Golden Corral.

— An 1880’s portrait photo of an man was found in a cupboard, and when locked away, would keep appearing in various open areas of the country club. One of the tour guests recognized the photo as her ancestor Thomas Wilson, a Civil War vet. Since being identified, it was found out that he was a former owner of the country club, purchasing it at auction in 1898. Since being identified, his photo has ceased moving inexplicably.

— A candlemaker tool levitated and slammed to the ground on a couple of occasions in front of various dinner party guests a few years back. The theory is that the ghost of the original owner, Mrs Harris, might not be keen on a “peasant tool” being allowed in her formal dining room as decor.

With Halloween around the corner, this is the perfect time for “Dinner and a Ghost” at Snow Hill Country Club. We were skeptical going in, and realized after 2 visits, some things happened that we couldn’t explain. Were they spirits from lives past? Look at our photos, listen to the recordings in person. Is the place haunted? Did we see “ghosts?” You decide…. and check it out for yourself, but we suggest you don’t go alone.

Click to enlarge: On our 2nd trip to Snow Hill a fellow guest took this pic. Is is a ghost?

So you want to get spooked? Want a frightening Food Adventure ??

Then contact Snow Hill Country Club and ask for a private Dinner and a Ghost Group (minimum 12 people). Tell them Food Adventures sent you!

Don’t forget, you can book an overnight stay and/or a round of golf !

For reservations contact General Manager Katie Gephardt at [email protected] or call her at 937-987-2491.

The Dinner and a Ghost website can be found HERE –>http://www.snowhillcountryclub.com/dinner-and-a-ghost/

For scary images, haunting plates and funny faces, “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY BELOW FOR UNEXPLAINED AND DELICIOUS PHENOMENA !

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Specters Of The Past Revealed

October 25, 2011 By J.T. Ryder Leave a Comment

Paravizionz Locks Down Ohio’s “Sleepy Hollow”

The Joinery In Bellbrook

Illicit affairs, money, greed, envy…the deadliest of sins prove to be just that, extinguishing lives like a sudden gust of autumn wind douses the flickering light of a candle, creating a haunting lore that seemingly breathes with a murmuring life of its own. While every locale around the world has their own ghost stories and legends, Bellbrook, Ohio has their fair share as well, most of which reach back into the dim mists of a century gone by.

There is the story of a servant girl who involved herself with the town’s very influential Mayor and managed to get herself pregnant in the process. The Mayor refused to acknowledge her anymore and had her removed from the premises. The young lady took to a life of prostitution to get by, quickly becoming the subject of gossip and ridicule. When her baby was born, she would only take it outside with it’s face covered, as it was whispered that the child bore a striking resemblance to the father. It was thought that the young woman had fallen into a downward spiral of madness as she was often seen walking along with her baby safely bundled up from the prying eyes of the townsfolk, singing and talking to the bundle of tattered fabric that shrouded her little one. One night, the weight of her plight must have been too much to bear and she plunged herself and her baby into the cold, swirling depths of Possum Run Creek or, as it is known now, the Little Sugar Creek. A week later, her body was found by two local youths, washed up upon the creek’s bank. Her icy, lifeless arms still clasped the tattered rags that were once wrapped around her child, but the baby itself was never found. It is said that on certain nights, especially those peculiarly still nights in June when the mists rise up into the ebony darkness, you can see her glowing form stumble along the sides of the creek, a lilting singsong sigh being sung to the bundle of rags that she carries.

I grew up in Bellbrook, long before it became the lush suburb that it is today. When I lived there, it was still mostly a bucolically rural town. Carpenter Rd. still had a hair pin turn where, legend has it, that on certain nights, you could see the silhouette of a hanged man…just another person who had decided to end it all when they came to the end of their rope. Back when you would walk along Little Sugarcreek Rd., quickly succumbing to a whistling bravery as you passed Fallis Cemetery after dark. A time when, out of the corner of your eye, you would see skittering shadows and the out of tune tinkling of a piano coming from the music room of the Elementary School. You would hear whispered legends about the creaking madness held within the walls of several of the towns original homes. Stories of the strange behavior exhibited by the living as they face the heady unknown of death, like the undertaker who could not bear the loss of his wife and kept her embalmed body in the front window of his establishment for over a year before singing into the downward spiral of lunacy.

These memories came back to me in a rush as I met up with two gentlemen, Lee Allen and Davis Jones, the founder and co-founder, respectively, of ParaVizionz. ParaVizionz is a paranormal investigation and research team that has completed over 180 paranormal investigation since their inception in 2008. Lee and Jones met in early 2008 when TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) visited Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to investigate paranormal activity there for their wildly popular television show on SyFy called Ghost Hunters. Jones had managed to weasel his way into the event with little more than an ID on a lanyard and, after befriending the film crew and being allowed to jump to the front of the line, he ran into Lee, who was trying to assemble a team of local paranormal investigators. Since that time, a team of investigators, technicians and mediums have been assembled and the group has gelled into one incredibly in-tune entity who have compiled a list of completed investigations, an archive of EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena) and a slew of stories that would make most people cringe.

