08.10
Ghost tours seem all the rage in the Rochester area. Realistically both you and I know that the groups staging such activity are more interested in the monetary aspect along with making a name for themselves.
I mean come on, when I’m coming across such claims as “Rochester’s First Ghost Hunters” and ghost walks conducted by “REAL Paranormal Investigators” who only within the last four years had chosen to jump on the ghostly band wagon, you can be sure that the sites you’re being shown receive nothing towards their upkeep and maintenance.
In other words, what money is being generated through such walks and collected by such groups are being pocketed while the areas that are used receive nothing but a bit more attention.
Tours in Mount Hope Cemetery is completely different, and in my opinion are far more ethical where all money received goes entirely towards the restoration of Mount Hope Cemetery.
And believe it or not, local expert historians from the society “Friends Of Mount Hope” volunteer their time as knowledgeable and personable interactive tour guides for Mount Hope Cemetery. Where specific tours are free to the public, while others may only cost four dollars per person.
Now besides the fact these people “volunteer” their services as guides, these very same people also do their share of mausoleum and gravestone restoration.
Tours in Mount Hope Cemetery also provide another unique service you’d be hard pressed to find offered by any other local Rochester “Candle Light Ghost Walk”, which is they provide live security to guard your vehicle against vandalism and theft while you’re enjoying yourself on tour.
Now that is one super bargain for four bucks! And what better way for the fine folks at Mount Hope to show their appreciation of the publics interest. Plus they also serve beverages and cookies at the end of every tour.
At this point some of you reading this may wonder what “Tours in Mount Hope Cemetery” have to do with ghost walks, because they don’t do “Ghost Walks” at “Mount Hope Cemetery”, and they sure don’t provide any “REAL PARANORMAL INVESTIGATORS” to talk about ghosts.
But as I see it, why should they? Mount Hope Cemetery has always maintained a haunted legendary regional status due primarily to its vast number of 350,000 graves.
Besides, as any “Real Paranormal Investigator” should know, you should be able to capture evidence no matter where you are or who you’re with if you really know what you’re doing.
I attended one of their tours last night along with some special friends on August 11th, 2007, which started promptly at seven pm, beginning right at the “gate house”, and had absolutely no problems in acquiring evidence of what appears to be, not one, but two, full bodied apparitions!
And all this while learning more about the history of Mount Hope, the city of Rochester, and its famous citizens. Which ultimately added far more dimension and depth to what normally would have only been wandering amongst the stones and mausoleums.
As the founder and Director for Rochester Paranormal, I highly recommend that you seriously consider “Tours in Mount Hope Cemetery” for your next Ghost Walk. Because by doing so will it also provide you a way of giving something back in return.
In today’s society we think very little about balancing out our lives. We assume an interest in something, and then we take what is felt needed to satisfy ourselves while usually giving nothing back in return.
Many ghost hunting enthusiasts are guilty of this. Traveling to places to collect evidence and yet never doing anything towards the preservation of historical and potentially haunted locations.
Now I suggest that this change within our region and all other regions once and for all before many of our past historical treasures are no more and lost to all future generations.
Director J. Burkhart is an independent, innovative, psychic medium paranormal researcher with more than 30 years field experience involving anomalous, cryptozoological, diabolical possessions, hauntings, indigenous shamanic, and ufological exploration.
Director Burkhart,
I beg to disagree. There are tours out there that aren’t worthwhile. However the tours run by the Landmark Society benefit local historical buildings and share a bit of Rochester’s history. The tours I run for Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks are a passion of mine and are used a) to further my professional parapsychological research which is shared with the public and b) benefit the Humane Society at Lollipop Farm. I would hardly say these tours are out there just for the money they can bring in. It’s about sharing history in an entertaining manner, learning more about our community, and giving back to our community. The ghost walks in this area have brought the paranormal into the newspapers and onto the news broadcasts, and have brought people in from all over the US, Canada, and even the U.K. Isn’t that what you want? You’ve always claimed to want more attention drawn to Rochester’s paranormal and spiritual history, and that’s precisely what these events are doing.
I have been in the field over 10 years professionally and done this with my family for over 20 years, so I can say for myself and my tours that I have not just “jumped on the ghostly bandwagon.” I did ghost walks with some of the first tour companies in the US in Gettysburg, PA 10 years ago. The Landmark Society has been giving quality tours for longer than I have, so they are also not new to this. I think you should research things a bit more before commenting, especially since we’ve remained cordial despite the mud-slinging that frequently goes on in our field. Think before you speak, it’s that simple.
J. L.
Why are you defending yourself against Mr. Burkhart’s posting?
Because maybe what he wrote is the truth?
Now you hind behind an organization like the Humane Society?
And how about that PIG Ralph Esposito?
