Country Squire’s ghost stories investigated
East Koast Illusions poses for a photo. Used with permission.
By Trevor Normile
WARSAW— After the echoes of joyful voices fade and visitors have left the Country Squire Inn and Restaurant, many claim that the waning night hours are host to a very different kind of patron. East Koast Illusions, a paranormal activity investigation team, visited the Country Squire in late June with hopes of finding unusual goings-on.
Heather Norton of EKI explained that the group uses scientific methodology, and puts effort into finding explanations for activity. The investigators use motion detectors, infrared cameras, digital recorders and other gizmos to gather evidence.
According to owner and Scotland native Iris Lennon, a likely source for paranormal activity is the lumber that was used to build the 49 year old compound, much of it being from older structures. The building used in the construction of the winery is around 200 years old.
It may come as no surprise that a building with so much character may persuade some to never leave. Lennon said that encounters with the unknown are common among the staff, “It’s not just me. I don’t think there are any who work here that haven’t had unexplainable experiences.”
Potters Hill resident and former employee Chance Cole said, “at night it was always eerie to be in there cleaning up by myself so I always tried to get out quick.” He went on to say, “It seems like everyone’s got a couple stories to tell.”
Although the team has a lot of material to go through, Norton said that they have already made promising discoveries. According to the investigator, a new technique which involves scanning radio frequencies caused an apparition of a young girl to converse with them.
“Most of the experiences were scattered, but the girl was constant. We’d love to go back [for another investigation],” she said.
The Country Squire has hosted three separate teams over the past three years, and unlike many prime-time Halloween specials each has been successful in finding evidence of haunting. In fact, one of the groups, Port City Paranormal, has declared the buildings bona fide haunted.
When asked whether Lennon was comfortable working in an environment where “regular haunt” takes on a more literal meaning, she responded, “I’m delighted about the findings. We’re fortunate that the ghosts are friendly. Nobody out here has ever felt intimidated, and people just love to tell their ghost stories.”
