CC: capn madd matt; Flickr

Murch notes how Ouija boards, and their knock-offs, have captured the imagination of Americans for over 100 years. Begining with the late 1890s’ Egyptian style, Ouija boards have changed their symbols and appearances in accordance to the time periods’ interests: in the 1940′s they were filled with Swamis, the 1960′s introduced horoscope designs, and as Binnall joked, the modern versions are covered with Barbies.

During the interview, Binnall inquired as to how Murch, currently the owner of over 300 Ouija boards, became infatuated with them in the first place.

Murch claimed the birth of his obsession occurred during his college years. Murch’s friends were all getting bids and rushing, but Burch did not join a frat in fear of not graduating. Yet he did help out his friends for certain pledging tasks, such as a scavenger hunt, on which, of course, was an Ouija board. By the time he had graduated he had 10 different versions of Ouija boards and so began the collection.

Murch also explains how these boards have continued to sell, generation after generation:

In Victorian times a man and a women were not to be left alone, well all of a sudden you have this game that allows you to be in candle light,  you’re sitting together, your knees are touching, you hands are touching—I mean this is the total date game!

CC: encyclopediaoftheexquisite.com

This Norman Rockwell painting is the perfect critique on the subtle sexuality of the game, specifically the man staring at the girl’s chest, as Murch points out.

The game now, Murch observes, has taken on a superstitious role, in that people consider it an avenue to demonic possession. People who research paranormal activity use technology, such as K2 meters, in order to “stay safe” from any negative encounters.  Murch’s response to this:

So a spirit can make your K2 meter blink…but it can’t reach out and smack you—like who made that rule?

Murch continues to defend Ouija boards and the authentic genuine thrill they give users, as opposed to using technology:

[Technology] makes you feel like you’re not part of it, you’re kinda an audience to it. When you use the Ouija board you feel it move, and there isn’t a creepier, more bizarre feeling.

Considering Murch’s involvement with major names in the paranormal business, Paranormal State for example, Ouija boards don’t seem to be going away any time soon.

What separates Murch from other Ouija board enthusiast is his role in the Fuld family. William Fuld, the original major producer of Ouija boards, worked by himself, until he brought in his brother: Isaac Fuld. The two ended up in court fighting for Ouija boards’ production rights; Isaac eventually lost and was sentenced to making knock-offs that he named Oriole boards, being that he was based in Baltimore.

The argument between brothers had been passed down for years until Murch, by chance, came into contact with both sides of the torn family. He ended up sharing the contact information of one side to the other which lead to a peaceful resolution of the almost 100 year old argument, as well as Burch being invited to the first Fuld family reunion in 96 years.

The interview between Murch and Binnall continues, including how Ouija boards got their name, how Murch was led by a spirit to the spirit’s family and the tombstone that became of it, as well as callers giving their 2 cents.  And all of it, along with other interesting and wild interviews, can be found at http://binnallofamerica.com/

Image: Via Loren Coleman's Cryptomundo

Loren Coleman calls a new book by Strange Maine blogger and esotericist, Michelle Souilere, “a great and significant addition to the growing regional literature on the unknown…”

Coleman also notes that a 1-2 month estimated wait at Amazon.com, for the book, is likely incorrect.

Don’t despair, writes Coleman:

“…you can stop by the Green Hand Bookshop in Portland, Maine, and pick up a copy directly from the author, today. She’ll even autograph it. Or, if you are far away from Maine, you probably can order it from Amazon or your local bookstore, and have it next week, not next month!”

via Cryptomundo.

So close... Image: Jeremy Burgin/Flickr CC

Loren Coleman last week discussed the Bigfoot hunters who’ve given up their single-minded pursuit of the elusive beast.

Here’s how one Squatch-seeker said “so long,” recently:

“There comes a time when all things must change, when our interests transform, and our needs become different. That time has come for me in respect to this blog. I have enjoyed the journey that this blog represents, but my friends, I must tell you, it is done.

“In fact, I am now retired from looking for bigfoot in any capacity from here out. For me, bigfoot has become not less of a mystery since I started looking into it in 2004, but much, much more mysterious. I despair of actually ever discovering what lies at the bottom of the matter.”

