My century-old copy of NYT on display in museum

_{In my office, in front of a framed print of the New York Times from March 9, 1924, with the headline Explosion Entombs 173 Miners in Utah; Gas Blocks Rescue.}

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In commemoration of the one-hundred-year anniversary of the Castle Gate Mine Disaster, the Western Mining and Railroad Museum in Helper, Utah will display a copy of the New York Times’ March 9, 1924, front-page reporting on the mine disaster, which I donated to the museum in 2021.

On March 8, 1924, over 170 men were killed in Castle Gate, Utah in one of the most devastating coalmine disasters in American history. Three of those men killed were my ancestors from one branch of my family tree. Another branch included the men who ran the mine.

The story was so big that it was covered by international news outlets. The antique newspaper on display this March was purchased by me in 2021 during the writing of Castle Gate, as part of my genealogy research. I soon donated it to the museum due to the fragile state of the relic. I didn’t have the expertise to preserve something like this … it would have ended up in a drawer or box instead of receiving the care it deserved.

Castle Gate is now a ghost town—the only things remaining are the cemetery where many of the miners are buried and the barred entrance to Mine #2, where the explosion occurred. (See images in The Gallery)

The Helper Museum will be displaying the newspaper during their centenary commemoration of the Castle Gate Mine Disaster on March 8, 2024. That same day, next door at the Rio Theater (owned by Historic Helper City), a short documentary called Remembering Castle Gate will premiere.

I was interviewed at my home here in Phoenix last January to be featured in the documentary and be will present at the premiere, signing copies of Castle Gate. Additionally, and more importantly, I’ll be visiting and honoring the site where this horrific event occurred 100 years ago, changing the lives of so many people … including my family.

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_{Based on years of exhaustive genealogical research, Castle Gate tells the story of a coal mining town shattered on that fateful day in 1924, and the Littlejohn and Garroch families who ran the mine and worked underground. Lisa Bonnice is a descendant of both families.}

_{Castle Gate is filled with stories of those who lived and died that day, some of whom stayed home due to premonitions, and many more who ignored those warnings. It explores life in a rugged mining town during Prohibition, which was largely ignored … especially in nearby towns which were filled with saloons and brothels.}

_{Lisa Bonnice is the author of Fear of Our Father, a best-selling true-crime novel which has been featured in television and radio programs in the US and the UK. She also authored a metaphysical comedy novel entitled The Poppet Master. A former associate producer for MSNBC.com, she is a popular program host with The Shift Network, hosting their annual Ancestral Healing Summit and Beyond the Veil Summit.}

_{For more information, visit castlegatebook.com}

Genealogy as a Tool to Reach Across the Veil

Even if you don’t desire to be a professional medium, perhaps you want a more robust relationship with your kin on the other side. Join me at the Shift Network’s Beyond the Veil Summit as I explain how—during this big awakening that humanity is collectively experiencing—we’re learning to walk with one foot in each world and our family across the veil can help.

Genealogy research is a fascinating and fulfilling way to reach our folks in spirit and begin real communication. My session airs on Thursday, November 2 .

In this session, you will:

• Learn to call forward those who came before us by digging into their life stories;
• Discover how to collaborate on creating an interpersonal language, a set of signs and symbols that make communication easier as you build relationships with your kin;
• Explore the communication with your ancestors that can lead to discoveries about who you really are, explain your bubble of family influence, and how to get beyond dysfunctional familial habits.

I’ll also talk a bit about my newest book, based on actual events found in my family tree, Castle Gate—and how it was written with the help of my ancestors, as strange as that may sound.

Castle Gate is the true and tragic saga of my Scottish ancestors whose dreams of finding their fortunes in the bountiful coal mines of Castle Gate, Utah, during the Prohibition era explode in one of the most devastating mine disasters in American history.

The big question is, is their presence there in Castle Gate just bad luck, or is it due to a generational curse dating back to their ancestors’ involvement in a grisly witchcraft trial in the 1600s?

Based on extensive genealogical research, Castle Gate tells the story of one family destroyed by a documented curse which has been wreaking havoc in countless lives, all over the world, for centuries. 

Listen in to the Shift Network’s Beyond the Veil Summit which airs free, online, during the week of October 30 through November 3, when the veil is thinnest.

I’m hosting, along with my guest-host Scott Taylor (who interviewed me and we had a great conversation!). Here is a small sample of who I got to talk with this year:

• Anita Moorjani will reveal her near-death experiences in the other realm, and what it was that finally saved her life and brought her back from death’s door.
• Bill McKenna and Liz Larson will offer a beginner’s approach to establishing clear and direct communication with the other side.
• Dr. Cassandra Ricks will take you on a deep dive into the world of near-death experiences and mediumship, and their powerful potential for healing.
• Eben Alexander, MD, and Karen Newell will impart how relationships do not end with physical death —  and how the binding force of love continues to connect us.
• Sheila Vijeyarasa will describe the top 3 tools needed to channel your spirit guides, and how you can embody their wisdom.
• James Van Praagh will talk about the basic mechanics and groundwork for creating a successful mediumship experience.
• Suzanne Giesemann will reveal that you’re already home, already whole, and eternally connected to Spirit.
• Dr. William Bloom will describe the characteristics and purpose of the various subtle beings — including fairies, nature spirits, angels, and archangels. 
• Brian D. Smith will unveil how experiencing unimaginable tragedy can lead you to discovering your life’s true mission.
• Helané Wahbeh, ND, will share 12 Noetic Signature characteristics that show how you receive and express information and energy beyond your five senses. 
• Sherrie Dillard will explain how the earthly challenges and issues between you and your departed loved ones continue to benefit you.

Lots more conversations await. Check it out and watch for free (the only cost is if you choose to purchase the upgrade package to keep all the recordings and bonuses in your digital library).