O68 What drew you to paranormal investigation? Do you feel that some people have an innate ability to connect with spirits?
AB I grew up in a haunted house and was 8 years old when I saw my first full-bodied apparition. When I told my mom about it, she simply said – without interjecting any fear – oh that’s just a ghost. I’ve been fascinated since then. I believe that some people are more aware of and in tune with their surroundings – I notice everything around me. Other people are more quick to explain happenings as coincidences.
O68 What is the most haunted place you’ve visited?
AB I have a few favorites but one I visit frequently is the Mount Washington Hotel in New Hampshire. It is rumored to be haunted by Joseph Stickney who built the hotel in 1902 and then died shortly after. People claim Stickney’s wife haunts the hotel, but I’ve encountered so many other ghosts and spirits there – it’s ever present. It has everything I’m looking for in a hotel: ghosts, a spa, and a
wine bar!
O68 Has there ever been a time when you were uncomfortable while communicating with a spirit or been concerned that a ghost will follow you home?
AB I always say that living people are so much scarier than ghosts! One time, while investigating the Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Kentucky, a full-bodied apparition of a man appeared right in front of me. He was very menacing and staring me down. I felt something grab on my arm and I recorded a growl on tape. I was uncomfortable and felt I was not welcome, so I decided to leave for the night.
As far as ghosts following me home, I can recall two times when I felt a presence with me after I left. Once, while I was pregnant I felt the spirit of a small child in the room. I sensed arms encircling me, as if the child ghost recognized me as a safe maternal figure. This presence stayed with me after I came home, but eventually left. Another time, I was communicating with nurses while at Wavery Hills Sanatorium. They were answering quite frequently with knocks – one for yes, two for no. Our filming was going over schedule, so we had to end for the night. I heard knocking all the way down the hallway while leaving the building and then again the next morning in my hotel. They obviously weren’t done talking to me. I promised them I would be back to finish the conversation. I don’t believe ghosts purposely attach to you, they have the same boundaries of etiquette that the living do – it’s just sometimes when
you end a session, the ghosts still have more to say.
O68 What advice would you give to someone who feels as if there’s a spirit in their home?
AB It depends on how aggressive the spirit is acting. If it’s just footsteps or noises and you can live with it, leave the spirit alone. If it escalates to doors slamming or feeling something touch or grab you, you can bring someone in to help. Most ghost encounters aren’t necessarily bad, they just have unfinished business.
O68 What are you working on now? What can people expect at your show at the Ridgefield Playhouse on October 30th?
AB I have a podcast called Haunted Road, about some of America’s most haunted locations. I also published a book – Food To Die For – that explores notoriously haunted locations through stories and photography and includes a recipe from each location. My show at The Playhouse will be an all-encompassing journey of paranormal investigation. I will share stories of my favorite investigations and encounters. I will also bring along some haunted items for people to interact with prior to the show. I always save time for audience interaction, who knows we might communicate with a spirt that is present at The Playhouse! •
