The Bell Witch Gramophone Record is a rare and unique artifact associated with the famous Bell Witch haunting. The Bell Witch haunting is one of the most well-known and documented cases of paranormal activity in American history. It took place in Adams, Tennessee, in the early 1800s and involved the Bell family being tormented by a vengeful spirit. The gramophone record was allegedly created by a medium who visited the Bell family during the haunting. The medium claimed to have the ability to communicate with the spirit causing the disturbances. The record was said to contain the actual voice of the Bell Witch, captured during one of these sessions.
Magic Springs responds to climate change affecting guests, workers
Hot Southern summers are peak season at Magic Springs, outside of Hot Springs, and the amusement and water park is making preparations to deal with predictions of even hotter summers down the road.
There are safeguards in place to protect guests and employees in a region where the summertime temperatures regularly reached into the triple digits when it opened in the late 1970s. The park gives out free ice water and prioritizes shade structures and mister fans.
In a written response to submitted questions, Park General Manager Jessyka Hanna said Magic Springs is now broadcasting in-park announcements about the importance of drinking water and adding electrolytes. Management partnered with Pepsi this year to add more "hydration stations," and there are plans to add more bench seating under shade trees and air-conditioning units around the property.
Extreme weather is affecting the Arkansas Twister, the park's wooden roller coaster.
"The rainy season -- along with the increased temperatures -- affect the longevity of the wood used to build it, so it's more expensive to maintain and update," Hanna wrote, adding that existing park structures and fencing built with wood are being replaced with longer-lasting infrastructure made with fiber cement and composite decking.
"In general, the cost of parts, labor and material have increased but the bigger issue is the lead time on parts and materials. In the past, we could still get parts quickly, even from our overseas manufacturers. That has changed significantly in the last several years; some parts have lead times as long as 54 weeks. It is hard to prepare for that, especially when our operating season is only six months long."
She also confirmed that the park costs more to insure now.
Magic Springs reopened the park in 2000, unveiling a water park within its footprint for the first time. Hanna said this was a business decision reflecting Arkansas' climate; since then, coinciding with increasingly hot summers, management has more than tripled the number of water attractions.
Extreme heat is also affecting water temperatures, she said. In response, the park drains and adds new, cooler water to each pool, and certified operators on staff handle the water chemistry.
When heat indices reach more than 100 degrees for an extended period of time, the park stops serving soda at its team member areas and starts serving lighter food options.
"This was welcomed by our team; safety is a top priority," Hanna wrote. "We offer rotations and additional breaks to staff that are working outside, enabling the incredible guest experience while keeping themselves healthy."
This summer also saw what Hanna called "significant weather disadvantages."
"In addition to the extreme heat, we had more frequent rain and more lightning storms than have been recorded in at least 10 years," she wrote. "Of course, this is relative to park operation, so we measure its effect on the park based on operating hours and the day of the week. The forecast alone can impact our attendance, too."
Rain or lightning affected 43% of Magic Springs' operating days this July and on more than 30% of total operating days this season. Hanna acknowledged guests' frustrations when the park shuts down to wait out an electrical storm; rides and attractions close for 30 minutes after each lightning strike within 10 miles. For several years, the park has given guests a ticket for another day at the park if rides are shut down for an hour.
"We put all our efforts into packing the most fun possible into the summer months. We've never been able to control the weather and that will continue amid climate change," Hanna wrote. "At a high level, extreme weather impacts how often folks visit the park. Lower guest volume impacts our overall revenue, but we are still able to operate. When it rains, we do our best to stay open and work around the weather; we still have operators for our rides, keep our stores open for business and serve food."
She anticipates that Magic Springs will continue to see special events, like the "Magic Screams" Halloween event, grow as the park looks to continue attracting guests. Magic Screams also offers non-ride holiday experiences, which makes weather less of a factor.
"We are aware of how special the park is to Arkansas as its only theme and water park, and we are proud to serve our city and state with such an amazing attraction," Hanna wrote. "Despite the challenges, we had a great summer season and do have plans to continue making investments in the park in the years to come."
