Poco Heritage & VSPI - Mini Ghost Hunt (Oct/12)

“Did you hear that?” a young girl asked the group and looking at me with hopeful eyes.
“Yes, it sounded like a chime.” I confirmed her observations.
“I heard the same thing.” Brian, the president of Poco Heritage Society, agreed with us.
Several others nodded in confirmation.

We sat in silence waiting with wonder, hoping to hear the bell-like ringing again. It
came a little later, but this time it was two chimes in a row. Settled on the floor of the backstage hallway in the dark, the group was wide-eyed hoping to capture some evidence of the spirits from beyond. I was leading a group of teenagers and adults in a mini ghost hunt at the haunted Giggle Dam Dinner Theatre. Earlier, I had guided them through a power point session on investigating the paranormal at the Poco Heritage Society’s temporary site, and then walked the group over to the Theatre to put what I taught them into action. We were practicing using our senses, being alert and conducting an EVP session in the dark. Calling out to the spirits of the Theatre, we had hopes to make contact with the main spirit, William (or Bill as he sometimes comes through), who was been murdered in the building in the late 1990s. Wondering if this was a sign from either Bill or one of the other spirits (there’s the man who stands on the stage and appears to children and makes himself known to sensitive’s /  the woman who is seeking her red shoe we believe to be Rose Anne Lilly / and a woman we call "Maria" who died at the famous Essondale Hospital of the Mind, now known as Riverview Hospital, who is seeking someone to help her find her stolen child).  Unfortunately it was not a sign, nor was it paranormal.

Debunking skills set in, with Brian rising to check a nearby hallway for activity, reporting he did not notice anything out of the usual. Finally the group decided to check on a few hunches. There is a drum set with percussion instruments in front of the stage, not far from the area we had been monitoring. Perhaps one of the instruments was the culprit. We noticed a set of hanging chimes and found one that made a similar sound.  The team was excited. Had a spirit called out to us by striking one of the chimes?  During discussion, Sheila and Jon (of the Giggle Dam crew) led the second team from the upstairs hallway to join us in the stage area. Sheila mentioned they had heard the chimes as well, and suspected it had been her cell phone. A test began and it was found that the evidence was too strong to suggest it had been her phone; therefore, when in doubt throw, it out. For a few moments there had been excitement surging through our hearts, then disappointment.

I announced to both groups how wonderful they had performed using all of their senses. A few of the women had felt surges of electricity, especially when using my dowsing rods. Jon confirmed that a headache came back the moment he went into the hallway upstairs where in previous investigations we encountered Maria, the Essondale patient. This was something both Jon and I had experienced in the past. We both agree we are somewhat sensitive, tapping into feelings of the spirits surrounding us. The murdered man, William, always made my heart race; while Maria gave me a desperate feeling with a headache attached. Rose Anne Lilly, suspected to be the woman seeking her red shoe, gave me body chills, but nothing more. Her husband, Walter, had been the Manager in the late 40’s to early 50’s when the building was known as the “Port Theatre”. I suspected Rose was not happy with me, and wanted me out. But then I think she made a lot of people feel that way.

All in all, we had a "spooky" visit and after thanking the Giggle Dam crew for their gracious hospitality, and the group for their enthusiasm, as well as Poco Heritage for sponsoring the event, we parted ways.  Over the next few weeks, I reviewed the recordings we had gathered, listening for unexplained sounds and voices. I compared voices to those of the people who had
attended the hunt, and finally resulted with a few EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena) that gave me question.  I contacted Jon and asked if he'd give a listen. Once his findings were in, I was happy to announce that indeed we found 3 EVPs that were unexplained.  I posted these into VSPI’s Giggle Dam webpage. Please take a listen, and while you’re at it, check out the ones we captured in previous investigations.  You can find our link below.

Jon surprised us with some photos he had taken of original wood found in the “rat room” (the cellar below the Theatre where the dead body of William Rudy was known to have laid wrapped up in large plastic sheets) after they performed a large clean up. These photos have been added to the webpage, with his permission.  I found interesting information concerning Walter and Rose Anne Lilly, and updated it on the timeline document also found on the webpage. I found copies of their death certificates which we’ll add shortly.

The Theatre continues to surprise us with each visit, and with the blessing of the Giggle Dam crew future investigations are in store.




VSPI thanks:
Poco Heritage – for their amazing ongoing support in what we do and for inviting us to help educate those who are interested in the paranormal field. A special thank you to Lois who was the driving force behind putting it all together.
The Giggle Dam Dinner Theatre – especially Sheila and Jon, for their warm hearts and desire to help VSPI pursue the truth.
And YOU, our supporters and friends.

To check out the Giggle Dam EVPs and photos, click on our link: vancouverspooks.com/giggle-dam

Photos presented:
courtesy of Poco Heritage
courtesy of Jon (Giggle Dam)