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Local S hrieker
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E n d Community paper
DO YOU know your LOCAL Playhouse ?
Vo l u m e 2 , I s s u e 2 1 , O c t 2 8 , 2 0 1 1 Gutsy Maule marks almost 20 years with MSOPA, helms Halloween production
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Story and photos Bram D. Eisenthal
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So I’m standing in a room-full of actors of various ages, just prior to their rehearsal for an upcoming play, hustling an acting school’s founder and president. I am trying to get her ready for the cover shot I will be taking of her and her niece, one of her youngest actors. “Josa, you’ve got to wear something bright… we’ve got colour covers now. And you must have a skull prop somewhere. This is for the Halloween issue!” I have known Josa Maule for decades now, since we both worked at The Suburban in the late 1980s and she made my life miserable whenever possible. I was an editor and Josa was in sales and, although many papers don’t mix sales and editorial, she didn’t care. “Come on…. write something on MY client,” she’d insist almost every issue. She never, ever took “no” for an answer, so when I heard not long after I left that she was opening the Montreal School of Performing Arts, I knew she’d make it. Question is, as she’s poised to celebrate her 20th year: Why acting school? I know most sales people are inherently actors, because they’re so full of it, but who’s GOT this sort of chutzpah?
Briefly Bram * Briefly Bram *
Shrieking your way for the second consecutive Hallowe en There are several postulations regarding why I love Halloween so much: One, my adoption, the fact my origins are completely obscure, the deepening mystery causing my mind to naturally hallucinate from time to time, conjuring unnatural images; recurring, vivid nightmares I had as a young child, featuring our garage door opening late at night and some particularly nasty, otherworldly creatures dragging me inside and, finally; a fondness I developed for horror literature and cinema very early on. Blame the latter on the West End’s fantabulous Monkland Theatre, where, for a mere buck, I eagerly anticipated the weekly Saturday matinees… two movies and a few cartoons, popcorn and a drink, too. They often showed science-fiction and horror classics and I was in sheer heaven every single time.
hard-working director of Playhouse of the Damned, to pose with one of her key thespians for our cover feature. The spooky romp is ideal for the occasion and I wanted to give her group some well-deserved exposure because, honestly, I should do so much more often. I hope you enjoy this issue on my all-time favourite festival. I suppose someday I will grow out of it and not burden the overly-serious among you with my childish preoccupations. But, as Albert Einstein – certainly not considered a fool – stated, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” When my imagination dies, I think it is likewise time for me to disappear as well. Let our annual Local Shrieker therefore pay tribute to imagination… and so much more.
As a kid, I certainly went trick-or-treating with my parents annually, when that time-honoured practise was still completely safe, dragging home at least 3-4 large Steinberg’s paper bag-loads of candy. Who cared that I wore some cheesy home-made costume, like a ghostly sheet with eye-holes poked into it? It was all about the candy, man. I haven’t gone out this way in many decades and it’s probably a good thing. Both my gut and the neighbourhood would have protested. But the love of Halloween endures. Many of you might think it’s a waste of space to dedicate so much of this paper – we have dubbed it The Local Shrieker for this second consecutive Halloween in honour of Samhain and its history – but for me, it’s a chance to be silly and creative and just have FUN, which, as you get older, seems to be waylaid far too often. But The Local Shrieker is also quite fortunate to have attracted some major creative talent that makes us quite exclusive… pre-eminent, even. Last year, I managed to convince two horror icons, American writer, Vermont Public Radio host and occult researcher Joseph A. Citro and actress Judith O’Dea, who played Barbra in 1968’s seminal zombie film, Night of the Living Dead, to contribute a historic Quebec-based non-fiction tale and a true-to-life spectral reminiscence respectively. And O’Dea had so much fun last time she is back, this time in a Q&A segment. I also asked internationally-renowned horror authors Jack Ketchum and Nancy Kilpatrick to loan me exclusive pieces. Kilpatrick’s contribution has a truly local flavour, because, though American-born, Nancy has been a proud Montrealer for many years. She is goth and writes a LOT of best-selling fiction dealing with vampires, so she’s got a stake in Halloween year-in-and-out. Jack’s one of THE hottest horror scribes around, the author of extremely disturbing fiction such as The Girl Next Door… and, no, I am not referring to the ridiculous adolescent comedy film. Read Jack once and suffer nightmares forevermore. I am VERY proud of the contributions I have managed to attract to this humblest of publications. I also convinced Josa Maule, the impossibly devoted and
*Cannot be combined with any other offer, valid until November 2, 2011
The Local Seeker, West End Montreal Edition Volume 2, Number 21, October 28 2011 Founded by Julia Lucio and Mai-Liis Renaud 2010 Published by Local Seeker Media Group, Cornwall, Ontario The Local Seeker does not accept responsibility for errors, misprints or inaccuracies published within. The opinions and statements of our columnists are not to be presumed as the statements and opinions of The Local Seeker. Managing Editor: Bram Eisenthal
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
Creative Design: Julia Lucio
OCT 28 (pg. 2)
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THE LOCAL SEEKER,
OCT 28 (pg. 3)
Last Call with Sol - Sol Boxenbaum
Renovations of any kind?
