Halloween Web - Lady M

Today we're talking to the mistress of the Haunted Parlor, Lady M.

 

Welcome and please introduce yourself to the readers.

Back in 2011, I began the blog Lady M’s Haunted Parlor as a way to connect with other haunters online.  My content revolves around Halloween shopping, crafts, parties, decorating, events, music, and bizarre news stories.  I have been a Countdown to Halloween participant since 2014, and usually focus on wacky events that take place in Manitou Springs Colorado, my place of residence.  We have the Skeleton Craze, Emma Crawford Coffin Races, Ghost Tours and Emma’s Wake to name a few.  I love to dress up, decorate my home and partake of the holiday season with abandon.  Creating a beautiful witch cabinet and a homemade graveyard are my passions.

Halloween Web - Halloween is Forever in 3D

 The Halloween is Forever podcast crew interviews continue with the third, and final, member of the crew. Now that I think about it, I should have posted Meg's interview last so she could be the final girl.

Please introduce yourself to the readers.

I’m Steve 1/3rd of the Halloween is Forever Podcast. I also host a craft beer podcast called Hop Nation USA where I met my Halloween is Forever co-hosts Meg and Brian. I’m an audio, video, and writing freelancer by trade. It’s possible you’ve listened to a podcast or seen an ad I’ve edited.

What was Halloween like for you as a kid?

Growing up in the rural outskirts of Pittsburgh, neighbors’ houses were real trudges to get to. Not to sound like an old cliche, but there were a lot of uphill climbs or my mom would drive me around. A lot of the time we’d wind up Trick or Treating at malls or in the nicer suburb my grandparents lived in. More houses, bigger candy bars.

Do you have any standout memories?

One year my grandparents took me to a haunted house that was way too much for me at the time. I was only 9 or 10 probably and it was full of dismembered bodies and every monster I can think of. It actually was a few mini houses including walking through a crashed school bus with people in the seats who’d jump at you. It was called Phantoms of the Park, but is now defunct. The Hundred Acres Manor opened where it used to be.

What about favorite costumes?

I had a pretty sick Donatello costume in the 90s, ninja turtle not the artist. In my 20s I learned to incorporate drinking into my costumes. One year I went as a Dr. Krieger from Archer and carried a jar that looked like a science experiment gone wrong. It was really spiked apple cider, some other fruit and food dye.  

How do you celebrate these days?

I’m pretty low key now, but a friend usually throws a pretty big Halloween party which is fun to go.

Do you have any yearly rituals?

I’m horror movies and heavy metal 365, so it’s hard to develop those rituals when it could also be Tuesday. I do recall seeing GWAR one Halloween; that was pretty special. Warm apple cider and the occasional pumpkin beer are probably the only things I reserve for spooky season. 

What is it about Halloween that sticks with us after childhood?

It’s much more of a “let loose” holiday than Thanksgiving and Christmas. The other two people will overeat and drink too much, but a lot of it is coping with family and holiday stress. Halloween there is no cope. It’s all fun for the sake of fun, so you get to overeat, over drink, play out your fantasies of characters you wish you could be. You can be generous in giving out candy with zero expectation of return. You can ignore the things we’re really supposed to be afraid of for some cheap thrills from ghosts and monsters.

Inside the Spookster's Studio

The worst thing to get while trick or treating was anything not candy.

My favorite thing to get was Nerds, Mallo Cups or 5th Avenue bars. I think those last two are really regional candy too. I don’t know I’ve ever seen them outside of PA.

My favorite monster cereal is Count Chocula

Where can people find you online?

You can find Halloween is Forever on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok. The show is available on podcast available on iTunes, Podbean, and anywhere else you find podcasts. New episodes every Monday.

Again, a monster-sized thanks to the Halloween is Forever crew for taking part in this year's interviews. Give their show a listen, it's a really fun time!

Be sure to click below to see all the Countdown Cryptkeepers!

Halloween Web - Halloween is Forever - The Sequel

 As promised, we're continuing our chats with the hosts of the Halloween is Forever podcast. Coming at you today, guns blazing, is Meg.

Thanks for joining us! Please introduce yourself.

My name is Megan Seastedt. I work in the beer industry currently as Production Manager at North Country Brewing Company. I've worked in the beer industry since 2010 under various production related roles. I'm currently the co-host of Halloween is Forever podcast along with the rad dudes - Brian and Steve. It's been an incredibly cool outlet to explore my love of horror. In the past, I owned and operated a heavy metal and craft beer festival called Brewtal Beer Festival that may be be in the works to come back next year with some new surprises in store.

Halloween Web - Halloween is Forever Part 1

 We're shaking up the schedule this week to fit in three....three interviews! AH! AH! AH!

This week we're talking Halloween with the folks behind the Halloween is Forever podcast. They mostly talk horror flicks/shows with a side of snacks and adult beverages. They could call the show Brews & Boos!

Anyway, on to our first subject, Brian.

Please tell the folks about yourself.

My name is Brian Reed and I’m 1/3 of the Halloween Is Forever Podcast—you can find us on any major podcast platform. I’m also 1 of 19 Master Cicerones globally—which is the beer equivalent of a Master Sommelier. Meg, Steve and I all work and are active in the craft beer community, so beer is a common topic on our show as well.