CORRECTION: Jessyka Hanna, general manager of Magic Springs, responded to questions from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette about steps that the amusement and water park has taken in response to high summer temperatures. An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed the responses, and a subsequent update included an incorrect spelling of Hanna's name.
Magic Springs in the Rain
Ever since I bought my house (six years ago…where has the time gone. ) I have also bought a season pass to Magic Springs, a local theme and water park that’s not too far from my house. I usually go at least once a week and so far this year I have only been once and I got rained on…oops!! In all fairness since I have switched back to night shift it has been hard to get up and going during the daylight hours. Plus I have just been busy every day that I’m off work. Ugh. I hate being super busy but it always seems to be that way during the summer.
Now I know some of you are probably thinking WHY in the world does a single 30-something year old lady with no kids go to a theme/water park? To swim and lay out of course!! Giving up access to my apartment complex’s pool was not cool, especially during these steamy hot Arkansas summers so going to Magic Springs and hanging out in the wave pool makes me feel better!! HA!!
Of course the day that I decided to go and get my season pass and walk around the park for the first time this year it decided to rain. It sprinkled on my way there but my weather app said there should be clear skies for the rest of the day. WRONG!! LOL!! But that’s ok, I wasn’t planning on swimming since I had other things to do that day and I did get some pretty neat pics of the theme park!!
One of my favorite rides of all times is the carousel. I have loved carousels for as long as I can remember and even to this day I will ride one (or at least photograph it) if I stumble across one. Magic Springs has been open since the late 70’s so Im pretty sure this is the same carousel that I rode when I was a little girl.
Here are some photos of carousels I took in Bryant Park in NYC and on the Steel Pier in Atlantic City in New Jersey! I told you I loved carousels. HA!!
My all-time favorite ride at Magic Springs is the log ride. Unfortunately it was shut down the day I went so I didn’t get any good pics of it but it SO DANG FUN. I still ride it at least once every year!!
Another of my favorite rides is the Plummet Summit. This is a water ride that is mostly for the people standing on the bridge in front of it. If you stand on the bridge when the ride is going then you get soaked when the ride comes down the summit. It is perfect the perfect way to cool off on days that are super hot!!
A newer ride that just opened a couple years ago is the SkyShark. This is probably the one ride in the park you won’t catch me on because I am terrified of heights!! It’s basically a mix of skydiving, hang-gliding and bungee jumping all in one!
I didn’t get to check out the roller coasters before to started pouring but trust me when I say Magic Springs has some good ones!! I took shelter under this little covered bridge and fed the fish during the worst of the down pour.
Now on to my very favorite part of Magic Springs…the water park. I love me some Crystal Falls. They have expanded it a few times over the years and there are now a couple of pools, a huge splash pad, a wave pool, tons of slides and a lazy river!
I can’t wait until I am off work one day and it’s hot and sunny enough for me to hit up that water park!! I need to keep this beach tan alive somehow…HA.
Have you ever been to Magic Springs??
What’s your favorite theme or water park??
The House of Mountfathom
'THE HOUSE OF MOUNTFATHOM is the kind of book that turned me into a reader in the first place. It has the same clever interweaving of history and fantasy that I so admired in Nigel McDowell's previous books but is also filled with an utterly infectious kind of delight. The characters are so vivid and the world brims with the most gorgeous detail. And if this wasn't enough, the language itself is a pure joy. Nigel McDowell has left an extraordinary legacy behind, something of the imagination and something of the soul.' Eimear McBride, multi-award-winning author of A GIRL IS A HALF-FORMED THING
'Lyrical, ominous and utterly original, with a passionate sense of place and history, THE HOUSE OF MOUNTFATHOM is one of those books that pushes strange roots down into your mind.' Frances Hardinge, Costa Award-winning author of THE LIE TREE
Luke Mountfathom knows he is special and odd. He is told so by everyone he knows. His parents are special and odd too - they are the keepers of the House of Mountfathom, a magnificent stately home where the wrong door could take you to a far away land, and strange animals appear to stalk the grounds at midnight. The house is his home - but it is also the headquarters of the Driochta, a magic-weaving group of poets, artists, politicians and activists charged with keeping the peace in Ireland. They have many powers - have mastered Mirror-Predicting and Smoke-Summoning and Storm-Breaching - and a final ability: that of Mogrifying; taking on a unique animal form.
