I don’t believe in ghosts, but I’ve hunted for them several times.

While at the University of Montevallo and during my first “real” job at the Shelby County Reporter in Columbiana, I tagged along with several paranormal investigators looking for ghosts at UM.

The experiences have gotten me some of my personal favorite clips and fun stories to tell, especially this time of year.

Most people conjure up images of Dan Aykroyd and giant marshmellow men when they think about hunting for ghosts.

Real paranormal investigation involves a lot of science, math and technology. It also requires a lot of patience. After all, how many people have actually ever found a ghost?

I measured temperatures and electromagnetic fields in Main Hall, where Condie Cunningham supposedly burned to death making fudge, and helped operate voice recorders and infrared cameras, looking for a snippet of the wealthy, and long dead, Edmund King.

Of course, these groups have never seen a ghost, or at least while I was there, but it’s all in the name of fun. I know there are skeptics out there, but if this is how these people want to spend their time, who am I to judge.

Some believe; many just like playing with all the cool gadgets that go along with ghost hunting.

I’m slowly learning the tales of Chilton County, like that of the Clanton Booger, a Bigfoot-like creature spotted in the 1960s.

In that spirit, everybody have a fun and safe Halloween.

– You can reach Justin by e-mail at justin.averette@clantonadvertiser.com.