Great Times at the Supernatural Signatures in Burlington

                                                           

                    Director Sharon Vincz and Steampunk Granny

This past Saturday, June 6^th, good old Steampunk Granny, was invited along with several authors to take part in the Supernatural Signings Event held at The Library Company of Burlington. Located on 23 West Union Street in Burlington, NJ, this historic and beautiful library was chartered in 1757 by the British monarch King George the Second and to this day still continues to operate under this charter. http://www.librarycompanyofburlington.org/

                                                       

The Supernatural Signings Event was overseen by the Library Company’s Director Sharon Vincz, who made sure that all the authors were easily accessible to the many visitors joining us that day. It was a great experience for both authors and readers.

                                                                

Most of "Marti's Angels" were there to give Granny and the other authors lots of love and support. Later that afternoon the event was moved over to The Ghost Hunters Store located at 112 W Broad Street, Burlington, NJ. where refreshments were served and visitors had a chance to learn about ghosts and the owner, Dave Juliano

                                                                         

 

Dave is the owner of the store and has been a researcher in this field for over 28 years and he created the very first paranormal website on the internet back in 1994, The Shadowlands. He is also the Director of South Jersey Ghost Research/Sanctuary Paranormal which has been helping people with problem hauntings since 1955. He is the author of “Positive Energy for Haunted Homes”, “Ghost Research 101: Investigating Haunted Homes” and “Armor of God”. Feel free to visit the Dave’s bio page, The Shadowlands, Ghost Hunting 101

                               Angel Jodie & Medium Marti Haines                                              

Marti Haines is a Psychic Medium, Reiki Master and the Assistant Director of South Jersey Ghost Research/Sanctuary Paranormal. She is also the Store Manager of the NJ store in Burlington NJ. http://theghosthunterstore.com/

                                                      Authors:

                                                Laurie McCabe

                                                            

                                                   Jan Bastien
                                                            
                                                               

                                      Karen Kimmel Timper & Bob Christopher

                                                                  

                                                  Herman Stevenson

                                                  Some of Marti's Angels:

                                      Marcia                and         Jodie                      

 

Sharon, Jean, Jodie, Marcia, Rita, Marie

 

Beth and Jodie

 

Jodie and Diane

 

Dick and Jodie

 

Janet and Jodie

 

Marti's Angels On the Go

                                                           

Last night a group of friends, who I’ve nicknamed Marti’s Angels, and I headed over to The Playhouse in Burlington County to see the Footlighters perform in the musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The 1961 show which was based on the musical by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, was based on Shepherd Mead's 1952 book of the same name. The story concerns young, ambitious J. Pierrepont Finch, uses the book How to rise from window washer to chairman of the board of the World Wide Wicket Company.

                                                   

Going to a show was just the ideal way to shake off the winter doldrums. The Playhouse is a charming little theatre. Founded in 1938, and originally known as the “Footlighter Players of Palmyra & Riverton.” In May of 2000, Footlighters officially bought this historic building.

 

                                                            

                                                              

Although, I was going to be with friends, I was still a bit curious as to how good the show would be. I usually head over to Philly and the Walnut Street Theatre for plays, but I am a promoter of Independent Art and I had heard such great reviews about the Footlighters. I was not disappointed. The show was fabulous and the members of the cast put on one hell of a professional show. I had never seen this particular musical and had no idea what to expect. The music was foot tapping great.  Here is a list of the cast:

Matt Becker as J. Pierrepont Finch-Angela Longo as Rosemary- Kevin Esmond as J.B. Biggley-Scott C. Angehr as Budd Frump-Alexandra Haas as Smitty-Rick Williams as Bratt-Gabrielle Affleck as Miss Jones- Kaitlyn Delengowski as Hedy LaRue-Al Krier played Twimble and Wally Womper- Adam Pascal as the book voice.