Hallowen Web - Author Jason Young

  Let's give a warm welcome to our friendly neighbor Jason Young, author of An Old School Halloween.

Thanks for joining us. Can you tell folks about your new book?

'An Old School Halloween' is my second book. My first book "The Wonderful Artwork of Wax Wrappers" enjoyed 4 print runs, all selling out. This is a 200 page full color look back at those old Ben Cooper costumes we all remember and love. For the book, I was lucky enough to interview Frank Romano, the original Art Director for Ben Cooper. The book has been featured in magazines like Toy Ventures and HorrorHound as well as an upcoming issue of RetroFan. It's also been featured on some great websites like 13th Dimension, some blogs, and I appeared on a podcast titled Fire & Water. I'm currently working on my 3rd book, which I'm not ready to share quite yet - but stay tuned at my Facebook Page "Oldtimes Digest".

Halloween Web - Queen of Wands

Todays Halloween Web interview is with an actual wand maker!

 

 

Welcome, please introduce yourself.

 

I'm Jeannie Seidel, an Assemblage Artist in Philadelphia who designs and handcrafts magical wands. 50 - 75% of each wand is fabricated from reclaimed materials like vintage jewelry, salvaged buckles + curtain finials, found objects and antique industrial bobbins. I just launched my Halloween pop-up shop on September 13, called Witchy Wands Emporium! If you join my email list I'll send you a coupon code for 13% off your wand purchase!

 

 Do you have any special Halloween memories?

My favorite Halloween memory is when I was 13, my best friend would NOT tell me ANYTHING about her Halloween costume.  When she got to my house, she was WRAPPED with white medical gauze, literally from head to toe and she was the most AMAZING Mummy I had ever seen!  I could not believe her mom spent pretty much ALL day wrapping her up.  I wish I had a photo.  It was quite a sight and really kinda funny!  

What about favorite costumes?

My favorite homemade costume was back in 2010, I went as Lady Gaga.  I took an old black dress and embellished it with mirror tiles and I created this silver foiled 3D piece that I attached to the dress.  It held up REALLY well for a night out. (see above)

Do you have any yearly rituals to get into the spirit?

Usually on Halloween we go to my sister's party.  She has some really creative decorations and everyone dresses up!  2 years ago my husband dressed up as Limu Emu and Doug - hilarious! (Ed. - LOVE this!) Sometimes I'll bring a pumpkin I decorated (see below) or I'll make a fun Halloween themed dessert to bring.

 

What about favorite places to go or things to do?

My FAVORITE place to visit every October is Laurel Hill Cemetery in the East Falls section of Philly. It is literally 1 mile from our home.  It's an historic cemetery and they do all kinds of spooky events!  The atmosphere is amazing because there are these HUGE stone mausoleums all over the cemetery and I believe the cemetery was planned and designed by architects over 100 years ago. From flashlight tours with stories about those buried there to Halloween movies and a Halloween craft fair, they have so many festive events.  This year they're hosting a spooky jazz night!  Some of these events include a firepit, spider cider and gingersnaps or candy afterwards. Check out their website for this year's events!

 

 

What is it about Halloween that's so special to you?

 

For me, Halloween was that 1 night every year where I could be whoever or whatever I wanted to be!  I often made my own costumes, sometimes I still do (see witch hat below that I made from Duck Tape). I love the creativity and the spooky ghost stories. And watching the trees turn color is the most magical thing nature does all year long! Halloween is a reminder that there are mysterious things in life - i.e. ghosts, etc. - that maybe we can't always explain, and isn't it fun to celebrate those things every year and ponder them and totally just be kids again! 

 

Inside the Spookster's Studio

 

The worst thing to get while trick or treating was Mary Janes -- eeeeeewwww!
My favorite thing to get was full size Butterfinger candy bar.
My favorite monster cereal is Boo Berry! 

Where can people find you online?

My Halloween pop-up shop (runs till October 13), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Jeannie, thanks for joining us!

Thank you for inviting me to participate!  This was a ton of FUN!

 

Click below to hit the Countdown site with a list of all the participants this year!

Halloween Web - Señor Scary

 We're kicking off this year's Halloween Web interviews with Señor Scary, aka Jerry, who designed the Countdown to Halloween blog banner and badges for this year!

 

You can also find last year's interview with your other host, Naila Moon/Michelle. I swear I interviewed myself (I'm weird like that) but for the unlife of me, I can't find it!

Let's meet Señor Scary!

Hola, my name is Jerry Robredo and I run a website called SenorScary.com. This is a personal collection of my Halloween work, photos of my award-winning home haunt, Halloween village, recipes, books, and everything I do to celebrate the darkest night of the year. By day, I’m a graphic designer at a college in Northern California and enjoy every minute of working with students.

Halloween Web - Dann

We're wrapping up the 2020 Halloween Web interviews with a member of the DinoDrac community.

Hi, please introduce yourself for the readers.

I’m Dann, I’ve been following X-E/Dinosaur Dracula since Fall 2000, so this marks 20 years with the community. I have a million sites, but starting last year I began a daily countdown storyline featuring two skeletons and a lot of chaos. The landing page is Dannarchy.