But Luke's idyllic existence at Mountfathom cannot last. Word reaches the House of protests across Ireland. There is a wish for independence, a rising discontent and scenes of violence that even the Driochta cannot control. In Dublin, death and disease is running rife in the tenements; a darkness is clogging the air, and is intent on staying. And when things quickly spin out of control for the Driochta, it is up to Luke, his cat Morrigan and his best friend Killian to worm out the heart of the evil in their land.
The record was said to contain the actual voice of the Bell Witch, captured during one of these sessions. The Bell Witch Gramophone Record became a highly sought-after item among paranormal enthusiasts and collectors. Its authenticity has been a topic of debate and skepticism.
Some believe it to be a genuine relic from the haunting, while others argue that it is a hoax or a cleverly designed forgery. The record itself is a fragile and delicate artifact. It is made of black shellac and has a diameter of 10 inches. It is engraved with intricate designs and symbols related to the occult and spiritualism. The grooves on the record contain the alleged voice of the Bell Witch, speaking in a chilling and haunting manner. Many attempts have been made to analyze the record and verify its authenticity. Some experts claim to have detected anomalies and unexplained phenomena when playing the record. Others argue that these anomalies are simply the result of wear and tear or poor recording techniques. Despite the skepticism surrounding the Bell Witch Gramophone Record, it remains a fascinating and enigmatic artifact. It serves as a reminder of the enduring fascination with the supernatural and the enduring intrigue surrounding the Bell Witch haunting. Whether the record is genuine or not, its allure continues to captivate and intrigue both believers and skeptics alike. In conclusion, the Bell Witch Gramophone Record is a rare and controversial artifact associated with the well-known Bell Witch haunting. Its authenticity remains a subject of debate, but its allure and fascination endure. Whether genuine or not, it represents a tangible link to one of the most famous paranormal cases in American history..
Reviews for "The Strange Journey of the Bell Witch Gramophone Record"
1. John - 2/5: Though I wanted to appreciate the unique concept and experimentation done in "Bell witch gramophone record," I found it extremely difficult to connect with and comprehend. The album seemed to lack structure and coherence, making it hard to grasp the artistic intention behind it. The dissonant sounds and abrupt transitions only added to the confusion and made the listening experience more frustrating than enjoyable. Overall, it felt like a chaotic and convoluted mess, leaving me disappointed.
2. Sarah - 1/5: As someone who appreciates experimental music, "Bell witch gramophone record" was a complete miss for me. From the start, it was plagued with an overwhelming amount of noise that made it unbearable to listen to. The absence of melody or any recognizable musical elements made it an unengaging and tedious experience. I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in the album, as it felt like an aimless collection of random sounds. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this album to anyone unless they have a deep affinity for avant-garde noise.
3. Alex - 2/5: "Bell witch gramophone record" came across as pretentious and self-indulgent. While I can appreciate the experimental nature of the music, it felt like the artist prioritized their own eccentricity over creating a cohesive and enjoyable listening experience. The album lacked any discernible structure or rhythm, making it a challenge to engage with. The unconventional sounds and unconventional use of instruments only added to the inaccessibility of the music. Overall, I found "Bell witch gramophone record" to be an unnecessarily complex and alienating piece of art.
4. Emily - 1/5: "Bell witch gramophone record" was a complete cacophony of discordant noise that made me question the meaning of music. The dissonant sounds and unconventional use of instruments came together in a way that was deeply unsettling and unpleasant. There was no melody, harmony, or any recognizable musical elements that could be grasped. It felt like a deliberate attempt to alienate the listener rather than evoke any emotion or meaning. I struggled to find anything redeeming in this album and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable musical experience.