My Halloween: Penny Dreadful

Five questions asked over a glowing Jack o’Lantern, under an Autumn moon obscured by passing clouds…in between mouthfuls of candy corn…with horror hostess Penny Dreadful…

Why is Halloween important to you?

Halloween is a very special time of year for me. There’s something magical, otherworldly and a little scary about it. All Hallows Eve evokes such delightful thoughts of dead branches swaying in the breeze and the smell of burning leaves coming from people’s backyards. It brings to mind thoughts of bag-fulls of candy (chocolate was always the best!) and creepy costumed beings running through the crisp Autumn night. Truly, I love Hallowe’en.

Describe your ideal Halloween.

Mere words cannot describe the unspeakable horrors which make up MY ideal Halloween! However, I will describe a very GOOD Halloween. A very good Halloween is one in which I play numerous monster novelty and rock ‘n’ roll tunes through the use of one of those compact disc machines. Garou and I then don mysterious costumes to protect ourselves from the roaming revenants and head out for a festive Halloween gathering with its assorted games and revelry. Pumpkins are required and hot cider is a nice bonus.

What Halloween collectibles do you cherish, or hate, or both?

One I always liked was a plastic pumpkin my mother used to hang on the front door. It had strange silvery eyes. Alas, it is long gone.

When was your very first Halloween, the one where you really knew it was Halloween, and how was it?

Too many centuries have elapsed dear Zombos. However, my most memorable Halloween involved getting together with my sisters and cousins, getting into our greasepaint and flowing costumes and running out into the cold New England night with the intermingled scents of candy and rotting leaves in the air.

What’s the one Halloween question you want to be asked and what’s your answer?

Q: Should Halloween be declared a national holiday?

A: Of corpse it shouldn’t be a national holiday. It should be an INTERNATIONAL HOWLIDAY! On Halloween, no cool ghoul should be in school! On All Hallows Eve, those who lurk should not work! If I ever run for political office, this will be my (gallows) platform!