So what’s really lurking in those majestic buildings of historic Asbury Park?
Kathy A. Kelly
Paranormal bookshelf.
Some say spirits, and that’s one reason why Kathy A. Kelly has chosen Asbury Park as the site of her newly opened store, Paranormal Books and Curiosities. The shop, on happening Cookman Avenue, looks like a Victorian parlor, complete with a working fireplace, mahogany bookshelves filled with an eclectic collection of titles and unusual objects like a plaster cast made of the face of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
“I want this to be everything that a Victorian parlor was meant to be: a meeting place, a place to exchange ideas, a place to read,’’ says Kelly, who in her previous professional incarnation produced sports programming for a satellite television company.
If you’re looking for a kook, Kelly does not fit the bill. Warm, funny and a self-described skeptic, Kelly says she has been interested in ghosts and the paranormal since childhood, but became more focused on it after her father died eleven years ago.
She takes her ghost hunting seriously. She has her own group which regularly investigates the paranormal armed with all the latest equipment: an EMF detector to measure fluctuations in magnetic fields (the phenomena is said to be an indication that a spirit is trying to use an object as a bridge to manifest itself); a thermometer to detect cold spots (believers say spirits use the heat in the room when they try to communicate, thus creating cold spots); infrared night-vision cameras; audio recording equipment; and, of course, a flashlight, so that anyone who is scared can find the way out.
“I am open to whatever the evidence dictates,’’ Kelly says.
Thus far, she admits, she is still waiting her big “wow moment,’’ but, she adds: “We’ve gone to some places where I definitely feel there’s something there.’’ One of those instances was during a trip to Gettysburg when she felt what she believes was a spirit putting a “supportive hand” on her back.
Starting this summer, Kelley is planning regular ghost tours of Asbury Park that will include stops at the Asbury Lanes bowling alley, purported to be haunted by a former worker and two former customers, and the Paramount Theatre, said to be haunted by the victims of the S.S. Morro Castle, a cruise ship that caught fire off the coast of Asbury Park on Sept. 8, 1934, causing the death of 137 people. “It’s one of those great old buildings that if it isn’t haunted, it should be.’’
There are other plans, too: weekly ghost investigations, a Web cam booth — she calls it "the confessional" — for people to record their own experiences with the paranormal, and eventually a publishing company specializing in the paranormal.
Whatever happens, Kelly seems to have struck a nerve. People love to come in and share their experiences. “You just meet people from every walk of life. Every single person has a story.’’
NJ My Way contributor Miriam Ascarelli lives in Glen Ridge. She's never seen a ghost.
Tags: Asbury Park | Ghosts
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asbury ghosts
i went to the store- it is so cool!! it is different & fun & kathy was very informative. i got 2 books on ghosts in NJ & i plan to go back to go on one of her tours.
Posted by: lisa, | Jul 06, 2008 18:42:45 PM
Asbury Park Book Store
Paranormal Boos & Curiosities is just what the Jersey Shore needs! It's fun, cool and serious! The owner, Kathy, is down-to-earth. I purchased a back issue of Wierd NJ and plan to take part in a haunted tour. Her shop is a very welcome addition to the new vibe in Asbury Park.
Posted by: Sue, | Jul 09, 2008 10:32:37 AM
Must visit! Paranormal Books and Kathy!
It was this past Thursday after spending a day at the historic Berkley Hotel with my daughter, that we decided to seek out PB&C. First...not only can I say what a unique shop, but what a great spirit Kathy is. The total aura when I arrived at Paranormal Books and Curiosities was awesome. This shop consists of great items for every level of curiosity, from beginner to Kathy herself. You can sit on a comfy chair and view on a large screen TV some investigations that Kathy and her team have been on.
One great thing is Kathy was open about all PB&C has to offer. She did not just hand out a card and say come check us out...she engaged in a conversation with me, a 30 year old "believer" and my daughter, an 8 year old trying to discover and accept everything that I have encountered in my life that can be defined as paranormal.
