A radio designed to communicate with spirits crackled and hissed on a recent Saturday evening at Where Pigs Fly near Linn when the word, “Hello” was clearly audible to the 13 people gathered in Oinkin’ Hall.
Skeptics would think of a gimmick, a man in another room using a radio to send the message but Ken Raumoeller and his partner, Stephen Lange, of Monster Paranormal, based in St. Louis, have a different explanation.
Their belief is the spirits which inhabit the property can speak through this electronic wavelength though there was nothing else said.
With 20 years in the field of paranormal investigations, Raumoeller and Lange call themselves “ghost magnets” and firmly believe their contacts with the dearly departed are genuine.
“We have a lot of personal experiences that can’t otherwise be explained,” said Lange. “We think of them as guardian angels.”
With Halloween right around the corner, seeking to interact with spirits seems a timely pursuit. “Halloween is my favorite,” said Raumoeller. “I have always loved monster stories.”
The two men joined up about six years ago and this the third time they have visited Where Pigs Fly.
Spirits at this location are described as playful and helpful, and owner Cindy Brenneke said she has had unexplained situations that led her to believe in the presence of something ethereal.
“It was never anything bad or scary,” said Brenneke. “Things would be moved and I would hear things even though I was alone.”
Raumoeller believes that. “The spirits here are very friendly and helpful to Cindy,” he said.
Raumoeller and Lange believe some of these spirits are connected to the Iven family, which built the farm, and others are there because of the farm’s location.
“A stagecoach used to run right through here,” said Raumoeller. “We’re not sure who all might be here.”
They are sure that the spirits connected to the property are on the “white light” side of things. Raumoeller said Lange is very sensitive to the paranormal and while they use positive prayers to ward off the dark side of the ethereal world, sometimes it encroaches.
“It hits Steve first, and if something feels wrong, we back off immediately,” said Raumoeller.
Monster Paranormal is a conglomeration of individuals and small groups who focus on all things paranormal, including history, research, education, and fun.
“We stress positivity and the lighter, less scary side of the unknown,” said Raumoeller. “We typically go on local or Midwest para-ventures, investigate public locations, gather evidence to support and validate stories, and then present our findings via lectures.”
Cameras and recording devices were set up around the room with the hope of capturing evidence of spiritual presence. In addition to the voice heard on the radio, Raumoeller and Lange used phone apps to register spirits. In one case, an outline on one app showed what appeared to be a small child sitting on a counter.
Raumoeller and Lange also told stories about their experiences and people in the group added theirs in a discussion that lasted quite a while. Later, the group went out and sat around a fire.
Raumoeller said spirits like their space, and Lange recalled being slapped and hit when that space was violated.
“We do not provoke spirits,” Lange said.
“We’ve heard laughter and giggling, and a full sneeze,” said Raumoeller.
Whatever the reason, the men believe that some spirits linger while others move on to “wherever we move on to.”
Their goal is to learn the history involved with these spirits.
“We enjoy history, architecture, myths, and legends,” said Lange, who also provides tarot readings.
They also invite other enthusiasts to share their knowledge about all things paranormal with the local community.
Monster Paranormal also has access to and can refer help requests to other crew members who focus on private investigations, cryptozoology, spiritual healings, astrology, mediumship, and similar areas of study.
“Most importantly, we firmly believe in paranormal unity and cooperation,” said Raumoeller. “We are serious about what we do, but we have fun doing it, day or night.”
Monster Paranormal plans to return to Where Pigs Fly and more information is available on the group’s Facebook page.