Marion Pellicano Ambrose
As an Assistant Principal, I took our students on many fun and educational field trips, but
by far the best was the 4th grade and the 8th grade trips to Saint Augustine! Teaching is
my love but teaching Florida History is my passion! When my kids went to the Ancient
City, they knew all about Ponce de Leon, Menendez, the different Native Floridian tribes,
the battles, the Spanish, French, American (Union and Confederate) rule of Florida,
and even pirate history! They knew the Florida timeline right up to the present day and
remembered and shared so much on our trip that their parents were amazed.
How, you ask, was I able to accomplish such a feat of excellence in teaching? The answer
is……. Ghosts! That’s right, ghosts!
As we studied the history of each historic spot in Florida, I related the ghost stories that
went with each area. We read from Weird Florida (an awesome book by the way) and
many of the published accounts of paranormal activity in St.Augustine. So haunted
is this city, that on any given night, there are 7 or 8 different “ghost tours” going on at
once. The city is so famous for its ghosts that the cast of TV’s Ghost Hunters came to
investigate. They had one of the scariest nights of their careers right in the St. Augustine
lighthouse! Certified: Definitely haunted!
The lighthouse is said to be haunted by the spirits of 3 little girls. Two were the
lighthouse keeper’s daughters and the third was a friend. They liked to ride the cart on
tracks that led down to the water where ships would unload goods and wheel them up the
tracks. On one of these “rides”, the cart overturned into the water with the girls inside and
the friend was drowned. People often report hearing girls laughing down by the water and
see their little faces in the windows of the main house.
Another favorite haunting of my students is the secret room at the Castillo de San Marcos
(the fort). Years ago, while a crew was cleaning the canons on the upper level, the
ground beneath it caved in and the canon fell to the first level. Several workers went
down to see it, but no one could find it. Finally, someone was lowered down into the
hole with a light. He was almost overcome with the strong scent of spicy perfume. He
found the canon in a small room, completely sealed off, and to his horror he also found
2 skeletons chained to the cold coquina wall. After much research, it was discovered that
during the Spanish occupation of St. Augustine there was a Commander of the fort whose
wife was much younger than he, and known for her great beauty and the exotic, spicy
scent of her perfume. She was also rumored to be having an affair with the handsome,
young Captain of the Guard. According to entries in the Commander’s reports, his
beloved wife ran away with her lover, never to be seen or heard from again. Could
these two be the ones sealed up in the secret room? The skeletons have long since been
removed, but why do visitors still catch the scent of her perfume when they enter?
At the Mission of Nombre de Dios, there is a quaint little building which is the La Leche
Chapel. It is part of the original mission Menendez and his party set up and where the
first Catholic Mass was held in the United States. The first teachers were the priests
and sisters who came to teach the Timucuan natives of the area. These faithful nuns are
buried right next to the chapel. The story persists, even though the present director of the
Mission denies its truth, that one of the nuns was buried alive accidentally. This wasn’t
uncommon at the time since the only way to tell if one was dead was if you couldn’t feel
a heartbeat or see them breathing. Many people were buried with a bell on the grace, a
string leading down to the hand to ring if they regained consciousness. Someone was
hired to sit by the grave through the night (thus the “expression graveyard shift”) to start
digging if the bell rang. Unfortunately, this young nun had no such bell. There were
reports of moaning and the ground vibrating near the grave and people were terrified. It
was decided to dig her up to prove this was all nonsense. When they opened the coffin,
there were deep scratch marks on the inside lid and her nails were broken and blood
stained. Her mouth was open as if screaming. She was quickly reinterred, but to this day,
people standing by the grave sometimes hear moaning and feel the ground beneath them
tremble.
I told my 8th grade this very story and when we visited, they were most anxious to stand
by the graves. We were in the chapel praying, but it was a hot and humid morning. Two
of my girls felt a little faint and asked to stand outside for some air. They walked over
to the grave. I stood in the doorway where I could supervise both the students praying
and the girls outside. Suddenly there was a bone chilling scream and my two girls came
running to me. They clung to me for dear life and cried, “It’s true, it’s true! We heard the
moaning and the ground began to shake! It’s her!!! It’s the nun!” I held them both and
stood with my mouth open in surprise. Sure enough, the ground WAS trembling and I
could hear a low moan that seemed to be coming closer and closer……………..
Suddenly a man on one of those giant lawn mowers came riding around the corner of the
chapel. It moaned and shook the ground as it whacked away the grass and weeds. Tears
of horror turned into tears of laughter as the girls realized that their ghost was a big green
John Deere!
So if you love Florida history, ghost stories or both, Saint Augustine is the place to go!
Sure there are colorful shops, picturesque Bed and Breakfasts, sightseeing tours and
sun- kissed golden beaches, but most importantly, there are GHOSTS!
Showing posts with label ghosts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ghosts. Show all posts
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
PARANORMAL PUB: Spend St Patrick's Day Hunting for Ghosts!
“Since the very
This St. Patrick's Day (3/17/12) the Ghost Doctors will lead a group of aspiring ghost hunters through Grand Central Terminal. After a crash course in ghost hunting – which will include the use of a variety of electronic and traditional ghost hunting equipment – the new recruits will set out on a paranormal quest in search of spirits of St. Patrick's Day past. “On this day even the ghostly spirits should have a bit of the Irish in them and with a bit luck and a four-leaf clover we might just experience a paranormal hooley,” says Dr. Pete.
