In 2012, I took the New England Legends audience to October Mountain in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. We were in search of the ghost of a little girl said to haunt an abandoned cemetery near the top. Through exploring that legend, we were able to find the cemetery and give that girl a name once again: Anna Pease. By telling that story, we were able to reunite a family. This was the most profound and touching legend I have ever chased.
Like Krampus, the Belsnickel is another dastardly Yuletide figure. But unlike Krampus, an encounter with Der Belsnickel isn’t fatal. With his origins in southwestern Germany, the Belsnickel made his way over to Penns…ylvania Dutch communities over two centuries ago, but his tale has since spread. The Belsnickel wears fur from head to toe and sometimes he wears a mask. He carries a switch of sticks in one hand for whipping bad children, and on his back is a sack full of sweets. The Belsnickel typically shows up a week or two before Christmas in order to check on the behavior of the little ones. The Belsnickel approaches a house and knocks on the window with his switch of sticks. The children are expected to fall in line in front of him. They may be asked to sing a song or answer questions asked of them. If they do well, they are given candy. If they misbehave… whack! In some cases, the candy is a test. The Belsnickel might toss some candy on the floor. If a kid jumps for the sweets before it’s offered to him… whack! The extremely naughty are brought outside to a tree and given a proper beating. Where Krampus carts off the naughty kids and devours them, the Belsnickel offers a chance at redemption before Christmas. The whipped children then have a couple of weeks to fly right so Santa will bring them toys on Christmas Day.
You know Dasher and Dancer, and Prancer and Vixen. And of course you know Santa Claus. But did you know Santa has a dark and deadly counterpart? His name is Krampus… and today, December 5th, is his day. Between the 1870s and 19-teens, Krampus was very popular in Europe and parts of the United States. Though this yuletide figure originated in Germany and Austria, he quickly spread because every parent is always looking for new and innovative ways to scare their children into submission. Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6th in many European countries, but December 5th belongs to Krampus. Through old postcards from the turn of the century, we can see how popular this figure was. Krampus is depicted as a horned devil creature with one regular foot and one cloven hoof. His long, red, forked tongue often hangs from his mouth surrounded by an evil grin. Over his shoulder he carries either a scratchy burlap sack or a basket, so he can stuff the naughty kids inside. In his hands are chains and a switch of sticks for beating the bad children. When you were a kid, did you ever consider that no one you knew never really got coal or sticks in their stockings Christmas morning like people said would happen if you were bad? It’s because Krampus had already claimed the bad children and carted them away to be eaten! Happy Krampusnacht! If you survive tonight, you already know you’re on Santa’s nice list…
In Mission 172 we head to the southern United States with the ‘Bama Boys, Benny Reed and Jonathan Hodges from the Syfy Channel’s show Deep South Paranormal. We explore three Tennessee haunts: Moore County Jail in Lynchburg, Old South Pittsburg Hospital, Lincoln County Hospital. Don’t miss the EVP, photo, and video evidence the boys captured inside!
It’s that time of year again, when ghosts and goblins walk the earth and the veil between our world and the spirit world is said to be at its thinnest… A perfect time for legend chaser Jeff Belanger to examine the origins of Halloween, find out why we like being scared, and seek out some frights at DementedFX’s haunted funhouse attraction in Easthampton, Massachusetts!
