Ghost Hunters

Our Old Presque Isle Lighthouse has a ghost.  Maybe more.  Maybe a gaggle of ghosts!

Tom Kramer, who works for Channel 7/4 in Traverse City, came to Presque Isle yesterday to do a story on our lighthouses.  For several years he was a host and reporter for Interlochen (MI) Public Radio.  Now Tom is a general assignment reporter for the Traverse City station which provides coverage for the northern part of the Lower Peninsula.  

Being a reporter involves a certain amount of sacrifice.  Tom left home at 3:00 a.m. in order to arrive at Presque Isle in time to film the New Lighthouse showing its pulsating light.  A lighthouse lighted up makes compelling viewing.  I'm not sure how Tom then occupied himself for the next four hours, but I found him at 10:00 and showed him around the facility so he could decide what to film.

Tom Kramer filming at the Old Lighthouse.

Then Tom's colleague arrived.  Lynn is a paranormal researcher with whom Tom has worked on previous stories.  He wanted to film her at the Old Lighthouse.  For many years people have reported strange goings-on at the Old Light.  For instance, although there is no electricity in the Old Light tower, people have sometimes seen a light in the lantern room — but no one is there to create a light.  Other people have seen ghostly images in photos taken atop the Light.  And still others have reported a "presence" in the basement.  Strange, huh?

I'm skeptical, but not wildly so.  The separation between this mortal life and the life to come may be very thin, perhaps no more than a filmy fabric.  So I can accept the possibility that people may see "things" without my having personally experienced that.  And for a number of people, such sightings are as attractive as nectar to bees.  At least two paranormal groups have investigated the Old Light in recent years, and we get at least one such request every year.

It was a rainy, foggy day along Lake Huron, but Tom
was able to interview Jeni outdoors.

Jeni grew up at Presque Isle.  Her knowledge of local
lore is extensive and adds a personal spin to her narrative.

Tom first interviewed Jeni, the artifacts chairperson for the Presque Isle Township Museum Society.  Jeni is our historian and commands extensive knowledge about the lighthouses and those who have lived and served at them.  This includes the caretaker who, many believe, has become our resident spirit.

However, Lynn is convinced that other spirits are also living (so to speak) at the Old Light.  When she and Jeni went through photos of long-dead owners and residents, Lynn quickly identified several who, she said, had impressed themselves on her mind.

Lynn, Jeni, and Tom look over historical materials in the
Old Lighthouse's keeper's residence.  Ghosts draw people
to "haunted" venues, helping support these facilities.

Tom and Lynn film her part of the story with the Old Light
in the background.  It's fascinating watching TV reporters
at work, doing their own filming and chatting up subjects.

Given the ghostly character of this story, Tom expects the station will hold it for use on Halloween.  After that, it will be available on their web site.  I'll try to provide a link. •••