The first time I met Pete was on a cold winter night at a doughnut shop on Sherbrooke St. West. Seated at the counter, several stools apart, we got into conversation. He was in his thirties, unemployed, but donating his time and skills to help in a project building homes for the needy in St. Henri. Over the next while, I often ran into him. He appeared to be a well-balanced young man who enjoyed composing songs on his guitar and at one time had envisioned a career in music. He owned a little red truck, which was old but was his pride and joy. He talked about happy memories of trips to Cape Cod with his Dad. He talked about a beautiful apartment that his Mom lived in. When he learned that, by profession, I worked in prevention and treatment of problem gambling he confessed that he used to have a problem with Video Lottery Terminals. He said he hadn’t played them in more than two months. I congratulated him and told him that if the urge to play recurred, he should phone me and we’d meet for coffee instead. He did call me on two occasions, but both times it was after he gambled. He said he hadn’t lost much, but he had played and thought it important that he admit it to me. On one of his visits to my office I loaned him a book that was written by a VLT addict, herself two and a half years into recovery. I told him that we sell this book, but I didn’t want him to buy it. I just wanted him to read it. He phoned the next day to say that he had finished the book but insisted on buying it, so that he could refer back to it in times of need. For a long time after that our paths didn’t cross. Then, about two weeks ago, Pete called me in search of advice. He had sold his little red truck and not reported it on his social assistance statement. They had found out through his bank records and he now feared serious reprisals. I suggested that he contact a legal-aid lawyer and get advice on how to handle the situation. I told him that surely, it would involve little more than repayment of monies that he was not entitled to for that period. The signal that I missed was the fact that he had sold his truck, his prized possession. I left the country several days after that to attend an international conference on Gambling and Risk-Taking. Upon my return to Montreal, while still unwinding from a week of lectures and jet lag, on a hot summer afternoon in the park, the news came to me. Pete, no longer able to cope with the albatross of VLT addiction, had made the ultimate decision: To commit suicide. I never really knew Pete, but I lost a friend this week. In Contrast Manny Gotlieb passed away last week at the age of 90. Manny was the father of my friend Bernard. At his funeral eulogies were read by Bernard and his sister as well as by his grand-children. Their love and devotion to this man was immeasurable. This was a man who only knew how to do for others. He was honoured by the presence of his Canadian Legion comrades, the Black Watch and by representatives of the Cote St. Luc V-Cops for which he had trained successfully only two years ago. I was reminded of the poem The Dash by Linda Ellis, where she points out that the years 1921-2011 are not important. It is the dash between the digits that tell what the person did during those years on earth. God bless Manny Gotlieb. It’s closing time! Sol Boxenbaum (CEO) VIVA CONSULTING (514) 486-6226 (ED. NOTE: I went through V-COP training with Manny and he was the first one to come over and welcome me to the classes. I then met him at the Jewish General Hospital, where he spoke to me about wishing to become a volunteer there…. at 88! This was a seriously humble, selfless and friendly “mensch” and we need far more like him, not less. We will all miss you, Manny.)
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Cover Stor y
The South Shore-raised Maule developed a love for theatre while quite young, in school, church, at the Negro Community Centre and she also participated in summer acting workshops in Brooklyn, New York and with Creation des Enfants. “I always wanted to do my own thing in the arts,” she admitted. “So while still working at The Suburban, I opened the MSOPA in February 1992, continuing my work at the paper until December 1999.” She then rattles off a lengthy mission statement on her beloved MSOPA, which, boiled down considerably, is “a learning institution offering professional training for aspiring actors of all ages. The school is mainly self-financed on student enrolments. We have successfully produced many productions in the last nineteen years which has allowed us to showcase our actors while providing affordable theatre to the community.
community, no small feat for its communityminded founder. “We encourage people to find their voice within a safe and nurturing space where they can explore and realize their dreams. Every student who walks through our doors is considered a member of our organization for life. We aim to inspire our students and audiences, resulting in a positive influence on the Montreal community.”
October or November… and directing is never easy for me because I always seem to take on the biggest challenges. I wear many hats at MSOPA: administrator, sales rep, advertiser, graphic designer, casting director, agent, consultant, producer, business manager, and, of course, psychiatrist (ED. NOTE: I’ve always maintained that you have to be nuts to be an actor).
Meanwhile, merely existing in the community hasn’t always been a piece of cake and Maule has had to deal with the good, bad and ugly of Montreal’s bureaucracy.
“This year’s Halloween play, Playhouse of the Damned, by Richard Nathan, has Gus the Ghoul taking us along on some of Halloween’s scariest, most gruesome stories… but it’s all lots of fun. We are performing nine short ‘playlets’ and one longer, 45-minute play. We have 17 cast members aged 9 – 70something.” And, yes, the youngest is Maule’s niece,
While renting space from the Korean Gospel Church in NDG initially, Maule was shocked to receive a tax bill for three years, without any
Over its 19 years, the MSOPA has mounted over 130 stage productions, an e n v i a b l e number for any acting troupe, anywhere. Getting cast is not a piece of cake, either, but if you have the acting bug, are committed to everything you undertake and want to give it a try, Maule is ready to meet and encourage you anytime.
