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    Taking It to the Bank…


    2009 - 04.12

    Posted in bed and breakfasts, business, florida, foreclosure, hauntings, news, paranormal | Comments Off

    The fight has ended for Florida’s Seven Sisters Inn. This past week, the two historic Ocala Victorian houses became the property of the bank for $100,000 at a foreclosure auction. Bonnie Morehardt and Ken Oden bode a tearful farewell to their business, though they still own the small cottage behind the properties.

    First Coast Community Bank expressed regret at having such a fate meet a property on the National Register of Historic Places. They still are hoping to find new owners to continue the business and purchase the place. But for now, the seven other staff members are left hopeful to return to work.

    On the day before the auction, a book flew from a shelf inside the bed & breakfast. Ghostly happenings have been on the increase since the tense times facing the inn. Even the spirits are upset by the recent turn of events, but hopefully after the bank has had the opportunity to make sure the historic inn is in top shape, a new owner will move in… one able to appease the disquieted spooks.

    Ghost Property Going Bust?


    2009 - 03.19

    Posted in bed and breakfasts, business, charities, florida, foreclosure, ghost hunting, ghosts, hauntings, paranormal, television, youtube | Comments Off

    Foreclosures still plague the United States as our economy maintains its frightening slump. Everyone is susceptible. In Florida, one allegedly-haunted bed & breakfast is the newest victim. But if a group of ghost hunters has their way, the house won’t face any wrecking ball.

    The Seven Sisters Inn on Ocala’s Fort King Street was built in 1888 and remains one of the few magnificent Victorians still standing in the area. The owners, Bonnie and Ken, ran the guest house for 20 years before facing a financial crisis. A failed sale led to the banks demand for total payment, which could not be met. in October 2008, foreclosure proceedings began.

    But they’re not going down without a fight. Southeastern Paranormal Investigations (SEPI) has helped create a website, Save the Seven Sisters Inn, where visitors can sign a petition and make donations to help the cause. The National Register of Historic Places lists both houses for their historical value. Charity events are being planned in hopes of doing anything possible to avoid disaster. A buyer is desperately wanted by the owners for the two-house B&B, which is priced at $1.3 million.

    An episode of Ghost Hunters was recently filmed at the structure and hopes are high for it attracting paranormal investigators in an effort to save the building. Events are still happening at the inn, including the Seven Sisters Haunt in April, so it’s not dead just yet. Allegedly, the haunted activity is tied to the land, not necessarily the houses. In the 18th century, a hospital was built on the grounds and treated many injured soldiers who apparently refused to leave.

    For an overview, here is part of the Ghost Hunters episode, aired this past fall:

    Click here for Part Two of “Ghosts of the Sunshine State”.

    We’ll Leave the Light On for You…


    2008 - 10.16

    Posted in business, california, fires, news, santeria | Comments Off

    Fire swept through a shop in San Diego’s Center City last weekend. One business was completely destroyed and a nearby taco shop was damaged. Centro Botanico La Santisima on Imperial Avenue was gutted in the blaze. The cause of the blaze has been inked to lit candles inside the store.

    Who would leave candles burning in a closed shop? Well, it might sound a bit less shocking when you learn that this was no ordinary business. It was an occult shop, catering to practitioners of Santería and other African diasporic religions.

    Or Hoodoo, if you wish to overly simplify matters.

    Approximately $250,000 in damage was caused to the structure and an additional $90,000 worth of products, such as herbs and amulets, burned up in the flames. Local practitioners have been devastated at the loss of the only shop of its kind in the neighborhood.

    Candles don’t come with that “don’t leave candles burning unattended” warning without reason, people. I know it looks pretty to have the soft glow setting the mood in a metaphysical shop, but at 4:00 in the morning, no one is there to see it!

    Unfortunately, all those amulets and protective concoctions didn’t do a lick of good. Perhaps it would be wise for other shop owners to take down that bunch of mandrake root and put up a smoke detector instead.

    Queer Paranormal Road Trip: Buddie’s Pub


    2008 - 07.11

    Posted in business, gay bars, gay ghosts, murder, new jersey, road trips, united states | Comments Off

    The ghost of what was once a gay bar can be found on South Broad Street in Trenton, New Jersey. It was known as Buddie’s Pub and had been in operation since the 1960s. Unfortunately, the last efforts to keep the establishment alive failed a few years ago. But the legend lives on… as does, presumably, the ghost.