What was Halloween like for you as a kid?

Halloween as a child was, like anything else, a more grandiose experience that stretched from the preparation at school, to the costume parades, parties, and finally trick or treating. Our neighborhood wasn’t ideal for door to door, but I ended up traveling to a friend’s house who lived in a network of interwoven streets that let us travel for hours. Also being in the New England area of the US, there’s a lot of ingrained lore going back to colonial times that add a bit of of the paranormal to everyday life.

 Do you have any special Halloween memories that stand out?

My best memory growing up was with my school’s ‘haunted house’. It wasn’t anything fancy, just a sectioned off area of the school with the lights dimmed and a few stations you could visit to feel peeled grapes and half-cooked spaghetti, or see some giant owl creature. But near the fire exit, there was a coffin with a real person in it. I was small, so I had to be lifted up to see her. She remained deathly still until her eyes opened and she started reaching for me. No jump scare, just the realization that she was aware of my presence and wanted to get me. I kicked my dad so hard, it’s a wonder I had younger siblings. I ran through the paper streamers into the lobby.

 How do you celebrate the holiday today?

Nowadays, I try to live through the kids and rekindle the magic. It think it’s common around age 12 or so to lose it, and have a difficult time finding the proper ‘scare’ from the season. Now I find joy in the décor shopping and seeing what places like Target offer each year.

 Do you have any annual rituals to get you in the spirit?

My only rituals are to try to visit the pumpkin farms, hit up a haunted walkthrough, and then try new 

things. Sometimes the key element to the season is something I hadn’t yet considered when it began. 

What about favorite music for the season?

October Rust by Type O Negative is a good one to set the mood, but I tend to associate Christmas more so with a soundtrack. I don’t get into spooky music all that much.

 What is it about Halloween that sticks with us as adults?

I think the magic of Halloween is allowing the macabre and darker side out, but in a completely benign and fun way. It isn’t the purge, we just want to feel a little unease for a while before life returns to normal.

Inside the Spookster's Studio

 

The worst thing to get while trick or treating were Sugar Daddies. My parents were sticklers for sugary things that stick to teeth, and I didn’t care for them anyway.

My favorite thing to get was Peanutbutter Cups

My favorite monster cereal is n/a (Never had them growing up)

Where can folks find you online?

 

I try to stay active on Instagram (@gosh.zilla) September - December for the holidays.

Again, a huge thanks to Dann and all the Halloween Web participants this year. I always enjoy hearing people's Halloween memories and I'm happy to get to expose these people to a new audience.

Click the image below to see all the participating Countdown bloggers! 

 

Halloween Web - BonfireDances

 Reader beware! You're in for a scare!

Welcome! Please introduce yourself.

My name is Teagan. I’m 23 years old and have loved Halloween as long as I’ve been old enough to store memories in my head. My nana was the first to really get me into Halloween, she would take me to our local craft store and let me pick out anything Halloween I wanted to take home. My dad was another big influence, and introduced me to many classic horror movies.

I love Salem, Massachusetts and Halloween so much that I’m actually getting married in Salem on Halloween of 2020!

I’m really thankful for Instagram (@bonfiredances) because it has allowed me to meet so many people that are share the same love of Halloween as I do as well as share my Halloween experiences with other people! 

What was Halloween like for you as a kid?

Like I said, my nana and my dad were two of my biggest influences for Halloween enthusiasts.  
However, growing up in my childhood home, I can still vividly picture all of my old Halloween decorations that I had. We had the “scariest” porch in the whole neighborhood with motion activated ghouls and hanging ghosts. I lived in a huge subdivision so trick or treating was magical.The majority of the houses went all out with decorating and there was just a serious magic in the air every Halloween night. 

Do you have any special Halloween memories?

My most fond Halloween memory was probably shared with my nana when I was really young. She would drive me around our town just to look at Halloween decorations.

My most recent memory was Halloween in Salem of 2019. It’s an experience that you really can’t put into words unless you’ve experienced it for yourself. It’s shoulder to shoulder with people but everyone is friendly and having a great time. The most ELABORATE costumes you could ever imagine. Halloween in Salem is the most radical Halloween experience. 

What about favorite costumes?

My favorite Halloween costume is probably either my May Queen from Midsommar and my fiancé was Paimon from Hereditary or when we were the Goosebumps haunted masks characters!

How do you celebrate the holiday today?

We now have an annual tradition of visiting sleepy hollow for a night and then driving the rest of the way to Salem for Halloween! It’s the best Halloween vacation ever!

Do you have any yearly traditions that help you celebrate?

Yes, actually. The day of Halloween I listen to This is Halloween from the Nightmare Before Christmas as soon as I first get into my car for the day and then People are Strange by The Doors immediately after. It’s just a tradition that seems small, but is significant to me. My little brother who is 14 now and I carve pumpkins the night before Halloween every year! Now that we leave for Sleepy Hollow/Salem every year, we’ve been doing it the night before we leave for vacation. 

What is it about Halloween that sticks with us after childhood?

I think it’s that fond childlike high that everyone searches for as they grow into an adult. It’s the one night of the year where I, and many others, feel normal. My fiancé and I leave our Halloween decorations up year round, we watch horror movies every single night, Halloween for us isn’t just a holiday, it’s a lifestyle. 