“MSOPA works tirelessly to promote and assist new artists in various ways. We provide a platform for aspiring playwrights to see their work brought to the stage. We make every effort to include original MSOPA student plays in each of our theatre seasons.” So, in essence, the MSOPA gives many young, local talents their start, aided by the experience and resources of the school and instructors with talents hones from working in the industry. It is also sometimes a feeder for the local film industry and Maule has many contacts among the milieu of casting professionals, both inside and outside of this city. What’s cool – besides the fact she runs MSOPA with NO government assistance whatsoever is that her students hail from all walks of life and not all are necessarily looking for professional stardom. “Many of our actors are committed to the craft, taking every opportunity to develop and hone their skills,” Maule added. “Others simply enjoy the artistic outlet, taking advantage of the variety of classes we have to offer theatre and film enthusiasts. Younger students develop life skills, learning how to think both creatively and independently to use art as a means to conquer fears.” And, even cooler are the older kids. “We have one student who is 88,” Maule stated proudly and with no small amount of reverence. What the MSOPA also fosters is a sense of
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
OCT 28 (pg. 4)
prior notification from either the city or the church. In court, after being told by the female judge that ignorance of the law was no excuse, she threatened to close down. “The Judge looked at me and said ’Miss Maule, you strike me as a very passionate and determined woman. I don’t really see you closing your doors.’ She got that right,” Maule said.” She is currently in the midst of paying off the accrued taxes. “Now that we have been in our current location in St. Henri, with a very humane and understanding landlord, we have received support from various sponsors and advertisers. The sponsors who have been really true blue are QualitiFruits, Chalet BBQ, La Louisiane, Esposito, Hype Energy, Moishe Zucker (My Grandma of New England Coffee Cake), IGA Marche Topetta, Burgundy Lion, Café Marianna, Portugalia and others far too many to mention…. Every little bit counts.” The MSOPA produces a stunning NINE productions a year under the banner Express O Theatre and Maule helms two of them annually. “I usually direct one in February in celebration of Black History Month and then one in either
Just remember her mantra, “Failure is not an option,” and you will be okay. The Montreal School of Performing Arts is located at 975 Rue Notre-Dame W., Montreal H4C 1R2. Tel: (514) 483-5526. Their website is at www.msopa.com. Playhouse of the Damned is being performed Saturday, Oct. 29 and Sunday Oct. 30 at 8:00 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are just $10 and include coffee and cake. Purchase tickets at the door (seating for this small venue is extremely limited) or reserve by calling 514-483-5526.
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Read On! - Andreas Kessaris
“Better than Numerology”
Astrology
or
I was dusting my bookcase the other day when I came upon a ratty, worn-out dilapidated edition; a faded blue hardcover easily distinguishable from the other titles in my collection. I pulled it off the top shelf and examined it carefully for the first time in years. The book, Self Mastery and Fate with the Cycles of Life by H. Spencer Lewis, F.R.C., and Ph.D., (who apparently is the “former Imperator of the Rosicrucian Order for North and South America” whatever that is), claims to contain a system that is “better than astrology and numerology”. I could tell by an old sticker inside the front cover that it was purchased decades ago at the Aquarian Book Centre on 26 Van Der Merwe Street in Johannesburg, South Africa. The only thing stranger than the book is the story of how it came to be in my possession. A few years ago during a visit with my father, he gave me a manila envelope containing the book, sent to him a few weeks earlier by his ailing brother Kosta, who had since died. Dad told me that he sent it to him with specific instructions it be given to me, which I found odd because I had never met, spoken to, or even corresponded with Kosta. Most of my life my ne’er-dowell uncle lived abroad surviving off get-rich-quick schemes and gambling. The diminutive, slick and charismatic carpetbagger first sought his fortune in Brazil, but after that failed he moved to South Africa at the pinnacle of Apartheid, without much luck. My father explained that Kosta always wanted to meet me because he was a firm believer in astrology and numerology and I was the only relative he had that shared the same astrological sign (Aquarius, which was probably what attracted him to the aforementioned store) and apparently we had some other kind of numerological connection as well. So my uncle Kosta died broke, childless, penniless and alone in Greece, and the object which he held most dear, the philosophy by which he lived his life, was left to me, a nephew he never really known. I can’t help but feel a little flattered, as well as a little guilty for not even reading the book, and just shoving it on my shelf. So there I stood, with the crumbling book in my hand, thinking I should at least take a look inside. Then I had an eerie feeling come over me; an irrational fear that if I read the book I might fall under its spell and practice its teachings, and something horrific would happen to me (kind of like that movie The Ring). So I gently placed it back on the shelf and continued my dusting, lest I suffer the same fate as my uncle. Read on! www.essaysbyandreas.com ED. NOTE: The Rosicrucian order is similar to the Knights Templar and the Freemasons, a secret society of noble intent.
