As the enchanting hues of autumn painted the South Shore in shades of gold and amber, a captivating scene unfolded within the warm, lit kitchen. Pete Dodd and Jane Stebbins sat at a charming, weathered wooden table, their conversation weaving through the gentle clatter of dishes and the soft glow of candlelight. Opposite them, Owen Daley, a veteran ghost hunter whose passion for the supernatural was as vibrant as the season itself, leaned in with a gleam of excitement in his eyes. His finger pointed to a yellow light flickering rhythmically from a device nestled between them—a tangible symbol of the unseen world they sought to explore.
“Is someone passing through?” Stebbins asked, her voice a melodious blend of curiosity and wonder, her eyes wide with the anticipation and trepidation of the unknown. “Some energy is moving through,” Daley affirmed, his tone infused with the enthusiasm and conviction of a true seeker of supernatural truths.
Moments later, Dodd, wearing a knowing smile, traced the source of the light back to Stebbins’ dishwasher, its hum blending quietly into the ambient sounds of the room. Yet, disappointment was absent from his demeanor. “Our purpose is to disprove,” he explained, his voice steady and reassuring, “not just to prove.”
Founded in 2008 by Dodd and Daley, the South Shore Paranormal Society is a dedicated group of ghost hunters committed to unraveling the supernatural mysteries that are interwoven along the scenic South Shore. These passionate volunteers dedicate their time, energy, and sophisticated equipment to exploring historic buildings and timeworn homes, aiming to illuminate the shadows with irrefutable evidence of the inexplicable. They give voice to the eerie tales of residents—like the chilling laughter of unseen children echoing through old corridors, or the eerie whispers that seemed to rise from the very walls. “We don’t aim to validate a haunting; instead, we strive to dissect and often disprove,” Dodd articulated, his resolve unwavering.
Dodd’s first encounter with Stebbins’ storied 18th-century home on Country Way unfolded in 2010, prompted by whispered tales of peculiar incidents that had woven themselves into the fabric of her family’s history. Stories were shared of her young son and babysitter, both having witnessed the haunting apparition of a young girl in pilgrim attire serenely rocking an empty cradle—a vision etched in their memories, lingering in the shadows of their minds until adulthood.
Stebbins vividly narrated how various doors in her home, particularly the closet door, would mysteriously creak open and shut on their own, as though the whispers of history were yearning to share their secrets. “For years, I felt a cold draft brush against my back,” she revealed, her eyes reflecting the burden and intrigue of her experiences within those ancient walls. Having raised six spirited children in this house since 1974, she confessed, “I dreaded sleeping with my back turned to the closet.”
After engaging Stebbins in heartfelt interviews and delving into the rich historical tapestry of her home—some sections dating back to 1724—Dodd and his team embarked on a comprehensive investigation. They set an array of digital cameras and audio recorders throughout the residence, their senses finely tuned to capture the faintest signs of paranormal energy.
Though Stebbins embraces the possibility of her home being haunted, Dodd frequently encounters skeptics who dismiss his photographic and electronic evidence. Among his fiercest critics is his own wife, Cris. Once a skeptic himself, Dodd has experienced enough lingering shadows and inexplicable moments to firmly believe in the existence of paranormal forces. “It’s easy to be a doubter until the inexplicable happens to you,” he mused, an understanding smile crossing his face. “I can’t fault people for their doubts.”
Stebbins recounted another eerie episode: a late-night excursion to the cellar for a hammer turned ominous when the door slammed shut, trapping her inside. With the bulkhead leading outside buried under feet of snow, escape seemed impossible. Yet, she felt an unseen force lift her, guiding her to safety—a mysterious savior in the night.
Several evenings after this unsettling adventure, Stebbins ventured to her kitchen after 1:00 a.m. for a drink. As she opened the refrigerator, she was inexplicably lifted to the ceiling and gently placed on a kitchen chair, drink in hand—a playful, yet unnerving reminder to “stay in bed.” Since that night, she has heeded the ghostly warning.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Having visited this home numerous times, I consistently felt a peculiar unease in the upstairs hallway and family room, particularly near the central fireplace. The sense of an unseen presence accompanied me, especially in the narrow, dimly lit upstairs corridor. Despite these odd sensations, the home exuded warmth and a cozy atmosphere. The homeowner’s welcoming and inquisitive nature fostered a positive atmosphere, transforming a potentially eerie environment into one of curiosity and acceptance. Each visit was a tapestry of history, warmth, and the unexplainable, leaving visitors with stories they too would carry with them, told by the flickering light of a dying fire.