In his book The Last Laugh (1999), Dr. Raymond Moody, Jr. observed that the human interest in the paranormal is closely related to our love for fun and entertainment. This “playful paranormalism” sheds a broader light on the subject and includes experiences both interesting and meaningful, even if they are subjective and not scientifically verifiable.
Our website will focus on books, art, movies, stories, folklore, and fun. It is for everyone in Illinois who is interested in learning more about the places, history, and events that make our state unique. “Leave science to the scientists” is our motto.
Published between 2007 and 2010, with two additional issues in 2012, the Legends and Lore of Illinois was a monthly newsletter that sought to recapture the fun of learning about local legends and ghostlore, as well as the thrill of visiting allegedly haunted places.
Each issue of the Legends and Lore of Illinois focused on a unique location and contained a factual write up, a story set at the location involving the adventures of The Fallen, personal experiences, trivia, and letters from the reader.
Our current website, www.trueillinoishaunts.com, went online in December 2008.
To send your comments (please keep them brief) e-mail:
trueillinoishaunts@blackoakmedia.org
Our Editor: Michael Kleen
Michael Kleen is an author, local historian, and raconteur. He holds a MS in Education from Western Illinois University and a MA in History and BA in Philosophy from Eastern Illinois University. He has written several books, including Haunting Illinois: A Tourist’s Guide…, Tales of Coles County, and Paranormal Illinois. His articles and short stories have appeared in publications and anthologies such as The Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Historic Illinois, KILTER, Mythos, and more. He currently resides in Rockford, Illinois where he owns Black Oak Media, Inc.
Our Spokesmodel: DT Rose Gavin
DT Rose is a 22-year-old model from Peoria, Illinois. DT Rose will be appearing in many of our featured category images, as well as our site header, Facebook page, YouTube channel, and other social media platforms. She will also be appearing at several (yet to be determined) future events. DT Rose’s photographer, Willy Adkins, is president of Spook Show Entertainment. Among his many talents, he produces independent horror films and was recently the man behind the Chicago Horror Film Festival, as well as the Laugh or Die Comedy Fest. In 2011 he produced and directed the short horror film Headline News, which was based on a short story by Michael Kleen called “Coed Terror in the Ivory Tower of Doom.”
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