Kathi Kresol has been researching the history of Northern Illinois for almost two decades. She has published two solo books “Murder and Mayhem in Rockford, Illinois” and Haunted Rockford, Illinois”. Kathi has also collaborated with other local authors to share several short articles in four books featuring compilations of Rockford authors.
Kathi loves to share the stories she researches in presentations for local organizations and the Haunted Rockford Events. The local newspaper, Rock River Times has shared Kathi’s stories for several years. The column “Voices from the Grave” has allowed Kathi to share her passion for history with a larger part of Rockford’s Community. She is always honored when someone mentions reading one of her stories.
Kathi’s main goal in sharing her stories, whether they are true crime, ghost stories, or local history is to honor the lives of the men, women and children who came before. Some of the stories reflect a tragic moment in these peoples’ lives. But Kathi also tries to show the courage that the survivor’s displayed as they move forward from the worst possible moment. She also hopes that these stories illuminate the compassion that the folks of Rockford always have displayed to those who are suffering.
Kathi tries to weave the history and the legends together with personal experiences in sharing the ghost stories. Her goal is not to convince anyone to believe in ghosts. She invites folks to read the stories with an open mind and decide for themselves whether these tales are just interesting legends that have been passed down or true ghostly encounters. For maybe it is as Einstein once said, “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.”
Kathi’s main inspiration comes from her four remarkable children and “the guy who brings her coffee,” John. They all support her by allowing her to drag them to historical places, listening to the stories, helping her “look for dead guys”, and putting up with her absences when she disappears to research or write.
Rockford Buzz, an online source of all things Rockford, published an interview with Kathi Kresol on October 31, 2018.
The paranormal has always been a part of Sara’s life. Since she was young, she has been aware there were spirits about. This fueled her desire to understand the unseen world around her, so she made frequent trips to the local library to research everything she could on ghosts, hauntings, and psychic awareness. She has spent half a lifetime researching various aspects of the unknown and investigating haunted locations. She is Kathi’s partner at Haunted Rockford, whom Kathi lovingly refers to as “her psychic sidekick.”
Sara enjoys creating content, indulging her artistic/creative side, writing, traveling, and exploring haunted locations. When she’s not ghost hunting or podcasting, she can be found spending time with her husband, their two children, a spoiled Boston Terrier and two goofy cats.
Contact Sara
Email: sb_reikihealer@yahoo.com
Blog: http://spiritspeaksb.wordpress.com
Website: http://sbreikihealer.wix.com/MySpiritPath
Samantha Hochmann is a historian by trade and also a paranormal enthusiast. She is the Executive Director of Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum, a widely known paranormal hotspot in the Rockford community. She also participates with various historical committees and boards in the Rockford area. Sam has been volunteering with the Haunted Rockford team for the past couple of years.
Sam’s love for history started at a very young age, and her interests in the paranormal stem from growing up with a sensitivity to the paranormal realm. When she is not researching in the library or giving tours of the museum, you can find her reading spooky stories and walking through the local cemeteries.
Contact Samantha
Email: samantha@tinkercottage.com