To find out more about this special upcoming St. Patrick's Day Ghost Hunting Tour in Grand Central Terminal go to their website http://www.ghostdoctors.com
Ghost Doctors (http://www.ghostdoctors.com), based in New York City, is the premier ghost hunting tour in NYC that actually allows participants to experience “real” ghost hunts. Their ghosts hunts can be suited for both public, private and corporate events.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
PARANORMAL PUB: THE TERMINAL BREWERY
Marion Pellicano Ambrose
On a dark Chattanooga night, the glow of the lights and the sound of music beckons you. As you approach the old brick building, the aroma of sizzling steaks, crusty calzones and the enticing bouquet of micro brewed beer fills the air. You’ve come to The Terminal Brewhouse for a fantastic meal and a fun evening, but you may find much more. You might find spirits of a different kind!
The building was built in 1909 as a hotel to serve the Terminal Station across the street, during the golden age of rail travel. Many important people rode the “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and stayed at the hotel. After travel by automobile became popular, the train station closed and the hotel failed. It was used at one time or another as a speak easy, illegal gambling establishment, and even a bordello. Some say even more “unspeakable” activities went on behind closed doors. . Sometime in the 1940’s an enterprising luggage handler at the station named Chester Davis, had saved his tips and eventually purchased the building.
Eventually, the building fell into disrepair. Its metal stairways and cold brick walls were covered in dust and shadows. No one wanted to enter the building because of the eerie sounds and shadows within. Finally in 2006, a local raconteur began restoring the property. Two friends became interested in the Historic building and the three of them entered the building together. The walls and the rafters seemed to cry out to the men. They felt the presence of those spirits who had lived and died there, and wanted the building to come to life once more. As a result, the men decided to create a Brewhouse and restaurant. The eerie sounds continue, especially at night when the brewer is alone and brewing the many fine ales and beers served at The Terminal. I spoke to one waitress who believes that the building is definitely haunted and reports that the wait staff have seen or heard mysterious things, but they all feel that the spirits are content and friendly. Visitors to the Brewery sometime sense the “residents”, but it doesn’t take away from the pleasure of a fabulous meal, great music and some of the best beer you’ll ever taste.
If you’re ever in Chattanooga, stop by The Terminal Brewery at No.6 East 14th Street, right across from the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Who knows who you might meet!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Paranormal Pub Survey: Do You Believe in Ghosts?
We’re happy to publish the results of our Paranormal Pub Survey. Apparently, most of us have strong beliefs about the supernatural and have first hand experience to back it up! Feel free to write us at DelayedReactionLounge@gmail.com to tell us some of your personal encounters with the paranormal!
2. Have you ever had a paranormal Yes 70.6% no 23.5% not sure 5.9%
experience?
3. Have you ever seen a Psychic/ Yes 64.7% no 35.3%
Medium?
4.Have you ever seen or communicated Yes 47.1% no 52.9%
with a departed loved one?
5.Do you believe in Tarot cards or Yes 29.4% no 41.2% not sure 29.4%
other devices that supposedly
fortel the future?
6. Do you believe in the afterlife? Yes 94.1% no 0% no answer 5.9%
7. Do you believe that dreams can fortel the future? Yes 58% no 17.6% not sure 23.5%
8. Do you have any memory of a past life? Yes 11.8% no 88.2%
9. Do you believe in past lives? Yes 41.2% no 23.5% not sure 35.3%
10.Do you regularly watch TV shows about Yes 41.2% no 17.6% not sure 41.2%
the paranormal?
Thank you to all who participated in our survey. We hope you will continue to enjoy our features in The Paranormal Pub. Please feel free to comment and tell us what you would like to see more of, any ideas you want explored or any comments/suggestions for our writers.
Friday, April 1, 2011
PARANORMAL PUB - "Tar & Feather"
Robert T. Rothschild. Jr.
Tar and Feathering of Charles Kelsey:
The Kelsey Outrage in Huntington, is a scar on the towns name. Was it justified, you be the judge!
the time in history was back in 1873 where men on the north shore of LI was all about whaling. So the townsfolk found the likes of Charles Kelsey as a quirky, odd fellow. Charles was an avid gardener, poet, and Sunday School teacher. One Sunday school meeting with 20 year old Julia Smith, is all it took for Charles to be smitten with the perky Julia.
On September 5th in 1873 the newspaper read that a funeral was held for the lower torso of Charles G. Kelsey. The 2nd Presbyterian church on Main Street was packed with patrons regarding the funeral for half of a man. The horrific events leading up to that point is one of the most sensational trials ever held on this ground. It had elements with sex, mutilation, spurned love, Tar and feathering, and half of a missing body...
Thursday, March 31, 2011
LUNCH TIME POLL
Dawn Boyle
I had a crazy dream last night.
Have you ever felt like your dreams are so real that they must really mean something? Have you ever made contact with someone that has passed in your dreams? Do you ever have reoccuring dreams?
Tell me about them and help me feel like I am not going crazy!!
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