Newspaper: THE BERWYN GAZETTE
Oct. 18th 2005 Vol 7
William Wolfe, Supernatural Occurrence Studies' vice president, set
up various "ghost hunting" equipment in hopes of capturing "something" at
Cigars & Stripes. Devices like this help SOS capture some truly amazing
evidence.
Photo courtesy of SOS Inc.
"It was more than weird. It was very weird," said Simone Tervydis of Cicero as she
and her friend, Bernice Jan tried to describe their astonishment when they saw the
top of a martini shaker flip upside down and then roll across the bar at Cigars
and Stripes, 6715 W. Ogden, Berwyn. "The top just lifted up on its own. We were
shocked and jolted. We all looked at one another. It was very weird."
Chicago-based, Supernatural Occurrence Studies (SOS), Inc. investigators have been
recording the testimonials and first-hand accounts of unexplainable occurrences
and sightings that patrons of the hip eclectic lounge and comedy club have been
experiencing. The experienced SOS group has been collecting evidence and will
present their preliminary research at a Haunted Side show presentation which will
be held at Cigars and Stripes at 8 pm, October 20.
SOS Inc. Theorist Dave Black said he "sensed things" as he took a walk around the
basement and first floor of the lounge. "There's definitely something going on in
this building," he said.
"From what I hear of the all the testimonials, it has been manifesting itself in
various ways. People have been hearing things, seeing things, and things have been
moving."
Black said there are multiple testimonials of glasses falling off shelves, the
phone lifting up by itself, bottles falling and martini shakers just flipping in
the air. "All the people are watching this happen," said Black.
Though he's somewhat skeptical about the paranormal "happenings", Cigars and
Stripes' owner, Ronn Vrhel explained that when they were first renovating the 80
year old building five years ago, his wife heard sounds like there were parties
going on downstairs. When he would go downstairs to check, there was nothing there.
Vrhel said that not long ago, he lost his large bundle of keys and searched high
and low for them. A short time later, he heard a loud sound and "the keys dropped
out of nowhere" in plain view of all the customers who were seated at the bar.
"The keys slammed off one of the corners and just flew down the bar. I grabbed
them and people were saying, "What was that all about? Where did those keys come
from?"
Black said that while doing some of the research, he witnessed some unique
experiences as well as "very intense" sensations in the basement. His own accounts
include hearing someone walking down the stairs when no one was there, and
hearing noises and activity in the empty basement.
SOS Inc. has been researching the paranormal since 1998. They've explored some
well-known haunts such as Bachelor's Grove, The House of Blues and the sites of
some well-known murders. Their investigation will continue as they bring their
technical equipment along for an overnight stay at Berwyn's Cigars and Stripes
within the next few days.
"The ultimate goal is to collectively put together a story of what's taking place.
We also want to make sure that every piece of information is backed by fact.
"There are a lot of testimonials from bartenders and customers. At least 2 out of
every 15 regulars have experienced something," said Vrhel who is also researching
the building's history.
At least five customers have seen a shadowy figure walking down the hallway at the
rear of the bar. One customer described seeing the shadowy figure "scoot down the
hall and around the corner".
Vrhel invited Spiritual Advisor Lee Murphy to walk through the building to see if
her insight validated the ongoing investigations of supernatural activity. After
touring the main floor and the basement of Cigars and Stripes, Murphy confirmed
the findings of the SOS Inc. group - several spots were charged with energy. Her
insight brought to life many stories of the past as well as many possible
explanations of the haunting activity.
Murphy's insight points to several sources of supernatural activity, including a
former customer who fell dead in the business entryway nearly 30 years ago, and
who may still be walking in to enjoy the social atmosphere.
A presence at the rear of the building is sensed to be an elderly woman who prayed
and worried considerably about the well-being of family and friends.
The large hand-crafted bar, which was brought over from the former Stardust Lounge
several blocks down from Cigars and Stripes, may be the source of a true love
story playing out in some of the current "playful" events.
Murphy said that the energies of the bar are especially intense in one location,
which Vrhel shared was the place where Rose, the late former owner of the bar, was
best remembered to sit. Rose and her husband Joe owned the Stardust Lounge, and he
built and hand-crafted the bar especially for her. Murphy said that Rose's
presence is an exceptionally loving one.
Part Two of this story will delve further into the theories of the supernatural
activity taking place at Cigars and Stripes as well as some of Vrhel's historical
research.
http://wintersteel.homestead.com/Cigars_Stripes.html
