Mother, Daughter Enjoy Shooting Range, Paranormal

Firing guns at a shooting range or making a connection with spirits might not be common activities for a mother and daughter spending quality time together, but for Linden residents and , they wouldn’t rather be anywhere else.

While they share a love of consignment shopping and writing (Both write for Fenton Patch’s Local Voices Section) they also love guns and the unexplained.

“We indulge on shooting at the range for quality time, and it is so much fun!” Chelsea said. “We like to collect different kinds of pistols and such and we shoot as a hobby.”

Donna grew up on a farm in Northern Michigan with hunters, DNR and police officers, where she learned to respect guns and use them at a young age. She has since passed that on to her daughter.

The mother and daughter also share an “intuitive connection” with people and spirits.  Donna regularly organizes psychic fairs (which she enters into the Fenton Patch events calendar) that include Chelsea gives readings and also started the Spirit Walkers, a paranormal investigating group that has conducted 10 investigations and “have recorded some very intriguing evidence of the paranormal.” She said she started the group after trying to join a society but had been turned away because of  "lack of experience." Even though she had seen ghosts since a young age, she was told she wasn’t "eligible.”

Donna said he grew up learning about readings and that many people in her family are very intuitive.

“Today is different then twenty years ago. Very few people point fingers and tell you God thinks your bad or you’re a witch,” Donna said. “I was raised Lutheran and even our old minister agrees people interpret what they read to their way of thought.”

Chelsea said a recent investigation of house near Linden and Baldwin Roads revealed a taste of what the group inspects for. They investigate for free and allow those interested to join them.

“Two sisters that lived in the house all their lives also died in the house and since then, there has been reported activity,” Chelsea said. “During the investigation, we felt like we were being followed, even hearing footsteps following us around the house when no one was there. We saw shadows darting across the walls when there were no apparent light sources.”

She said the electronic voice phenomena revealed a man saying "kills ... Chelsea."

“I believe we have made a good contribution to the proof on the existence of ghosts,” she said. “Granted, we have had investigations where nothing has turned up, but instead we were able to debunk, or prove that what the residents thought was paranormal was something that was easily explained.”

The group has an investigation plan at Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, KY in June.

While spending her free time with the Spirit Walkers, Chelsea is studying for her Bachelor’s degree and wants to be a college English and creative writing professor. She also signs and plays guitar. She said she’s been hooked on performing since she sang "Travelin' Soldier" by the Dixie Chicks on stage with two soldiers in the sixth grade. She has sung all over the state of Michigan and has also traveled to Nashville and Las Vegas to perform.

“I love music and I love to sing and it has shaped me into the person I am today,” she said.

After growing up in Northern Michigan, Donna said she moved to Linden to raise her family 20 years ago.

“This is home. It was like walking into Mayberry when we arrived with the millpond and water wheel and families all over smiling and laughing,” Donna said. “It continues today.”

Donna works as a therapeutic massage therapist and travels to many different facilities and makes home visit.

“I truly love massage and helping people with their health issues,” she said.

While Donna and Chelsea’s interests may expand on the “normal” mother and daughter activities, their connection goes far beyond their hobbies.

“My mom is my best friend. We laugh together, cry together, get into fights, and are always by each other's side no matter what. And I think that's how it should be,” Chelsea said. “I wouldn't be here without her, and I can't picture life without her there. She's my hero.”

You can learn more about Donna and Chelsea and follow their adventures in the Fenton Patch Local Voices section. Interested in blogging for Fenton Patch? Apply here.