All I can say is you must visit!!!
Kathy, I will see you on a dinner and lets talk about Gettysburg.
Thank you for completing a wonderful Thursday afternoon!
Posted by: kymberlee, | Jul 18, 2008 20:15:34 PM
RE: ASBURY PARK
Hi Kathy:
I used to go to Asbury Park with my parents in the 60's 70's and then I was on to hanging out with my own friends from my hometown of Cranford, NJ, in the 80's.
I was so excited seeing your site and reading about the paranormal investigations that you do!
I'm really into the paranormal, since my mother died in 1974, I was 19 years old then. I always told her that if anything happens to leave me
some sign that she was okay?
I left the hospital that night at around 11:30 p.m. at night as she was in intensive care and family members could stay with her.
She died close to midnight, I will never forget this, as the doctor came in and checked her heart, he announced that she had past. After that, tears came down her eyes. As if she, was sad that she couldn't say Goodbye.
Guess what, I felt a strong breeze over me, when I was laying in my bed, it was a strong breeze, no windows were open, it was in the middle November. I'm sure it was my mother, it was her way of letting me know she was okay or fine.
After my mother's passing I really wanted to explore further, to see if there was an after life. Which, I really do believe in. I've read several books by Sylvia Brown, James Van Pragh and John Edwards. So, I am pretty educated about the paranormal.
It's always been my real dream to investigate into the paranormal.
I really believe thers is life after death, really think about it. Where do our spirits go after we pass?
I've had 2 people give me signs that the other side is okay.
I forgot to tell you that my father and I were very close and I spoke with him and told him to just leave a message that he is okay. This was
2 years before he passed away.
Within 3 hours of his death, my night light was on, it was 1 of those touch lamps, it was the brightest light that at that time. When I woke up from crying for a long time. That's all I could see is that bright night light. Maybe that was his sign?
I was close to my father more, than mother, it seems strange, but I was daddy's little girl.
Then, after my father was gone for 1 year, I was lad tg down in my bed and fell asleep and woke up by a voice saying in a low slow tone LAURA,
I couldn't believe 10 minutes a call came through, it was my father's 2nd wife. I was so surprised. I didn't asnwer, she left a message for me. Which I received the message it was about removing my father's car from the front of the house, or she would want me to pick it up or should we have it towed at our expense. So, you can see what a demainding bitch she was and that is why we didn't get along well.
Well, anyway, you really should get in touch with Ghost Hunter in Warwick, RI. I used to live in Chepachet, RI.
Guess what, to get my father's car out of the way of her, my husband drove it from NJ to Providence, RI, without a licence, I followed him all that way, it meant so much to me to get my father's car home to RI where I used to live.
But, my husband knew how much his car meant to me, that's why he took the chance and drove back to RI.
Guess what, 5 mos. later I want back to my fathers house in NJ and we celebrated Thansgiving there. We have heard some noise in the house, but didn't think of anything of it. As time went on, I used to hear the floors, creaking of the floors, they were all wood, I was by my self in that room. It didn't scare me at all, I knew it might be one of my relatives was with me. I didn't let it bother me and continued
working on my computer.
But, then it was happening too much, I eventually, was experiencing too much experience for me to sell the home.
This is just too let you know how true I am. I am searchiing for spirits. You should really check the Palace Amusements, that building has been deserted for years, how I know, as my father and I used to play all the games, rides and other amusements in that building.
That was back in the 60's- EARLY 80's. My husband and I used to go to Asbury Park and I used to think about all the times we used to enjoy back then.
You should try to get in touch with the Ghost/Hunters IN WARWICK, RI.
They have a TV show on Wednesdays, 9:00 p.m.
Check out your TV Schedule.
Laura
Posted by: Laura Zirkel, | Jul 25, 2008 22:56:39 PM
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