Imagine Moore Podcast | Halloween Special 2026

What if the most chilling stories in Moore County aren't legends at all?

This Halloween, host Rose Young takes listeners on a spine-tingling journey through two of Moore County's most fascinating historic homes, where bloody battles, tragic secrets, and unexplained encounters have left their mark on history.

First Stop: The House in the Horseshoe

Travel back to 1781, when a brutal murder near present-day Southern Pines sparked a violent Revolutionary War confrontation. Discover the terrifying battle that left bullet holes still visible today, the children hidden inside a fireplace chimney, and the remarkable courage of Temperance Alston, whose actions helped save her family from a house about to be set ablaze.

Next Stop: The Ghosts of Weymouth

At the beautiful Boyd House in Southern Pines, history takes a mysterious turn. Hear the tragic story of Isabel Johnston, whose death in the 1940s continues to intrigue visitors. Discover the unsettling experiences of writers-in-residence who reported remarkably similar dreams on the very same night, a mysterious woman on the balcony, footsteps in empty hallways, disappearing belongings, and a closet door that slammed shut so violently that one frightened guest fled the room until morning!

We'll also follow North Carolina storyteller Liz Z. Pardue, whose snowy weekend alone at Weymouth included strange voices, unexplained sounds, and a remarkable encounter with a childhood nightmare deep in the longleaf pines.

And Rose shares her own unexplained experience at Weymouth involving a flying cookie. Apparently, even ghosts have opinions about snack time!

Are these simply coincidences, the mysteries of historic old houses, or could something from the past still be lingering among the pines?

Turn up the volume, leave a light on, and join us for a Halloween adventure through the history, mysteries, and unforgettable stories of Moore County.

Want to discover more about the places and people featured in this episode? Follow these links:

House in the Horseshoe — North Carolina Historic Sites https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/house-horseshoe

Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities https://weymouthcenter.org/

Liz Z. Pardue — Snowbound and Down: A Haunted Weekend Snowed In Alone at the Weymouth Center https://lizzpardue.substack.com/p/snowbound-and-down

Writers-in-Residence — Whimsy-maxxing Our Writers' Residency Read the firsthand account of unusual experiences at Weymouth by A. L. Sterling and Piper L. White. https://gothicuniversity.substack.com/p/whimsy-maxxing-our-writers-residency

Have you ever experienced something mysterious or unexplained in Moore County? We'd love to hear about it! Your story might just inspire a future Halloween episode. Email us at: imaginemoorepodcast25@gmail.com

Share this episode with a friend, especially one who loves a good mystery!

Imagine the history. Imagine the mysteries. And as always, keep Imagining More!

🎃 Happy Halloween!

"I have listened to this podcast several times myself and I learn something new each time. If you haven't heard this before or even if you have, you'll get something new out of it too. "

Welcome back to the Imagine More podcast. In this episode our host Rose Young interviews Kathy Stoddard Torrey — coach, trainer, author and keynote speaker — about emotional intelligence, leadership, and practical strategies to improve workplace relationships.

Kathy explains her approach: start with self-awareness and self-management before tackling relationship awareness and management. She shares why she wrote her book Elevate Your Emotional Intelligence as a parable, how the "magic wand of destiny" (intentional choices) works, and why curiosity — especially the three-question rule — diffuses conflict and builds connection.

Listeners will take away simple, actionable steps: listen more and talk less, ask curious open-ended questions before offering solutions, protect psychological safety, and conserve emotional energy by choosing what truly matters. The book and audiobook are available on Amazon and Audible; learn more at KathyStoddardTorrey.com.

What happens when 23 years of military service leads to an entirely unexpected second act filled with mysteries, puzzles, storytelling, and adventure?

On this episode of The Imagine Moore Podcast, Rose sits down with Phil McNutt, founder of The Gilded Lantern Co., a mobile immersive entertainment company bringing escape-room-style experiences directly to businesses, organizations, events, and communities.

Phil shares his journey from a 23-year career in the Army to entrepreneurship, why he spent five years studying the immersive entertainment industry before taking the leap, and what he's learned about teamwork, leadership, creativity, and people along the way.

We also talk about the bigger vision behind The Gilded Lantern Co. Phil hopes to grow the company while creating opportunities for veterans and military spouses.

It's a conversation about second acts, taking chances, learning when things don't go according to plan, and discovering that sometimes the best adventures begin when you're willing to try something completely different.

Looking for something people will actually talk about after your next event? Bring the mystery to them! The Gilded Lantern Co. can bring an immersive, interactive experience directly to your corporate event, team-building activity, private party, community gathering, or special event.

Skip the ordinary and give your guests something they can experience together. Gather your team, solve the mystery, and make your next event an adventure.

Learn more and start planning your experience with The Gilded Lantern Co. at: https://www.thegildedlanternco.com/

Imagine what happens when a mystery brings people together, teamwork turns strangers into a team, and an adventure becomes a memory.

And as always, keep imagining Moore.