Local ghost stories told here: Charles J. Adams III to present scary tales at two area locations

Charles Adams III in ghost storytelling garb

Storyteller Charles J. Adams III, author of "Montgomery County Ghost Stories" and radio personality, will be recounting spooky tales at two area locations in the next week:

• Tonight from 7:13 p.m. to 9:04 p.m., Adams will present "Spooky Towne" at Towne Book Center and Cafe, Providence Town Center (across from Wegmans), Collegeville. His book "Montgomery County Ghost Stories" (Exeter House Books, 2000, $11.95) is available for purchase at the bookstore. The event appears to be free. To learn more, call Towne book Center and Cafe at 610-454-0640. 

• Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Public Museum, 500 Museum Road, Reading. Adams will present "Museum Mysteries: Ghosts in the Galleries." Cost: $5 for Museum member adults and all children 17 and under; $10 for non-member adults.

About Adams (from his publisher):

In addition to writing books, Adams has written travel stories for several publications. He has also been the morning air personality on radio station WEEU in Reading since 1978.

Adams has been a speaker at the International Ghost Hunters Alliance and GhostWorld conventions in Gettysburg and at regional paranormal conferences in New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. He has been interviewed on ghostly topics in England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, South Africa, and on several American radio and television stations.

He has also appeared on The History Channel's "Haunted America: New York" and "Haunted America: Philadelphia" programs, and has served as consultant and on-air "expert" for programs on hauntings and ghosts on The Learning Channel, MTV, and The Travel Channel. His latest television work is a segment at the haunted Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia for The Travel Channel's "Mysterious Journeys" series.

Adams has also organized and escorted tours of haunted places in the United States, England, and Scotland.

He has produced, written, and conducted "ghost tours" in Lancaster County, Reading, Hamburg, and Philadelphia; Cape May, N.J., Greenwich Village, and New York City. His stories have been selected for inclusion in anthologies including "Classic American Ghost Stories" (August House Publishing). At the personal request of the producer M. Night Shyamalan, his book, "Bucks County Ghost Stories" was used as a prop in the 2002 movie, "Signs," which stars Mel Gibson.

Area authors to give lectures/book signings at Reading museum

The Reading Public Museum has announced two literary events this week: Local author and historian George Edmond, will sign his new book, "Classical Digs: Archeology, Reading Public Museum and Gustav Oberlander," on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the museum. The event will include a lecture/book signing with Edmonds, complemented by lectures from two of the region's foremost archeologists: Professor Ann Steiner (Franklin &; Marshall College) will present Reading Greek Vases in Reading and Beyond, and Professor Donald White (University of Pennsylvania) will present Some Perspectives from a Classical Archeologist. Lecturer and artist Bruce Becker will sign his new book, "Kindness and Compassion: The Inspiring Aftermath of the Tragic Amish Schoolhouse Shootings," at the museum on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. Becker will talk about his response to the deadly shootings of the Amish Schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, PA. The program will include an exclusive exhibition of Becker's never-before seen, Amish-related paintings, with a book signing to follow. Cost for both lectures is $5 for museum members, $10 for non-members. Seating is limited. To register, click here for downloadable PDF form. To learn more, call 610-371-5850 ext. 227 or email anne.corso@readingpublicmuseum.org. Tickets will be held at the door. Reading Public Museum is located at 500 Museum Road, Reading, PA 19611. To visit the museum website, click here.