Doug Dillon's Blog, page 10
October 15, 2016
Best Paranormal Guidance in Florida
St. Augustine, Florida, Halloween, Sunday, October 30, 2016, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The real deal!
Authors of the paranormal, Doug Dillon and Dave Lapham will meet the public, chat about things that go bump in the night, especially in St. Augustine, and sign their books.
Location: The City of St. Augustine’s Visitor Information Center, 10 W. Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, Florida. Click here for more information about the location and parking.
Doug Dillon will be signing these books:
Sliding Beneath the Surface Book I of The St. Augustine Trilogy.
Stepping Off a Cliff, Book II of The St. Augustine Trilogy.
The St. Augustine Trilogy: A young adult, paranormal/historical series set in present day St. Augustine that takes readers, young and old, on spooky, whirlwind tours of key locations of the ancient city and probes actual historic events in time travel mode.
3. Carl Jung, Hauntings, and Paranormal Coincidences.
Nonfiction. A book of true life events, stories taken from Carl Jung’s life and the lives of others that vividly demonstrate our potential to connect with unseen worlds. Includes stories from St. Augustine.
Dave Lapham
Dave Lapham is widely recognized as the first writer to uncover the wealth of paranormal happenings in St. Augustine and putting them in print. He will be signing two books specifically relating to St. Augustine and one about ghost hunting adventures. See his nonfiction book covers, titles and links below. Click on Dave’s website to find out more about him, his experiences and writing.
The Ghosts of St. Augustine
October 10, 2016
Locating Places in Old St. Augustine, Florida
Understanding the old city of St. Augustine is a lot easier if you can review some basic maps beyond the folded up kind that don’t give you certain perspectives and information. Next to each photo below, you will find a link giving you such information:
This photo shows King St. as seen from Flagler College.
Click here for a map showing the city limits of St. Augustine.
Here is a view in what I call the Water St. Neighborhood. This is where much of my young adult novel, Sliding Beneath the Surface takes place.
The area has quite a history all its own and is actually known as the Abbott Tract. On some maps it is shown as the eastern half of what’s called Uptown.
Click here for a map showing Neighborhoods of St. Augustine in or near the historic area.
Click on any of the following for further information on the city of St. Augustine:
A Calendar of Events for St. Augustine
Ghost Hunting: St. Augustine, Florida’s Lighthouse
Ghostly Tales of Paranormal Florida. Links to the Supernatural at its Best.
Since so many paranormal events have occurred at the St. Augustine Lighthouse, I decided to pull together some key information from various sources into this one posting.
Over the years, visitors and staff members alike have definitely experienced a lot of strange things. Many paranormal investigators have studied the lighthouse, including the popular TV team, Ghost Hunters. So if you haven’t visited the place, put it on your “to do at some point in my lifetime” list.
Photo courtesy of the State Archives of Florida
Historical Background
The present day lighthouse sits at the northern tip of Anastasia Island directly across Matanzas Bay from downtown St. Augustine. In the evening, from downtown, you can see its beam sweep across those waters and then shift out over the Atlantic.
Erected in 1874, the building was preceded by a coquina stone structure originally built by the Spanish. In fact, the Spanish had maintained a watchtower near the present day site ever since their arrival during the late 1500s. Before the Europeans arrived, of course, Native Americans freely roamed the area.
What People Experience at the Lighthouse Itself
Historical photo from the lighkeeper’s hom
Each night, staff members lock the door at the top of the lighthouse that leads outside to the viewing balcony. Periodically, they find the door open in the morning. There is a security system but but no alarms sound.
On occasion, people see the figure of man at the top of the lighthouse at night even though the place is closed and locked.
At times, people smell cigar smoke at the base of the lighthouse. It is always cigar smoke and there are strict No Smoking signs everywhere on the lighthouse grounds.
A Special Lighthouse Story
Photo courtesy of Greg Dillon, www.greg’sgallery.net
Even though the lighthouse became automated in 1955, someone still needed to monitor the beacon in case something went wrong. One night, the caretaker realized the light had actually ceased functioning. Immediately, he walked rapidly in the darkeness from the old lightkeeper’s house towards the lighthouse entrance.
With each step though, he 
thought he heard someone walking behind him on the gravel walkway. But when he turned around,there was no one there.
Brushing off his experience as imagination, he continued walking only to once again hear those gravely footsteps behind him. Again, he still found himself alone.
Unnerved a bit at this point, the man rushed into the lighthouse and up the stairs. This time though, he could hear footsteps ringing on the metal stairs behind him.
