Jeff Belanger

Jeff Belanger, author, adventurer, podcaster, storyteller

Adventurer, Author, Storyteller, Podcaster

Facebook Youtube Instagram
Menu

Blah Blah Blog

Jeff sundry observations, thoughts, and musings.

Thanksgiving
Blah Blah Blog, News, Views, & Interviews

Thanksgiving is Complicated

/

Recently a British men’s clothing company contacted me for a blog they’re writing. The objective of the piece is to explain to a Brit living in the United States what to expect from this uniquely American holiday. So they asked me to answer questions about how to be a good guest, what to wear, what to do if you’re hosting, and what the holiday means. Though they were only looking for short sentences to answer those questions, I went overboard and wound up writing an entire essay. Without further ado… Thanksgiving is complicated. It’s been that way since 1621 when the local Wampanoag people first celebrated the harvest with the Pilgrims of Plymouth. I mean, that meal went okay, but soon after things got ugly with the whole smallpox-King-Philip’s-War-eradication-of-the-Native-Americans thing. But let’s focus on the positive. This uniquely American annual meal happening on the fourth Thursday of November began back on November 28, 1782, when the United States Congress issued a proclamation calling for this day to be a national day of prayer and “Solemn Thanksgiving to God.” I’ve read the proclamation from top-to-bottom, and I’m afraid it will give you no insight into what Thanksgiving means today, so save yourself the time and skip it. First, it’s pretty easy to score an invite to a Thanksgiving meal. It’s well-understood that no one should be alone on this day, so merely mentioning in passing around friends or coworkers that you have no Thanksgiving plans will guarantee you an invite by anyone within earshot. So choose wisely where and how you let that information “slip.” “I’ve never been to a Thanksgiving dinner before. What does one do if he has no local family here in the States?” Boom. Free meal. And usually a damn good one. How to dress? Americans are a casual bunch, but dammit if this isn’t the one day per year we make some kind of effort. There are no ties or jackets required, but do go for a business-casual-meets-folksy look. A sweater (stop calling it a “jumper,” you’re in America now), slacks, and nice shoes ought to do it. You’re likely to arrive mid-morning because this is an all-day affair, and dinner will be served early. You’ll watch at least part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on the television (see also: “telly”)—a festival of consumerism and network program plugs that will serve as the backdrop to the start of your day. Each year the parade ends with Santa Claus bringing up the rear to remind you that you’re precisely 12 hours away from the manic holiday season and the infamous “Black Friday” shopping binge. But don’t worry about that just yet. You still have 12 hours to enjoy yourself. What to bring? If you’re culinarily-inclined, bring either some kind of side dish or dessert. If your idea of cooking involves hot water and Ramen noodles, buy a good pie from a local bakery. Yours won’t be the only pie, so feel free to show your local colour (see what I did there? How I spelled “color?”); try and find mincemeat pie if you must, or go more traditional with apple or pumpkin. Also bring a bottle or two of wine. Anything that goes with turkey. If you want to get a little bold, maybe a red and a white? With the parade over, you’re going to watch some football next. Not soccer. Football. With pads, helmets, and lots of yelling. If you don’t have a dog in the race, be a good sport and support whichever team your host supports. If your host is a rabid fan of one of the teams, DO NOT ask questions about how American football works during the game. Your genuine inquest will only be met with scorn. Just cheer when they cheer, and swear in disgust when they do. If the game is just background, go ahead and ask about offsides, on-side kicks, safeties, running backs, tight ends, two-point-conversions, encroachment, roughing the passer, and pass interference. Thanksgiving is a time for friends and family, and family and friends are complicated. The table will be crowded with food and people. Remember, someone at that table voted for Trump. Others voted for Hillary. Stick pins in your Voodoo doll, sacrifice a chicken, and pray to God above that politics don’t come up during dinner, or this already-complicated holiday will get uncomfortable quick. Maybe bring up “Brexit.” No one will know what you’re talking about. It should be a safe topic. In some families, it’s customary for the host to offer the guest the chance to say the blessing before the meal. Pray this isn’t the case for you. It’s always awkward. While, “Rub-a-dub-dub thanks for grub,” would work just fine in my house, better to go with some generic note of thanks to your higher power. Offer gratitude for the hospitality and friendship. Keep it short. Everyone is hungry. National politics aside, you still have family politics to worry about. That’s a minefield you simply must walk as part of your Thanksgiving-rite-of-passage. And you never know what may trigger tears, yelling, or icy stares across the table. But you’re the guest, and your job is to change the subject should this Mayflower sail into dark waters. Movies, TV shows, the weather. Keep it safe. If the turkey is dry, tell your hosts it’s delicious, but don’t overdo the lie. Everyone else knows it’s dry too. Rave about the cranberry salad or stuffing. If none of it is good, admire the table’s centerpiece and ask for the story behind it. Also take a mental note to find a different Thanksgiving invite for next year. After dinner, offer to help wash the dishes. Your host will say no. Offer again. At the very least, help clear the table and pack leftovers. You’ll likely be taking some of these leftovers home. Say “yes” when offered—there’s more food here than one family can eat in a week. Plus, it’s every American’s God-given right to a