Ensemble: Steven Ciceron, Elizabeth Deal, Cara Dickinson, Carla Ezell, Fred Ezell, Casey Grouser, Erin Gupta, Neil Gupta, D.J. Hedgepath, Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams, Paul Sollimo.

Production Team:

Brenda Kelly Bacon-Director/Choreographer---Cameron Stringham-Music Director---Lori Howard-Associate Choreographer/Tap Consultant

“How to Succeed” will be playing at the Playhouse until February 7^th, so get your little booty over there and watch the show. You can call for tickets at 856-829-7144. The Playhouse is located at 808 Pomona Road, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077

Conclusion

During intermission we were offered refreshments and after the show we were able to chat with the cast and even take pictures with Scott C. Angehr who played Bud Frump. Did Marti’s Angels like the show? Hell yeah! You will too.

                                                                

below is Marti Haines "our fearless leader" of the Angels with Jodie Marie Pilla and Janet Lima.

                                                           

Here is the site: http://bcfootlighters.com/category/shows/  Check out the upcoming shows.

Steampunk Granny does History & Ghosts at the Historic Gabreil Daveis Tavern

                                                        

This past Saturday a few fellow investigators and I, met with Marti Haines of the South Jersey Ghost Research Group at a 265 year old Historic Tavern located at the base of 4th Avenue, just off the Black Horse Pike in the township’s Glendora section on New Jersey. Did we find ghosts? Hell yeah!

                                                                     

Our group was greeted by Sharon L. Mickle, president of the Gloucester Township Historic and Scenic Preservation Committee, a 15-member body that manages the property. With her were two lovely ladies who volunteer their time to teach visitors about the history of the building and the grounds. “We are gaining more knowledge about the house and Gabriel Davies, the first owner,” said Sharon Mickle.

                                                                

The building has served many purposes during its 256 year history. Also known as the Hillman Hospital House because George Washington had designated it as so during the Revolutionary War, the tavern at one time housed boatmen who used the Big Timber Creek to ship goods to Philadelphia. The Tavern sits near the creek.

                                                                       

Despite its public use as a tavern, town hall and tax collector's office, the Gabreil Daveis Tavern was used continuously as a home from 1756 to 1956, when its last private owner, William F. Schuck died. The tavern was deeded to Gloucester Township upon Schuck's death. Schuck requested that the township preserve it as an historic site. Today, the tavern and its property occupy 28 acres of open fields, woodlands, and marshland along the northern branch of the Big Timber Creek. The tavern is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and overlooks the creek.

                                                                   

Ghost Investigation

Some of us had our own equipment, but Marti Haines of the Ghost Hunter Store in Burlington brought along several cases full of equipment. The Ghost Hunter Store is the headquarters of the South Jersey Ghost Research Group. We broke up into teams and it wasn't long before we were all busy recording and documenting the highly active (Spirits) encounters.

                                                               

As much as I enjoy a great investigation, the highlight of the night was having Sharon Mickle and her two lovely volunteers help confirm what we were picking up with our equipment. There were several of us in the group that are Empaths. We can pick up the emotions and sometimes the background history of a spirit. Sharon confirmed that what we had obtained from the spirits was in fact documented. I had made contact with the original owner of the land before he sold it to Daveis to build his tavern. Pretty neat, right? Later in the night, Sharon read from a collection of letters, some as old as the tavern. Several of us sat around the kitchen table and listened, as if spellbound, to the daily goings on of the different people who had made that tavern their home.

