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[ Wednesday, March 30, 2005 ]

Ghosthunters say presence felt at bar

Collegian Staff Writer

When the Penn State Paranormal Research Society (PRS) started in 2001, it was a small group dedicated to exploring the supernatural.

Today, PRS's popularity has landed the group a television contract to do a reality series focusing on its experiences and investigations.

PRS Director Ryan Buell said that although the name of the network is still confidential, the group is now in the process of obtaining two television contracts.

"The first show is more of a drama focusing on my life as a young paranormal investigator," he said. "The second contract is a reality series with the group. Filming is going to start in a few weeks, and a camera crew will come to State College and follow us around."

Buell said the group is working with an Emmy-nominated producer and is very excited about the new contracts.

PHOTO: Collegian File Photo
PHOTO: Collegian File Photo
Jared Pummer inspects a pipe.


Paranormal Research Investigator Amanda Kunkel said the show will make the group more accessible to those who need its help.

"Right now, when you want to find us you have to do an Internet search, and not everyone has the Internet to do that," she said. "Being able to reach more people nationally who need our help is the best part."

Recently, the research society investigated the All American Rathskeller, 108 S. Pugh St., and released the results of the investigation Monday.

Originally, Buell said he felt there was a type of energy at the All American Rathskeller, and after further investigation, Buell now feels there is a presence in the bar.

"When we all went back to look at our reports, almost everyone said that they felt something back by the stage," he said. "We don't talk about feelings during the investigation because we don't want to influence each other, so it's pretty interesting when everyone feels something at the same spot."

Kunkel said when the group decided to do a "spirit communication," which is similar to a séance, at the stage area, the video camera turned off right as the communication began.

"It's a new camera, and it was working up until the time we started the communication," he said. "On the tape you can see that it films us until the communication starts, and then for some reason the camera just shuts off, and it was plugged in so it couldn't have been the battery dying."

Buell said that historically equipment malfunctioning is common when a "spirit communication" happens.

"Normally the film turns off and then you'll see something," he said. "A lot of our investigators reported feeling depressed, nauseous or uneasy at that area."

During the investigation, Duke Gastiger, owner of the All American Rathskeller, said the bar's history provides plenty of reasons for something to linger.

"This bar has been around for a long time, and has seen a lot of ups and a lot of downs," he said. "It wouldn't surprise me if there was energy of some kind here, and energy takes different forms."


 

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Updated: Wednesday, March 30, 2005  10:34:08 AM  -4
Requested: Friday, July 25, 2008  6:26:23 PM  -4
Created: Wednesday, May 07, 2008  6:52:54 PM  -4