Author kicks off spine-tingling tales in Evans City
Maxim W. Furek could have chosen any creepy locale in Pennsylvania for the first chapter of his book, “Coal Region Hoodoo: Paranormal Tales from Inside the Pit,” but he decided on the filming location of the cult classic film, “Night of the Living Dead.”
In writing his book, Furek met with Dean Zinkhann, Evans City mayor, at the Evans City Cemetery, where the opening scenes of the 1968 film take place.
“I contend that ‘Night of the Living Dead’ wasn’t just a film about zombies,” Furek said, “but takes a sociological look at the turmoil that America was struggling with in 1968.”
He listed the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., and the Holy Week Uprising that followed King’s murder in more than 100 American cities.
“I think it’s important for people today to compare (current times) with 1968 and say ‘Hey, maybe things aren’t as bad as I think,’” Furek said. “Butler County gave us that lesson.”
Furek, a native of Berwick, Columbia County, said he enjoyed his trip to Butler County to research for his book.
“When my wife, Pat, and I visited Evans City, Mayor Zinkhann offered to remarry us in the chapel in the cemetery,” he said. “We couldn’t do it that day, but we might come back.”
Zinkhann applauds the author for traveling to Evans City to learn about “Night of the Living Dead,” instead of reading information online.
“He didn’t have to come here, but he did,” Zinkhann said. “The filming location for the movie is a big draw all over the world. People have come from Australia for me to marry them at the cemetery.”
Zinkhann has a copy of Furek’s book, and he enjoyed the section on Evans City.
“I thought it was great,” Zinkhann said. “He did a good job.”
The remainder of Furek’s book details the paranormal happenings throughout the Keystone State, including Chestnut Ridge, which is a 100-mile stretch of land in Westmoreland, Fayette and Indiana counties.
“There are more UFO and bigfoot sightings in Chestnut Ridge than any other place in Pennsylvania,” Furek said.
“Coal Region Hoodoo: Paranormal Tales from Inside the Pit,” is available online and at bookstores.