                                                                 

We even got to hear some old family gossip. It was a great experience, but I need to return to the tavern. I have to get Sharon Mickle to finish reading the letters for me. There was a certain young man who'd taken a job out west as a stagecoach driver and I'm wondering if he ever made it back to see his sweetie or his baby girl. The Gabreil Daveis Tavern does have events scheduled during the year and you can check their Facebook site for the phone number to call: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gabreil-Daveis-Tavern-House/104121246291519

 and if you're interested in learning more about ghosts and how to do a proper and safe investigation then check out The Ghost Hunter Store here: http://theghosthunterstore.com/

 

 

 

 

Steampunk Granny's Road Trips through Charters and Clans

                                                           

Did that title grab your attention? Good, because I was definitely a busy bee the past week. When you’ve written your first book in a series and while you’re finishing the second book and outlining what will happen in the third and a possible fourth book, you need to be out there in that big wide world promoting yourself and your book. Steampunk Granny (little ole me) is good at promoting not only myself, but all my friends. I have no intention of climbing that ladder of success alone; it could get very lonely at the top. No, I’m bringing all my friends with me.

                                                                     

I wrote an earlier blog  explaining how selling your book is a little bit like pimping or acting the part of hooker...sans the sex part. But, what I wanted to stress in that blog was how much fun you can have going on book signings. I’m gregarious by nature and can start a conversation with just about anyone, but if you are, by nature, a shy person, then book signings can be devastating hard to do. I recommend the buddy system. I had the opportunity to practice the buddy system when our writers’ group South Jersey Writers’ Group published our first anthology, Tall Tales & Short Stories from South Jersey.

                                                                 

                                                       

My partner and I, Dawn Byrne, hit the book signing trail fresh from the gate and over the last two years our promoting style evolved from two little meek church mice to the Lone Ranger and Tonto rides again. We take turns playing the Lone Ranger with my version of Tonto closer to that of Johnny Depp’s.

                                                                    

Sometimes, I will go on solo book signings, but most of the times Dawn and I ride together and sometimes we have a fellow author ride along. Like I said these past two weeks have been my busiest and it helps to have a sidekick with you.

I love meeting people and I love interviewing them. Because of my insatiable curiosity about the world around me, I have met some very interesting and talented people who share the same interests as me and since I’m an Empath and do ghost investigations and I love everything “Steampunk” and I’m also retired from a prestigious museum, The Academy of Natural Sciences, I have lots to talk about.

                                       Cinsearae, Dawn, and Steampunk Granny                       

This week, I went from selling books at the Landis Farmers' Market in Vineland to the Marconi Senior Center on 15^th & Porter Streets in South Philly to a library in Maple Shade, to Bogart's Book Store in Millville and a historic library in Burlington. In between all the book signings, I 've done several interviews, one which will be posted on Biff Bam Pop. on actress/dancer Dawn Noel.

                                                                    

Dawn is a n amazingly talented South Philly girl from my old neighborhood and who's made a name for herself on stage and television. Dawn has made it possible for me to set up an upcoming interview with Chad Coleman better known as Tyreese from "The Walking Dead."  I'll let you know when it's posted on www.biffbampopcom

                                                                

                                                        

This week, I had the pleasure of selling my books at The Library Company of Burlington and thanks to the library’s Director and Guardian Angel, Sharon Vincz, I sold lots of books. I also take psychic classes every week at the Library which is given by Marti Haines of the Ghost Hunter’s Store. This week, the members of the class attended the celebration of the original charter.

                                                                  

This charter dates back to 1758 by England’s King George the second. The present day British Queen, Elizabeth, wrote a letter congratulating the library on its celebration.

                                                                    

Yesterday, Dawn Byrne, Nanci Rainey and I went to Millville and Bogart’s Bookstore to pimp our books. There was a town wide yard sale and Bogart’s also had live entertainment.

                                                                     

I think the wonderful greengrass original and Celtic Nations folk music of Clan Suibhne (pronounced Sweeney) helped us with our book sales.

                                                                 

Selling your books can be viewed as a monumental task or a Hobbit’s adventure and it starts with the author making the decision to put themselves out there. Don’t be shy and make that first step of the journey by contacting book stores, cafes and libraries and who knows? You might even bump into me and I might want to interview you.

