Vintage Haunted Schoolhouse Poster

FINALLY! I got this personal gem into a proper frame, ready to go up on the wall!

I am finding that the older I get the more I look back, longing for the black-and-orange nostalgia and Halloween innocence of my youth. As a kid, I absolutely loved getting the Friday insert section out of the local newspaper each October, eagerly and voraciously devouring page after page of glorious black-and-white ads for all of the local haunted houses (and being an 80s Halloween kid living in Northeast Ohio meant page after page of haunted houses! It seemed like every city had one!).

And even with page after page of wonderful ads, there was always one that caught my attention and became the one I always looked for: Akron's Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory. The iconic grim reaper graphic really caught my young eye, and it became the one (technically two) haunted house that my friend Jim and I would always beg our parents to drive us to every Halloween season.

Fast forward 35 years, and the opportunity to be a guest actor at the Haunted Schoolhouse presented itself. Needless to say I jumped at the chance, fulfilling all those old childhood dreams. It was everything I had hoped it would be, and I appreciate Dave allowing me to come back each season to "get my haunt on."

Two seasons ago, he unearthed this ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE Schoolhouse and Lab silkscreened poster from back in the early 80s. Up to this point I had never asked for anything from him, but I REALLY wanted a copy of that if one was available. And Dave totally came through, allowing me to own a piece of haunted house history!

And now it's finally in a nice frame, ready to go up on my wall. Amazing clipart and fonts. Admission $2.00. FREE BABYSITTING! They just don't make 'em like this anymore!

Guest Acting At The Haunted Schoolhouse & Lab!

So here I sit, feeling like I was hit by a semi, barely able to walk. But damn, does it feel good! Because last night, I had the chance to be a guest actor at the infamous Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory here in Akron, Ohio.

Sweetest Day is a huge draw for the haunt each year, and last night was no different. I got to roam the queue line, which stretched clear around the building for most of the night, menacing young and old in my usual Plague Doctor getup...

The only shot I got for the night...a quick selfie before hitting the queue line.

It was definitely a workout for a 7 hour shift, but it was so much fun. Everyone was in good spirits throughout the night, I was asked to take photos at least 50 times, AND I quickly got to learn what BeReal was!

But the best part of the night came when I was rewarded for my work. I'm super nostalgic over all the old Schoolhouse and Lab memorabilia (it was one of the first haunted houses I ever went to as a kid, and I hold it near and dear to my cold, dead heart!), and Dave hooked me up with the goods!!

I have been coveting this old Haunted Schoolhouse poster from the early 80s for a few years now,
and I FINALLY got one. Straight to a frame and up on my wall you go!!

This old bumper sticker and flyer were a nice added bonus, too. The classic clipart, the admission price and the Free Babysitting callout make me laugh...yes, the good old days. 

Big thanks to Dave for having me out. I had so much fun doing this, and I'll probably just volunteer myself to do it again!

If you find yourself in the Northeast Ohio area, definitely make a trip to the Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory this Halloween season. They have done a TON of upgrades to both haunts and the new Monster Midway, and the entire place looks better than ever.

  

Night of the Living Dead at Cinema Wasteland

This past weekend I had the chance to go check out the biannual Cinema Wasteland horror convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The highlight of this show was the 50th anniversary of the George Romero zombie classic, Night of the Living Dead. I scored a few odds and ends from the multitude of vendors, but I made sure to add these two particular pieces to my collection. I'm sure they both thought I was some total weirdo, but a huge thanks to Judith O'Dea and Kyra Schon for the personalization!

They're coming to get you, Barbara...

Fifty years later, and they were both going strong! Here's to fifty more, ladies!

The next Cinema Wasteland convention is scheduled for September 29 - October 1. I can't wait to see what they have on tap for the fall show. See everyone there!