The Ghosts of Paw Paw Lake

Welcome to Paw Paw Lake... Nestled in the lowest recess among gently sloping hills is Paw Paw Lake, a natural lake in Geauga County, Ohio. The residents here are devoted to their community and cherish living in the paradise that is Paw Paw Lake. Our pristine lake is home to abundant wildlife and lovely fish. The trees surrounding the lake are ancient and regal. There is a peace that permeates the lake that brings refreshment to the eyes and soul. But those who live on Paw Paw Lake know that there are others residents, mostly unseen, who occasionally break through into the realm of the living. These are the Ghosts of Paw Paw Lake. Meet our Unseen Residents. Paw Paw Lake is a natural and spring-fed, and has been here since time unknown. Native Americans have refreshed with her waters. Settlers have eaten her fish and sipped her essence from the shores. People have been building homes here since the 1940’s. But sometimes, it is whispered, there are other inhabitants here who become known in chilling ways. Among the fog of the morning and within the mists after dark, there may be movements and eddies not quite perceivable and slightly disturbing. For generations the residents of Paw Paw Lake have seen and sensed the spirits who share this area with them. Some are terrible while others seem comfortable manifesting among those who live around the lake. A few don’t seem to know that they are dead. These are their ghostly stories, whispered among the children as they play around the lake on long summer evenings. These are their supernatural revelations as they pursue retribution and justice from those who have wronged them. These are their unearthly deep rumblings among the bullfrogs and night chirps and buzzing of insects that sound unnatural and hold the tone of threat and dread. For generations and for unknown reasons, some of the ghosts have become restless and find ways to make themselves known to the inhabitants of Paw Paw Lake. The Ghosts of Paw Paw Lake is a collection of short stories featuring the kinds of relationships that we who are the living might have with those who have died but have not moved on. Some of the stories are spooky, some pensive and reflective, and some just confounding. The intention in creating these stories was to be sensitive to the idea that we may share the same space, for some inexplicable reason, with specters from another realm that are trapped with us. For effect, the stories have been placed in various time slots over the past 70 years, displaying the juxtaposition of the mortal with the seemingly immortal. Known for its majestic beauty and pristine, reflective waters, Paw Paw Lake has been a source of inspiration and delight for those who walk its paths or sun on the small beach. It is trusted in that Paw Paw has never harmed anyone. Yet, something in its ancient origins seems to have formed a bond between the lake area and those who were thought to have left this realm for the unknowable hereafter. Those who live here and experience the phantom spirits become uncomfortably quiet when those from the outside try to learn the legends of these banks and woods. Most won’t talk about the movement among the trees, or the hunched shape sitting at the beach on one of the benches overlooking Paw Paw. Perhaps they fear that talking about these specters will somehow make them even more real. Welcome to the Ghosts of Paw Paw Lake.