Local ghost hunters gather to discuss their findings
Wed, Oct 28, 2009 
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BY MARK BROOKY
mbrooky@grandhaventribune.com
It was standing-room-only in the lower level program room at Loutit District Library as a couple of local ghost hunters made a timely presentation Tuesday night — four nights before Halloween.
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Amberrose Hammond and Tom Maat, who lead a local paranormal investigation group and run a related Web site, demonstrated the tools of their trade and presented some of their findings. Hammond also promoted her book, "Ghosts and Legends of Michigan's West Coast," released in September.
Hammond said there is currently a renewed curiosity in ghosts and haunted places.
"Whenever we have a war ... you see a rise and increase in paranormal interest," she told the audience of about 150. "You know, a lot of our loved ones, family members — they passed on, they died, and we still want to connect with them."
To see videos of the presentation and "EVP Theatre," click here: http://www.grandhaventribune.com/liveique/b_vid_front.bsp
Hammond, who lives in Grand Haven Township and works at the library, began with a slideshow of famous alleged ghost photos and proven hoaxes. She then provided a lesson on how paranormal investigation began.
Maat, who lives in Ferrysburg, demonstrated the tools of their trade — including cameras, a digital temperature gauge used to detect sudden chills and other electronic devices.
Hammond later discussed hauntings and legends along the Lakeshore, such as the legend of disfigured "melonheads" in Saugatuck and the ghosts said to haunt Lake Forest Cemetery in Grand Haven. She said the cemetery's "Stairway to Hell" leading to the hilltop Ferry family plot — the oldest part of the city cemetery — has a chilly after-life legend.
"They say that if you go to the top of the stairs, stand there and look out and you get greeted by a white light, you're going to heaven," Hammond explained. "If you don't get greeted by a light, you're going back down. This is after you die, so don't try it right now."
Hammond and Maat concluded by playing audio recordings — called electronic voice phenomena, or EVPs — they made during their investigations of area haunts.
Mike Vandewaa, 20, and Jenny Vandewaa, 16, said after the program that they especially enjoyed the "EVP Theatre" Hammond and Maat presented to the audience. The Grand Haven brother and sister said they both came in already believing in the paranormal.
Mike Vandewaa said he has seen "a lot of weird, weird things" visiting local cemeteries.
"I can't really explain them," he added.
On the Net: www.michigansotherside.com
