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Author Biography
Al Hunter writes a front page story about historical figures and happenings with a ghostly twist...
Alan E. Hunter has researched, scripted and lead the Irvington Ghost Walks for the past 20 years. The tours are roughly 75 percent history and 25 percent ghost stories and folklore. These non-profit tours raise funds for the Eastside Irvington community and related charities.
Al Hunter is the author of the “Haunted Indianapolis” and co-author of the “Haunted Irvington” and “Indiana National Road” book series. His newest books are “Bumps in the Night. Stories from the Weekly View,” “Irvington Haunts. The Tour Guide,” and “The Mystery of the H.H. Holmes Collection.” Contact Al directly at Huntvault@aol.com or become a friend on Facebook.
Al Hunter’s Story Archive
The 1963 State Fairground Explosion
This column appeared in July 2011. It was another rainy Halloween in Indianapolis, Oct. 31, 1963. Some 4,400 people decided the “Holiday on Ice” show scheduled that night at the Indiana State Fair Coliseum was the better alternative to the prospect of cold, wet children toting bags of soggy candy … Read More
Dancing Harry, Robota the Witch, and Colonel Super Fly, Part 2
For Game 5, the Nuggets brought out a mascot of their own: “Robota The Wicked Witch of the West.” Robota’s job? To counteract Dancing Harry hexes, Nuggets team president Carl Scheer decided to bring in a witch to put a hex of their own on the Pacers. Dressed entirely in … Read More
Dancing Harry, Robota the Witch, and Colonel Super Fly, Part 1
1974-75 for the ABA Indiana Pacers was a season of change. They moved from the State Fairgrounds Coliseum where they had won three league championships (1970, 1962 and 1973) to Market Square Arena. Three of the team’s perennial Allstars were gone: Roger Brown, Mel Daniels, and Freddie Lewis (along with … Read More
The Buzzbee Flying Disc and Other Banned Toys, Part 2
It was known as the “Buzzbee,” a flying disc sold in the 1970s. The Buzzbee disc was made by Altered Perception of Long Island. It sold for the price of $7.95. Their print ad featured the catchphrase “Catch-A-Buzz!” along with a comic strip they called ‘The Travels of Buzzbee!’ A … Read More
The Buzzbee Flying Disc and Other Banned Toys, Part 1
Summer is here and even though it no longer has the length or importance that it did when I was growing up, it is still summertime. Recently, I ran across a little pinback button that reminded me just how different the activities we busied ourselves with were and how the … Read More