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THE LOCAL SEEKER,
OCT 28 (pg. 5)
Kith
Starring at our
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You’ve waited all year:
The Shrieker’s Exclusive Haunted Halloween literary Section GRAVEYARD GHOULASH by Braam Bones
Leon Mahrs leaned against a headstone, pondered life and wondered if this was all there was. There has to be something else. Things have become far too routine, he thought. He enjoyed nature, its scents, colors…. the trees, birds, squirrels and red foxes that made Pleasant Valley Cemetery their home. Life, in all its glory. But why did he love cemeteries so much? He’d been to many in his day. While some people found them ghastly places, spurred on, no doubt, by the filmmakers who produced rubbish about the horrors found at these hallowed spots, he felt the opposite. Leon thought they were peaceful. Perhaps that’s why he was here so often, why the memories came back in droves. He recalled a conversation he once had here with his good friend Barry.They were strolling between the gravestones on their way to a funeral service and Leon blurted out “It’s too bad they don’t bury people in alphabetical order.” Barry had replied “They don’t die alphabetically, I guess.” That was a good point, he had to admit. He wished they did in fact die alphabetically, though. It would be so much easier to find family, old friends…. then again, the name Mahrs being in the middle of the alphabet meant your time would be up much sooner than Dave Sanders’s. So, maybe it WAS better this way. Barry was gone now. Many of his old friends were. Maybe that’s why he was here so often, to visit the beloved dead who were such an important part of his life “back in the day.” He thought that maybe he should take a walk over to the town center and visit some of the shops he liked, say hello to the staff that enjoyed his conversations. When you’re a popular columnist for the local paper, you seemed to bring the best out in people.They always had opinions. So, it might be fun to go over and say hi, have a coffee, hang out a while. He decided against it. Things had gotten very violent lately, totally out of control, and you never knew when you’d be attacked by a gang of thugs. It was getting darker, Leon noticed suddenly, his mind roused from its mental meanderings. Damn, I promised Claire and the kids I’d pick up some supper. I completely forgot. Then he heard the sound of footsteps crashing through the underbrush of the forested area nearby. He saw dim shapes approaching and realized they were coming for him. He stood erect and prepared himself for the onslaught. He may be a bit older, but he remembered a thing or two about fighting that he’d learned as a mercenary. Bring it on! The ensuing brawl was messy, to say the least, far from a fair contest. Limbs were broken, veins opened, blood and guts everywhere. When it was over and anyone left standing had shambled off into the night, a shadowy figure was left carrying the bag, literally. He dragged a large sack behind him, oozing thick fluids, and went up to the mausoleum. M-A-H-R-S, read the lettering atop the structure’s polished gray facade. Leon heard the moaning and scratching of his wife and family inside, eagerly anticipating the evening’s supply of fresh human meat. There were benefits to their being zombies.They rarely complained about the food he brought home, anymore. (Graveyard Ghoulash - Copyright 2007) Montreal writer Braam Bones makes his Local Shrieker debut this issue. Fiction under another nomme de plum has been published in other periodicals. His 2005 chapbook, Hard Night, was published by Georgia’s Biting Dog Publications as a sold-out limited edition illustrated by Keith Minnion. The character of Barry in this story is based upon a real life person and an actual conversation was the impetus for this tale.
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
OCT 28 (pg. 6)
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K C I S K C I S K C I SICK - S
by Nancy Kilpatrick “…and you being sick and all. I told you to let me drive! But no…” Her voice pierced his skull. The sound ricocheted around his brain like something sharp and shiny, cutting, slicing, dividing; he had a vague memory of flashing silver. But more sounds were coming out of her, distracting him, sounds he couldn’t make sense of. He struggled hard to concentrate. Memories burst open, white-light flashes. Sick. He was sick. Had been sick. Was? Had been? He didn’t know. A face, round, fatty, funny-looking. With effort he remembered Doctor Somebody or Other at the clinic-- “You passed the mall! Stupid!” Another violent sound! Inside his ears he felt a painful quiver. He turned to see where the sound came from. Someone sitting next to him in this space…this car… He knew it was a car. His car. She turned towards him and her face, so full, so…succulent… He opened his mouth and sound came out that to his ears was, “aaaaha.” “What’s the matter with you? Turn around!” she snapped. “Go back.” His head swiveled away from her, away from the sounds. Suddenly, things. Coming at him. Fast. Then he noticed something round and two pale things on each side of it. Hands. He knew they were hands. A flash of light. His hands, skeletal. He had been sick. Off work. No more work. No more factory— “Turn! You’re gonna get us killed!” Stabbing! The car spun and they headed somewhere else and now things were not coming at him but he was chasing after things. Cars? He knew that. Why did he keep forgetting? He was sick. A fever… “Stop!” The pulsing shriek chopped into his brain. Cleavers. Sharp wide blades struck here, there, hurting him. He remembered now. They had always hurt him. Always. “aaaaaaahhhhhhhhaaaaa.” What he said and what it sounded like and what did he mean? He forgot. “…shopping, so you wait here for me!” As he watched the form move away from him, something shifted. Soon he trailed her, focused on her, all parts. What he saw before him spoke of need. Hunger. His. He accepted that now. Finally, something made sense! She looked juicy. Tasty. Tantalizing. But he did not want to be tantalized. He wanted food. Everything in him demanded food. Eat or die. She went through a door into a room and he followed and then followed again as she went into one of the small cubicles but that door hadn’t closed fully when he went in after her. Shrieking. Knives. White light flash of kitchen knives slicing meat. Red. Raw. Bloody. All he wanted was the lips. Tasting them, sucking on them stopped the knives. And the hunger. And all the while he thought: ‘sick.’