Jeff Belanger unveils the 2019 Halloween Forever Stamp for the U.S. Postal Service.
Blah Blah Blog, News, Views, & Interviews

Jeff Belanger Unveils Halloween 2019 Forever Stamps for the U.S. Postal Service

/

On Friday, October 11th at 5PM, Jeff Belanger joined the U.S. Postal Service at the Milford, New Hampshire, Pumpkin Festival for the First Day of Issue event commemorating the launch of the 2019 Halloween Forever stamps. This nation-wide launch event marks the first time in postal history that a ghost has been featured on a stamp. Belanger unveiled the stamp and offered the key-note remarks. You can watch the entire 27-minute ceremony in this video. (You can scrub ahead to 21:00 minutes in the video if you only want to watch Belanger’s speech.)

Who's Haunting the White House? The President's Mansion and the Ghosts Who Live There, Audiobook
Blah Blah Blog, News, Views, & Interviews

Jeff Belanger’s New Audiobook Book Explores the Ghosts of the White House

/

Who’s Haunting the White House? is the first audiobook to explore the history of the President’s mansion through the ghostly legends that lurk the halls and grounds of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. BOSTON, MASS – April 27, 2018 – “Damn place is haunted sure as shootin’,” thirty-third President Harry S. Truman wrote of the White House in a September 7, 1946 letter to his wife, Bess. Given all of the history made in this building, and the lives lost both inside and due to decisions made within these walls, it’s no wonder that this is America’s most haunted home. Who’s Haunting the White House? The President’s Mansion and the Ghosts Who Live There by Jeff Belanger released this week on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s the first audiobook that explores the history and legends of this storied building. “Who’s Haunting the White House? originally published as a hardcover book for middle readers ages ten and up,” said author and narrator Jeff Belanger. “It’s been a beloved book for my readers, and one of my favorite topics to discuss in lectures and interviews. This is the perfect project for my first audiobook.” Who’s Haunting the White House? has been updated and features voice actors, some sound effects and music, and bonus material including an in-depth author interview on the ghosts of the White House. “Since launching my New England Legends weekly podcast last August, I’ve embraced audio storytelling,” Belanger said. “This is truly theater of the mind.” Stories about strange sounds, disturbing sensations, and ghostly apparitions at the executive mansion date back over a century and have been referenced by Presidents, First Families, and staff members alike. Using letters, diaries, and first-hand accounts, readers hear from people who have witnessed a haunting. Is Abigail Adams still hanging laundry on the premises? Does President Andrew Jackson still make a ruckus up in the Rose Guest Room? Is Abraham Lincoln a permanent fixture in the bedroom that bears his name? Who’s Haunting the White House? is an exploration of history as much as it is about ghosts. The audiobook is 1 hour and 37 minutes long. It retails for $4.86 on Audible.com, $4.87 on Amazon.com, and $5.95 on iTunes. About Jeff Belanger Jeff Belanger is one of the most visible and prolific researchers of folklore and legends today. He’s the award-winning, Emmy-nominated host, writer, and producer of the New England Legends series on PBS and Amazon Prime, and is the author of over a dozen books on history and lore (published in six languages). He also hosts the New England Legends weekly podcast. He’s the founder of Ghostvillage.com, and a noted speaker and media personality. He’s spoken at MENSA’s national conference and has given a prestigious TEDx talk in New York City. Belanger has written for newspapers like The Boston Globe and USA Today, and has served as the writer and researcher on numerous television series including Ghost Adventures, Paranormal Challenge, and Aftershocks on the Travel Channel, and Amish Haunting on Destination America. He’s been a guest on hundreds of radio and television programs including: The History Channel, The Travel Channel, Biography Channel, Reelz, PBS, The CBS News Early Show, CBS Sunday Morning, FOX, NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates, National Public Radio, The BBC, Australian Radio Network, and Coast to Coast AM.