    In 2004, the final owners, Beth and Gary Feltus, did extensive renovations to the century-old building. After tracking down the original blueprints, they restored the interior to its original layout and design. The Trenton Historical Society recognized their work with an award for historic preservation. Otherwise, it was your typical corner bar with inexpensive drinks and nightly entertainment.

    And then there was the ghost.

    Glasses would fly off their rack. Games and lights would turn on and off sporadically. Pictures and objects would fly off the walls. The light over the pool table even fell off its hooks… without the hooks falling from the ceiling.

    Patrons and owners never feared the supernatural presence. In fact, they knew who it was. Most of the paranormal happenings were attributed to Seymour, who converted the pub into a gay establishment in the mid-1960s. He allegedly died in the tavern and never felt the need to leave. Two regulars also met their demise in an adjoining building. One passed away after having his throat cut; the other murdered his lover.

    For a brief time in 2007, the structure became a Mexican restaurant, yet it seems to be abandoned once more. Hopefully, the next owner will take good care of the property and reopen it as a successful business, if the spirits approve…

    Queer Paranormal Road Trip: Banting House Inn


    2008 - 06.06

    Posted in business, canada, dogs, gay, hauntings, health, history, road trips, toronto | Comments Off

    If you’re looking to take an extended trip to Toronto for a weekend this summer, one gay-owned bed and breakfast should be on the top of your list. In fact, it has been ranked one of the Top 10 Places to Stay in Toronto.

    Believe it or not, Banting House Inn is right in the heart of downtown Toronto. Yet it’s immense property and towering trees make you feel as though you’re in an oasis within the city. The seven guest rooms each have their uniqueness (such as the Wedgewood Room and the Oscar Wilde Room) and the off-street parking is an added bonus! Of course, there are some possible reasons to visit… of a more supernatural nature.

    The brick home was constructed in 1899… and apparently, one of it’s first residents never left.

    It is possible that the apparition occasionally seen by visitors is none other than Sir Frederick Banting, who once resided at the homestead. Banting was a Nobel Prize winner in 1923, made famous for his work with Dr. Charles Best which lead to the discovery of insulin. (His later home in London, Ontario houses the Canadian Diabetes Association and a museum, not to confuse the two “Banting Houses”.)Banting perished in a plane crash in 1941, at the age of 49. It was also used as an animal research facility, and a few guests have reported hearing dogs barking or running up and down the hallways.

    But that hasn’t deterred anyone…

    So if you’re looking to visit Toronto and are curious to stay at a haunted inn, Banting House is the perfect spot. Even if you don’t have a paranormal experience, it is certainly worth the trip.

    Buy, Sell, or Shuffle?


    2008 - 04.28

    Posted in astrology, business, economics, england, news | Comments Off

    Obviously, we consider banks to be rather meticulous with their money and cautious with what they do with it. Brits may not have as much faith anymore, considering some of the nations largest financial institutions are using an interesting method to play the market.

    Astrologers.

    And they aren’t the only ones turning to the stars. Even investment funds and retail companies are turning to the zodiac for major decisions. As the credit crunch worsens, a growing network of discreet astrologers are finding the times very profitable.

    And why do they do it? Apparently, it is working somehow. High and Mighty, a men’s big and tall clothing retailer, has successfully used readings to make business decisions.

    The key is planetary alignment. This principle has been around for centuries in heliocentric astrology. Hitler relied on it to plot moves (but didn’t factor it in with the Battle of Britain). Ronald Reagan and Boris Yeltsin planned their travels around the planets. Many celebrities seem to have certain similarities concerning which planets were rising and falling during their birth.

    Dr. Percy Seymour, a retired astrophysicist from Plymouth University, claims that after studying the planets for decades, they have a point. Magnetic fields are altered slightly as the planets rotate, and though it doesn’t control us “it can influence us.”

    So, what do the planets say is in store with finances? Things will begin a slight upswing in April, but starting in August, the global economy is expected to be in for a very rough 4 or 5 years. October of 2008 will mark another crisis. And 2012 itself is supposed to be a crucial year of major catastrophe (ironic, since London hosts the Olympics in that year.)

    Why can’t we ever get good news from astrology?

    No matter what you believe, in all probability we are in for a difficult few years. But do I need a chart or book to tell me that?