You still working with him?
Are you aware of how many women this PIG has hit on with his so called macho bullshit?
He hit on me and several of my friends during one of your so called ghost walks and did the same thing at Rochester Pagan Pride and down at Village Gate. Seems to me your the one who should shut your mouth when you can’t even control your own people in public. Next time girly it may cost you legally.
I would like to comment on the statement from JL , she states that :”Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks b) benefit the Humane Society at Lollipop Farm I would hardly say these tours are out there just for the money they can bring in.”
I really have to disagree with that comment, if she donates her fees to the Human Society like she claims, than she is also taking a federal tax donation off of her income tax. Along with the prestige of claiming such a donation. So the community is not truely recieving from this service.
As for the tour, I have not taken this one, but would be interested in hearing what she has to say about the local history, considering I know a few things about this area that is not common knowledge.
As for the Mt Hope tour it was an extermely enjoyable walking tour thru this remarkable old park (cemetary) and I look forward to the next one that will be a Candle light tour in the fall.
You spoke once of neutrality yet your actions speak clearly your intent.
For the record I had never written anything regarding the fine people at the Landmark Society.
I stand by my original posting.
To Tanya, I cannot vouch for what Ralph does. He is my business partner, not an employee of mine and therefore not under my control. I think his sense of humor is often taken in the wrong way and I’m sorry if he has offended you. I will be sure to discuss it with him, but again I have no control over his actions. And I don’t see why you say I “hide” behind my charitable work. I am very proud to be able to help such a fine organization, and unlike many ghost tours out there I’m not in it for the money which Mr. Burkhart seems to think I am.
To Lady Fox, I’m not quite sure what you’re trying to say. We do indeed donate to Lollipop Farm, and remain modest enough about our donation to request NOT to be listed 0n their donors over $200 list which is sent to everyone on their mailing list. I volunteered there a few years ago and I am very happy to now be able to share RCGW’s profits with them. I do not claim a federal income tax as a student; I am unemployed and share my profits with charity. My rent & expenses come solely from personal student loans. So therefore I am not benefiting in any way by donating to Lollipop Farm and do not claim any donations on my taxes. I donate because I truly care about animals, and anyone that knows me knows this to be fact. I have two cats and a bird that are all rescue animals, my latest cat being the victim of a careless person who threw him from a moving car and I have spent over $750 taking care of him.
To Mr. Burkhart, you are of course entitled to your own opinion and we are fortunate to be in a country granting us freedom of speech. I just feel that you, knowing who I am and where I stand, would comment in such a way without first doing a bit more research. Anyone who knows me knows how dedicated I am to the paranormal, and how I share every bit of wealth I come into as a result of my hard work with my community. I do most of what I do free of charge as I believe knowledge and helping should always be shared freely. Besides Lollipop Farm I have donated 100% proceeds from an auction with a Genesee county camp for disabled children, raised food donations for Rochester Food Not Bombs, donated electronic equipment and educational materials to other ghost hunting groups, raised funds for an injured animal, and am leading the way in eco-friendly ghost hunting. No person shall devalue what I do, and for you to say that I’m running a company solely for profit hurts and couldn’t be further from the truth. I volunteer a lot of my time with RCGW to historical societies, nursing homes, fund raisers, helping local historical buildings/places rediscover their history, cemetery restoration, helping those in need, and much more. I am very proud to say I’m probably one of the few people in this field who isn’t in it for the money! I’m a rarity, which is unfortunate. I pick up other careless people’s trash, I help elderly persons carry their groceries without their having to ask, I put my extra change in the donation boxes at the supermarket, and most of all I get out into our community to make a difference because I care – I know who I am, and it makes me sad that after all this time you don’t know me to be who I truly am.
J. L.
Well Ms. Lynn if I or anyone else had not known you prior this situation has now been thoroughly rectified.
I like you Jenni and always have enjoyed our infrequent encounters through the years. Where perhaps we have not seen eye to eye on everything, while having aligned our two sides in defense against a common irritant, it was only my objective to express opinion regarding the local Rochester ghost hunts as well as give praise and draw attention to the fine tours provided by Mount Hope Cemetery.
In essence, commentary regarding ghost hunts in no way were meant as a personal reflection against you as an individual.
Though I must express my disgust and concern stemming from the commentary written by, “Tanya”, who has now brought to public scrutiny what may be evidence of gross and negligible behavior by someone within the local Rochester ghost hunting community against members of the opposite sex apparently during public functions.
Where should such allegations be true should have been reported immediately to the authorities depending on the severity and nature of offence.
And whether such accusations be true or not, let it serve as a stern reminder to everyone that when dealing with the public it is our responsibility and duty to be professional at all times.
This thread is now closed.