, many novels s published thologies. a h e h S e. n o an out o is story is ab nd Evolve Tw n. Check out mbies and th g the popular Evolve a ee zo t w u llo o a b a H g ve tin lo Evolve site: gies, includin d they both trick likes wri Nancy Kilpa and has edited antholo l with her cat Fedex an com and also the k. ea es ic tr ri on lpatr short sto She lives in M er website: nancyki lve.com h vampires-evo
But he didn’t feel sick. Not any more.
MY FAVORITE H ALLOWEEN ST by Jack Ketchum ORY When Halloween 1970 rolled around four years old and still very much a hi I was twentypp with my friend Jo hn Wexo in sunn ie and crashing y Laguna Beach, California (Remem ber crashing?). I have notes on this so the notion that wha it’s easy to recall. That night I got order of things tr t we should do was to reverse the ick and I went out an -or-treat-wise. So Paula and John d bought fresh-cut flo mixed nuts and bagg ed the nuts in plastic wers and salted thin-cut strips of -wrap along with ty which we’d writte ped paper (remember typing?) on n quotes from C Hoffman and Mark am Twain and a bunch us and Abbie Myself included. Sort of a home-m of other people. ade fortune-cookie type thing. Then we put on m as went door-to-door ks -- mine was a da-glo skeleton -- an d handing out the flo wers and the nuts. Wouldn’t accept a thing.
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
OCT 28 (pg. 7)
We pretty much up se John is six-two an t everybody one way or another. d that sure didn’t mostly we upset th help any. But em by the time we left in good ways. Most were smiling and some even seem the gesture. One old woman, whose ed touched by closed the door on hu us when we first to sband almost there to give hi m something, ac ld him we were tual Teenagers goofed on the whole thin ly blessed us. g. seemed really scar ed. And he was bigg Only one guy er than John. But the best thing w answered the door as that on three occasions children , truly astounded by this weird adul departure from th t e eyes went wide as rules and delighted by it. One boy’s we handed him his said thank you, all flower and when he th closed the door, th ree of us had the feeling that as he at That he’d remembe little fella was thinking about it. Har d. r it. We went home an d dr the Song of the Hum ank hot hard cider and listened to pbacked Whale. Haunting.
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Travelogue of Terror
Scare off some spooks this Hallowe’en more inhibited. On Hallowe’en, we can allow ourselves to be more daring and everyone forgets about it the next day.” So, don’t be too shy about the Bill Clinton mask you wore many years ago, or the revealing Jay-Lo dress that’s still in your closet. You haven’t broken any laws, unless bad taste is illegal.
by Bram D. Eisenthal
It’s ‘boo time’ again, that season where the child in us is reawakened once more, or when lifelong memories are etched on the hearts and minds of our own children. Hallowe’en is indeed a magical time, whether because we get to play dress-up, take our kids throughout the neighborhood to meet our most generous, or frugal, town-mates, or experience the most delightful sugar rush and not have to make any excuses for it. And if you’re a merchant selling costumes, cards, candles or creepy cinema, it’s ‘boom time’. Really, who doesn’t look forward to All Hallow’s Eve? The modern celebration of Hallowe’en is light, fun fare, certainly in North America. But to truly appreciate the significance of the day, you have to go way back, to an archaic era when nothing was light and very little was done “just for the fun of it.” Ritual was everything during this pagan time, however, it’s hard to determine exactly when that time was. “Much of the history of that period is oral, so it’s hard to substantiate a time line,” said Arin Murphy, the onetime assistant manager of Melange Magique (Magical Blend), a popular downtown Montreal bookstore devoted to the native spirituality of the British Isles. It is here that many members of the media congregate at Hallowe’en, seeking information on the holiday’s origins and true meaning and fodder for their stories. “Our modern Hallowe’en practices, such as dressing up and carving Jack O’ Lanterns, originate from the folk practices of the Celts, but also come from Ireland and the British Isles,” added Murphy. “Evil spirits afoot that night would recognize a Jack O’ Lantern as one of their own, for instance, and would not attack a home that had them (root vegetables, like turnips, were most frequently used back then). People would also leave candles in their windows, to light the way home for the (deceased) members of their family.” For the Celtic people, the festival of Samhain (pronounced sah-win) also signified the beginning of winter. “Samhain is actually the Celtic word for the month of November,” said Murphy. “In modern pagan terms, it signifies the death of summer, when the god and goddess descend to the Otherworld.” The honoring of ancestors plays a major part in ritual today. “Additionally, you come to terms with what happened the previous year, forgive and forget. But the emphasis is also on education, seasonal and life cycles, and, of course, having fun.” Murphy pointed out that the dress-up part is a great way of unwinding. “As we get older, we become
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
OCT 28 (pg. 8)