 

Inside the Spookster's Studio

The worst thing to get while trick or treating was a toothbrush! Fun suckers!

My favorite thing to get was Reese’s pumpkins! 

My favorite monster cereal is Count Chocula!

Where can people find you online?

I’m @bonfiredances on Instagram! Spooky content year round!

Thanks to Teagan for joining us today. I wish her the best on her upcoming wedding.

Click the image below to see all the participating Countdown bloggers!

Halloween Web - The Spooky King

Our final artist of the week goes by The Spooky King!

 

 Thanks for coming. Please introduce yourself.

Hey! I'm Ryan Caskey aka The Spooky King on social media. I'm an illustrator & designer specializing in all things Halloween and spooky! You can find my illustrations in books like Visions From the Upside Down: A Stranger Things Artbook and Ghostbusters: Artbook. Most of my time is spent writing and illustrating horror comics, designing t-shirts, and working on my tarot deck project.

What was Halloween like for you as a kid?

I grew up in Dayton, Ohio. There were always those couple of houses on the block that went all out for Halloween every year, decorating with skeletons and lights and fog machines. All the kids couldn't wait until Halloween night to stop by those houses. There were also a lot of Halloween attractions nearby like haunted houses and hayrides that I would beg my parents to take me to. Halloween is very nostalgic for me because it was always the most exciting time of the year, and there was never a lack of fun (and spooky) things to do.

Do you have any special Halloween memories?

Trick-or-treating was always a blast, but I remember one year that I held my own "haunted driveway" in lieu of getting candy. I was always more interested in dressing up and scaring people than eating candy anyway. I played my favorite Halloween mixtape out of my parents' car with the windows down, posted my small strobe light up in a tree, and hung all kinds of spiderwebs and drapery around the front porch where my brother was handing out candy. People would come to get their candy and I would jump out from behind a tree with my Freddy Krueger mask and claws equipped. 

 

 

 What about favorite costumes?

My favorite as a kid was my Leatherface costume I wore when I was about 9, but I don't have any photos. I did make a DIY Babadook costume in college that I was pretty proud of, which I do have a photo of!

How do you celebrate Halloween these days?

I celebrate Halloween every day. I thought at one point, why wait until October to have all the fun? Now, if I'm not drawing pumpkins & ghosts or writing a scary story, I'm watching horror movies and buying masks on the internet, haha. It's a great way to live!

Do you have any yearly rituals to help celebrate?

I have a few movies I watch every year like Hocus Pocus and Trick 'R Treat. I find myself listening to a lot of Tom Waits as well. One of my favorite places to visit around this time is a Halloween store by my hometown called Foy's. They are open year-round and always make Halloween time a spectacle. That was like my wonderland as a child.

 

What is it about Halloween that sticks with us as we get older?

I think a big part of it is nostalgia. Another part is fear. I think we embrace and make light of things that are scary to us like death, spiders, etc. and it's fun to be both surrounded by and become things that are scary while knowing that it's actually harmless. Maybe it's for the adrenaline, or maybe it's because it's our way of facing it. Also the weather is nice.

Inside the Spookster's Studio

The worst thing to get while trick or treating was peanuts.

My favorite thing to get was gummies!

My favorite monster cereal is Count Chocula.

Where can people find you online?

You can find my art by following me on Instagram @thespookyking or at www.thespookyking.com!

Thanks to Ryan for dropping in and rounding out artist week!

Click the image below to see all the participating Countdown bloggers!

Halloween Web - Gentlemen Bats

 Today we're joined by a local (to me) Salem artist who has a talent for majestic animal portraits.

Tell the readers about yourself.

Hi I'm Nick Demakes I'm an artist and I paint with coffee and acrylic paint . I've always been influenced  by horror or weird things. I'm from the Salem Massachusetts area and always loved Halloween. I paint bats in Victorian suits, almost like family portraits and sell them in Salem mostly.

What was Halloween like for you as a kid?

When I was I kid I loved to dress up at Halloween. I think my first costume was Bugs Bunny this was before I saw the Batman costume and I was set to be Batman next Halloween. We only had one pumpkin light up for Halloween and I always wanted more. It wasn't til Nightmare before Christmas that we had a Halloween tree and lights and more light up characters. We would play a Halloween record outside the door and would open the door when the Dracula on the record would say come in.

Do you have any favorite costumes?

My favorite costume was always Batman from a kid to the 80's when the movie came out to now I still dress up as Batman for Comic Cons. Lately I've been the Gentlemen Bat, like a living model for my bat company. I'm dressed as the Gentlemen Bat around Salem for the past few years and even got him in the new Hubie Halloween Movie on Netflix this October, hopefully I'm not on the cutting room floor but I was an extra in the movie filmed here in Salem and they rented my vending table of art too. 

 

Note: This interview was done before the movie was released. You can catch a glimpse of the Bat in this scene to the left of the mayor.

 

 How do you celebrate today?

During the world as we know it now I would love to walk around as the Bat to enjoy Salem.

Do you have anything special you do every year to get into the spirit?