Paravizionz Investigates The Joinery

There are those that are dismissive of paranormal investigations and make light of others beliefs in otherworldly events…right up to the point when they are standing in the murmuring darkness and feel a cold finger trace the line of their spine. Jones came to believe in supernatural activities while still very young while living in Michigan. He had just moved into an old farmhouse in the woods with his sister, father and his new stepmom. It had been said that one of the previous owners had hung themselves from the apple tree outside the kitchen window, but this barely registered with the young Jones…until the noises began. Creaking footsteps and rocking chairs that were invisibly animated made he and his sister believers in very short order. Another memory he held of that time was his new stepmother’s use of a Ouija board, but he gave it little credence. It was just a Parker Brother’s game, after all.

Conversely, Lee’s induction into the world of the unknown came about through personal loss. He and his wife lost one son, Austin, in infancy and then another older child, a daughter named Caitlyn, some time later. Lee said that after these two incidents, he would hear voices in the children’s rooms and sense their presences from time to time. While I didn’t press Lee as to the association between these events and his sudden passion for the paranormal, one can infer that it would almost become a necessity for one who had suffered such a tragic loss. Even separated by a wall of sleep, a father needs to know that his children are alright and to know what kind of world that they exist in.

This past summer, ParaVizionz has been doing a series of investigations in Bellbrook, Ohio. They have investigated everything from private residences to my old Elementary School and have come away with many personal stories as well as EVPs, which they have posted on their website. Paravizionz has shared their stories online and created the Jonathan Winters Ghost Walk and Historical Tour that ran the weekend of September 30^th through October 1^st. All of their activities has even garnered them a proclamation from the Mayor of Bellbrook, Mary Graves. All of these goings-on will culminate with the Bellbrook On Lockdown event slated for Halloween weekend, starting at noon on Friday, October 28^th and ending at 3:00pm on Sunday, October 30^th.

The Bellbrook On Lockdown event will have lectures, celebrities, tours, information, vendors, activities and entertainment. The Master of Ceremonies, a Johnny Depp/Jack Sparrow look-alike, Captain “Larry” Sparrows, will kick off the festivities at noon on Friday at Sugarcreek Plaza, located at 6124 Wilmington Pike in Bellbrook. There are a ton of guest speakers, including Keith Age (a paranormal investigator who founded the Louisville Ghost Hunter’s Society and is the star of Spooked TV), Patrick Burns (star of TruTV’s Haunting Evidence), author Marley Harbuck-Gibson, international medium Robyn Marie, radio personality and comedian Scotty Rorek, paranormal mediums Deborah and Nicholas Lantz, John Brightman (founder of New England Paranormal Research), cryptozoologist Joedy Cook and paranormal filmmakers and stars of the SyFy, Chiller and Spooked TV networks, The Booth Brothers. Entertainment will come in the form of bagpiper Wulf, D.J. Tre and a special guest appearance by escape artist and magician Aron Houdini. A celebrity guided tour of all the haunted areas in Bellbrook is also on the itinerary, including the Dart Construction Building (formerly Penewit Hardware), The Shepherd House, Magee Park and others. The Joinery, which was one of the locations that Paravizionz investigated over the summer, was once a stop on the underground railroad. Their investigation revealed a slew of EVPs, which say things from a whispered voice decalring, “I’m right behind you” to the plaintive plea of a woman saying, “Hide me!”

One of the highlights of the tour has to do with one of the oldest legends of the area. Back in the 1800’s, there was an Englishman named James Buckley whose sawmill was located alongside what is now known as the Little Sugar Creek. He became very wealthy from this enterprise and, as is common as seen through the eyes of avarice, envied by many of the townspeople. One morning, his cabin was forced into and he was robbed and then brutally murdered…decapitated, in fact. His body was found, sans head, outside, covered in blood and mud, but the money…along with his head…were, by some accounts, never found. Other versions of this story state that his head was found some distance away and that the robbers never retrieved any of the money because Mr. Buckley had buried it somewhere near the creek. ParaVizionz is going to have a live, televised treasure hunt utilizing a medium to communicate with the long deceased entrepreneur to try and find the place in which the money was buried. Hopefully they find the money…and only the money. Priorities may change somewhat when a spirit is made to choose between earthly wealth and a part of themselves that was most cruelly taken from them…

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We all have had experiences. We have all had that unexplainable feeling of being watched as the hairs on the nape of neck stand up. We have all felt the trickling fear, absolutely feeling alone in the dark tide of one of eternity’s moments. We have all seen the spectral movements of light and shadow that we are unable to explain, but which we rationalize when dawn arises. Regardless of how stalwartly pragmatic we feel that we may be and how we may deride the beliefs of those who embrace the spirit world, there are moments in our lives when our depths of spirit are overtaken by the icy isolation of a nameless dread. We have all had experiences. This is a time to share those experiences and to hear those who have had similar occurrences happen within their lives. This is a time to ask the questions that cannot be answered by religions or sciences. This is a time to reflect on what is beyond this realm.

