Windom to host ghost hunting class

Talk about it

WINDOM — If there’s something strange in the neighborhood, who you gonna call? The Investigative Paranormal Society of Minnesota, also known as TIPSMN.

It might not have the same ring as calling the Ghostbusters, but there are a few distinct advantages. For instance, TIPSMN is real. They teach a class called Paranormal 101 – Ghost Hunters, which discusses the process used during an investigation when looking for ghosts.

Paranormal 101 will be presented from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Business, Arts & Recreation Center (BARC) Library, Windom. To give insight into the principles of ghost hunting, the class will include a discussion of basic procedures, terminology and the equipment used in searching for apparitions and vortexes. Also discussed will be how to record ghost voices, places to hunt and the different kinds of hauntings.

Nick Larson, Rochester, is the founder and lead investigator of TIPSMN, along with Adam Fordham. The group was founded in 2007, and performs investigations into paranormal activity surrounding private and public places. Larson and Fordham will be instructing the class on Friday.

“In 101, it is pretty much for beginners,” Larson explained. “We introduce people to ghost hunting – what it is, what to look for. We show photos and videos, listen to audio clips.”

During a ghost hunting session, it is common the hunters don’t see anything at the time, but when analyzing the photos, video and audio later, they discover they have captured something.

“You find out there was an apparition standing right next to you,” Larson said. “It has happened before. We have captured photos of apparitions, which are essentially ghosts.”

Ghost hunting is not like what people see on TV, Larson cautioned. TIPSMN tries to prove ghosts exist, but does it as scientifically as possible by documenting the evidence gathered from their equipment.

“In the class, people also learn they don’t need high-tech equipment to go ghost hunting, no proton packs or anything like that,” Larson said with a laugh. “You just need a digital camera, an audio recorder and a video recorder if you have one.”

Students come out of the class, Larson hopes, with a better understanding of what ghost hunting is.

“The class is there to open everyone’s mind to the paranormal,” he explained.

Coming up April 23, Larson said, is a presentation of Paranormal 102, which is a little more advanced.

“In 102, we take people through going over the evidence, how to use computer software to analyze the evidence,” Larson stated. “At the end of the class, they get a take-home CD with the programs, and raw, uncensored photos and footage so they can start using what they have learned.”

The response to the ghost hunting classes has been good, Larson said.

“A lot of times after class, people come up, ask personal questions and share personal stories,” he explained. “The class gives them the opportunity to be more open minded, but also gives them the security to say, ‘Ok, I’m not the only one there that believes this.’”

For more information, a photo gallery of apparitions and contacts, visit TIPSMN on the Internet at www.tipsmn.com. To register for Paranormal 101, call the BARC office at (507) 831-2375.

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