Blah Blah Blog, News, Views, & Interviews

Krampus Night

/

Presenting my new 2017 holiday song: “Krampus Night”… just in time for Krampus Day! Thanks to Jim Ligor and Lou Miano at SideTraxx for performing this, and thanks to Darkness Radio’s Dave Schrader for lending his voice! Remember Remember the Fifth of December… Credits: SideTraxx (SoundCloud) | Facebook Dave Schrader (Darkness Radio) | Twitter

Mt. Kilimanjaro - Photo by Jeff Belanger
Blah Blah Blog, News, Views, & Interviews

Mt. Kilimanjaro – The Journey

/

How do you sum up the profound experience that was climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro? In reality, it will take a whole book to do so, and that’s a book I’m diligently writing. In short, I feel like I was walking the razor’s edge between the world of the natural and the supernatural. Of course there’s the majestic beauty of this giant mountain, but I was surprised to find how much of this journey was inward. Our team arrived in Moshi, Tanzania, the evening of March 18th. So everything was dark when we checked into our hotel. The next morning, after breakfast, I asked the staff if I could get to the roof of the hotel. They informed me there was access, so I climbed the stairs to what would be about four stories in height. As I came around the final turn, I looked out and saw Kilimanjaro filling the horizon. She’s huge. I mean, I knew that, but to see her take up the entire landscape is something different. I felt the way one feels when they realize they’re in the same room as their favorite celebrity. My stomach did flips, I’m pretty sure I let out a giggle, and my body shrugged with giddy excitement. There it is! It’s Kili! That’s where I’m going tomorrow! And so it began. Or rather, concluded. The journey began back in August of 2016 (though the seeds were planted years earlier). The next day we drove four hours to start the climb on the Lemosho Route–an eight-day trek that would take us about 42 miles through forest, above the tree line, through desert, up to the arctic summit, and back down. Everywhere I turned my head it was like a postcard. As I gained elevation, the vistas opened up showing Africa for as far as the eye could see. Rolling hills, great plains, and lush green landscapes of farmland lay in the distance. But I didn’t spend much time gazing outward, My head was mostly turned upward. For the first two days, I couldn’t even see the summit because the route we took had us coming up the long way, the real summit was blocked by the foothills, plus there was cloud cover. But after passing through 10,000 feet in elevation, often the cloud cover was below us. Though we had a team of climbers and a huge support staff between porters and guides, hiking is a solitary act. No one can step for you. I need to put one foot in front of the other, which is easy to do early in the journey, but becomes more difficult over time and elevation. At night I’m sleeping in below-freezing temperatures as is evident by the layer of frost on the tent and ground when I wake up. I’m not the biggest fan of camping, but that colossus above me is the reason I’m willing to do it. Each day she gets closer, looms larger. Though I slip in a few places, and I hurt my quad muscle at one point, I keep going, because there’s no other choice. As we push our way past 15,000 feet in elevation, I feel the strain to breathe. It’s not so bad if I stand still or move very slowly, but any sort of exertion and I’m huffing and puffing like I just ran a sprint. Want to know what it’s like? Go grab a drinking straw, put it between your lips, and go jogging. You want more air don’t you? So did I. I passed multiple plaques commemorating people who died on the mountain. One death was caused by a lightning strike. As greyish clouds whip around us, I can’t help but wonder what I would do if an electrical storm formed out of nowhere. I’m the tallest thing around here right now, and I’ve got plenty of metal on me between my pack, carabiners, hiking poles, and cameras. If lightning starts zapping about, all I can do is drop my pack and try and hide behind a rock. Fortunately, the grey clouds that drift by us like ghosts don’t seem angry with our