When he finally got to the top and checked the lighting mechanism, he found nothing wrong. As he threw the switch to restart everything, the beacon started functioning again. Not wasting any time or waiting to listen to phantom footsteps, he ran down the 219 metal steps.
For three nights after that event, the beacon again stopped working. Just like before, the caretaker found nothing wrong and was followed just as he had been that first time. He did, however, acquire the habit of taking a flashlight and gun with him whenever he went to the lighthouse after sundown.
The Lighthouse Keeper’s House (Serves now as a museum and gift shop)Some sort of presence is often felt.
People get startled by their experiences but don’t seemed to be threatened by them.
People often experience cold spots.
In the brick bottom floor where the old cistern is located, people have seen the shape of a tall man. One staff member saw this shape in an doorway. It appeared gray in color against the dark room beyond. As the staff member stared in disbelief, the shape simply merged with the darkness.
At times, chairs are moved or overturned
In the gift shop, staff and volunteers will find items have been moved out of place overnight. Sometimes items disappear only to reappear at a later date. Music boxes will turn on by themselves.
A Special Story About the Lightkeeper’s HouseIn the 1960s, the old Lightkeeper’s house was rented to a man who periodically had guests. On two different occasions, guests reported seeing the exact same thing: A little girl in a frilly dress who stands in a doorway and then disappears.
Tracing Some of These Paranormal Events to the Past
One unverified story is that someone, a lightkeeper or a helper, hanged himself from the lighthouse.
Another more traceable story has it that a tragedy happened during the construction of the present day lighthouse. 5 little girls were placing in a handcar set on a railroad track. Somehow the handcar went out of control and ended up in water where three of the children drowned. Two of them were the daughters of the construction supervisor for the lighthouse.
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If you enjoyed this article, and you’re interested in other true stories of fascinating hauntings, you might like the new book I just published.
Titled, Carl Jung, Hauntings and Paranormal Coincidences, it uses the great psychiatirst’s own paranormal experiences as jumping off points for some of my own life events and those of other very reliable people.
Listed below are direct book links to some of the larger book retail outlets in the English speaking world where you can find it:
Amazon.com, Amazon Canada, Amazon UK, Amazon India, Amazon Australia, Barnes and Noble, Kobo (Canada)
Taking Kids to St. Augustine, Florida
Student guide to a St. Augustine, Florida field trip, grades 2-5.
Gary Sanchez’s teacher took their fourth-grade class 100 miles from home to the oldest city in the United States. Gary had so much fun he wants his parents to bring him back for another visit!
Established by Spain in 1565, St. Augustine, Florida has a huge stone fort built over 300 years ago. Visitors to that fort get to see where the great Seminole war chief, Osceola, was kept prisoner. Visitors get to crawl into the old, windowless gunpowder room discovered when the United States took over the fort from Spain.
Cannons still fire in this city just as they did when invaders burned St. Augustine to the ground. On special days, men dressed as pirates and Spanish soldiers pretend to fight in the streets. Cool cemeteries, the oldest wooden schoolhouse in America, and a lighthouse with 219 steps make this ancient city one of the most interesting in the country.
Class Trip Series
Published by Mitchell Lane Publishers
Interest Level: Grades 2-5
Click to Buy:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
October 9, 2016
Florida Parents, Grandparents Motivate Teens to Read
The St. Augustine Trilogy, an exciting book series leads to fun and bonding in Florida families. Set in current day St. Augustine, these paranormal/historical novels transport teens through time travel into actual past events in America’s Oldest City.
You know, I talk to a lot of parents and grandparents at my book signings. And often they are either buying books to feed a voracious teen reading habit Or they are trying to stimulate a reluctant reader to truly enjoy the written word.
But for families who live in Florida, or nearby, and give books from The St. Augustine Trilogy as gifts, there is a wonderful benefit to this adult attempt to help the next generation regardless if the teen in question likes to read or not. Here it is: Promise that young reader a trip to St. Augustine once one or more of the books in the series has been read. Purpose of the trip? To actually visit the historic places mentioned in the book and have fun.
The Castillo de San Marcos
The St. Augustine Trilogy is increasing being use in Florida secondary schools, so I know the appeal my books have for kids. And what I’ve heard those young people say is that they would love to visit St. Augustine so they could relive the action in those stories. This is even true for readers who have already been to the city because they would now be able to see it with different eyes.
And as a parent or grandparent, you can really make a hit with your teen if you also read the trilogy book(s) before taking that trip to St. Augustine. Why? Because in that way, you are showing your willingness to fully immerse yourself in that child’s world. It is a sign of deep interest in the individual and an indication of great respect. And in that way, the reading of the book(s) and the trip becomes a wonderfully nurturing, bonding and fun joint venture.
