As summer winds down and Halloween creeps closer, Yankee Trace neighbors may want to keep resident Paula Dytko in mind—for a dinner, a walking tour, or even a ghost hunt. “I’ve loved ghost stories since second grade, when I would sketch haunted houses in the margins of my notebooks,” says Paula, founder of Paula’s Paranormal Project, better known as P3.

 

With a degree from Miami University in American history, pop culture, and film studies, Paula originally imagined a life teaching in a classroom. But she was destined to bring history to life in more spirited ways. “Four years ago, I went on a ghost tour in Waynesville that changed everything,” she shares. “That tour led to a class, which led to a ghost hunt, and I was hooked. I realized I could combine my love of history with my passion for the paranormal.”

 

Paula began organizing trips with fellow ghost-seekers—starting with iconic locations like Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, KY. That event snowballed into a full calendar of destination ghost hunts under the P3 Haunted Escapes brand. “I had to figure it all out—how to get 15 people there safely, where to stay, what to pack,” she explains. “I realized I wasn’t just planning ghost hunts; I was creating paranormal tourism experiences.”

 

Her Haunted Escapes are now a blend of travel, local lore, and ghostly adventure—everything from cocktails and battlefield tours in Gettysburg to ghost hunts in New Orleans and stays at famously haunted inns. “I want people to have a real vacation,” Paula shares. “We explore history, have free time for shopping, and of course, we go ghost hunting. We keep the groups small to ensure everything is intimate and authentic.”

 

Locally, Paula brings her brand of experiential history to the Miami Valley with monthly ghost walks and tours in Waynesville and Miamisburg and Spook-ghetti events at the Spaghetti Warehouse in downtown Dayton. Paula’s monthly Haunted Dinner Club meets at reportedly haunted restaurants around the area. “The event is for people who are into the paranormal and want a space to share stories and see how I work,” Paula notes. “And it helps local restaurants, too—it’s a win-win. Paula also does private residential investigations, especially when children are involved. “We call ourselves paraparents—and we take those calls seriously. We bring in psychics, use equipment, and follow up until the family feels at peace.”

 

P3 hosts regular ghost walks in Germantown (August is already sold out) and is launching a Centerville Ghost Hunt Experience this fall. Paula is working with local small business owners to investigate and validate their haunted histories, drawing visitors into towns that benefit from tourism. “I strive to offer experiences and bring people to the places that deserve the spotlight,” she comments. 

 

You can also book Paula for custom events, like her popular Haunted Pedal Wagon rides in Dayton, where guests dress up, sip spooky cocktails, and stop at haunted downtown locations—all to the beat of “Ghostbusters” on the speakers. “I put the boo in bougie,” Paula jokes, but she also brings heart, knowledge, and genuine curiosity to every ghostly encounter. She has even made birthday dreams come true. “We did a ghost tour and mini hunt for an 11-year-old, and her mom cried tears of joy because we made her daughter so happy,” Paula states.

 

Paula, whose efforts have earned her an appearance on Channel 22 News, two features on Good Day Dayton, and recognition in The Dayton Daily News, has something otherworldly waiting for everyone. And don’t worry: She is not a fan of the jump scare. “I’m not running around screaming like you see on TV,” she laughs. “This is about bringing history alive. Why just read a textbook when you can connect with the past directly?” 

 

 To book your next ghost adventure or event, visit P3paranormal.com or follow @p3paranormal on social media. Questions? Reach Paula directly at paula@dytko.com.