Some people swear they have seen ghosts, Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) or other phenomena.
The Smoking Gun Research Agency (SGRA), a Westport-based nonprofit paranormal research and investigation organization, is welcoming people to share their experiences through a series of planned discussions and events on the topic.
The series kicked off Saturday at the Westport home of SGRA Director Jon Nowinski with "A Day With A Psychic." Andrew Neblett, Ph.D., a clinical hypnotherapist, talked about his experiences and abilities within the psychic realm.
Nowinski, who founded SGRA in 1997, said the group publishes a monthly magazine, The Dispatch, and holds chat room discussions on paranormal occurrences through its Web site, www.sgra-media.org
"We get a lot of participation from people who are not from Connecticut," he said. "We also post articles and commentary, so there's a lot people can get out of the Web site."
Nowinski said the group is also called to people's homes to conduct investigations for ghosts and other spirits. The group, which goes in teams of three or four investigators to keep random noises to a minimum, takes a scientific approach through the use of cameras, thermometers, sound recorders, infrared lenses and other devices.
"The importance of conducting the investigation is ruling out all the possibilities before jumping to the conclusion that it's a paranormal encounter," he said, adding he has experienced about three encounters with ghosts. "We have 24 investigators throughout the United States, and we call them in sometimes when we need them."
Diane Bajorinas, an SGRA member, said the agency leaves it up to the homeowner as to what to do if any paranormal occurrences are detected.
"A lot of times they just want validation that 'Yes there is something in here,' " she said. "We basically just document occurrences, but we have contacts of people who actually perform cleansings."
SGRA is slated to hold a "Ghostly Investigation 101" class on Saturday, Oct. 7, and a "Stratford Ghost Tour" on Friday, Oct. 21 and 28, and Saturday, Oct. 22 and 29.
It also plans on holding "Ghosts and Hauntings in Connecticut," a multimedia and interactive program featuring displays, presentations and more. It will take place Monday, Oct. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the New Haven Public Library.
http://www.westport-news.com/ci_4379841
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