Kathi Kresol has worked at the Rockford Public Library for years and loves sharing her enthusiasm for reading in any way possible. After working for some time as a Library Branch Manager, Kathi, in 2021 was offered the position of Mobile Library Manager. Kathi loves the new and exciting challenges of bringing Rockford Public Library resources into new and different locations and neighborhoods.

A member of the Rockford Historical Society, Kathi is always digging through Rockford’s past and she gives all the credit for her research skills to local history specialists Jean Lythgoe and Jan Carter of the Rockford Public Library.

Kathi Kresol has been researching the history of Northern Illinois for twenty years. She has published two solo books: “Murder & Mystery in Rockford, Illinois,” (2015); and “Haunted Rockford, Illinois,” (2017). Kathi has also collaborated with other local authors and shared articles in three books featuring compilations of Rockford authors.

Kathi shares the stories she researches in presentations for local organizations and in events sponsored by the Rockford Public Library and her business Haunted Rockford events. The local newspaper, Rock River Times has shared Kathi’s stories for several years. He 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 people’s lives; but Kathi also tries to show the courage that the survivors displayed as they move forward from what must have been the worst moment in their lives. She also hopes that these stories illuminate the compassion that the folks of Rockford have always displayed for those who are suffering.

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.

Sylvia Shults is the author of several books of paranormal nonfiction, including Gone on Vacation: Haunted Zoos, Museums, and Amusement Parks, the award-winning Days of the Dead: A Year of True Ghost Stories, and Grave Deeds And Dead Plots.

Sylvia sits in dark, spooky, haunted places so you don’t have to. She has spent the last twenty-five years working at a public library, slowly smuggling out enough words in her pockets week after week to build a book of her own.

She lives a short, ten-minute motorcycle ride away from the haunted asylum that features in so many of her books. She considers it the highest privilege to share the incredible, compassionate history of the Peoria State Hospital.

Festival Presentation

Sylvia will present her research into some truly notorious crimes.

For more about Sylvia, visit her blog here.

Chad Lewis is an author, researcher, and lecturer on topics of the strange and unusual. The more the bizarre the legend is, the more likely you will find Chad there.

Chad had trekked across the world in search of the paranormal. From tracking vampires in Transylvania and chasing the Chupacabras in Puerto Rico, to searching for the elusive monster in Loch Ness, and pursuing ghosts in Ireland’s castles, Chad brings over 18 years of research experience to his presentations.

Chad has been featured in hundreds of radio interviews, TV appearances, and newspaper articles. Chad is also the co-author of the Road Guide to Haunted Locations book series

Festival Presentation

Chad will tell tales of Gangsters in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Kathi Kresol has been researching the history of Northern Illinois for twenty years. She has published two solo books: “Murder & Mystery in Rockford, Illinois,” (2015); and “Haunted Rockford, Illinois,” (2017). Kathi has also collaborated with other local authors and shared articles in three books featuring compilations of Rockford authors.

Kathi shares the stories she researches in presentations for local organizations and in events sponsored by the Rockford Public Library and her business Haunted Rockford events. The local newspaper, Rock River Times has shared Kathi’s stories for several years. He column “Voices From The Grave” has allowed Kathi to share her passion for history with a larger part of Rockford’s community.

Festival Presentation

Kathi will share the details of some of the horrible crimes she has discovered in her research of the region.

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.

Kathi Kresol has been researching the history of Northern Illinois for twenty years. She has published two solo books: “Murder & Mystery in Rockford, Illinois,” (2015); and “Haunted Rockford, Illinois,” (2017). Kathi has also collaborated with other local authors and shared articles in three books featuring compilations of Rockford authors.

Kathi shares the stories she researches in presentations for local organizations and in events sponsored by the Rockford Public Library and her business Haunted Rockford events. The local newspaper, Rock River Times has shared Kathi’s stories for several years. He 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 people’s lives; but Kathi also tries to show the courage that the survivors displayed as they move forward from what must have been the worst moment in their lives. She also hopes that these stories illuminate the compassion that the folks of Rockford have always displayed for those who are suffering.

Conference Presentation

Kathi’s presentation is entitled “More Legends, Lies and Mayhem from the Rock River Valley”

Local Historian and author Kathi Kresol has been researching ghost stories, true crimes, and odd tales of the local area for two decades. Kathi’s latest project will feature legends and myths she has collected about the spooky side of the Rock River Valley. The Rock River winds for 320 miles through small towns and beautiful landscapes. There is a rich history all along its banks but a darkness exists here too. The tales will feature stories of phantom hitch-hikers, haunted cemeteries, and vengeful spirits.

Phenomenology Research Professionals (PRP) consists of Jaci and Bill Kousoulas. We are the authors of “Bridging the Tragedy,” a psychological study based upon the 1967 Silver Bridge Disaster in Point Pleasant, West Virginia; Mothman; and post-traumatic growth, a phenomenon that often occurs after tragedy. We are qualitative researchers who seek to better understand the connections between psychology, spirituality, and the paranormal by applying the scientific method.

