Ep. 9: Block Island Ghost Stories (Vol. 1)

Spoooooooky things are ALWAYS afoot on Block Island. And we're not just talking about the line for the ferry after Ballard's lets out.While the average year-round population hovers above or below a thousand, it may actually be higher if we were to count all of the ghostly residents trapped here. As you know, spirits are unable to cross bodies of water which accounts for the surplus of scary sightings and such.We begin our episode with Lisa Sprague who recounts a dinner with Betty Gann at the Blue Dory Inn where time flies. Apparently an uninvited (and unseen) dinner guest had a thing for clocks. Then we meet Maddison Trethaway (aka Maddy aka Rich's daughter). As part of an adventurous gang of island teens that searched the island for apparitions to apprehend, Maddy had her share of unexplainable experiences. Rich served as a supernatural chauffeur of sorts, driving the Mystery Machine to the next ghostly adventure. Scooby Snacks anyone? Maddy shares two CREEPY stories from the Hygeia House and a babysitting gig where an in-tune toddler picks up on some wonky vibes. At the end of the show Maddy presents Rich and Marc with a special gift. A hand-drawn, Halloween version of the Two Guys on Block Island logo. (That's it up above)Next Ashley Babcock tells us about some frightening firemen that lived above Aldo's in her family's housing. We're pretty sure  Aldo's used to be the fire station at one point. It seems as though some of the crew forgot to hang up their hoses though and have instead hung around to cause a little mischief. Then Ashley gets a visit from her Grandfather. Only problem is...he's been deceased for many years.Maddy reads an email from listener, Sarah Heineman who encountered a pair of spectral brothers at her family's home in Minister's Lot.Pam Gelsomini dishes off the Block but goes on the record with a couple of creepy tales about the old Swedish Boarding House her family ran called, The Breakers. Pam tells us about a little boy with dark hair standing at the top of the stairs and a mysterious voice heard on the wind.Rich and Maddy decide to take a ride around the island to hunt down a ghost to interview.While they're gone, Marc takes a crack at telling Block Island's most famous ghost story, "The Ghost Ship Palatine". The suits at the executive level coughed up for some flashy production value. So this quintessential re-telling of a frightening (and controversial) ghost tale is best taken in with headphones...in a dark room...at midnight.After the story, Marc attempts to untangle the spidery web that ensnares both fact and fiction. Turns out, Block Islanders have a right to be salty about the particulars. When John Greenlief Whittier's account of the Palatine Wreck hit The Atlantic Monthly in 1867 and  became an instant classic. It also stoked the ire of Block Islanders so much that to this day, a mention of the poem's title draws a sly eye.What? Are you...afraid?Claw your way up from the grave and hit, "PLAY", Cap'!