Coleman offers-up even more reasons why he thinks his colleagues cut bait.

via Cryptomundo » Why Do People Leave The Bigfoot Field?.

“Apparently, Bigfoot is not making enough money these days for Tom Biscardi, so he is back in Las Vegas, producing shows.”

via What’s Biscardi Up To?.

“I…was surprised at how many people actually fell for the ‘sexology’ aspect of it all.”

via Coleman accused: short shrift to Bigfoot sex | The Sci-Tech Heretic.

Image: Cryptomundo. (Click to visit Coleman's blog.)

Loren Coleman — one of the Heretic’s “Ten to Watch in 2010” — reports that one Bigfoot sex-obsessed lecturer complained to the Portland Daily Sun (in its April 1 edition) that his research was omitted from the legendary cryptozoologist’s forthcoming tome about the beast:

It seems that “Henry Yarncooler, a lecturer on Bigfoot legends, said he can’t understand why [Loren] Coleman and co-author Michelle Souliere, owner of the Green Hand bookstore where the [International] Cryptozoology Museum resides, want to censor details of Bigfoot’s breeding habits.”

It does not appear, from Coleman’s post, that the Portland Daily Sun contacted him, or cited his past presentations and writings on  “cryptosexology,” particularly those pertaining to the mighty, hairy, one.

via Cryptomundo » Dueling Cryptos: Coleman vs Yarncooler.

Photo: Ryan McBride/Flickr CC

Premier cryptozoologist and Bigfoot hunter, Loren Coleman, is collaborating on a new book with another, not-so-crazy Mainer:

“Tentatively, Bigfoot in Maine by Loren Coleman and Michelle Souliere, is due for 2012, from Idyll Arbor, Inc.. The company’s publisher, Pine Winds Press has released Bigfoot in Georgia: Legends, Myths, and Sightings by Jeffrey Wells, the now-classic Bigfoot Casebook Updated by Janet and Colin Bords, Valley of the Skookum by Sali Sheppard-Wolford, and Robert W. Morgan’s two books. Pine Winds Press shall be trekking its way through other states in the near future, in search of writers of other Bigfoot books.”

via Cryptomundo » Coming Soon: Bigfoot In Maine.

Loren Coleman gets my vote for top paranormal researcher.

Both are on my list of Ten New England Esotericists to Watch in 2010.

From The Other Side of Truth, which hosts the Zorgy Awards (only a few days to go):

“Voting begins… now!

The polls will close on March 7, 2010, at 11 pm AST.

via The Other Side of Truth: The 2009 Zorgy Awards – Voting Begins.

Loren Coleman does an excellent today detailing the remaining available habitats for cryptids in Haiti (much has been lost to deforestation and desertification), and the the creatures themselves.

Chief among them is the Caribbean Crowing Snake:

Said to be four feet long, with a thick body, having a dull ochre color with dark spots, a pale red pyramidal crest like a rooster and scarlet wattles, one of its most unique features is that it crows like a rooster. Naturally, it eats chickens. The Caribbean Crowing Snake is reported from the eastern portion of Jamaica and Haiti.

Coleman also encourages donations to the  earthquake-ravaged country.

via Cryptomundo » Cryptids of Haiti.

Nicole Hosack, owner of Niki’s Quick Six store in Spring Church, Pa. Cryptomundo donated this Sasquatch statue, after someone made off with the store's three-foot original.

Loren Coleman’s racked ‘em up for us — all are pics from his posts over the past decade, at Cryptomundo — and some readers already calling for a calendar, to feature the sexiest scientists operating outside the mainstream.

Dr. Andrea Marshall is pictured above, in the photo that accompanied her appeal to get support for her work, funded by conducting trips and tours related to manta research. She was named Cryptozoologist of 2008 by Cryptomundo.

Coleman also notes the ever-present lid, which male cryptozoologists seem to don in the presence of even a strong bulb:

Clearly the lines of division were drawn sharply during the ’00s. Those with hats turned out to be good sexy field cryptozoologists, and those without were, well, without ~ and often debunkers, skeptics, and scoftics.

via Cryptomundo » The Top Ten Sexiest Cryptomundo Images Of The ’00s.