THE COUNTRY WITCH HIGH STREET AND BLANCHARD FORT COVINGTON, NEW YORK Shortly after moving to the quaint and historic village of Fort Covington, New York, my husband and I decided to open a small business there called The Country Witch (later renamed the Calico Cat Whatnot Shop). A wood-frame Victorian building that had once been used as a private residence seemed the perfect location for us. After converting the upstairs portion of this turn-of-the-century structure into a four-room shop, we were open for business, selling antiques, curios, and various occult supplies such as candles, oils, spell books, and tarot cards. Not long after starting the business, strange and unexplained things began to happen—especially at night when I’d stay alone in the shop to do some work. Lights would sometimes turn themselves off and on, doors would open by themselves, and objects (including heavy ones) would mysteriously move from their shelves. One time, a radio that was playing in the room switched from one station to another all on its own. THE COUNTRY WITCH 60 Encyclopedia of Haunted Places At the rear of the shop was a musty little room that was used for vintage clothing. No matter how high the thermostat would be set in the winter, that room would always remain chilly. And even on the warmest of summer days, a strange coldness would linger in the air. On numerous occasions, I strongly sensed that something unseen was there in the shop with me, watching me. I admit that it gave me a very creepy feeling, but at no time did I ever feel really terrified or threatened by it. However, we did have a customer in the shop one afternoon who appeared to be extremely uneasy. She browsed around for a bit and then, with a terrified look on her face, ran out the front door and down the steps as fast as she could. It was quite a strange sight to see. I’ve often wondered if anyone had died there in the past and remained as a ghost, or if maybe the occult items we were selling had attracted something supernatural. I’ve even pondered the notion that there might have been an earthbound spirit attached to some antique item that was brought into the shop. But one thing I do know for sure is that something, for some reason, haunted that building and wanted its presence to be known. —Gerina Dunwich Independent Paranormal Investigator

Taken from the: Encyclopedia of Haunted Places -Ghostly Locales from around the World – Compiled & Edited by Jeff Belanger – Copyright 2005 by Jeff Belanger