Paranormals investigate Red House
Team equipped with night vision and thermal imaging checks for signs of haunting
By Rachel Cavanaugh
Editor, The Sentinel
They don't drive the Ecto-1 mobile, carry proton packs, or fight the Marshmallow Man. Nonetheless, there are similarities between White Salmon-based Columbia Gorge Paranormals (CGP) and the Hollywood version of "Ghostbusters."
For starters - and to perhaps state the obvious - the goal of both groups is to investigate paranormal activity. The investigations generally involve camping out all night at homes or worksites to examine complaints of strange sights, sounds, feelings, and sensations.
Also like the Ghostbusters, investigators from CGP, which formed last year in Klickitat County, make use of high-tech machinery. They arrive at sites armed with electromagnetic field sensors, thermal imaging cameras, high resolution night vision cameras, and multiple digital video recording systems.
The hope is to either confirm or debunk rumors about possible paranormal activities.
Most recently, the group conducted an investigation at a private residence in Goldendale, known as "the Red House." Built in the 1890s, the creaky old three-story home has for years invoked tales of haunting and ghostlore.
Last month, its owner contacted CGP to see if any of the stories held any weight.
"We're still going over the data," said CGP founder Richard Lyons. "We have hours of audio and video to go over before we can conclude 'haunted' or 'not haunted.'"
"However," Lyons added, "we didn't really have any of the personal experiences we've had at some of these places."
Lyons said the home felt "rock-solidly built" and none of the investigators had the eerie experiences sometimes characteristic of their investigations.
That said, Lyons' report shouldn't necessarily be taken as a clean bill to concerned neighbors or friends. Not yet anyway.
He said it is common for teams to not experience paranormal activities firsthand, but later discover abnormalities on audio and video recordings.
The reason for this, Lyons said, is something called electronic voice phenomenon, or EVP. The occurrence, documented by Thomas Edison and studied by MIT scientists, describes situations where audio and video recordings are able to pick up sounds and images , including words and voices, not detected by the naked ear or eye.
It is perhaps the strongest tool paranormal investigators have at their disposal to lend credit to their science.
Lyons said he has seen and heard numerous eerie recordings taken from investigation sites.
"I've heard some things throughout the years that absolutely make the hair on your neck crawl," said Lyons. "When you hear them with your own ears, you will realize why I do what I do."
Lyons, who also teaches science at Henkle Middle School in White Salmon, has a long history with paranormal investigations. He first got involved in college in Alabama when a personal experience, he said, gave him reason to reexamine his beliefs.
He began volunteering with a local paranormal group at that time.
He had always wanted to start one of his own up here and last year got the opportunity.
CGP now includes himself; case manager Rhonda Rickey; investigator Yvonne Taylor; and cofounder Scott See, whom Lyons calls the "resident skeptic."
The group's goal is not to seek out haunted houses or prove there are ghosts, he said, but rather find out the truth.
Unlike some groups, they do not use psychics or mediums in their work.
"We don't come into a place to try to prove it's haunted," said Lyons. "We're looking for things in the house that cannot be explained by normal, scientific channels."
He said they often help people cope with fear and other negative feelings about a place.
"When an individual, family, or business contacts us it is usually because they need someone to listen to their situation, believe them, and help them," Lyons said in an email. "Most people are afraid that they will be ridiculed or shunned because they believe they are experiencing paranormal activity. These people need and want validation.
"They want to know that they are not crazy and that they are experiencing something real."
Even in cases where paranormal activity is not detected, he said, they are often able to find other ways of explaining mysteries.
Since its founding, the group has investigated local sites including the Lyle Hotel, Logs Restaurant in White Salmon, the Wind River Cellars Winery, and the White Salmon Cemetery. They have also gone into various private homes and residences.
The location they'd next like to investigate is the Presby Museum in Goldendale, where Lyons said ghost stories abound from employees. They hope to make contact with the Klickitat County Historical Society.
"We'll drop everything to come and do Presby," said Lyons.
The science teacher said that, although he was unsure what the reaction would be when the group started, it has been overwhelmingly positive, with few exceptions. In fact, he said, their website received 1,500 hits the first month it launched.
He said he believes people in the Gorge have long had an interest in paranormal investigations, but up until recently didn't have an outlet. Now that they do, they are jumping at the opportunity.
Lyons said he is passionate about what he does and thinks his background helps him approach investigations with more balance. He is not looking for ghosts around every corner, he said.
"I'm a science teacher," said Lyons. "I've taught physics, biology, chemistry. I'm an ex-marine biologist. I also teach college courses for the National Weather Service. What am I looking for? Answers."
Healing rooms open on Main St. in Goldendale
A group of local leaders from the faith community will launch a project this week that has been seven years in the making.
Golden Gate Healing Rooms, linked to the International Association of Healing Rooms in Spokane, will open their doors Thursday night, Mar. 19.
The aim of the non-denominational facility is to provide a place for individuals in need of healing to go for help.
"Our goal is to reach into Goldendale with healing for people .. emotionally, spiritually, mentally, physically," said associate director Terry Chambers.
The group does not offer counseling, but rather a simple place to come for prayer.
Each session involves a team of three that surrounds the person, placing their hands on them. The trio uses a combination of prayer and touch to send healing energy to people.
Although all of those involved are active members of local churches, none are ministers. The group includes directors Mike and Elaine Quantrell and associate directors Terry and Linda Chambers. Darrell and Darlene Watson have also supported the project throughout its building stages, Chambers said.
The healing ministry, located at 125 W. Main Street in downtown Goldendale, will be open every Thursday between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. There is no charge for the service and walk-ins are welcome.
Chambers said they do not ask donations from people as they come in, it is completely free.
"We let God take care of that," said Chambers.
For more information, call 509-773-3521.
Hair Affair gets new stylist
The Hair Affair in Goldendale gained a new stylist this week and, along with her, an assortment of new services.
Sophia Guzman, who has returned to Goldendale after three years with Bella Salon in Yakima, will bring basic manicures and pedicures and waxing back to the shop, which hasn't been able to offer the service since last summer.
The graduate of Professional Beauty School in Yakima is a Goldendale High School alumna from the Class of 2004. She said she moved back to be closer to her family.
Her specialty is women's hairstyles and she said she likes the "creative side" of her art.
"I like pleasing the customer," said Guzman. "Making them feel good about themselves. Every woman deserves a pampering."
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