Paravizionz Bellbrook On Lockdown runs from Friday, October 28^th through Sunday, October 30^th. There are various tiers of payment for admission, ranging from $30 to $150 for the VIP/Ghost Hunt pass. For more information, check out their website for the event at http://bellbrookonlockdown.webs.com/ and make sure to check out the group’s main website at http://www.paravizionz.net to watch video and hear EVPs from their past investigations.

Haunted Dayton: Ghost Stories of The Gem City

October 27, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro 2 Comments

The rear of the Old Court House building, thought to be visited by the spirit John McAfee, the first man to be publicly hanged in Dayton.

“He’s stuck, that’s what it is. He’s in between worlds. You know it happens sometimes that the spirit gets yanked out so fast that the essence still feels it has work to do here”. – Oda Mae Brown in the film Ghost.

A mystery lies deep in the bowels of the one-hundred year-old Stivers School for the Arts building located on the east end of downtown Dayton. Decades ago, the body of teacher Mary Tyler was discovered floating in the building’s pool, fully clothed. The mystery deepens as Ms. Tyler was believed to have been involved with a student – a young man who was a senior at the time of her death.

He was never seen or heard from again.

But according to accounts from students and maintenance staff over the years, Mary Tyler decided to take up permanent residence within the storied halls of the arts school. Witnesses have reported Tyler’s ghostly figure levitating in the abandoned pool (now buried beneath a classroom) and floating about the lower levels and the networks of tunnels buried underneath the school, banging on pipes and wailing loudly wherever she goes.

Karen Laven, who documented ghostly occurrences in her 2009 book, Dayton Ghosts, recalls her personal experience when she visited Stivers for research in 2008:

“Stivers gave off a distinctly weird vibe,and not only when I was looking down into the bowels of the old swimming pool where Mary was found dead, but throughout the school. It truly seems to have a very deep history of hauntings in its century of life and at the same time, it is a hub for artistic creativity. Amazing combination.”

If historians and experts of the paranormal are to be believed, Stivers is just one of several places in the Dayton area where sightings occur frequently. Woodland Cemetery has had its fair share of sightings, with visitors claiming to have spoken with people who simply vanished shortly after briefly conversing with them. The venerable Amber Rose, a Dayton dining staple, is said to be haunted by a spinster named “Chuckie.” The team from Ghost Hunters, the popular reality television show on the Syfy network, even visited Wright Patterson Air Force Base in January 2008, investigating Buildings 70, 219 and the Arnold House for paranormal activity (results were “inconclusive”).

So with a healthy dose of skepticism, I unearthed what I believe to be the 5 most haunted places in Dayton:

5. The Corner of Fifth And Ludlow

In 1805, Daniel Cooper, one of Dayton’s “founding fathers”, purposed four acres of land as one of the city’s earliest graveyards. As the city’s population and size swelled, the bodies interred at the location were dug up and moved decades later to Woodland Cemetery. Due to poor grave markings and improper burials, countless bodies were left behind.

Historian Curt Dalton of Dayton History, says: ‘There were over 800 bodies here, and when they built the building that stands there now, they discovered dozens of bodies in various stages of decomposition. There were wild pigs that were digging up the bones…the place had become a mess.”

4. The Original Dayton Daily News Building

The fourth floor of the original Dayton Daily News building on 4th and Ludlow Streets is purported to be the haunting grounds of Judy Sinks. Sinks was murdered by her husband, Theodore, a maintenance worker employed by the newspaper. After strangling her at home, Theodore concealed her body in the building. The following year, her body was discovered.

The fourth floor of the historic Dayton Daily News building on 4th and Ludlow.

“It was very sad what happened to her,” says historian Leon Bey, who conducts historical ghost tours of downtown Dayton. “Many employees on that top floor were very happy when the newspaper moved to the new location because they were having problems with Judy’s ghost. She was making all kinds of noises and carrying on.”

However, Judy is not the only ghost at DDN’s old residence. Gov. Cox, founder of Dayton Daily News, can be seen and heard diligently working in the library on the third floor. Leon Bey tells participants of his walking tour:

“One night, after he was dead for about a year-and-a-half, a janitor came into the library to clean. He was shocked to see a man in a smoking jacket sitting at Mr. Cox’s desk. He couldn’t believe it. The gentleman admitted he was Gov. Cox but asked to be left alone. The janitor went out and told people about it, and that started the legend.”

