Explore Chicago's paranormal with the experts

March 19, 10:33 PMParanormal News ExaminerRoger Marsh

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Scutt Mansion in Joliet.

Two of Chicago's top paranormal investigators are in full swing moving into the spring and summer season with events and tours.

Step back in time with a Victorian tea party at a haunted mansion with psychic readings by Edward Shanahan. The March 29 event at Joliet's Scutt Mansion, 206 Broad St., Joliet, runs from 1-4 p.m.

The tea party cost is $10, and the psychic reading is a $20 gift offering.

Shanahan is a psychic and spiritual reader and conducts tours and private party readings. He can pick up on "feelings of the spirits, energy and the spiritual" at paranormal locations. His work has been documented in the 2003 book, Voices from the Chicago Graves, and Ghost magazine.

You can also catch Shanahan on his Blogtalkradio show - The Unexplained World with High Priestess and reader, Annette. The shows covers the paranormal, spiritual world, faiths, psychics and life in the Unexplained World.

Ghost hunter and paranormal researcher Ursula Bielski of Chicago Hauntings joins Shanahan for a series called Beyond the Veil - "One night. One location. One chance to cross over."

Bielski is founder of Chicago Hauntings, Inc. She is an historian, author and parapsychology enthusiast and has been writing about Chicago's supernatural folklore for more than 20 years. Her books include, More Chicago Haunts: Scenes from Myth and Memory, Creepy Chicago: A Ghosthunter's Tales of the City's Scariest Sites, Graveyards of Chicago: The People, History, Art, and Lore of Cook County Cemeteries, and Chicago Haunts: Ghostlore of the Windy City - all published by Chicago's Lake Claremont Press.

The Beyond the Veil events are held at some of the Midwest's most notorious locations, promising an "intimate night of exploration and intrigue."

Their web page describes it best.

"Guests are encouraged to bring their own philosophies about the paranormal as well as minds open to the ideas and methods of others. Ursula and Ed will share their thoughts about the power of spiritual connections and of intuitive paranormal investigation, and they'll also introduce guests to simple investigative tools that can be made at home.

"During the course of each meeting, Ed welcomes guests to bring items of loved ones for psychometry readings, and Ursula will be available throughout each evening to answer questions on the history and folklore of life's supernatural side. Both hosts look forward to talking with guests about each attendee's own spiritual
and paranormal journeys.

"Beyond the Veil meets on location, and attendance is extremely limited to ensure the most profound experience possible for all involved. Guests will learn the shadowy history of each meeting place, hear legends of the paranormal as experienced at the site, freely explore the physical surroundings, and participate in a number of spiritual exercises designed to heighten spiritual awareness and paranormal activity, including Edward Shanahan's famed "Circle of Energy." More than anything else, we'll simply enjoy spending time together in these profoundly intriguing places."

First up in their 2009 schedule is an overnight at Bartonville Asylum in Peoria on Saturday, June 13.

The abandoned Peoria State Hospital, also known as Bartonville Asylum, is said to be haunted by former tenants who died of "abominable treatment methods, abuse and neglect." Former Bartonville grave digger, Old Book, is one of the most famous ghosts talked about. Property owner J.C. Harris will be on hand this night to talk about personal experiences here and his September 2008 visit by network television's T.A.P.'s.

Bielski and other Chicago Hauntings team members will lead mini investigations of the site, while Shanahan will assist guests who want to learn about their own psychic abilities. He will choose some guests to participate in his "Circle of Energy" - an attempt to interact with the spiritis there.

Cost for this overnight excursion is only $120. You meet the group on site. Call 1-888-GHOST-91for reserve your spot for what looks like the spookiest event of the year.

Watch this tour of Bartonville Asylum.

Both Bielski and Shanahan will be conducting a Resurrection Mary tour on April 4 from 3-7 p.m. This Archer Avenue tour includes the haunted tale of Resurrection Mary - Chicago's famous vanishing hitchhiker - plus many other related and haunted locations. Cost is $40. Stop by Chicago Hauntings web site for more information - or call them at 1-888-GHOST-91

Haunted Historic Tours

Shanahan has also announced his Haunted Historic Tours at several locations, including Haunted Archer Avenue, an afternoon tour and exploration on April 25; and Bachelor's Grove Cemetery on May 17. Transportation for both events is included. Limit is 12 people.

From his web site

"You can experience the Historical Locations and their history along with the spirits that have become another historic part of the locations.

"These are not just bus tours, but the ability to explore many of the haunted historical locations and possibly experience the
spirits that are within or surrounding the historical sites you will be visiting.

"This on going and changing location tour experience is provided by the Worth, IL. Historical Museum in cooperation with
Historical Societies such as Orland Park, Worth, Downtown Joliet and more as we expand our coverage to include other
states.

"Some will be day light tours to allow us access to locations that can only be visited during the day and of course others will be
during the darkness of the night, depending on thelocations to be visited.

More news

Check back for more news, including information about the second annual Chicago Ghost Conference on Oct. 2-3, 2009, at the historic Portage Theater.