HUBBARD Seeking stories of ghosts and UFOs

A paranormal investigator hopes to collect about 100 stories for his first book.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- When Tom Curtin came back to Hubbard last November after 13 years in Florida, there were a few things he missed: The ocean, the warm temperatures and the chance to investigate paranormal incidents.
While he can't do much to change the scenery or the weather, he hopes his research will get him back in touch with one of his favorite subjects.
"Ever since I was a kid, I was always interested in the paranormal," he said. "Anything I could get my hands on about the subject, I would read. I probably have more than a thousand books on it now."
Curtin's interest eventually led him to become a certified field investigator and researcher in the Tampa Bay area for the Mutual UFO Network Inc., which is based in Seguin, Texas.
The group's goal is to collect and analyze UFO data to learn the origin and nature of unidentified flying objects.
But Curtin's interest isn't limited to just UFO and aliens. He's also documented and researched reports of sightings of Big Foot and ghosts.
"I think it's all interrelated somehow," he said. "Maybe through geomagnetic or electromagnetic fields; but I think they are all connected in some way."
While he has tried to stay active in investigating incidents for MUFON locally, reports have been scarce.
A call for stories
"They have called me a few times, but it's always for places like southern Ohio," Curtin said. "I missed going out on calls, so I decided to open up a can of worms here."
Convinced people in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys have experienced some type of paranormal activity, Curtin has put out a call for stories to include in a book he plans to write. He says there are too many old homes and businesses, and too much history in this area, for there to not be any stories of the paranormal.
He understands most people are reluctant to share their stories for fear of ridicule. Many would rather remain anonymous, he said.
But in his work in Florida, he spoke with doctors, lawyers and other professionals who witnessed everything from UFO sightings to mutilated cattle.
Many people were shaken by what they saw, but had to tell someone who would understand, he said.
"It's not my job to judge someone," he said. "I just want to get the stories, more for public information purposes."
Battling misinformation
Curtin admits that most people are uninformed about the paranormal, with much misinformation coming from supermarket tabloids.
"And I always hate it when I tell people what I do, and the first thing they ask me is, 'Hey, did you see that episode of "Star Trek" where they ...'" he said. "That is science fiction. I am trying to determine science fact."
For as much as he believes things like Big Foot and ghosts and UFO could exist, and for as many times as he has interviewed others about their experiences, Curtin admits he has never had a sighting of his own.
"I think maybe because I am open to it and want to, I haven't," he said, chuckling.
Curtin said he has no deadline for collecting stories of ghost, alien and UFO sightings from people in the area, but noted he would like about 100 to include in the book.
"I guess it will depend on how much I can write about each case,'" he said.
Anyone interested in sharing a story can e-mail Curtin at MUFONTOM@aol.com, or call his pager at (330) 275-1143.
slshaulis@vindy.com