Torrington- They are phenomena seekers, self proclaimed scientists dressed mostly in black
who search for the paranormal inside and around homes, historical buildings and cemeteries.
Don't bother calling them ghost busters. They've already heard it. The Northwest Connecticut
Paranormal Society, based in Torrington and founded in 2005, is a group of friends from
throughout the region who have regular jobs but get together sometimes to visit suspected
haunted locations, They don't just do this around Halloween -- property owners contact them
after hearing strange sounds or voices, or perhaps seeing an odd unexplained cloud of mist.
These friends aim to find scientific proof that the paranormal exists in Connecticut, and
neighboring states. The goal, members say is to help people better understand paranormal
research. It's the intrigue of the unknown that makes the mission to solve the mystery said Jeff
Messenger, a 42 year old Barkhamsted resident and group adviser. Our philosophy is ultimately
that we're all on the same team trying to gather evidence of phenomenon. John Zontok, 44 of
Torrington, started the group as a way to help him answer questions about phenomenon he
encountered. His daughter, Mandi, and some of his friends joined him. Zontok said the results of
the investigations the group pursues are truly in the eye of the beholder.
We put the evidence out there and let the people decide for themselves he said. We don't try
and push evidence on anyone. The society doesn't charge for investigations, which can involve
sound recording devices, camcorders, and other documentation. The group takes its
investigations seriously.
During visits to a cemetery, for example, members who inadvertently make noises during a
recording will announce it to avoid confusion when the tape is being reviewed. The equipment
list includes infrared thermometers, digital cameras, and voice recorders, night vision
camcorders, walkie talkies, flashlights and infrared DVR and security cameras. Equipment is
placed for hours or days in hopes of catching some snippet of evidence. The society recently
conducted an investigation at the historic Daniel Benton Homestead in Tolland, owned by the
Tolland Historical Society, and also The Yankee Pedlar Inn in downtown Torrington. The team
captured a photo of what it believes to be a soldier looking through a window at the Daniel
Benton Homestead, but when members tried to recreate the photo they found nothing that could
have caused it.
In the case of the Yankee Pedlar they were told a night clerk had seen a black mist-like
formation walking through the lobby about 1am but found no evidence of an apparition.
Members say most of their investigations start because someone has contacted the group
through it's website at http://northwestconnecticutparanormal.com.
Time spent with the paranormal has a reality check. Each member has a normal job. Messenger
is an author and artist, Zontok is an exterminator, Mandi 17 is a graphics specialist, Jayme
Horton 21 does delivery, and 23 year-old Josh Rivers of Torrington is a client services
representative for a medical business. Not everyone takes the society's investigations seriously
members said, and there are times when the critics downplay their work. They consider
themselves a non-profit group. Members buy their own equipment and have spent over $3000
and countless hours doing investigations. Members of NWCPS say they don't try to compete
with other groups for a chance to capture a ghost on camera. Rather they enjoy the thrill of the
hunt!
who search for the paranormal inside and around homes, historical buildings and cemeteries.
Don't bother calling them ghost busters. They've already heard it. The Northwest Connecticut
Paranormal Society, based in Torrington and founded in 2005, is a group of friends from
throughout the region who have regular jobs but get together sometimes to visit suspected
haunted locations, They don't just do this around Halloween -- property owners contact them
after hearing strange sounds or voices, or perhaps seeing an odd unexplained cloud of mist.
These friends aim to find scientific proof that the paranormal exists in Connecticut, and
neighboring states. The goal, members say is to help people better understand paranormal
research. It's the intrigue of the unknown that makes the mission to solve the mystery said Jeff
Messenger, a 42 year old Barkhamsted resident and group adviser. Our philosophy is ultimately
that we're all on the same team trying to gather evidence of phenomenon. John Zontok, 44 of
Torrington, started the group as a way to help him answer questions about phenomenon he
encountered. His daughter, Mandi, and some of his friends joined him. Zontok said the results of
the investigations the group pursues are truly in the eye of the beholder.
We put the evidence out there and let the people decide for themselves he said. We don't try
and push evidence on anyone. The society doesn't charge for investigations, which can involve
sound recording devices, camcorders, and other documentation. The group takes its
investigations seriously.
During visits to a cemetery, for example, members who inadvertently make noises during a
recording will announce it to avoid confusion when the tape is being reviewed. The equipment
list includes infrared thermometers, digital cameras, and voice recorders, night vision
camcorders, walkie talkies, flashlights and infrared DVR and security cameras. Equipment is
placed for hours or days in hopes of catching some snippet of evidence. The society recently
conducted an investigation at the historic Daniel Benton Homestead in Tolland, owned by the
Tolland Historical Society, and also The Yankee Pedlar Inn in downtown Torrington. The team
captured a photo of what it believes to be a soldier looking through a window at the Daniel
Benton Homestead, but when members tried to recreate the photo they found nothing that could
have caused it.
In the case of the Yankee Pedlar they were told a night clerk had seen a black mist-like
formation walking through the lobby about 1am but found no evidence of an apparition.
Members say most of their investigations start because someone has contacted the group
through it's website at http://northwestconnecticutparanormal.com.
Time spent with the paranormal has a reality check. Each member has a normal job. Messenger
is an author and artist, Zontok is an exterminator, Mandi 17 is a graphics specialist, Jayme
Horton 21 does delivery, and 23 year-old Josh Rivers of Torrington is a client services
representative for a medical business. Not everyone takes the society's investigations seriously
members said, and there are times when the critics downplay their work. They consider
themselves a non-profit group. Members buy their own equipment and have spent over $3000
and countless hours doing investigations. Members of NWCPS say they don't try to compete
with other groups for a chance to capture a ghost on camera. Rather they enjoy the thrill of the
hunt!
Group hunting for scientific evidence of the supernatural
by Chris Parker
October 29, 2006