That’s it folks. Good luck! Hope you have a great time if and when you proceed to get this project underway. I’m often in St. Augustine, roaming about the city. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Oh, one more thing. Only books 1 and 2 of the trilogy are in publication as of this writing. Book 3 is scheduled to come out in late 2017.
Links for helpful information:
Book Trailer for Sliding Beneath the Surface
Book 1, Sliding Beneath the Surface on Amazon.com with reviews, including those from language arts teachers.
Book Trailer for Stepping Off a Cliff
Book 2, Stepping Off a Cliff on Amazon.com with reviews, including those from language arts teachers.
Reading Motivation that Worked – tells the story about the first Florida teacher to use a trilogy book in a classroom setting.
St.Augustine, 1902
A Multicultural Book Series for the Reading Classroom
The St. Augustine Trilogy and America’s Oldest City The setting for the series in St. Augustine, Florida and how that provides a fascinating backdrop for action.
The St. Augustine Trilogy & Historic Events Specifies the actual historic events that happened in America’s oldest city that are woven into the series.
How Parents, Grandparents Can Get Teens to Read
The St. Augustine Trilogy, an exciting book series leads to fun and bonding in Florida families. Set in current day St. Augustine, these paranormal/historical novels transport teens through time travel into actual past events in America’s Oldest City.
You know, I talk to a lot of parents and grandparents at my book signings. And often they are either buying books to feed a voracious teen reading habit Or they are trying to stimulate a reluctant reader to truly enjoy the written word.
But for families who live in Florida, or nearby, and give books from The St. Augustine Trilogy as gifts, there is a wonderful benefit to this adult attempt to help the next generation regardless if the teen in question likes to read or not. Here it is: Promise that young reader a trip to St. Augustine once one or more of the books in the series has been read. Purpose of the trip? To actually visit the historic places mentioned in the book and have fun.
The Castillo de San Marcos
The St. Augustine Trilogy is increasing being use in Florida secondary schools, so I know the appeal my books have for kids. And what I’ve heard those young people say is that they would love to visit St. Augustine so they could relive the action in those stories. This is even true for readers who have already been to the city because they would now be able to see it with different eyes.
And as a parent or grandparent, you can really make a hit with your teen if you also read the trilogy book(s) before taking that trip to St. Augustine. Why? Because in that way, you are showing your willingness to fully immerse yourself in that child’s world. It is a sign of deep interest in the individual and an indication of great respect. And in that way, the reading of the book(s) and the trip becomes a wonderfully nurturing, bonding and fun joint venture.
That’s it folks. Good luck! Hope you have a great time if and when you proceed to get this project underway. I’m often in St. Augustine, roaming about the city. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Oh, one more thing. Only books 1 and 2 of the trilogy are in publication as of this writing. Book 3 is scheduled to come out in late 2017.
Links for helpful information:
Book Trailer for Sliding Beneath the Surface
Book 1, Sliding Beneath the Surface on Amazon.com with reviews, including those from language arts teachers.
Book Trailer for Stepping Off a Cliff
Book 2, Stepping Off a Cliff on Amazon.com with reviews, including those from language arts teachers.
Reading Motivation that Worked – tells the story about the first Florida teacher to use a trilogy book in a classroom setting.
St.Augustine, 1902
A Multicultural Book Series for the Reading Classroom
The St. Augustine Trilogy and America’s Oldest City The setting for the series in St. Augustine, Florida and how that provides a fascinating backdrop for action.
The St. Augustine Trilogy & Historic Events Specifies the actual historic events that happened in America’s oldest city that are woven into the series.
Florida Teen Books: A Family Activity
The St. Augustine Trilogy, an exciting book series leads to fun and bonding in Florida families. Set in current day St. Augustine, these paranormal/historical novels transport teens through time travel into actual past events in America’s Oldest City.
You know, I talk to a lot of parents and grandparents at my book signings. And often they are either buying books to feed a voracious teen reading habit Or they are trying to stimulate a reluctant reader to truly enjoy the written word.
But for families who live in Florida, or nearby, and give books from The St. Augustine Trilogy as gifts, there is a wonderful benefit to this adult attempt to help the next generation regardless if the teen in question likes to read or not. Here it is: Promise that young reader a trip to St. Augustine once one or more of the books in the series has been read. Purpose of the trip? To actually visit the historic places mentioned in the book and have fun.