During October I always like to revisit the universal Horror movies like Frankenstein and Creature from the Black Lagoon. It's not like I don't see them every day! My house is decorated in Halloween all year except for the Halloween tree that goes up in October and stays up til January next year. I do have a Creature From the Black Lagoon Bathroom that has memorabilia and has been featured on Salem Horror Fest.

 

Why do you still enjoy Halloween as an adult?

I'm a kid at heart and still collect toys and model kits. I've always loved dressing up for Halloween and have never stopped.

 Inside the Spookster's Studio

The worst thing to get while trick or treating was an apple or toothbrush, that sucked!

My favorite thing to get was peanut butter cups.

My favorite Monster Cereal was Frankenberry but I broke out in hives once so I had to stop.

 

 

Where can people find you online?

You can find me online at The Bat Art of Nick Demakes and also on Facebook and Instagram (@GentlemenBats). My art is available at Count Orloks Nightmare Gallery, Vampfangs,and The Witch House Located in Historic Salem. My art is also located in Boutique du Vampyre in New Orleans and The Glass Coffin in Texas.

Thanks to Nick for dropping in! I've seen his art in person in Salem and it really is fun and a little different. Check out his site for more!

Click the image below to see all the participating Countdown bloggers!

Halloween Web - Change the Color Toys

It's artist week for Halloween Web interviews!

Our first one may be someone you recognize...

Thanks for coming by, please tell the folks about yourself.

Hey! I’m Nikki aka @change_the_color_toys on Instagram. I’ve dabbled in many creative avenues over the years - graphic design, gallery work, illustration - but currently becoming increasing obsessed with custom toys. A year ago, I dove headfirst into the toy collecting community and it’s starting to intertwine with my artsy background. I’m currently writing and illustrating a series of children’s books, which I hope to accompany with toys of the characters, much like Wuzzles back in the day. 

How was Halloween for you growing up?

Halloween in Bucks County PA, a suburb about an hour from Philly, was incredible and much like that in the movies. Our development flowed into three or four other large developments of single homes spaced out just enough you could conquer 100 homes or more running lawn to lawn. Only a few houses were “black-outs” unlike today where it seems that’s more popular where we are now. Booooo! (thumbs down boo, not scary boo). The neighborhood crawled with kids of all ages for hours. There was always the Raisin House, although my favorite was the Soda House! By the time we got around to the swankier neighborhood, the homes were larger and the lawns became wider to cross. You get pretty thirsty sprinting from house to house for a few hours, so a lukewarm Acme soda was just the best thing ever. 

Do you have any special Halloween memories?

I was lucky enough to have a whole crew of girlfriends my age all within 2-5 houses from mine but when I was about 4 (the new kid on the block), I hadn’t gathered a trick-or-treatin crew. It was just me and my dad. Our own street was long and by the time we’d gotten to the top, we reached the house on the cross street that had set up a few dummies during the month of October. Obviously we passed the house coming and going and I knew the dummy scarecrow and clown or whatever it was that was set up. So I went up to the door while my dad waited at the street...but it was the ole bait-and-switch. I reached for the candy and one of the damn dummies came alive and scared the crap outta me. I’m pretty sure that was the last house for the night but I had a full bucket anyway, so all good. Now that I’m a “growns-up”, I copied that idea and set myself up as a dummy on our driveway alongside a few real stuffed ones. As a kid, this is cruel, but as an adult it is such a freaking delight to scare munchkins (and some wussy teenagers). 

What about favorite costumes?

I was costumed from less than a year old til a few years after college but as an adult, haven’t dressed up much. I still was dressing up even in High School. Out of our class of about 700 kids, I was one of three dorks who still participated. I don’t think it was even made clear if we were allowed or not. I was Lisa Simpson senior year, of course. My mom stitched almost all our costumes but E.T. as an 8 month old was pretty dope.

How do you celebrate Halloween today?

Our fam decorates the house and we take my daughter trick-or-treating. Nothing crazy compared to the days of bar-hopping in costumes down Main Street in Manayunk back in the day… Nowadays, I usually dress up as a skeleton and stay home to give out candy. My husband takes my daughter around. Did you know you can hang out with your neighbors and drink beer and give out candy while scaring little kids?! And I thought Halloween was great when I was young!

 

 

Do you have any must watch movies or specials for the season?

Movies - yes! Obsessed with Hocus Pocus. My daughter is 7 and even though she’s outgrown Curious George, I still make her watch the Halloween special every year. #guiltypleasure

What is it about Halloween that makes it special?

For a lot of us, I think it is the nostalgia of the magic that is Halloween night (and possibly Mischief Night as well) as a child. Ever go back visit an old school? One of your reactions is probably ‘this is much smaller than I remember!’ As a child, experiences seem more intense and epic so all the fun and terror and thrill during the Halloween season is exponentially penetrating. It’s a visceral holiday as well. Itchy hayrides, sweaty costumes, candy bellyaches. For me, the thrill of running around town with friends in the dark, anonymously, whew - can’t beat it! I mean, I guess this could have been any other night if I wasn’t a nerd.

Inside the Spookster's Studio

The worst thing to get while trick or treating was Laffy taffy.

