http://www.ydr.com/newsfull/ci_5939889

Hunting ghosts, saving history
Auction at upcoming Ghost World confab will go to Gettysburg
preservation group
By ANGIE MASON
Daily Record/Sunday News
York Daily Record/Sunday News


There's no way to study the paranormal without studying
the past. So the organizers of an event aimed at spirit-seekers will
give back to another group working to preserve history.

The organizers of the Ghost World Conference 2007, which will be in
Gettysburg in July, have named the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation
Association as their "official charity."
"History is really close to our hearts in ghost research," said Jeff
Belanger, one of the founders of Ghost World Conference 2007. "Without
history, there's no stage to set this unexplained phenomenon."

Belanger said conference organizers wanted to give back to the community
in some way. Mark Nesbitt, owner of Ghosts of Gettysburg, suggested the
association, Belanger said.
Proceeds from a silent auction to be held during the conference will go
to the association. The auction will include donated items such as DVDs,
T-shirts, books and ghost investigation tools.

"I'm excited about it," said Kathi Schue, president of the Gettysburg
Battlefield Preservation Association.
"It's people coming together and supporting preservation," Schue said.
The nonprofit is aimed at preserving and restoring historic battlefield
sites, including the Daniel Lady farm, which the group purchased in
1999.

Since it's the first Ghost World Conference, Belanger said he's not sure
how much the auction will raise. But he expects several hundred at the
conference, so he imagines they can fund several items on the
preservation group's wish list, which is posted online.
The list details the numerous items that need to be repaired and
restored at the farm, including everything from plumbing and gutters to
windows and furniture.

Schue said she wants the conference organizers to select what they want
to sponsor. Her organization is grateful for any donations it receives,
she said.
"The cost of preservation is not cheap," she said.

Ghost World Conference 2007 will take place July 20-22 at the Wyndham
Hotel and Conference Center in Gettysburg. Events include ghost tours,
ghost stories, a psychic circle to contact spirits, speakers and
vendors.

For more information, visit http://www.ghostworldconference.com.
For more information on the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation
Association, visit http://www.gbpa.org.