presence. They just pass through. Still, the mountain is getting closer. She’s towering over me now, her glaciers and ice remind me that the environment up there is hostile. Saturday, March 25th is a big day. We’re hiking about five hours to base camp where we’ll eat something, and rest at 15,300 feet. By 11PM that night we’ll need to wake up, eat some food, and start for the summit by midnight. We’d already lost two people in our group to the altitude, they were forced to turn back two camps ago, but those who are left gear up and strap on headlamps. If you’ve ever been on a ghost investigation with me, you know headlamps hold a special place in my heart… I’m sure for coal miners they’re quite useful, but for the rest of the world, they’re a danger. Turn to look at someone and BOOM! It will take their eyes three minutes to adjust to the low light (and eyesight is necessary when trying to decide your next step up a mountain). So I place my headlamp around my neck and let it light up my feet. I can only see about a three-foot radius around, plus the glow from other headlamps around me light a centipede-like trail heading up. One step, then the other. It’s a snail’s pace, but critical if I’m going to have enough energy to get to the top. As the hours melt away, and we gain elevation, a chill sets in. 3 AM is the darkest and coldest part of the night. There is no mountain anymore. Just me, my breaths, and steps. I can’t see anything beyond that. By roughly 17,500 feet, I’m struggling. Each breath hurts, my head hurts, and all of my muscles are sore. The thought of quitting crosses my mind, but I worry what I’d tell my family,

Zombie Prom
Blah Blah Blog, News, Views, & Interviews

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to Hold Zombie Prom in Bellingham to Support Their Climb 2 Cure Campaign

/

Jeff Belanger from Ghost Adventures and Dustin Pari from Ghost Hunters set to host Zombie Prom at Jalapeno’s Grill January 19, 2017 — BELLINGHAM, MASS. – Who needs a Valentine heart when you can have braaaaains? The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) New England Climb 2 Cure Team in Training is holding a Zombie Prom on Saturday, February 4, 2017, at 7:30 PM at Jalapeno’s Grill, 15 North Main Street, in Bellingham. Six individuals from Massachusetts and Connecticut are climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in March to raise money for LLS. To-date, the team has already raised over $36,000. All proceeds from the ticket sales and charity auction at the Zombie Prom will go toward LLS. “This may be the most un-Valentine’s Day event you can go to in February,” said Jeff Belanger, researcher and writer for the Ghost Adventures series on the Travel Channel, and co-host of the Zombie Prom. “The Zombie Prom is a chance for people to get together for a good time and a great cause. Attendees can also meet our team as we get ready to climb the tallest mountain in Africa in order to raise funds and awareness for LLS in their fight against blood cancers.” The Zombie Prom will include games, dancing, music provided by DJ Damont Batchelor, a charity auction, there will be volunteers available to help guests with their zombie makeup, and a photographer to take “Prom of the Dead” pictures. 101.3 MyFM radio is the official media sponsor. “This is one prom where you can bring a date, go solo, or just show up with friends,” said Dustin Pari, one of the stars of the Ghost Hunters show on Syfy and co-host of the Zombie Prom. “If people are wondering what to wear, you can come-as-you are, or hit the thrift shop, buy some old clothes, take them home and tear them up, mark them up with markers and paint, and then get your makeup done at our event and boom! You’re a zombie!” Both Belanger and Pari are part of the six-person team climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in March. Tickets cost $20 per person if purchased online from LLS here: http://events.lls.org/pages/ma/C2CZombieProm or $25 at the door. The ticket price is considered a tax-deductible donation, as LLS is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. The event is 21 and over only. About the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org.