Most of us are content with celebrating Hallowe’en by merely trick or treating, or curling up on the couch to screen one horror movie after another while munching on bite-sized chocolate bars. For others, however, the living as well as the dead, this marks a major period of celebration. The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, honors the spirits of dead ancestors, in places like Mexico and certain parts of the U.S. Death personified is visible everywhere and the plethora of skull-like art, masks called “calacas” and figures, is more interesting and celebratory than gruesome. Throughout North America, Hallowe’en events abound. In Ontario, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s reputedly haunted Fort George packs ‘em in this usually chilly time of year. A guide takes the group around the site after dark, by lantern-light, and some real chills can be experienced if you are open to the possibility that maybe, just maybe, something exists on the “other side.” The two-hour Ghost Tours of Niagara Hallowe’en tour is held annually, with tickets quite affordable. They’re strictly limited to groups of 32 and usually vanish fast, so if you’re planning to be in the area, check out the information on their web site and reserve immediately: http://www.friendsoffortgeorge.ca/ghost.htm. 2011 Hallowe'en Tours are still available October 28, 29, 30 and 31. Tickets must be pre-purchased.Tel: 905468-6621. If you think Canada is boring, let’s see how you handle some good, old fashioned northern frights. New Orleans certainly knows how to titillate and terrorize a crowd, with its voodoo-inspired “Southern Noire” atmosphere. The entire week leading up to Hallowe’en is filled with parties and events, and local, internationally-acclaimed horror writer Anne Rice once helped make this a most memorable time. Her parties were the stuff legends are made of. Just stay out of the cemeteries at night; While voodoo priestess Marie Laveau’s famous tomb is a popular tourist attraction during the day, it can be a testy spot once the sun dips below the horizon and self-declared vampires – no kidding on this one - roam the streets. At the Nashville Zoo, you’ll encounter much more than the popular elephants, Hyacinth macaws, gibbons and assorted other wildlife. The 192-year old Grassmere Historic Farm, last owned by Elise and Margaret Croft, since-deceased spinster sisters, is smack in the middle and apparently very haunted. What an atmospheric place for a Hallowe’en celebration and that’s exactly what is done here, at the seventh largest zoo in the U.S. This year’s 14th annual Ghouls at Grassmere features games, haunted hayrides and treats for the entire family, from 5 – 9 p.m. daily. Go to www.nashvillezoo.org for more information.
New Hampshire’s Mount Washington, located in the Bretton Woods region, is said to be the stomping ground of The Presence, an ageless spirit that is not quite seen, yet has terrorized many climbers and meteorologists for decades. At its base, the venerable Mount Washington Hotel & Resort has far more than gourmet cuisine, stellar service and the prettiest mountain views going for it, since its inception a century ago. From Oct. 28-29, 2011, the Hotel will celebrate its Wicked Woods Weekend, with activities for children and even an adult party awaiting you in a cave. In past years, there were guided walks to the graves of the Crawford family of Bretton Woods, which can certainly be enquired about still. Look hard enough and you may find a few more skeletons at www.mtwashington.com. Not to be missed is Mt. Washington’s historic Cog Railway, which takes you up the side at a slow, 37degree climb, to Tip Top House and the famous Observatory at the summit, the highest peak in the northeast. The ride lasts three-hours return and is a blast for the entire family… go to http://www.thecog.com/). Finally, Bristol, Connecticut has been the site of The Original Witch’s Dungeon Classic Movie Museum, featured in countless feature articles, TV news reports and even the print version of Ripley’s Believe It or Not, since artist Cortlandt Hull started it with his father over 45 years ago. The sculptor, who is related to late actor Henry Hull, of celluloid classic Werewolf of London fame, has put together an incredible museum of famous movie monsters, soon to be relocated and expanded into a shrine to movies of all genres. He lovingly crafts each and every figure and adorns many of them with authentic props from the films each diorama is based upon. The late great Vincent Price, as well as June Foray (the cartoon voice of Rocky Squirrel), Mark Hamill, Sarah Karloff, Bela Lugosi Jr. and Leonard Maltin are just a few of the personalities who have ardently supported Hull’s efforts. Hallowe’en season, the only period when the museum is currently open to the public, bears witness to the countless aficionados who visit the Dungeon annually and it’s well worth the trip. Their Internet incarnation is located at http://www.preservehollywood.org/DungeonWeb New/Home.html and tours are still available
throughout October, including Hallowe’en weekend. Whatever you choose to do this Hallowe’en, bear in mind that you are helping keep a timeless tradition alive for future generations to enjoy. It’s not only about the candy, but then again, some enthusiastic snacking once a year won’t kill you, will it? If it does, there’s bound to be a candle burning for you in a window, somewhere, sure as that cavity in your tooth.
Not to be outdone, Nashville’s award-winning Cheekwood botanical garden holds a El Dia de los Muertos family day, on the Saturday prior to Nov. 1, which attracts an astounding 30,000 members of the Hispanic community. It involves fun-filled entertainment and the creation of art, dance and literary projects, all with a Day of the Dead theme. Go to http://www.cheekwood.org/Home.aspx for more information on Cheekwood and a contact address.