Bill’s interest in the paranormal began in the late seventies with the original Project UFO television series. In 2003, he was introduced to “The Mothman Prophecies” movie, and it changed his life. Jaci is a retired USPS Postmaster and currently a business owner/operator. She specializes in research, data analytics, and “connecting the dots” between intuition, perception, and reality. She is a first-hand paranormal experiencer, including UFOs, disembodied voices, apparitions, and psychic phenomena.

As of March 1, 2024, we are embarking upon our next study, which will investigate the possible relationship(s) between trauma and paranormal experiences. Like “Bridging the Tragedy,” we will work to determine the good outcomes that our participants have gained by experiencing this combination of phenomena. If you are interested in participating in the study, we welcome you to contact us.

We reside in Sycamore, Illinois – close enough to Chicago to be considered a suburb, but closer to cornfields than skyscrapers.

Conference Presentation

The title of the presentation will be “Mothman, The Silver Bridge Disaster, and Growth After Trauma.”

More Information

For more information on Jaci and Bill Kousoulas, visit PRP Connect, their website.

Vanessa

Lili

Originating as a lighthearted concept between sisters Lili and Vanessa, Haunted Happy Hour Inc. evolved from their shared passion of exploring the history of haunted locations.

Driven by a spirit of community and creativity, they strive to foster connections & ignite passions through their unique offerings.

Their Haunted Happy Hour Podcast is a paranormal podcast dedicated to uncorking chilling conversations about history & hauntings, while also sharing weekly cocktail recipes and drink features.

Join Vanessa and Lili as they navigate the depths of the paranormal, sharing eerie encounters and captivating historical insights.

Conference Presentation

Haunted Happy Hour’s Lili and Vanessa will delve into their explorations of historical sites, recounting personal experiences, life-changing moments, and touching on insights they’ve gained over the years on how to enhance one’s personal preparedness for investigating. Among the locations they’ll discuss are Ashmore Estates, Historic Quarters One, the Rock Island Roadhouse, and DeSoto House Hotel, to name a few.

More Information

Collectively, the Haunted Happy Hour Inc. entity brings you coffee, history, spirits and other spooky goods. Whether indulging in a steaming cup of coffee from the HHH Coffee Co., browsing the merch of their mercantile, or tuning in to the latest episode of the Haunted Happy Hour podcast, guests are invited to embrace the spirit of curiosity that defines Haunted Happy Hour.

Experience it for yourself at www.hauntedhappyhourqc.com

Like many of the investigators with TIP (The Illinois Paranormalists) I have a life-long interest in the paranormal. I grew up reading every book I could find on ghosts, big foot, the Loch ness monster, the Bermuda triangle, etc. I thought my interests would always be satisfied through the pages of books until the show Ghosthunters came on. Then I realized there were others out there like me that were interested in the paranormal and experiencing it. I began a web search and found all kinds of groups and information on ghost hunting. I went on my first overnight 18 years ago in Indianapolis at the Hannah Mansion. While looking for more ghost hunting opportunities I came across other overnight excursions and ghost hunting groups. I began to attend all the meetings I could and went on excursions when offered. I had experiences on the excursions that hooked me even more. Perhaps the best thing I was able to do was go to the Waverly Hills Sanitarium—perhaps the most haunted place in the country. While Waverly was not very active that night the creepiness factor was still 10 out of 10. Ten years ago I formed The Illinois Paranormalists (TIP) and have enjoyed planning where to investigate.

Like many of the TIP investigators I have a life-long interest in the paranormal. I grew up reading every book I could find on ghosts, big foot, the Loch ness monster, the Bermuda triangle, etc. I thought my interests would always be satisfied through the pages of books until the show Ghosthunters came on. Then I realized there were others out there like me that were interested in the paranormal and experiencing it. I began a web search and found all kinds of groups and information on ghost hunting. I went on my first overnight 18 years ago in Indianapolis at the Hannah Mansion. While looking for more ghost hunting opportunities I came across other overnight excursions and ghost hunting groups. I began to attend all the meetings I could and went on excursions when offered. I had experiences on the excursions that hooked me even more. Perhaps the best thing I was able to do was go to the Waverly Hills Sanitarium—perhaps the most haunted place in the country. While Waverly was not very active that night the creepiness factor was still 10 out of 10. Ten years ago I formed The Illinois Paranormalists (TIP) and have enjoyed planning where to investigate.

Conference Presentation

The Illinois Paranormalists (TIP) is a paranormal investigation team located in the Chicago suburbs. They are primarily a ghost hunting club that seeks out evidence of the paranormal in various locations throughout the Midwest including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, and Wisconsin. During the evening ghost hunters will share their experiences with investigating ghost sightings and sounds, relate techniques used in an investigation and share a variety of equipment and how it is used. They will discuss how places to investigate are located. TIP will answer whatever questions people may have about ghost hunting.

More Information

The Illinois Paranormlists’ Website