The Castillo de San Marcos
The St. Augustine Trilogy is increasing being use in Florida secondary schools, so I know the appeal my books have for kids. And what I’ve heard those young people say is that they would love to visit St. Augustine so they could relive the action in those stories. This is even true for readers who have already been to the city because they would now be able to see it with different eyes.
And as a parent or grandparent, you can really make a hit with your teen if you also read the trilogy book(s) before taking that trip to St. Augustine. Why? Because in that way, you are showing your willingness to fully immerse yourself in that child’s world. It is a sign of deep interest in the individual and an indication of great respect. And in that way, the reading of the book(s) and the trip becomes a wonderfully nurturing, bonding and fun joint venture.
That’s it folks. Good luck! Hope you have a great time if and when you proceed to get this project underway. I’m often in St. Augustine, roaming about the city. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Oh, one more thing. Only books 1 and 2 of the trilogy are in publication as of this writing. Book 3 is scheduled to come out in late 2017.
Links for helpful information:
Book Trailer for Sliding Beneath the Surface
Book 1, Sliding Beneath the Surface on Amazon.com with reviews, including those from language arts teachers.
Book Trailer for Stepping Off a Cliff
Book 2, Stepping Off a Cliff on Amazon.com with reviews, including those from language arts teachers.
Reading Motivation that Worked – tells the story about the first Florida teacher to use a trilogy book in a classroom setting.
St.Augustine, 1902
A Multicultural Book Series for the Reading Classroom
The St. Augustine Trilogy and America’s Oldest City The setting for the series in St. Augustine, Florida and how that provides a fascinating backdrop for action.
The St. Augustine Trilogy & Historic Events Specifies the actual historic events that happened in America’s oldest city that are woven into the series.
St. Augustine Book Trip: Teens, Parents & Grandparents
The St. Augustine Trilogy, an exciting book series leads to fun and bonding in Florida families. Set in current day St. Augustine, these paranormal/historical novels transport teens through time travel into actual past events in America’s Oldest City.
You know, I talk to a lot of parents and grandparents at my book signings. And often they are either buying books to feed a voracious teen reading habit Or they are trying to stimulate a reluctant reader to truly enjoy the written word.
But for families who live in Florida, or nearby, and give books from The St. Augustine Trilogy as gifts, there is a wonderful benefit to this adult attempt to help the next generation regardless if the teen in question likes to read or not. Here it is: Promise that young reader a trip to St. Augustine once one or more of the books in the series has been read. Purpose of the trip? To actually visit the historic places mentioned in the book and have fun.
The Castillo de San Marcos
The St. Augustine Trilogy is increasing being use in Florida secondary schools, so I know the appeal my books have for kids. And what I’ve heard those young people say is that they would love to visit St. Augustine so they could relive the action in those stories. This is even true for readers who have already been to the city because they would now be able to see it with different eyes.
And as a parent or grandparent, you can really make a hit with your teen if you also read the trilogy book(s) before taking that trip to St. Augustine. Why? Because in that way, you are showing your willingness to fully immerse yourself in that child’s world. It is a sign of deep interest in the individual and an indication of great respect. And in that way, the reading of the book(s) and the trip becomes a wonderfully nurturing, bonding and fun joint venture.
That’s it folks. Good luck! Hope you have a great time if and when you proceed to get this project underway. I’m often in St. Augustine, roaming about the city. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Oh, one more thing. Only books 1 and 2 of the trilogy are in publication as of this writing. Book 3 is scheduled to come out in late 2017.
Links for helpful information:
Book Trailer for Sliding Beneath the Surface
Book 1, Sliding Beneath the Surface on Amazon.com with reviews, including those from language arts teachers.
Book Trailer for Stepping Off a Cliff
Book 2, Stepping Off a Cliff on Amazon.com with reviews, including those from language arts teachers.
Reading Motivation that Worked – tells the story about the first Florida teacher to use a trilogy book in a classroom setting.
St.Augustine, 1902
A Multicultural Book Series for the Reading Classroom
The St. Augustine Trilogy and America’s Oldest City The setting for the series in St. Augustine, Florida and how that provides a fascinating backdrop for action.
The St. Augustine Trilogy & Historic Events Specifies the actual historic events that happened in America’s oldest city that are woven into the series.
Birthday Gifts: Books for Florida Teens
The St. Augustine Trilogy, an exciting book series leads to fun and bonding in Florida families. Set in current day St. Augustine, these paranormal/historical novels transport teens through time travel into actual past events in America’s Oldest City.
You know, I talk to a lot of parents and grandparents at my book signings. And often they are either buying books to feed a voracious teen reading habit Or they are trying to stimulate a reluctant reader to truly enjoy the written word.