My favorite thing to get was 100 Grand

My favorite monster cereal is uh, cereal is my jam but never had any monster cereals! Does Lucky Charms count…? Leprechauns are creepy…

A monster-sized thanks to Nikki for chatting with us today. 

Please check her art on Instagram @change_the_color_toys

Click the image below to see all the participating Countdown bloggers!

Halloween Web - The Witchfinder General of Salem

 Today we've got another Salem Halloween fixture, the Witchfinder General himself!

Thanks for taking some time away from your persecutions. Please introduce yourself.

My name is Eric Dwinnells but you may know me better as the one-and-only Witchfinder General of Salem, Massachusetts. This is both a character I perform and my actual title. To the best of my knowledge, I am the only licensed Witchfinder in the world. Each Halloween season (well except this one; thanks COVID!), I patrol the streets of Salem putting suspected witches (aka tourists) on trial. It is a darkly humorous yet mostly historically accurate portrayal of an actual 1692 witchcraft hearing. Yes, I may sentence them to die, but at least they get fun pictures for their Instagram!  

 

Of course with COVID ruining the party this year, times will be awful tough for us street performers which is why I’ve set up a GoFundMe (www.gofundme.com/witchfinder20) to help recoup a little of what I’ll be missing out on this year. But, I’m not asking for money for nothing! I’m currently working on a series of YouTube videos that you’ll be able to find my my channel. In these videos, I’ll be sharing some of the lesser known stories of the Salem Witch Trials and some fun videos about Salem in general. You may also know me as the host of the paranormal/true crime/spooky pop culture podcast, Spooky A S. Or perhaps you’ve seen me singing, acting or telling jokes at theaters and clubs all over New England.

What was Halloween like for you as a kid?

I had pretty much the ideal New England Halloweens growing up. Just like you see in movies or on TV. Lots of kids, lots of foliage, no concern for a child’s safety other than “carry a glow-stick”. I grew up in Ashland, MA. It’s a small town and I lived in a little cul-de-sac so you pretty much knew all the neighbors. There were a group of kids around my age in the neighborhood so we’d all go together. And I ALWAYS insisted we wait until it got dark out. Trick or treating while the sun is up is for punks! Actually, just last year I recorded an episode of my podcast while walking around my old neighborhood talking about trick or treating. That was fun and it was a popular episode.

Do you have any favorite costumes, past or present?

I take Halloween very seriously and to me, they are Halloween Uniforms, not costumes! When I was a kid, I LOVED werewolves. Still do. I was a werewolf for like three years straight. I remember being The Phantom of the Opera in middle school. It sticks out in my mind because I did my own make-up with one of those latex kits so under my phantom mask, my face looked real messed up. Anyway, I wore that costume to a CCD Halloween party. When I took my mask off, the prettiest girl in my grade came up and asked to touch my face! For a shy 12 year old boy, that’s HUGE! 

I still dress up. My day job has a big Halloween party every year and I’ve thrown one or two myself. Some more recent favorites include Captain Spaulding, Macho Man Randy Savage, and Edward Scissorhands. Oh, and I’m not afraid to cross gender lines; I made a pretty good Lizzie Borden!

How do you celebrate Halloween these days?

Well of course A LOT of my Halloween season is taken up entertaining the masses that come to Salem every year and I LOVE being a part of it. It’s literally my favorite thing to do. It’s such a fun atmosphere; there’s no place else like it. Seriously, dear reader, if you love Halloween and you’ve never been to Salem in October, you simply must join us. You know…when there isn’t a world-wide pandemic, I mean. Other than that, I try to take my nieces/nephews on at least one spooky road trip. This year, we’re going to the Cryptozoology Museum in Maine. I usually take them trick or treating too.

Do you have any yearly traditions for the holiday?

I have this VHS tape that my mom started all the way back in 1986. It has various Halloween specials and Halloween-related sitcom episodes on it. Recording in EP mode (Google it, kids) we added to it each year until the late 90’s. I’ve watched it at least once each and every year since 1986. I’ve transferred it over to digital formats, but I still insist on watching the real deal off the VHS. Sure, the picture quality has diminished, but over 30 years later the tape is still totally watchable! My mom has since passed so I think of her when I watch it too. She loved Halloween almost as much as I do.

Inside the Spookster's Studio

The worst thing to get while trick or treating was harassed by older kids! They never took our candy or beat us up or anything, but they’d follow you and scare the crap out of you. I remember getting really freaked out by a teenager dressed as The Grim Reaper one year. He made such an impression on me that I dressed as the GrIm Reaper the very next Halloween. Just like Bruce Wayne, I became that which I feared!!!

My favorite thing to get was peanut-butter cups! Anything chocolate really.

My favorite monster cereal as a kid, was Boo Berry, but it wasn’t a fair contest. Remember, in the 80’s, it was just part of the kid culture that there was definite “boy stuff” and “girl stuff” and god help you if you ever crossed the line. You’d be called “sissy”…or worse! Frankenberry was pink. Pink was “girl stuff” so he never had a shot. These days, I (and perhaps the world) have a much more enlightened view. I’m proud to say I LOVE me some Frankenberry!

Where can folks follow your adventures online?

