During her previous career, Frances Bennett was hired by city and state officials and appeared on TV and newspapers to show people what's going bump in the night. Now she's moved to the Rocket City and has opened a shop for people who are taking their own spiritual journeys.
Bennett, who holds a PhD in parapsychology and metaphysics and is also an ordained non-denominational minister, is the founder of the New York Ghost Chapter. She and other trained metaphysicians perform the scientific end of "ghost hunting". Using scientific equipment that detects electromagnetic field changes, electronic voice phenomenon, and infrared readings, the scientists pick up what eyes and ears cannot. The equipment is trained to filter equipment like computers out of their readings and look for objects that can't be detected through simple human observation.
After the events of 9/11, Bennett was hired to go into state buildings around New York and check out readings inside. She has worked in the New York capitol building, Sammy the Bull Gravano's home, Grand Central Station, and several other buildings and museums in the New York area. She also investigated private businesses and historic places and even filmed a visit to a pet cemetery.
She has appeared on television shows and networks like "20/20", "Maury" PBS and several shows in the U.K., magazines like "People" and "Time Out New York", Web sites like CNET and Yahoo!, newspapers like the New York Post, Washington Post, several New York tabloids, The Globe and Mail in Canada, and other papers across the United States, England and Scotland. She is featured in tours of historic sites on Capitol Hill in New York State and is mentioned in several N.Y. history books.
Bennett said she was offered opportunities to film series for the History Channel and the Sci-Fi Channel, amongst other outlets. However, she decided to move south with her children to enjoy a life outside the public eye.
Because she's busy raising three kids, Bennett said she's unable to pursue more ghost hunting opportunities in Huntsville. However, she took the opportunity to open This 'n That at 2620AA North Memorial Parkway.
The shop caters to people of all sorts of spiritual beliefs, who have an interest in metaphysics, or who pursue alternative religious beliefs. This 'n That has a wide range of supplies, books, candles, herbs, incense, oils, crystals and jewelry. It even offers Christian statues and crosses.
"We carry a little bit for everybody," Bennett said.
The shop also offers group meetings on alternate Saturdays where people with an interest in metaphysics and a multitude of types of spirituality meet to discuss their own spiritual paths.
Bennett says that many customers are from religious faiths that are a minority in the area, and they need a place to go and feel comfortable while learning about their own paths. She said despite hearing horror stories of discrimination when she moved to the Tennessee Valley; she's found nothing but acceptance.
"It's nice to listen and not have a closed mind," Bennett said. "Life is a big learning session."
This 'n That offer layaway and gift certificates to customers. For more information, call her at 256-468-8451.
Web Editor: Dana Franks
(Copyright 2008 by WAAY-TV. All Rights Reserved.)
