Lights Out Paranormal Research Team

Now that you know about what we do, its time to meet all of us.  We're a dynamic, tight-knit group who were friends before we began investigating the paranormal.  The list you are about to read is getting longer by the month and will never stop growing.  Seventeen and counting, plus countless family members who allow us all to do what we do.

Jim Willing co-founded Lights Out Paranormal with Chris LaBarge over the summer of 2008.  The two met as electricians for a local electrical contractor, where they are still employed together.  It was Jim’s passion for the SciFi show “Ghost Hunters” that drove him to seek out others he knew who were as interested in paranormal investigation as he was.  Jim is definitely the passion and drive behind the group.  His endless list of contacts have been the single biggest asset in forming and growing the team to what it is today.  He recently took on the role of Case Manager for the team and the group has already benefited from this additional role.   

Where Jim contributes his unwavering passion to the group, Chris brings more of a technical background.  But don’t underestimate his desire to investigate the unknown.  While he always craves experiencing the supernatural, his main goal for the group is to help those with paranormal trouble and promote the field of paranormal investigation.  Chris is responsible for prioritizing, recommending, purchasing, and operating the equipment for Lights Out.  He also designed and maintains the group’s website and e-mail account.  

Anthony is a fellow electrician and has been a friend of Jim and Chris’ for several years.  He’s known mostly for his camera work and has become the designated operator of the mini-DVD camcorder for Lights Out.  Anthony was a skeptic his entire life until he and his wife shared an experience one summer’s night.  His desire to find answers to his questions as well as others is what brought him to the group.

Chris was introduced to the group through his relation (brother-in-law) to Jim Willing.  Chris’ craving to help out as much as possible lead him to volunteer to serve as a researcher for the group.  In that capacity, he can provide the necessary background for any location we plan or may be planning to visit.  Chris is also a skilled EVP questioner, an undervalued skill in the field.

Who couldn't use another electrician on board.  Dean joined the group as a co-worker of Chris, Jim, Anthony, and Shane and brings a quiet calm to the group.  It took us awhile to get him scheduled to join us on an investigation and we're glad to have him.  Dean first joined us in the field at the house in Berlinsville and will continue to join us from time to time.   

Tom comes to Lights Out as a friend of Chris LaBarge's from high school.  After playing hockey together, these two lost touch, but were also reunited through Facebook.  Tom joined the group just in time to help review the evidence from the apartment building in Bethlehem and brings a great enthusiasm to the group.  His first venture into the field was the second house in Berlinsville.  His sense of humor, tech knowledge, flexible schedule, and "hockey butt" will make him a valuable member of Lights Out for a long time. 

Sheila joins the group as a long time acquaintance of Chris LaBarge.  They knew each other in high school and lost touch until recently crossing paths on Facebook.  Sheila contacted Chris about his hobby and her fascination with the show Ghost Hunters and the rest is history.  Her first experience with the group was reviewing evidence from The Keystone and made it out in the field for the first time at the apartment building in Bethlehem.  Her positive energy is a welcomed spark to the group. 

Jodi was a surprise, last minute, fill-in investigator at the apartment building in Bethlehem.  Jodi came highly recommended by Sheila and the group couldn't have been more pleased.  On less than 12 hours notice, she performed like a champion in her first investigation, displaying poise and confidence.  As time goes on, both Jodi and Lights Out hope she will be joining us much more often.  

Shelly is, of course, the female influence on the group.  She was brought on board by Chris LaBarge as a friend of his wife's for over 20 years.  She claims to have never had a personal experience and part of her desire to join the group is to make her first contact.  As a long time employee of the day care we investigated, Shelly was excited to investigate there.  Her self-consciousness about her voice limits her EVP work, but she's more than willing to help out in any other way she can. 

Christina is Lights Out's premier audio reviewer.  She possesses the incredible knack of picking out audio evidence from the sea of digital recorder files we give to her.  She also shares the same enthusiasm for the group and its success that her husband Anthony (Video Tech) displays.  Our 5th case was Christina's first in the field and we all hope she is able to attend even more as our case work increases.  She also makes a mean Peanut Butter Pie!

Lauren was brought on board by Anthony and Christina.  She is one of Christina's oldest friends and has done a solid job for Lights Out reviewing evidence of some of our original cases.  We were very excited when we approached us about investigating a relatives' house, a suggestion that became our fifth investigation.  This case was also her first in the field with our group and she fit in quite nicely.  She does spook easily, but there are few things Lauren won't do if it benefits the team. 

Joe's addition to Lights Out is long overdue.  He's Jim Willing's cousin and a true skeptic, which is always a benefit to any good paranormal research team.  But his true value will be in assisting on the technical end.  His background in electronics and experience with motion and occupancy sensors make him a natural to conceptualize and build many customized pieces of equipment for the group.  He also has website design experience, so expect this space to improve even further!  

John comes to the group through his sister, Sheila.  John's numerous contacts and outgoing personality make him a natural to help spread the word of what Lights Out is trying to accomplish.  He also possesses a rare ability to gently persuade people in a direction they may be nervous to tread.  His skills have already landed Lights Out the second house in Berlinsville and a future case in Wind Gap, PA.  John may also be joining us in the field as his time allows.  Keep up the good work, John!

Phil was brought on board for our return trip to the day care in Berlinsville.  He's a former co-worker of Jim, Chris, Anthony, and Shane and has stayed in close contact with them. When the plans to start Lights Out were first hatched, Phil was one of the first people contacted but we could never schedule him to participate, but he has made a commitment to Lights Out and hopes to be a strong member of the team for a long time.

Lauri contacted the group after receiving our mailing through the New Age Shop and offered to help us out if we ever needed it.  Well, the time finally came for us to seek out her advice and both sides couldn't be more excited.  You may know Lauri from her show "Moonlight Messages" on Sunday nights on 93.5 WBSG or you may know her from her work as a psychic/medium.  Either way, Lights Out is proud to have Lauri on board and look forward to getting her out in the field with us often.

L-I-N-K to Lauri's website

**This message was approved by Lauri Moore ;-)**

Zack comes to the Lights Out team as a very good friend of Anthony.  He brings a deep interest in the paranormal to the group and is willing to help out in any way possible.  As the youngest member of the group, he's a bit shy, but once he comes out of his shell, we'll have a valuable member in our group.  Our trip to Orefield was his first forray into the field after helping review evidence from the previous investigation.

Another Lights Out first.  Phyllis is the first client of Lights Out Paranormal to join the team as an investigator.  She found our group through Tom, whom she works with at Martin Guitars.  While she's new to our group, she and her friend Luann and daughter Tracy have joined other groups on guided ghost hunts in the past.  Soon all 3 will crafty veterans at our disposal. 

Shane is the skeptic of the group.  He is also a co-worker of Jim, Chris, and Anthony where he works mainly in the company's HVAC division.  While he wants to believe their is activity around us, until he sees it, he doesn't really believe it exists.  His inclusion in the group was based on his skills at disproving reports of paranormal activity.

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