Bey smiles, and adds, “He’s a friendly ghost!”

3. The Victoria Theatre

The gray, marbled facade of the historic Victoria Theatre provides passersby a tiny glimpse of its storied vaudevillian heritage. Though most of the structure has gone through extensive restoration due to the original being nearly burned to the ground, the opera house retains much of the charm of its past lives. Dalton explains that it retains something else, as well:

Victoria Theatre at 138 N. Main Street.

“When it was a music hall, an actress disappeared one night before she was supposed to go out on stage. They went up to get her, and she wasn’t in her room. There was a guard at the bottom of the stairs that never saw her come down. We think that she was probably murdered, and possibly taken out in a trunk.”

When she disappeared, she was wearing a taffeta dress scented with rose perfume. Stories of employees hearing the rustling sounds of a dress and the sweet smell of perfume (particularly on the balcony) persist to this day. Employees affectionately named her “Vicky”.

“When they did renovation in 1979, Ms. Vicky maybe thought that they were tearing down her home,” says Dalton, grinning as he glances up at the beautiful building. “The workers kept talking about how their tools would disappear again and again. If you come here, they’ll tell you all about Ms. Vicky!”

Bey adds, “We think this is the most active ghost in Dayton!”

2. The Patterson Homestead

Generations of the Patterson family, one of the most influential families in Dayton’s history, lived in the three story mansion on Brown Street for nearly 100 years until 1904.

Some would argue that they still live there.

Patricia Staley, of Dayton Ohio Ghost Hunters Society (D.O.G.S.) says the Patterson Homestead is one of the most haunted locations in the Miami Valley. She described a 2009 investigation of the property to a group of wide-eyed audience members at a recent lecture at Kettering-Moraine Public Library:

“We had a lot of interesting activity. We were told that people were getting the feeling of being watched all the time, and also people were seeing full-body apparitions. We had people with us that are sensitive to spirits. When we went up to third floor, we discovered [the spirit of] a thirteen year-old boy.

The Patterson Homestead at 1815 Brown Street.

We then went to the master bedroom and I’m sitting in the chair…all of a sudden, I feel [the spirit of] a dog come up to me and I started stroking its head. I felt a connection with Julia, as this was her bedroom. I went from laughing and talking… to crying. It’s just a very odd sensation – but also very fulfilling.

We picked up several EVP’s (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) on our recorders. They [the spirits] will talk a lot about the curator and the people who work there.”

Staley and the rest of the crew at D.O.G.S. contend that most of the spirits at the home are benevolent. Staley admits, however, there is one area in the home that made her uncomfortable – the basement.

“It totally freaked me out,” Staley said. “There’s a section that’s walled off and concreted tight. We can’t get a camera or a wire through, or anything. I’m not sure if it was a coal chute or a cellar. But I know I can’t turn my back to that wall. I have to physically back away. There’s something there that says, ‘Don’t turn your back on me!'”

1. Sinclair Community College

So much ghostly activity has been documented at Sinclair that it was named “one of the most haunted college campuses in America” a few years ago, with activity being reported in Buildings 2, 7 and 13. Students and staff have reported seeing figures floating down hallways and out of bathrooms. Whispers and voices are heard. Some have said that in certain buildings, they can feel hands pulling their hair and tugging at clothing.

But the hotbed of otherwordly activity at Sinclair Community College appears to be concentrated in two areas: Blair Hall and the Tartan cafeteria.

A ghost named “Hamlet” has been haunting Blair Hall Theater for over thirty years according to generations of students

Blair Hall at Sinclair Community College.

and faculty. Random noises come from the rear of the stage, lights turn off and on by themselves and faint outlines of a someone with a slender build can be seen walking on the several catwalks high above the stage.

The area that is now the Tartan Cafeteria was once the site of the Dayton’s hanging gallows, where many criminals were hanged to death. Their spirits are believed to still linger around, taunting students.

A former security chief who died suddenly is said to have appeared on campus, making his rounds as dutifully as he did when he was amongst the living. Also, there are a number of tales that have elevators running by themselves.

Leon Bey says, “A lady came to me and said that she saw a ghost on the elevator. She said he was an African-American gentleman with a mule. I did my research and discovered that the area used to have a railroad roundhouse, and that mules were used to turn the railroad engines around.”

Sinclair is easily the most haunted of all places in Dayton. Have you had a ghost encounter of your own in Dayton?

Gem City Circle Walking Tours (Leon Bey and Curt Dalton) have two more downtown Dayton ghost walks scheduled for the season on Fri., Oct. 29 & Sat., Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. All walks are $10 per person.
Please call or email Leon Bey to make a reservation: (937) 274-4749 or
[email protected]