June's SPIRITS with SPIRITS

GHOULA meets for cocktails in haunted places on the 13th of each month. “SPIRITS with SPIRITS” is a casual gathering of regional ghost hunters. Open to all, from the curious skeptic to the passionate phantom pursuer. Make friends, and toast a ghost! Let's put the “Boo!” back into “booze.” All those who attend will receive a free G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you already have, please wear it so others can find you.

THE DATE: June 13th, 2009 (Saturday)
THE PLACE: The Observation Bar (map)
(The Queen Mary, 1126 Queen's Highway, Long Beach)
THE TIME: 9pm to the witching hour

THE GHOSTS:

Before the mighty Queen Mary was dubbed "the most haunted ship in the world," it, ironically, had another spooky nickname, "The Grey Ghost." It was called this because of the temporary gray paint job it had during its brief wartime service as a means to transport soldiers quickly back-and-forth across the Atlantic Ocean. Luckily for locals, this historic boat is now permanently docked in Long Beach where it has made the smooth transition from luxury liner to luxury hotel.

Its history and ghosts stories have been well-documented in numerous books and TV shows. It is said that this stately ship may have over a hundred different ghosts on board. The notable sea-worthy spirits include the ghost of John Pedder (a.k.a. "The Shaft Alley Specter"), who was crushed to death in water-tight door no. 13 during a routine drill, and the spirit of Senior Second Officer W.E. Stark, who accidentally poisoned himself when he mistook carbon tecrachloride for gin. Also, there are phantoms of men in overalls, uniformed staff, formally dressed dinner guests, tuxedoed partiers, women in bathing suits, soldiers, children, a former switch-board operator, a woman dressed in white, a woman in a mini-skirt, a 1940's woman, and the victims of a knife-wielding maniac. There are disembodied voices, the sounds of laughter and children playing, footsteps that echo down empty halls, and the sorrowful moans and cries of the 338 soldiers who drowned during a tragic collision with another vessel.

That said, what makes this haunted location of real interest is the management's willingness to use ghosts to promote their unique hotel. In the beginning, the Queen Mary offered flashlight-lit expeditions into the abandon bowels of the ship. Over the years, that simple premise has evolved into elaborate walk-thru environments with theatrical lighting and special effects that rival Disneyland's dark rides. Plus, every October, the ship is converted into an old fashioned "Spook House" attraction to scare the local teenagers. In addition, plaques have been placed around the decks and other public places informing guests of locations where ghosts have been seen, a ghost guide is available in the gift shop, and the hotel hosts an event entitled "Dining with the Spirits," where guests are given a tour of the haunted spots after a gourmet dinner. There is even a 24-hour "ghost-cam" set up to capture any activity in their extremely haunted indoor pool area that can be accessed on-line. This is one place that seems to have worked all of the apparition angles.

Perhaps one day, these inspired ghostly gimmicks will serve as a model for other local hotels, who discourage any connection to the super-natural. Until that day (or until the management changes their minds), the Queen Mary is the greatest "paranormal playground" in the world.

http://www.queenmary.com/

(to see last month's SPIRITS with SPIRITS location...)

Highlights from May's SPIRITS with SPIRITS

Mixing ice cream and beer is not for the tender-hearted. Years ago "Ben & Jerry's" introduced a beer flavored ice cream that flopped in the marketplace. Perhaps it would have been more successful if they sold it at a haunted location like Los Angeles' historic Farmer's Market. Ghosts make everything taste better.

(to read about the SPIRITS of this location...)

May's SPIRITS with SPIRITS

GHOULA meets for cocktails in haunted places on the 13th of each month. “SPIRITS with SPIRITS” is a casual gathering of regional ghost hunters. Open to all, from the curious skeptic to the passionate phantom pursuer. Make friends, and toast a ghost! Let's put the “Boo!” back into “booze.”

All those who attend will receive a free G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you already have, please wear it so others can find you.

THE DATE: May 13th, 2009 (Wednesday)
THE PLACE: E.B.’s Beer and Wine

(West Patio, Farmer’s Market, 6333 W. 3rd St.)
THE TIME: 7pm to 9pm

GHOST(S):

The “Gilmore Island” at the corner of Third and Fairfax has gone through many changes in the last 100 years. Over those decades, it has been home to a dairy, an oil field, a baseball stadium, a race track, a police department, a post office, a bank, a public library, a car-hop restaurant, a residential neighborhood, the amazing Pan Pacific Auditorium, a drive-in movie theater, television studios, an antique mall, a community park, and the entertainment/shopping complex known as “The Grove.”

Legend has it that this place even inspired “The Beverly Hillbillies” TV show at CBS (next door). Apparently, Arthur Gilmore accidentally struck oil while digging a well for water. It is also said that this was the last place James Dean ate in Los Angeles before beginning the road trip that would end his life. Speaking of last meals, a security guard confidentially told GHOULA that a large number of old people die every year while visiting (and dining at) this location.

However, this land is most famous for its “Farmer Market,” which began in 1934, when a group a farmers parked their trucks at this intersection and began selling their fresh produce to the passing traffic. Gilmore, never one to miss a trick, created a parking lot with chalk lines and charged each farmer a small rent. Within the year, the first structure (with electricity and running water) went up when Blanch Magee began selling prepared food at the site. One by one, the produce trucks were replaced by the collection of booths that stand today. To get an idea of what those original stalls looked like go to Gill’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream which opened in 1937, and has the distinction of being the only booth that has never remodeled over the years.

Given this vendor’s history, it is not surprising, there is a story connected to Gill’s involving a short, bald man dressed all in white (with a hair-net), who has been seen by diners standing at the counter as if to order an ice cream cone. Then, on second glance, he vanishes. His identity and history are unknown.

Elsewhere on the property is a structure even older than Gill’s. Hidden from the public (near the massive parking structure) still stands an adobe home built in 1852. It is said to be haunted by the spirit of Earl Gilmore who lived there until 1964 when he died in the very same room (and bed) he was born in.

It is also worth mentioning that a local ghost hunting club (now defunct) many years ago used to hold their monthly meetings at the historic Farmer’s Market. Any further stories, or evidence, they may have uncovered has (at present) been sadly lost. Perhaps, those attending this month’s SPIRITS with SPIRITS can carry on in their phantom-following footsteps.

(to see last month's SPIRITS with SPIRITS location...)

Highlights from April's SPIRITS with SPIRITS

Thanks to all that came out that chilly Monday night. Many new faces, and many new ghost stories. It doesn't appear that anyone had a ghostly encounter with the spirits of the Eden Grill. All the same, it is interesting that everyone there (GHOULA and non-GHOULA) chose to sit outside in the cold, leaving the warm (but haunted) dinning room completely empty. Coincidence? You decide.


(to read about the SPIRITS of this location...)