The supernatural in our backyard: Author explores area’s ‘monopoly’ on the abnormal
Paranormal author and researcher Maxim Furek鈥檚 book, 鈥淐oal Region Hoodoo: Paranormal Tales from Inside the Pit,鈥� explores unexplained occurrences in the Chestnut Ridge counties of Fayette, Westmoreland and Indiana.
鈥淐oal Region Hoodoo: Paranormal Tales from Inside the Pit鈥�
Furek
While author and researcher Maxim Furek lives in northeastern Pennsylvania, the Luzerne County resident said this area of the commonwealth 鈥渟eems to have a monopoly on the weird and the strange.鈥�
鈥淚 think people in Western Pennsylvania need to be in awe of the fact that they鈥檙e surrounded by a whole lot of paranormal elements, whether they know it or not,鈥� Furek said.
His book, 鈥淐oal Region Hoodoo: Paranormal Tales from Inside the Pit,鈥� examines the Chestnut Ridge counties of Fayette, Westmoreland Indiana. From Bigfoot to UFO sightings, the 100-mile stretch of mountainous area is steeped in what Furek calls 鈥渨eird, inexplainable energy鈥� 鈥� be it unexplainable or cinematically-manufactured.
Fayette County residents may immediately recognize one location in 鈥淐oal Region Hoodoo,鈥� a beautiful Victorian-style house nestled in Perryopolis. This 1910 home was the fictional residence of Jame Gumb, or 鈥淏uffalo Bill,鈥� the antagonist of the 1991 psychological horror film, 鈥淭he Silence of the Lambs.鈥�
The book explores one of the inspirations behind 鈥淏uffalo Bill,鈥� real-life serial killer Gary Heidnik, who, in 1999, was the last person in Pennsylvania to be executed by the death penalty.
But, said Furek, the area鈥檚 entanglement with the peculiar extends beyond cinema.
鈥淢ore documented Bigfoot and UFO reports emanate from Chestnut Ridge than any other area in Pennsylvania or West Virginia,鈥� he said.
While the book鈥檚 tales are diverse, Furek said he took care to examine the possible causes with a critical eye.
鈥淚鈥檓 approaching the paranormal like an academic,鈥� said Furek. 鈥淸With] 鈥楥oal Region Hoodoo,鈥� I take a look at the paranormal and the spiritual, and I try to bring it a little bit closer to the scientific.鈥�
Some of the groundwork for 鈥淐oal Region Hoodoo鈥� took place during Furek鈥檚 research for his 2015 book, 鈥淪heppton: The Myth, Miracle & Music.鈥� In 鈥淪heppton,鈥� Furek investigates Pennsylvania鈥檚 1963 Sheppton Mine Disaster, in which three miners were trapped underground for two weeks after the coal mine鈥檚 roof collapsed. Two of the miners, David Fellin and Henry Throne, were rescued. The third miner, Louis Bova, was never found.
What Fellin and Throne would recount of their time trapped in complete darkness left a lasting impression on Furek, then a high school student.
鈥淚 was fascinated with Sheppton, as were a lot of other people out there,鈥� said Furek.
Fellin and Throne both shared intense visions of religious iconography: a stairway leading to a Golden City, angels playing harps and even the late Pope John XXIII. In his book, Furek wanted to write about their experiences through a 鈥減sychological lens.鈥�
鈥淔ellin and Throne had a symbiotic relationship that was sort of like the parent/child relationship鈥� [they] depended on each other,鈥� said Furek. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an example of human survival.鈥�
Humanizing the subjects of these stories while maintaining a healthy skepticism is a balancing act. While many people are genuine about their experiences, Furek knows some are only interested in their 15 minutes of fame.
鈥淭he whole field of the paranormal and ufology has been riddled by people who are hoaxers,鈥� said Furek. 鈥淸They] just contrive all kinds of ridiculous things that take away from the scientific authenticity of our craft.鈥�
Furek also believes it鈥檚 important not to attribute everything we can鈥檛 explain to the paranormal; for example, the theory that aliens built the pyramids or the Easter Island statues.
鈥淭hat disrespects the sophistication and the awesomeness of early man,鈥� said Furek. 鈥淚 am, in that respect, a debunker and a nonbeliever.鈥�
Readers intrigued by Furek鈥檚 take on the abnormal can look forward to his next book, 鈥淔lying Saucer Esoteric,鈥� which he hopes to finish this year.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 going to resonate because it takes a unique look at ufology through a bunch of different lenses,鈥� said Furek.
Furek will also be speaking at the WPA Cryptid and Supernatural Expo in Johnstown. Scheduled for Sept. 30, 2023, Furek will share the stage with others in the field, such as paranormal researcher Stan Gordon.
Ultimately, Furek鈥檚 experience studying Western Pennsylvania鈥檚 supernatural realm has been an enjoyable one.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe the acceptance I鈥檝e received in the paranormal and UFO community,鈥� said Furek. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a great ride.鈥