Category: Paranormal Q&A

Who are you?

S&D Paranormal Society, LLC: Sara Lowell (Co-Founder), Dawn Gibson (Co-Founder), Summer Best (Investigator), Joanna Burdine (Investigator)

Explain your Methodology?

Our team is focused on the client and what we can do to ease their experiences by determining if it is true paranormal activity they are experiencing, or something that can be explained by natural causes. Our equipment is basic (Dowsing Rods, K2, Ghost Box, Camera, Voice Recorder, etc). If our investigations do not involve a client such as a field investigation, our purpose is to research areas and determine if there is activity. Every investigation our team encounters is to better the field of paranormal from a scientific perception and to help those around us feel comfortable with what they cannot explain.

Favorite Haunts?

(Dawn and Sara): Our favorite haunt was the investigation we did in Room 17 of The Salem Inn in Salem, MA. It was the best EVP session we had to date in which we had very successful answers to our questions. The history of Salem itself is enough to take your breath away. It was a very educational trip for us and would enjoy going back to investigate again.
(Summer): Some of my first paranormal experiences happened when I was at tech school and noticed that my iPod would turn on and off. After awhile, I started asking “if something is making my iPod shut off please do it again” and it would happen. Then I would ask more questions, having it turn on and off to answer what I was asking.

Personal Experiences?

(Summer): Besides tech school, I have many experiences wherever I live. Sometimes I discount what happens to that fact that I have very old furniture dating back to early 1900’s. Yet, on many occasions when I have male friends over, that’s when I start experiencing things. I have seen a dark shadow figure in my room with a long black trench coat and fedora, I have also seen an older woman from Victorian times with the long poofy dress around my apartment. Sometimes the activity is light and other times it feels very dark. Hopefully I will be able to get some answers after investigating my current apartment with the team.

Why did you get into the Paranormal?

(Sara): My mother always had experiences as she was growing up. This always fascinated me and as I got older, I decided to visit abandoned buildings and cemeteries with my friends because I enjoyed learning and experiencing the paranormal.
(Dawn): I have always had a love for the paranormal growing up; scary movies with ghosts, etc. The whole idea that entities may not have crossed over and could be present caught my attention. As I got older and started to understand more about it, I had to research more and learn everything the paranormal entails. I enjoy working in a field that is not accepted by everyone.

What’s next?

S&D Paranormal Society, LLC has 3-4 Investigations scheduled for August, 2 paranormal conventions as well as more pending investigations for September (editor note: one of those conventions is our own Paranormal Journeys Expo!), and our 6th trip to Gettysburg, PA in October. The team is also working on training our two new investigators Summer and Joanna.

Do you think that paranormal shows (radio/TV/Internet) give groups a bad reputation?

To a degree yes. It’s fun to watch the shows but they don’t show a realistic timeline of an investigation and all the hard work that went into finding the client a resolution. Some shows also appear to make the paranormal field out to be a joke or unrealistic. What people don’t understand is that these are real life events happening to real life people. On the other hand, there are shows that perceive the paranormal world in the correct manner, and for that we are grateful. You just can’t trust every show on TV.

Who is the person in the paranormal field you look up to the most or want to be like?

(Summer): I look up to Kim the Happy Medium. She is one of the reasons I started learning about the paranormal and wanting to help people.
(Joanna): I look up to anyone with more experience than myself considering I’m new to the field. Anyone who can give me advice and help me grow is appreciated.
(Dawn): Lorraine Warren – I appreciate her dedication to the field and how she has remained active thru all these years. She truly is an inspiring woman who has not given up. Even if you are not into the paranormal, she is still an iconic woman.
(Sara): Grant (even though he is not on the show anymore) and Jason from Ghost Hunters. I love their personalities and the fact that they try to disprove before saying it’s paranormal. They want to help people and keep in contact. They’re eager for the next adventure and they manage their team well.

Have you made a page on www.paranormaldictionary.com?

No.

Name some Random Facts about you?

(Summer): I collect vintage clothes and antique furniture. I have danced since I was 5 years old and competed in Ballroom Dancing.
(Joanna): I want to be a private detective when I leave the military and love to learn about the history of old places. I love Hello Kitty, cooking, and reading.
(Sara): I train competitively for CrossFit and have played tennis, gymnastics, and cheer leading. I love dancing, going to the beach, and reading in my spare time.
(Dawn): I have been a trained 5k runner since I was 11 years old. I played soccer and basketball growing up and ran Cross Country for high school. I also enjoy frozen grapes on a nice hot day!

Are you a skeptic or a believer?

Everyone on our team is a believer.

Who are you?

I am the founder, lead investigator and group empath.

What are your thoughts on networking with other teams or investigators?

Shotts In The Dark Paranormal typically sticks to themselves. We aren’t against networking but we just never felt the need.

Hunter, Investigator, Researcher – What do you want to be referred to and why?

In my opinion only, we are ALL one of the same. We are all hunting, we are all investigating and we are all researching. We just each do it at different stages.

What is your most memorable paranormal experience?

