(If by "taps" you think I’m talking about a dance style, think again.)
I’m talking about The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS), based in Warwick, Rhode Island, with chapters, er, "families" across the U.S. TAPS is recognized world-wide for their "research" into the paranormal (ghosts) as seen on the popular Sci-Fi (cable TV) series "Ghost Hunters". TAPS was founded by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson.
Fans of the show, or ghost enthusiasts, call themselves a part of this organization by the formation of the TAPS Family. TAPS Family and the "real" TAPS are supposedly separate entities (no pun intended) - TAPS is not legally responsible for any TAPS Family member. Basically, TAPS Family sets their own hierarchy of officials, creates their own criteria for membership and handles any complaints. They are affiliated to some extent. However, don’t attempt to contact TAPS about TAPS Family and don’t try to connect with TAPS through the TAPS Family - only the upper echelon of TAPS Family will have access to the Hollywood-esque TAPS members.
My family and I watch the show. I am not a fanatic, though. I do not have dreams of walking hand-in-hand with Jason, Grant or the other stars. The show is entertaining and intriguing. The idea of researching the paranormal has always been of interest to me, although I remain skeptical of this possibility. At some point, earlier this year, I decided to pursue this interest and located a group in the Tampa Bay area.
In March, 2008, I contacted Real P.R.O.O.F. with an interest in becoming an investigator. Real P.R.O.O.F. does not claim affiliation with TAPS, which is fine by me. I later Emailed Real P.R.O.O.F. a photo I took of a church in Asheville, North Carolina. The photo is interesting. It was eventually posted on their website. Responses to my interest in joining Real P.R.O.O.F. were slow and I eventually looked for another group. I found sSpirit Florida. This group is a TAPS Family member. Not only that, but the founders of sSpirit are also in the "upper echelon" of TAPS Family, TAPS Family Radio and the Ghost Hunters chat room on IRC. I may be missing other high-ranking titles, but these are the known ones.
sSpirit’s website included a "Join Us" form and not long after submitting my information, a telephone interview was scheduled. I spoke with Nancy, one of the founders of the group, who was also busy with preparations for the 2008 TAPS Con being held in Clearwater. By March 23, the newly-formed "team" was scheduled to meet for the first time on April 12th, at the location of TAPS Con - the Belleview Biltmore Resort in Clearwater. TAPS Con is a big event in the paranormal TV world, with seminars, ghost hunts of the hotel and special appearances by celebrities. As we were told during the meeting in April, the "team" would be a part of TAPS Con, as volunteers to help during the convention. After the meeting, we were taken to the 4th and 5th floors of the Biltmore to do an impromptu ghost hunt. I recorded digital audio and took over 100 photos of the darkness.
(there are more pages, select page 2 below)