 

You can follow The Witchfinder on Instagram (@witchfinderofsalem) and you can support by donating to him on GoFundMe. People can check out my podcast by looking for Spooky A S on your podcast streaming service or by going to www.spookyas.com

 

Thanks to Eric for dropping in and sharing his Halloween memories.

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Halloween Web - Brandon Clarke

 I am extremely thrilled to be bringing you today's interview subject. He's a local cosplayer that I frequently see around Salem and have run into at a few comic conventions.

Thanks for joining us, please introduce yourself.

My name is Brandon Clarke, I am also known as Brandon the Shapeshifter. I am mostly known for being a cosplayer. I do characters such as Pennywise, Genie, Maleficent, Captain Cold, Doctor Strange, Green Lantern and several other original costumes. I have been cosplaying since 2010, I also recently took up writing and I am working on a ten book horror novel series called Dark Mysteries of the Paranormal. The first three books are now available on Amazon kindle: The Brave and the Wicked, The Ghost of Kyle Sugarbaker, and The Rainbow Dimension. I strive to be taken seriously as an author where I can inspire people with my work. 

What was Halloween like for you as a child?

I grew up in Boston, MA and as a child I can only think of one time when I dressed up. I was a jester and I remember going to a Halloween party. I  didn't really celebrate Halloween as a child. It wasn't until I became an adult and moved to Salem, MA when I truly came into my own and appreciated the magic of Halloween. To be frank, I feel like you have more fun with Halloween as an adult than as a kid. Living in Salem I have blossomed into the artist I know I was meant to be. I have gotten some overwhelmingly positive reactions for my costumes. I have won many contest and made some great friends. My fondest memories of Halloween were me being in Salem. When I was a kid, my neighborhood didn't really celebrate Halloween like that. I would see Trick or Treaters here and there but it wasn't on the level that Salem is. I wish I grew up in Salem because I think I would have grown into my passion a lot faster. But things happen for a reason and it all worked out for the better.

Do you have any special memories of past Halloweens?

The fondest memory I have is when I dressed up as a genie one year and Pennywise another. With the genie, people kept telling me how gorgeous and unreal I looked. It was a flattering experience. Especially when rugged dudes would approach me and tell me they thought I was really beautiful. It was the form of appreciation that I always longed for. There was this one guy in particular who was quite handsome, stopped in his tracks and stared at me for five minutes straight. His mouth was wide open and he begged for a picture. He even gave me a hug and it felt so nice that I was able to effect him on that level. 

The other fond memory was when I cosplayed as Pennywise. Everyone freaked out and they were sincerely terrified of me. It got to the  point where one guy got so scared he threatened to hurt me. I of course stood my ground because I told him to calm his scary ass down, its just a costume. Its not real. But for some reason he had a massive reaction. Then I remember making a lot of children cry and I mean ALOT. I chased a pair of brothers in Harrison Comics Store. They didn't see where they were going. One slammed right into the wall and the other fell into the book case knocking it over. Their parents was just laughing at them the entire time as these two boys were genuinely crying and fearing for there life. I then chased them out of the store and down the street and the whole time they were screaming at the top of there lungs. These are moments that are worth living. (I whole heartedly agree with this! - Ed.)

You mentioned you weren't as into Halloween when you were younger, so what do you do to celebrate today?

I usually make a big spectacle of it, I make sure I do big elaborate costumes and go to the biggest Halloween parties. I love the Salem Haunted Happenings Festival and I enjoy it very much. I also love watching Horror movies and listening to the Monster Mash. 

What is it about Halloween that stays with us as we get older?

I think the magic and creativity of Halloween makes us love it more and more as we get older. Halloween is a fun holiday where you can be creative and the world of fantasy and make-believe can become reality. Halloween is a playground for people with big imaginations.

Inside the Spookster's Studio

The worst thing I got for trick of treating was raisins.

My favorite thing to get was Kit Kats and Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.

My favorite monster cereal is Count Chocula.

A giant-sized thank you to Brandon for stopping by today. He sent so many amazing photos that I couldn't fit into the interview. Please check him out on Instagram (@BrandonTheShapeshifter) for more fantastic costumes.

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Halloween Web - Sean Keller Part 2

 If you missed Part 1 of Sean's interview where he introduces himself, you can find that in Thursday's post.

What was Halloween like for growing up?

I grew up in suburban Northern Virginia in the late 70s, early 80s and Halloween was the one night I was allowed to stay out late. It was heaven. My favorite day of the year. I would dress up and trick or treat until my pillowcase was too heavy to keep going and then I’d stay up trying to get through Count Gore DeVol’s annual presentation of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.

Do you have any stand out Halloween memories?

After living though 50 of them, they tend to blur together in a candy-corn-colored haze of smiles, fun and debauchery. But I did make the haunted house at my kids school for 9 years in a row and the screams of children (and moms) makes my heart sing.

What about favorite costumes?

As I said earlier, the L.A. horror community is pretty tight and that makes for quite a few costume parties each year (sadly not this year) so I’ve been Rob Zombie, The main ghost from Carnival of Souls, but various incarnations of a suave Devil are my go-to… they are the real me for sure!

How do you celebrate these days?

I’m a Halloween 365 guy, so I’m always ready for a costume party. I love watching movies with friends and cooking up homemade sweets for them to eat.