My most recent was with the deceased friend of our investigator in training, Tim. Tim protected our freedom while overseas and lost a very close friend while there due to an explosion. When Tim came back to the states he would see this individual on occasion. Too make a very long story (you can get the whole story over at our fb page): The friend came and visited me a few days ago and told me that he has been trying to reach out to Tim and tell him that it wasn’t his fault and he is okay. I haven’t been quite the same since.

Have you ever had an experience where you’ve crossed a spirit over?

Yes and it was probably one of the most interesting experiences that I have ever had. I can’t explain the feeling that I get when I help someone unite with their others.

Did you have experiences while growing up?

Yes and there are a few that stand out but I always chalked it up to thinking I was crazy and needed ‘help’,

What is your favorite Paranormal Show (TV/Internet/Radio)?

I enjoy Haunted Collector and oddly enough I love Deep South Paranormal (don’t throw anything at me)!

What are your thoughts about Provoking?

I do not believe in provoking. Would you want someone to come into your personal space, home, etc and start cursing at you? Hell no, you would be pissed off too.

What are your thoughts about Orbs? Dust or spirit? How do you tell the difference?

Shotts In The Dark Paranormal believes in Orbs. There is a difference between dust and spirits. Have you ever seen a dust orb or what we can an environmental orb? They are glares from the sun, dust on your camera lens etc. The only orbs that I consider spirit are the ones with faces in them. It is pretty obvious too-no matrix-just face.

Would you ever use a Medium or Psychic on your team?

We have two sensitives and an Empath, I believe we do not have any more room for ‘gifts’

 

Website: www.shottsinthedarkparanormal.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShottsInTheDark

Who are you?

I am the founder, lead investigator and group empath.

Do you believe in Reincarnation? Who do you think you were in your past life (or lives)?

I do believe in Reincarnation and I believe that I was a nurse in Gettysburg.

What are your thoughts on Para Unity?

I am completely for Para Unity as I don’t believe that this is a competition. I am always happy when other teams find evidence that I did or did not find at a location that I was at. There are plenty of activity around for everyone. What I can not stand are the people that scream that they are all about Para Unity and are the biggest LIARS out there.

Have you ever investigated a Church? What are your thoughts on this?

I have not investigated a church but if the situation arises, I will be all over it.

When having a joint investigation with another team(s), how do you select the team(s) or members of other teams that you invite?

Shotts In The Dark Paranormal has not done this as of yet. However, we have offered a few opportunities to other teams and they have declined (thus the reason for the whole Para Unity comes into play) and I simply won’t ask them again in the future.

What do you tell someone looking to join a team, what should they look for or ask?

Before I give them advice about what they should look for or ask, I make sure that they understand EXACTLY what is being expected of them. We aren’t ‘SCOOBY-DOOING’ it out on investigations. The individual needs to understand that there is A LOT that goes with it including times when evidence won’t be found in places that are ‘sworn to be haunted’, equipment does not always function correctly, the hours can be long, there isn’t any pay associated etc. I also explain that there must be a passion and form of dedication. After that, if they are still around then I go into other details.

Any advice to a group just starting out?

I would say patience is key.

Do you think it’s important to share findings with others in the paranormal community?

I share our findings. There is always going to be a hater in the crowd. It is also hard to believe someone that there is paranormal activity in the image or footage if you were in fact NOT there.

You run across a team that you feel gives a bad name to the field. How do you handle the situation? Do you confront them about it?

No. I don’t have time to point fingers and make accusations. If they are a ‘bad name’ to the field, Karma will get them in the end. It is not my place to play Paranormal Police.

Do you feel it is important to do a background investigation on the location (land/building) that you’re going to investigate?

Yes, I do. However, I typically don’t want it until AFTER the investigation so that there isn’t any association with what is going on automatically to the history of the home.

Who are you?

I am the founder, lead investigator and group empath.

Explain your Methodology?

Ghost Meter, Digital Camera and Senses

Favorite Haunts?

Gettysburg

Personal Experiences?

I have had many that have included my ‘pap-pap’, my grandmother Josie, A soldier named Robert whom was picked up on the Ghost Box in the Triangular Field (Gettysburg-plus I have two witnesses) and just recently a soldier whom is a friend of one of our investigators in training.

Why did you get into the Paranormal?

I have always believed and stand by the motto that ‘You must believe to receive’.

What’s next?

Private Homes and another trip to Gettysburg (I go 5x a year)

Do you think that paranormal shows (radio/TV/Internet) give groups a bad reputation?

No. Shows are there simply for entertainment value. I am not one of those people that believe everything that they see on TV, so watching the paranormal television shows fall into the same.

Who is the person in the paranormal field you look up to the most or want to be like?

As odd as it sounds, I like meeting new people as I feel I can learn something new from each person. So there isn’t a certain person that I ‘look up to’ or ‘want to be like’.

Have you made a page on www.paranormaldictionary.com?

No, should I? (Editor’s Note: Yes Sarah Should 😉 as well as all paranormal peeps – Check out why for yourself with the above link.)

Name some Random Facts about you?

I am double jointed, I love Elephants and White Sage (not together), I work with people that have intellectual disabilities.

Are you a skeptic or a believer?

I am a believer, end of story.