Blah Blah Blog, News, Views, & Interviews

Christmas is Getting Creepy December 8th at the Blackstone River Theatre

/

Local authors, lecturers, and paranormal television personalities Jeff Belanger and Dustin Pari present A Creepy Christmas Carol multi-media program, bringing back the ghosts and monsters that make this festive season a little spookier. November 22, 2016 – Cumberland, Rhode Island – Have you been naughty or nice this year? There was a time when kids on the naughty list didn’t have to worry about coal or sticks in their stockings Christmas morning, they had to fear a monster called Krampus coming for them! Or Der Belsnickel. Or any number of various Yuletide ghosts and monsters from different cultures around the world. A Creepy Christmas Carol is a unique stage show that brings together the oration talents of Jeff Belanger and Dustin Pari, who will present a multi-media program Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 7:30PM at the Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland, Rhode Island. The performance will take the audience through the history of this festive holiday and explore the ghosts, monsters, and legends of the season that have all but been lost to time. “There’ll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago,” said the Christmas carol Andy Williams made famous in 1963. But whatever happened to those ghost stories? Why did we stop telling them at Christmas time? “Winter has long been a season associated with fear,” said Jeff Belanger. “Our ancestors thought those howling winds outside were the cries of ghosts. They would place evergreen branches over their doors and windows thinking the prickly pine needles would keep out evil spirits.” “Christmas is my favorite holiday,” said Dustin Pari. “And A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, is my favorite ghost story of all time. When you fit that story in the context of the history, the legends, and even the monsters of the season, the message of redemption becomes even more powerful. We’re looking forward to telling the whole story of Christmas at the Blackstone River Theatre.” A Creepy Christmas Carol is a two-act program that will cover the history of the holiday from its earliest roots in ancient Rome, to modern-day ghost stories related to the holiday. The legends of creatures like Krampus, Der Belsnickel, the Tomten, and the Gryla will be discussed, as will the history of Saint Nicholas. The Blackstone River Theatre is located at 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, Rhode Island. Tickets are $15 in advance, or $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at: www.ghostvillage.com/xmas. About Jeff Belanger Jeff Belanger (www.jeffbelanger.com) is one of the most visible and prolific paranormal researchers today, and he’s the Emmy-nominated host and producer of the New England Legends series which debuted on PBS in October of 2013. He’s the author of over 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, he’s written for newspapers like The Boston Globe and USA Today, 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), Sunrise 7 (Australia), The Maury Show, The CBS News Early Show, CBS Sunday Morning, FOX, NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates, National Public Radio, The BBC, Darkness Radio, Australian Radio Network, and Coast to Coast AM. About Dustin Pari Dustin Pari (www.DustinPari.com and www.ParanormalRockstar.com) is one of the most entertaining, and by far one of the busiest, personalities in the paranormal field today. Known primarily for his appearances as a cast member on Ghost Hunters, Ghost Hunters International, and Destination Truth, Dustin is also a well-respected author and speaker. He travels the globe delivering paranormal and motivational lectures, offering insight into the unknown, and inspiration as well. His recent book And The Devil Shivered offers a behind-the-scenes look at a man who is living his life out on the road, helping those he encounters along the way.

Scroll to Top