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Telephone of Terror: 20th century scribe forewarned us Of all our technological marvels, the one that is both the most useful and unavoidable, as well as the most annoying and truly dangerous, has to be the telephone. It was bad enough throughout the 20th century, when its forever-morphing progression of maddening rings was enough to disturb even the dead and send the living rushing off to the insane asylum… but today, there is no denying that the telephone has possessed an entire world, holding it hostage in a death grip that appears to be tightening with every passing technological advance. Looking back, there was actually one literary seer who tried to warn us of the dangers of the telephone. We didn’t listen, did we? But George Langelaan, the Parisborn British author of the novella
that became the 1958 feature film The Fly - one of the first box-office smashes, starring Vincent Price, Al (David) Hedison and featuring certain scenes shot here in Quebec - didn’t waste any time depicting HIS worst nightmare. Langelaan’s famous story opens thus: Telephones and telephone bells have always made me uneasy. Years ago, when they were mostly wall fixtures, I disliked them, but nowadays, when they are planted in every nook and corner, they are a downright intrusion. We have a saying in France that a coalman is master in his own house; with the telephone that is no longer true, and I suspect that even the Englishman is no longer king in his own castle. At the office, the sudden ringing of the telephone annoys me. It means that, no matter what I am doing, in spite of the switchboard operator in spite of my secretary, in spite of doors and walls,
Q & A with actress Judith O’Dea, who portrayed Barbra in the original (1968) horror classic Night of the Living Dead Q: When you first read the script, what were your basic impressions? Liked it? Hated it? Best thing you had ever read? And was it SCARY? A: To be honest with you, Bram, I never got to read a complete script that I recall. Therefore, there were no definite ‘liked,’ ‘hated,’ ‘best,’ or ‘scary’ for me at the very beginning. Q: Now, you were quite young when cast as Barbra – Can you tell us a bit about that casting call and what you remember most vividly? A: My most vivid memory of that casting call involved Karl Hardman. I was living in Los Angeles at the time. Karl called to tell me that he, Marilyn Eastman, George Romero, Jack Russo, and Russ Streiner, among others, wanted to make a horror film in Pittsburgh, and did I want to come ‘home’ to audition for it. Without hesitation, I flew back to Pittsburgh for that casting call. I believe, initially, the decision makers wanted Judy Ridley for the part of Barbra, but my more extensive experience on stage, TV, and commercials seemed to work in my favor. Q: The film opens with you and Johnny driving to the graveyard to drop the flowers off at your grandfather’s grave. Those scenes are the ones you are best remembered for, am I right? Tell us about
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
some unknown person is coming into the room and on to my desk to talk right into my very ear, confidentially – whether I like it or not. The Local Seeker attempted to reach Mr. Langelaan to request his comment on cell phones. But, alas, he passed away in 1972, no doubt far from any sort of telephone apparatus…. NOTE: Langelaan, a decorated Allied spy during World War II, later achieved great renown for his memoirs and for his subsequent contributions to war films and TV series. The Fly was first published in the June 1957 issue of Playboy magazine.
shooting those, especially where you were attacked by the initial zombie, Bill Hinzman. Were they scary for you, or did you totally have to suspend y o u r disbelief to get the impact across (I am such a fan of the opening that I actually visited that Munroville, PA cemetery a few years ago). A: I was so thrilled to be in a feature film that every scene we shot was an exciting opportunity for me. My imagination has always been vivid, so losing myself in the scenes came relatively easily. Bill Hinzman’s attack and relentless pursuit were so real to me that ‘being’ in the fear and terror was far easier to do than ‘act’ it. Q: Tell us a bit about each of the actors you worked with and what you remember about them? Did any close friendships result from those working relationships? A: Ah, Bram, that question would take up too much time, I believe. Suffice to say, my relationship with each in the film’s cast was as professional as I could make it. But what is really fun for me NOW is how much closer I feel to everyone as the years have gone by…especially with Kyra Schon who played little Karen Cooper. Kyra is one heck of a wonderful woman – sensitive, funny, and a lover of all animals! She makes the neatest ‘horror’ jewelry, too. Q: What about George Romero? Was he an easy director to work with? What were your impressions
OCT 28 (pg. 9)
of him as a young actress? A: Working with George came easily for me, as I recall. He never over-directed, if you know what I mean. We’d briefly discuss what he wanted in each scene, and then he’d just let me ‘go for it.’ I found him to be extremely creative and willing to help me learn both on and off set (Judy sees Romero from time to time at various festivals and says she would work with him again in a heartbeat if given the chance). Q: You regularly attend fan festivals, from what I have read, and you always have a great time. What have you enjoyed most about them? Any fond reminiscences? Any creepy ones… meaning have some fans taken it all a bit too far? A: You’re right! I always have a great time at the festivals I’ve been fortunate enough to attend. I think what I enjoy most is the wonderful and varied conversations that come with each fan. I love hearing how people felt the first time they saw NOTLD…how the story affected them then and now. Just GREAT conversations! I remember years ago asking a girl of around 12-years old why she liked horror films. She said, “I like to see all the different ways people can kill each other.” Boy, did that shake me up! Q: Tell us what you are doing today that is filmrelated and whether you have anything coming up? A: I am still working in horror films today. Some of the most recent are WOMEN’S STUDIES, OCTOBER MOON and NOVEMBER SON. Currently, there are several projects in the works. Keep your fingers crossed that all work out. Thanks for this opportunity to speak with you, Bram!
