Cassie and Alex close out the first season of Wheeling Haunts with an episode full of special guests and spooky history. The episode includes an interview with Amanda DeShong, a local medium who uses her gift to connect to the spirit world. Cassie and Alex chat with Amanda about how she came into this practice, common misconceptions about mediumship, and tips for those who want to get more in touch with their spiritual side. Later in the episode, hear tales from listeners who called in to share stories from their haunted Wheeling homes. We had one listener story that was so good, we had to bring them in for an interview! We close out the episode with some Halloween history and its connection to Samhain, an ancient Celtic celebration.

Until next time...stay spooky!

Have comments or questions about this week's episode? Leave us a voicemail: speak-to.us/whghauntsquestions
Learn more about Amanda DeShong's practice: amandadeshong.com
Bush up on your Samhain history: https://bit.ly/2OSKg2O
Buy Wheeling Haunts Merch: https://bit.ly/3zwJ3ok
Learn more about Wheeling’s past and present by visiting weelunk.com

This week, Cassie and Alex stick around in East Wheeling to visit another home whose owner has a hair-raising story to tell. We also learn that this home was once the primary residence of Major Alonzo Loring: "one of Wheeling's most prominent citizens." 

At the end of this week’s episode, we have some fun side stories that Will shares from his time working underground as a coal miner.

• Have comments or questions about this week's episode? Leave us a voicemail: speak-to.us/whghauntsquestions
• Have a haunted home in Wheeling? Tell us about it by leaving a short voicemail: speak-to.us/weelunk
• Learn more about the life of Alonzo Loring: https://bit.ly/3FjZatt
• Buy Wheeling Haunts Merch: https://bit.ly/3zwJ3ok
• Get all of the details about Wheeling’s spookiest Halloween party at Clientele Art Studio (and all of their other events!): clientelestudio.com
• Learn more about Wheeling’s past and present by visiting weelunk.com
  
  

This week, Cassie and Alex sit down with their friend and colleague Betsy Sweeny to talk about a ghostly encounter that she recently had while a contractor was working in her East Wheeling home. This story involves a long history of interesting homeowners, an old piano, and a contractor that may or may not be a channel for the spirit world. 

We also talk to Jeanne Finstein, a local historian and president of Friends of Wheeling - West Virginia's oldest historic preservation organization!

Have comments or questions about this week's episode? Leave us a voicemail: speak-to.us/whghauntsquestions

• Have a haunted home in Wheeling? Tell us about it by leaving a short voicemail: speak-to.us/weelunk
• Buy Wheeling Haunts Merch: https://bit.ly/3zwJ3ok
• Support Friends of Wheeling: https://bit.ly/3ggcO6k
• Follow Betsy Sweeny on Instagram (@betsysweeny) and on her blog: betsysweeny.com
• Learn more about Wheeling’s past and present by visiting weelunk.com
  
  

This week, Alex and Cassie talk to Rachael Schmitt, who shares some spooky stories about her childhood home in Fulton. From eerie coincidences to downright frightening encounters, there's clearly something supernatural happening on the hill.

We also hear from WVU history professor Hal Gorby to learn more about the history of Fulton and try to make connections related to Rachael's experience. 

• Have comments or questions about this week's episode? Leave us a voicemail: speak-to.us/whghauntsquestions
• Have a haunted home in Wheeling? Tell us about it by leaving a short voicemail: speak-to.us/weelunk
• Buy Wheeling Haunts Merch: https://bit.ly/3zwJ3ok
• Learn more about Hal Gorby's academic research on West Virginian, Appalachian, and American immigration history: https://bit.ly/3eevVNy
• Get Hal's book Wheeling's Polonia: Reconstructing Polich Community in a West Virginia Steel Town: https://wvupressonline.com/node/825
• Learn more about Wheeling’s past and present by visiting weelunk.com

Show Sponsors:
This week's episode was supported, in part, by our friends at the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. Learn more about the WSO's 2022-2023 season, American Stories, by visiting wheelingsymphony.com.

This week, Alex and Cassie talk to Mary Ellen Bennett, owner of the Phillips-McLure House on Wheeling Island. She has owned the home for more than two decades and believes that the spirit of the home's namesake - John McLure Jr. - still is present. 

Mary Ellen has helped restore the home and put it back into use by running a successful business. Along the way, she's had a few experiences that led us all to believe that the home's former owner might be sticking around to keep an eye on things. Listen and decide for yourself. 

We also hear from Taylor Abbott, a local historian who provides insight into what Wheeling was like while John McLure was alive and his ties to Wheeling's boating industry and beyond!

• Have comments or questions about this week's episode? Leave us a voicemail: speak-to.us/whghauntsquestions
• Have a haunted home in Wheeling? Tell us about it by leaving a short voicemail: speak-to.us/weelunk
• Buy Wheeling Haunts Merch: https://bit.ly/3zwJ3ok
• Read more from Taylor Abbott on Weelunk: weelunk.com/author/taylorabbott/
• Learn more about Ohio River history: ohiovalleyrivermuseum.org
• Learn more about Wheeling’s past and present by visiting weelunk.com