Author and adventurer Jeff Belanger explores the folklore of New England’s southeastern coast. Airdates set for Wednesday, October 29th at 8:00 PM on WSBE, and Thursday, October 30th at 10:00 PM on WGBY. PROVIDENCE, RI. – October 21, 2014 – New England is full of ghosts, monsters, and other mysteries that are more than just campfire tales. These legends and lore are as much a part of New England history as are the famous ancestors whose names grace our towns and schools today. On Wednesday, October 29, at 8:00 PM, Rhode Island PBS will be broadcasting the New England Legends series along with the latest episode “Maritime Mysteries.” This will be the first broadcast of the new episode as part of the fall pledge-drive for the station. New England Legends host Jeff Belanger will be live in the studio for the event. In 2014, “The Spooky Berkshires,” the premiere episode of New England Legends was nominated for an Emmy under the “Magazine Program/Special” category. This year the series returns and takes to the water. “Maritime Mysteries” dives into the ocean waters of southeastern New England to explore the lonely and haunted Rose Island Lighthouse off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island. Then viewers head to shore to ponder an ancient and mysterious stone tower with possible connections to the Knights Templar. Finally, the crew trek up to New Bedford, Massachusetts, to investigate the haunts of abandoned Fort Taber / Fort Rodman. “New England is almost synonymous with the ocean,” said Host and Executive Producer Jeff Belanger. “The water means everything to us: food, recreation, and commerce. Our shores must be protected and defended… which may explain why so many legends pop up along our coast. We’re thrilled to share these important stories with viewers of Rhode Island PBS.” New England Legends is a joint venture between Jeff Belanger and Tony Dunne. The two have been working together since 2009 when Dunne wrote and produced the documentary Things That Go Bump in the Night: Tales of Haunted New England for PBS. Belanger was featured prominently in that first documentary, which went on to national acclaim. “To earn an Emmy nomination on our very first episode was a huge honor,” said Director and Executive Producer Tony Dunne. “But we knew we could do better. ‘Maritime Mysteries’ takes this series to a higher level with better story-telling, camera work, and editing. We want to show New Englanders the mysteries that many walk by every day without noticing.” Belanger and Dunne are currently working on future episodes of New England Legends and are actively seeking sponsorship to turn the program into a regular feature across more New England PBS affiliates. About Jeff Belanger Jeff Belanger (www.jeffbelanger.com) is a New England native, author, adventurer, and one of the most visible and prolific paranormal researchers today. Since 1997, the journalist has interviewed thousands of eyewitnesses to paranormal occurrences. He’s the author of more than a dozen books on the paranormal (published in six languages) including the best sellers: The World’s Most Haunted Places, Weird Massachusetts, Our Haunted Lives, and Who’s Haunting the White House? (for children). He’s the founder of Ghostvillage.com, the Web’s most popular paranormal destination according to Google.com, and a noted speaker and media personality. He’s also the host of the cable/Web talk show, 30 Odd Minutes which is available in over 9 million homes in the United States. Belanger has written for newspapers like The Boston Globe and is the series writer and researcher for Ghost Adventures on the Travel Channel. He’s been a guest on hundreds of radio and television programs including: The History Channel, The Travel Channel, Biography Channel, PBS, NECN, Living TV (UK), The Maury Show, The CBS News Early Show, FOX, NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates, National Public Radio, The BBC, Australian Radio Network, and Coast to Coast AM. About Tony Dunne Award-winning television producer Tony Dunne has called New England home his entire life. After studying film and television production at Emerson College and the University of Massachusetts, Dunne has spent the past 15 years working as a producer in news, commercial, independent, and most recently public television at PBS honing his storytelling skills. He has produced magazine programs, nightly newscasts, quiz shows, lifestyle and health programming, as well as the nationally-distributed documentary Things That Go Bump in the Night: Tales of Haunted New England for PBS. About New England Legends New England Legends is a partnership between Tony Dunne and Jeff Belanger. The series premiered in 2013 on PBS affiliate WGBY in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 2014, the initial episode was nominated for an Emmy under the “Magazine Program/Special” category. “Maritime Mysteries” will air on WGBY Thursday, October 30th at 10:00 PM, and on Rhode Island PBS, Wednesday, October 29 at 8:00 PM. For more information, visit: www.ournewenglandlegends.com
In Mission 171 we explore some haunted rock n’ rollers with author and paranormal investigator Angelka Rogers! From recording studios to theaters, the world is full of places said to be haunted by those who once left a huge impression through their music. And sometimes the artists who came to perform at these venues end up leaving with an experience that’s more than they bargained for. Rogers shares some of the stories she’s collected for her forthcoming book: Rock Star Ghost Stories. Don’t miss it!
In Mission 170 we explore American Monsters with author and journalist Linda S. Godfrey! Air, land, and water — no element is immune from some cryptic tale of unnatural beings. We discuss the Jersey Devil, Sasquatch, Lizard Men, the Kraken, and other creatures featured in Linda’s latest book: American Monsters: A History of Monster Lore, Legends, and Sightings in America. Don’t miss it!
In Mission 169 we explore Demon Street USA with David Rountree and Robbie Lunt! When a woman in her Gainesville, Florida, home was dealing with forces she didn’t understand, she reached out to our guests for help. She was experiencing objects moving on their own, plus she was being thrown around and attacked by unseen forces. Our guests explain their spiritual journey and warfare against this evil entity in a battle that took a heavy toll on all involved. What happened when the entity followed them home? Tune in to find out!
In Mission 168 we explore the ESP Wars with Loyd Auerbach! Have there been world governments who have funded ESP programs for the purpose of espionage or even worse? Auerbach and his co-authors say yes. We explore the history and evidence presented in their new book ESP Wars: East and West. See the drawings made by actual remote viewers. Plus Dr. Dreck stops by to explore his own ESP. Don’t miss it!