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BUY or SELL your HOME in the
Property See ker
The We s t
E n d real estate section
Avoid being haunted by bad mortgage decisions
Mortgage Matters
Issue 1
your bank isn’t your business partner or your friend when times are tough. I see many people learning that your own bank can sometimes wear a mask and, before you know it, the mask comes off and you see their true colours.
Don’t get spooked, but making mortgage/financing mistakes will cost you more than your weight in candy!
I recently dealt with a gentleman who went through the misfortune of losing a close family member. Around the same time, he was also released from a bankruptcy and was with a lender that stopped lending in Quebec. When he approached his TD branch for a lifeline, requesting some help in his time of need, they showed him the door. I managed to get him approved with another lender and, had I not managed to do so, the current lender would have exercised a judgement to get its money back via judicial sale, thus removing him from his home.
People often look at me with fright when I tell them about some of the difficult financings I have handled in the past. I’ve dealt with people who have had bankruptcies, consumer proposals, nonpayments of municipal taxes, non-payments of government taxes, days or months being evicted out of their own home! Although there are exceptions to every rule, these horrors usually happen to good people who get involved with bad partners, or people who give them bad advice.
decision can affect your long-term financial future. If not, you can find yourself the victim of a trick, rather than a treat!!
Jason Zuckerman Hypotheca Mortgage Brokers (514) 771-1352 /1-800- 206-1350 jzuckerman@hypotheca.ca
(ED. NOTE: Jason, I am very proud of your creativity here, although your message shows us that dealing with some unscrupulous bankers is akin to being sacrificed on the actual Druid festival of Samhain!)
Just to give a few examples of the If all of this is not a living nightmares I have experienced with nightmare, I don’t know what is. clients: I recently advised a woman who had a home free and clear with no It is important to get solid mortgage on it whatsoever. She was financial advice when the working but could not afford to put money away for a rainy day. She was 24 hours away from the city repossessing her En retard à produire vos déclarations de home for nonrevenus? Vous avez quelques années à payment of her rattraper? Nous pouvons vous aider! municipal taxes. Appelez-nous aujourd’hui! Her bank was not Late with your tax returns? helping her out Behind by a few years? We can help! with the $4,000 Call Today! owing, despite the equity in her 514.461.3006 home, showing once again that
T
ASSISTANCE
A X HELP
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
OCT 28 (pg.10)
PROPERTY SEEKER SECTION www.westend.thelocalseeker.com
A n i t a B e n a b o u R o ze n b l a t
Home Sweet Home -
If you’ve got the bucks, have property we got the haunted palace Details for you! A National Historic site, the Surgeon's House is also said to be host to apparitions. Built in 1916 for the chief surgeon of the town hospital next door, this Spanish-style sanctuary became a bed and breakfast in 1992, where not all of the guests are registered travelers. Some visitors have encountered a ghost of a maid called Alice, who wears a blue uniform dress and is seen in the maid's quarters. The owner of the Surgeon's House reportedly has seen a spirit of a man wearing a suit and carrying a doctor's bag walk into her master bedroom. He changed clothes into pyjamas and then faded into thin air as he approached her bed. Other guests have witnessed the spirits of a couple dancing together for several minutes on a moonlit night. This 4,400-square-foot house, listed for sale at $1.2 million, has five master suites, each with their own bathroom, original hardwood floors and an expansive living room with fireplace. There is a chauffeur's cottage and livein maid's quarters. The manor also features exterior sitting areas with pathways and ghostly gardens.
Property for Sale in Arizona $1,200,000 Beds: 5 Baths: 6 House Size: 4,400 Sq. Ft. Lot Size: 0.46 Acres This stunning property will literally take your breath away! There is an immense amount of documented history here and the seller has a couple of books with pictures of the history and progression over the years. The Surgeon's House is one of the most popular B & B's in Jerome. More than a quarter of a million people visit Jerome each year, giving it “destination point” status. The owner has owned and run the B & B since 1992 and business has steadily increased each year. She also recently did an addition that is absolutely, seamlessly gorgeous. There are five master suites with bathrooms in each, original hardwood floors, a very private room for the innkeeper downstairs, a wonderful kitchen with a Wulf-brand double commercial range/oven, huge living room with fireplace, many lush gardens, pathways and sitting areas outside, two huge beautiful Koi ponds and a three-car garage with five approved parking spaces.
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*Remembrance Day tribute to our war vets *It's Magic: Local magicians on The Craft *Debut of our pet column
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THE LOCAL SEEKER,
OCT 28 (pg.11)
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