By: George Bernard

As the story goes, it neither made CNN, the networks, the front page of the New York Post, nor the sensational tabloids. But slightly more than a decade ago, almost undetected, a most significant sighting was recorded. Initially, what appeared to be a brilliant shooting star, had gently and almost imperceptibly landed on America’s East Coast. Today, some even swear that an alien creature emerged from the remains of a glowing, circular spaceship of a highly advanced civilization and quietly took up residence in Manhattan. And certainly not unlike the fictional coming of Superman, Linda Pendergraft had finally arrived in Gotham on a critical, self-imposed mission to save the hearts and souls of America.

“It was my calling, my mission and the time was right!” recalls Linda, a statuesque Auburn-brunette. In actuality, however, symbolically, Linda is from the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. But it is the heart of Manhattan, Linda’s true love, where she continues to deliver her weekly half-hour message of love and happiness by way of “The Mind And Heart Of Linda Pendergraft, All Is One.” The highly-acclaimed psychic is seen over a number of TV cable systems, including Time Warner’s Manhattan Cable, RCN. “I literally saw America going down the tube – spiritually, politically, economically. Something had to be done about it!”

It didn’t take long for the media to be suddenly drawn to Linda’s prophetic words. A WNBC-TV camera dogged her steps. The, they special feature highlighted Linda and her views and visions during the critical fall, competitive audience ratings period, otherwise known as the ratings sweeps, which determines the amount of money stations, based on the results of the new ratings, can charge their advertisers.

“WNBC-TV came to me, says Linda proudly. “They taped at my place for more than an hour. I only hope I get two-and-a-half minutes,” she said at the time, in her almost hypnotic, patented and sinfully soothing voice. “You know,” she continued, crossing her shapely legs, “media research analysts contend that two-and-a-half minutes is the average viewer’s attention span. Then again,” she adds, “my viewers, from their letters, stay the whole show!” Could it be that her comforting, almost mesmerizing voice and her strong on-air personality? The human interest piece ran close to three minutes, and the promos for one week were considerable.

“Ever since I can remember, I always felt different from the other children – even from my own parents, my blood brothers and sisters,” Linda acknowledges, who is the third of five children. “At age six, I felt a strong compulsion to do God’s work. As the story was related to me by my sister, Catherine, the eldest, she woke from a sound sleep to find me praying,” Linda notes, “That in itself is nothing extraordinary, except that Catherine saw a glowing white hallow around my head, and I was in a kneeling position.” Catherine recalls covering her head with a blanket, wishing the frightening experience was only a dream, and then escaping the enormity of what she had been witness to by slipping back into safe sleep.

“As the years progressed, I began to look closer in the feelings of others. Many praised my efforts. Others were terrified at what I saw!” she notes. “My abilities made me an outsider. I could tell others people’s feelings and their truth. I believe that nature has its own inborn intelligence and truth.

“At the age of 16, I lived in a Catholic girl’s home,” Linda goes on. “The nuns always alluded to my beauty and the nuns would say `You’re beautiful, Linda. You don’t have to do anything special for God.’ Then, the sisters separated me from the others. And, then no one was able to help me with my inner truth. I had to define truth on my own. Truth to me is to know thyself beyond all experience.”

On the testing schedule, Linda’s emotional intelligence is genius and beyond the test schedule. In other words, off the board. “I look at life through my emotions. I believe that through my special abilities I can help others get through their emotional blocks that hold them back.”

A sometimes-working model-actress, who is also a voice over specialist, Linda felt that as a self-proclaimed role model her striking looks would enable her to drive home her message. “But first I had to do my homework,” recalls the German-American beauty whose aura, mannerisms and commanding physical presence is refreshingly unique.

“I read extensively – Joseph Campbell, John Kenneth Galbraeith, Plato, Socrates and the great time-honored historians and philosophers,” she reveals. “I also regularly consult Time, Newsweek, The Washington Post, The New York Times…and PBS,” the five-nine Linda admits. My mind is a sponge for news and intellectual thoughts and impressions. Linda and her “disciples,” as she refers to her followers, are on a campaign to promote public awareness of an eroding society. “The time is now!” she proclaims. “There’s a lot of work that has to be done!”

When Linda is not utilizing studio space at MNN Studios in Manhattan, her show is taped against her living room background of a St. Joan portrait in oil and a crammed bookcase of her favorite works. Her camcorder is set in a fixed position and Linda’s show is totally unrehearsed, without the benefit of a producer, writer, wardrobe, cameraperson, sound/lighting technicians or cue cards. Here this vivacious visionary draws upon her inner most thoughts to share with her vast and continually growing TV audience.

“I consult with a Higher Force,” Linda tells her audience in one particular taping. “Visions and prophesies begin to fly about me, then pour in and out of me,” she adds. “No, it’s not Poltergeist revisited. Nothing as violent as that. But for someone viewing my program for the first time, it might seem a little weird. I assure you, however, I know exactly where I am coming from and what’s coming out!”

An adjunct to her college training, Linda’s political acumen is noteworthy: Five “totally unforgettable” years in the office of U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, Republican from Pennsylvania. “I can only wonderful things about the Senator,” says Linda, who extols the virtues of the fiery statesman. “He always treated me as a woman, always with respect. And, in case you’re curious,” she pauses. “Ours was business-only relationship!”

Linda has kind words for Former President Ronald Reagan: “I met him in the House of Representatives Dining Room one day as we were exiting. He was in the middle of his first term as President. We chatted a while. He, too, was respectful of women and he’s a genuine, decent guy as well. It’s a shame he contracted Altzheimer’s Disease.”

“Well, what do you think of the current state of the economy?” Mr. Regan asked Linda. “Pretty embarrassing!” she candidly responded. “I can’t believe we are not able to get our act together!”

What was the President’s response? “Well, she explains, laughing. “Mr. Reagan raised hi eye brows as the Secret Service hustled him away.” Linda says she knew the political powerbrokers on the Hill, which included, but are not limited to Senator Edward Kennedy. “Yes, I knew the big boys. I was part of the Washington scene.”

On local politicians who are either foot-dragging or inherently incompetent, Linda advises: “Vote them out of office. Exercise your precious right!” And, while Linda feels one should have the right to express views, which at times might be unpopular with our government, she believes that opinion should be civil. “Once you’ve said your peace, unite behind our soldiers in Iraq. America is a great land of very good people and I hate to see subversive and thoughtless, unconscious individuals try to bring down our wonderful country. What is important is to look closely at who is doing the complaining – and why!”

A seemingly-perpetual voice of inspiration to countless others, Linda reasons that life is a constant struggle between the forces of good and evil: “You have to stay focused and remain firmly on the road to your dreams. There are too many people who deliberately attempt to push us off that road to our dreams. Others, those jealous and envious are always around you. They don’t have it. They would rejoice in seeing you fail than succeed. So, go with your first impressions, your inner feelings.” Linda feels that this is true for everyone. “Do not be afraid to cut the negative cancers out of your lives. Doing so will actually save your life!”

George Bernard, the author of this article, which he graciously consented to update, and which originally appeared in Almanac Publications, is an internationally-acclaimed journalist-investigative reporter and noted author. He has penned two top tomes: “Inside The National Enquirer/Confessions Of An Undercover Reporter” and “Moment Of The Predator.” The latter book, written in 1980, accurately predicted the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. Bernard’s provocative literary pieces have also appeared in PEOPLE, GQ, STAR, nationally in 56 newspapers, wire service dispatches, and countless international publications.