But for families who live in Florida, or nearby, and give books from The St. Augustine Trilogy as gifts, there is a wonderful benefit to this adult attempt to help the next generation regardless if the teen in question likes to read or not. Here it is: Promise that young reader a trip to St. Augustine once one or more of the books in the series has been read. Purpose of the trip? To actually visit the historic places mentioned in the book and have fun.
The Castillo de San Marcos
The St. Augustine Trilogy is increasing being use in Florida secondary schools, so I know the appeal my books have for kids. And what I’ve heard those young people say is that they would love to visit St. Augustine so they could relive the action in those stories. This is even true for readers who have already been to the city because they would now be able to see it with different eyes.
And as a parent or grandparent, you can really make a hit with your teen if you also read the trilogy book(s) before taking that trip to St. Augustine. Why? Because in that way, you are showing your willingness to fully immerse yourself in that child’s world. It is a sign of deep interest in the individual and an indication of great respect. And in that way, the reading of the book(s) and the trip becomes a wonderfully nurturing, bonding and fun joint venture.
That’s it folks. Good luck! Hope you have a great time if and when you proceed to get this project underway. I’m often in St. Augustine, roaming about the city. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Oh, one more thing. Only books 1 and 2 of the trilogy are in publication as of this writing. Book 3 is scheduled to come out in late 2017.
Links for helpful information:
Book Trailer for Sliding Beneath the Surface
Book 1, Sliding Beneath the Surface on Amazon.com with reviews, including those from language arts teachers.
Book Trailer for Stepping Off a Cliff
Book 2, Stepping Off a Cliff on Amazon.com with reviews, including those from language arts teachers.
Reading Motivation that Worked – tells the story about the first Florida teacher to use a trilogy book in a classroom setting.
St.Augustine, 1902
A Multicultural Book Series for the Reading Classroom
The St. Augustine Trilogy and America’s Oldest City The setting for the series in St. Augustine, Florida and how that provides a fascinating backdrop for action.
The St. Augustine Trilogy & Historic Events Specifies the actual historic events that happened in America’s oldest city that are woven into the series.
Christmas Gifts: Books for Florida Teens
The St. Augustine Trilogy, an exciting book series leads to fun and bonding in Florida families. Set in current day St. Augustine, these paranormal/historical novels transport teens through time travel into actual past events in America’s Oldest City.
You know, I talk to a lot of parents and grandparents at my book signings. And often they are either buying books to feed a voracious teen reading habit Or they are trying to stimulate a reluctant reader to truly enjoy the written word.
But for families who live in Florida, or nearby, and give books from The St. Augustine Trilogy as gifts, there is a wonderful benefit to this adult attempt to help the next generation regardless if the teen in question likes to read or not. Here it is: Promise that young reader a trip to St. Augustine once one or more of the books in the series has been read. Purpose of the trip? To actually visit the historic places mentioned in the book and have fun.
The Castillo de San Marcos
The St. Augustine Trilogy is increasing being use in Florida secondary schools, so I know the appeal my books have for kids. And what I’ve heard those young people say is that they would love to visit St. Augustine so they could relive the action in those stories. This is even true for readers who have already been to the city because they would now be able to see it with different eyes.
And as a parent or grandparent, you can really make a hit with your teen if you also read the trilogy book(s) before taking that trip to St. Augustine. Why? Because in that way, you are showing your willingness to fully immerse yourself in that child’s world. It is a sign of deep interest in the individual and an indication of great respect. And in that way, the reading of the book(s) and the trip becomes a wonderfully nurturing, bonding and fun joint venture.
That’s it folks. Good luck! Hope you have a great time if and when you proceed to get this project underway. I’m often in St. Augustine, roaming about the city. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Oh, one more thing. Only books 1 and 2 of the trilogy are in publication as of this writing. Book 3 is scheduled to come out in late 2017.
Links for helpful information:
Book Trailer for Sliding Beneath the Surface
Book 1, Sliding Beneath the Surface on Amazon.com with reviews, including those from language arts teachers.
Book Trailer for Stepping Off a Cliff
Book 2, Stepping Off a Cliff on Amazon.com with reviews, including those from language arts teachers.
Reading Motivation that Worked – tells the story about the first Florida teacher to use a trilogy book in a classroom setting.
St.Augustine, 1902
A Multicultural Book Series for the Reading Classroom
The St. Augustine Trilogy and America’s Oldest City The setting for the series in St. Augustine, Florida and how that provides a fascinating backdrop for action.
The St. Augustine Trilogy & Historic Events Specifies the actual historic events that happened in America’s oldest city that are woven into the series.
