Q: What in your background accounts for your forming your own paranormal research society?

A: We have both belonged to similar societies for 13 years. Most recently, we were members of the Tamaqua Paranormal Research Society, but have been investigating on our own much longer.

Q: What investigations have you done?

A: We have investigated the The Inn at Jim Thorpe, Swiftwater, Cliff Park, Cashtown and Farnsworth Inns -- five reputedly haunted inns -- and various battlefields in Gettysburg.
With the Tamaqua Paranormal Research Society, we investigated the Tamaqua Elk's Lodge, the Tamaqua Oddfellows Cemetery, the Wetherly Cemetery, the Flagstaff Ballroom & Restaurant, and other historical sites and private residences that we're not at liberty to name, because their owners do not want the publicity.

Q: What were the results of some of those investigations?

A: At the Elk's Lodge, we got many orbs, or balls of light, on photos, and what is known as an EVP, or an Electronic Voice Phenomenon. The voice said, "Love you."
For the entire day before and of the investigation of the Oddfellows Cemetery, Diane kept smelling rubbing alcohol. The odor became so strong at times, she could taste it. When we arrived at the cemetery, we were immediately drawn to two mausoleums. Upon inspection, we noticed that the mausoleums contained families of doctors. That was just around the time Diane had resigned from teaching and entered the healthcare field. She was very apprehensive about having made the change, and we felt this was a sign that her decision was a good one. Also at the cemetery, we photographed many orbs and, on photos of a monument to which we were drawn, there are figures that can be seen in what is called an ectomist.
The owners of the Flagstaff Restaurant in Jim Thorpe had read about our society in a local newspaper, then contacted us, because they had experienced paranormal phenomena in the form of what appeared to be a Civil War soldier. While there, we got many photos of orbs, and a very clear EVP. Diane had asked,

"What is your name?" Seven seconds later, a garbled feminine voice can be heard. Then, very clearly, a man says, "That’s a woman."
In Gettysburg, we have one photo on which soldiers can actually be seen on a battlefield, hundreds of orbs on other photos, an EVP, and 2 moving orbs on videotape.

Q: Who should contact you?

A: Anyone who feels he or she needs our help should contact us. If you feel you live in a haunted location and you want proof of a haunting, if you want someone to help you rid your residence of a ghost, or if you feel an object in your possession is haunted, you may contact us. Furthermore, if you want help through hypnotic past-life regression, you may go to www.serenitybay.org

Q: What are your fees?

A: We conduct all investigations free of charge. We may ask for a nominal transportation fee if we must travel 30 miles or more to arrive at your location and donations are always welcomed.

The fee for hypnotic past-life regression is $60.00, since hypnosis is one way in which Diane make a living. You may go to www.serenitybay.org for more information.

Q: What is your background?

A: Diane was a high school English teacher for 16 years, but now is a nationally certified massage therapist, hypnotherapist, and Third degree Reiki Master, and teaches Intuitive Integration Techniques and Reiki Certification Courses at the National Academy of Massage Therapy and Healing Sciences in Kulpsville, and Kieran has worked in a supervisory capacity in schools for 24 years.

Q: How can an individual contact you about having an investigation done of an allegedly haunted site?

A: We can be reached at help@piofthepoconos.com

Q: How do you determine if a site is worth investigating?

A: We first conduct a phone interview to weed out any prank calls.
We then set up a daytime interview with the caller, which will be held at the site in question.
After the meeting, we look over all our paperwork and decide if an investigation is warranted.
Each case is individually scrutinized to determine the appropriate time in which to conduct the investigation.

Q: How is the investigation conducted?

A. In addition to our own intuition and five senses, since we wish to obtain tangible evidence of the phenomena, we use infrared video equipment, 35 mm. and digital cameras, tape recorders, thermal scanners, motion detectors, & electrical field meters.
After the investigation, we painstakingly examine the recordings, photos, etc., then compile a written report of our findings.

Q: What is an EVP?

A: An EVP, the abbreviation for "Electronic Voice Phenomenon," is the appearance of intelligible voices that appear on recording media. Such voices are thought to originate from spirits of the deceased.

Q: What is ectomist?

A: Ectomist is a smoky, mist-like substance captured on film. The substance is believed to be spirit energy. Of course, while we are photographing, we are very careful that there is no smoke in the area, no fog, and that we are not exhaling(!).

Q: What is an orb?

A: An orb is a sphere of energy which looks like a ball of light on film. Orbs are thought to be spirit energy. These can sometimes be seen with the naked eye, but are usually captured on film. Again, one must take certain precautions when filming, so as not to mistake a natural object, such as a raindrop, dust, or even reflecting light, for an orb.

Q: What is an EMF?

A: EMF is the abbreviation for "Electro Magnetic Field" meter or detector. Also called a gauss or magnetometer, these detect the presence, or disturbance of, electromagnetic energy in the area being investigated. Before using this piece of equipment, one must be sure to examine the area for electric wiring, lamps, t.v.'s, etc., or anything else that might produce a false positive reading on the EMF. Once those objects can be ruled out, and one continues to get fluctuations in EMF readings of the area, the energy could be the result of the presence of a spirit. It is at that point, when photos, video and audio recordings of the area should be taken.

Q: What is a thermoscanner?

A: A thermoscanner is an instrument used to dectect instant changes in temperature. It us used during investigations to detect the possible presence of a spirit, which can cause a sudden and sharp drop (cold spot) or rise (warm spot) in temperture.

Q: What is infrared light?

A. Infrared light is a broad band of the electromagnetic sprctrum, invisible to the human eye. Specialized film and video equipment that can read this band, is used to detect heat emission in daylight or darkness to sense any heat-radiating source. This is especially helpful when photographing in total darkness, as one will be able to see clearly, on film, the object emitting the heat.

***If you have questions about anything not covered on this page, please feel free to contact us.***