Do you have any annual rituals to get you in the spirit?

I’m more ritual than man. I go apple picking each year. I write cards. I map out 31 days of themed horror films (this week we’re tackling the Universal Monster sequels). I throw massive parties (missing that ritual this year). I listen to my spooky records and now I put out a spooky record every year, so that has become a tradition in itself! I’ll be carving pumpkins in the graveyard with friends and hosting a lot of watch parties. 

 

What about favorite movies to watch?

 

Halloween day is all about old cartoons & John Carpenter’s HALLOWEEN and I can’t get through the season without HAXAN, The WNUF HALLOWEEN SPECIAL and THE AMERICAN SCREAM.

What do you think it is about Halloween that keeps it in our hearts as we get older?

Nostalgia is a huge part of it. The attempt to remember how Halloween made me feel as a kid keeps me feeling young. There is a joy to the season, but also a real darkness. Halloween marks the coming of winter, and winter is scary. A lot of people don’t make it through the winter and this year in particular that feeling looms. Halloween is a time to reflect on the year and celebrate with friends in order to stave off the coming darkness.  

Inside the Spookster's Studio

The worst thing to get while trick or treating was Mary Janes… or a toothbrush

My favorite thing to get was Butterfingers

My favorite monster cereal is Frankenberry

Where can people find you online? 

 

I'm on Twitter (@_seankeller) and Instagram (@TheSeanKeller).

Franken-thanks to Sean for joining us in the Halloween Web! And be sure to check out his Bandcamp page where you can listen to both volumes of his Killer Sounds of Halloween albums.

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Halloween Web - Sean Keller Part 1

 A last minute surprise to the Halloween Web line up for this year, it's the crazy genius behind the Killer Sounds of Halloween albums, Sean Keller! Part 1 (today) is going to be more music focused and Part 2 (Saturday) will be the traditional Halloween Web interview.

Thanks so much for joining us! Please introduce yourself for the readers.

 

I’m primarily a screenwriter. Most recently I wrote the Blumhouse/Hulu movie ALL THAT WE DESTROY for Chelsea Stardust. I co-wrote Dario Argento’s GIALLO and did work on John Carpenter’s THE WARD. I also place songs in movies regularly including a track in Axelle Carolyn’s upcoming Blumhouse/Amazon film THE MANOR. And when I’m not doing that, I’m acting for friends films, most recently in Graham Denman’s GREENLIGHT.

 

How did the Killer Sounds albums come about?

 

I had been making Halloween mix tapes and CD mixes for friends for years and had hit a wall and started recycling songs from past mixes, so I decided to start recording my own odd takes on some classics – I did TV on the Radio’s “Wolf Like Me" in the style of Love & Rockets and Dolly Parton’s “Drinkenstein” in the style of White Zombie.

And then I wrote an original haunted country song, and it just hit me. A mix tape of fake bands in every Halloweeny style I could imagine and it just sort of snowballed from there. The crucial point was when my fiancé told me that no matter how different the songs styles were, it would still sound like it came from one guy unless I brought in some friends to sing a few of the tracks – and that’s where it became what it is now.

Speaking of friends, how did Amanda Wyss (Tina in the original Nightmare on Elm Street) and other celebrities get involved in the album?

I met Amanda when I was playing Roger in the 1st National tour of RENT. She was good friends with my cast-mate Carrie Hamilton, and we hit it off right away. We’ve been friends for quite a while, but I still felt a little weird asking her to read one of my creepy kid’s poems for the 1st album. But when she said yes and then came in and had a blast recording, I knew I could count on her to kick off the next album. The rest of the “celebs” are friends. I make horror movies and the L.A. horror community is pretty close, so when I find out a friend can sing, I rope them into my lunacy.

 

 What are some of your favorite Halloween albums?

 

I grew up loving Disney’s “Thrilling Chilling Sounds of the Haunted House” and Pickwick’s “Sounds of Terror” and have always been in love with all genres of music, so I love digging for lost classics and discovering new Halloween tracks every year. 

 

What artist(s) were an influence for Killer Sounds?

 

As a bit of a punk, there’s nothing that compares to The Cramps or The Misfits on Halloween and I have tracks in both of those styles on Revenge of the Killer Sounds of Halloween.

In your interview with All Hallow’s Geek, you mentioned the possibility of Killer Sounds 3D. What styles/artists/subjects haven’t you done yet that you’d like to do?

Yeah, I’m definitely going to do a 3rd album and I still haven’t tackled Marylin Manson/Nine Inch Nails-type industrial/goth track. I want to make a My Chemical Romance-style anthem, I’m desperate to create a Jim Steinman/Bonnie Tyler-style mini rock opera about possession. I’d like to try a 60s girl-group “dead Boyfriend” tune. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and I want to cover it all so I can put this concept to bed after 3 albums.

I think I speak for anyone that's heard the Killer Sounds albums when I say we wouldn't mind it going beyond a third installment! Be sure to tune in on Saturday for Part 2 of Sean's interview. While you're waiting, you can check out both Killer Sounds albums on Bandcamp. They're free to stream so try em before you buy em!

 

Honestly though, just buy them, they're a lot of fun!

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