In the News

                                                         

I had met Rita Manno, reporter and also in charge of her own Public Relations Business, when she did a story on the South Jersey Writers' Group's first anthology Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey. She mentioned me in that article because she was interested in what made a grandmother of nine write about zombies.

                                                         

Over the past year, Rita discovered that I was also into Steampunk and that I was known to all my friends as Steampunk Granny at Dorian's Parlor: https://www.facebook.com/DoriansParlor


But what really interested her was  my ghost investigations under the guidance of the South Jersey Ghost Research/ Sanctuary Paranormal Team that worked out of the Ghost Hunter Store in Burlington New Jersey. You can learn more about Dave Juliano, Marti Haines and Jeanne Butler- Lee here: http://theghosthunterstore.com/about/

                                                            

Although my family has been experiencing paranormal events most of our lives; it's an inherited talent, I got involved with professional ghost hunting through friends Rita and Jean. We each have our own unique ways of sensing the spirit world. We took several classes with Dave's team and went on several investigations with them.

                                                             

This past year, my friends and I became friends with another ghost investigative team, Keystone Spirit Seekers. Check their site here: http://keyss.webs.com/  We went on a very productive investigation at the Selma Mansion this past year.

                                                           

Thanks to Rita Manno's interest in my book, Roof Oasis, which is the first in a apocalyptic series with a twist, I have been featured in the Burlington County Newspaper. Thank you, Rita Manno. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritamanno


Here is the article featuring me.

http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/life-style/local-feature/she-s-a-trained-ghost-investigator-a-writer-and-a/article_ac22af22-283f-55cf-af4e-0ecd753f4e93.html


The phone has not stopped ringing with friends and family calling to congratulate me about my book and my being in the newspaper. I'm still in shock. I work very hard at writing, sometimes spending many hours interviewing people, writing recaps for television shows, movies and books and just trying to keep up with my blog and completing  book two of Roof Oasis called Saving Solanda.

                                                          

I have met the most talented people and made many life long friends because of my writing. I love what I do, but I don't travel this road alone. We never do. I have a support system with my family, friends, and fellow writers that keeps me going even when I think I can't write another word. My poor husband, Dan, has been anointed the job of agent, video, audio and tech person along with the job of chauffeur. Thank you, honey.

So the reason for this post is to thank everyone who has helped me reach where I am now and where I'm going in the future. You know who you are. Love you all.

Marie Gilbert aka Steampunk Granny

How to Pillage a Village

                                                                           

My ghost hunting friends and I headed to Mt. Holly, New Jersey to spend the day with some pirates. I was hoping to see Johnny Depp, but (insert long sigh, here.) I did meet some really nice people.

                                                                    

Jean, on the left, is our lead ghost hunter and Rita, on the right is our ghost whisperer. The young man in the middle is some poor soul we yanked off the trail.

                                                                        

There were lots of activities throughout the day, including several combats presented by the Society of Creative Anachronism. This is a living history movement where the members have a “hands-on” approach to history. The SCA period encompasses pre 17^th century Western Europe with an emphasis on the middle Ages and Renaissance. Their site is www.sca.org

                                                                             

                               Here are some of the members performing.

                                                                                                                                     

We also met some members of the New Jersey Renaissance Fair. The lady in blue is Countess Spencer and the lady beside her is of noble blood, the Duchess of North Umberland.                  

                                                                        

The pirates on the street are part of the same group and they put on a wonderful show.

                                                                             

We decided to do some shopping while we waited for the Gypsy belly dancers to begin their act and I was lucky enough to run into a friend. Author Danielle Ackley-McPhail was there promoting her books. Please check out her site, www.badassfaeries.com and order some great books.

                                                                            

I finally found a pirate’s vest to use for my Steampunk persona, but I still need a few more items before the next Dorian’s Parlor in September. Here I am with my friends.

                                                                                                                             

                We can never stop in Mt. Holly without going to the Ghost Hunter Store.

                                                          
                             We did some shopping and I said hello to a friend.