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Calendar Events / Announcements '04 II / Memories of the Dark Shadows Weekend
« on: August 17, 2004, 12:56:46 AM »
I thought I'd get this out there before I have another Senior moment and forget half of it. 
I had a great time! It was much more organized that usual (probably because more volunteers this year or so it appeared). I went with the group to Lyndhurst on Friday. The tour guide said that at least 100 people from DS went through the tour). As a matter of fact, I loved it so much, went back the next day with a friend who arrived on Saturday! Met some nice, friendly people who were at their first fest and the abundance of enthusiasm was a joy to behold! The guided tour itself didn't extend out side of the house so we were on our own to bumble around and find all the little things that matter to a Dark Shadows fan.
We found the pool house finally after much worry and discussion that it had or might have been torn down. It was surrounded with barbed wire. Couldn't see much inside except for an odd display of baskets! I believe that there may be plans for a restoration in the works for the pool house.
What a thrill to be looking in on the dining room where the family and friends had gathered following Carolyn's funeral. We visited the art gallery where the works of art hung and picked out the spot where Angelique's portrait had been. This same room had the huge window where I can picture Daphne looking out right now and realizing that her beloved husband wants her dead.
Lyndhurst, aside from the Dark Shadows reference, is a sight not to be missed. The tour guide told us that they decorate big time for Halloween and Christmas. The surrounding estate is gorgeous with huge maple, oak and chestnut trees and gently sloping lands. We actually went into Rose Cottage (the door was left open as if awaiting our arrival) and observed child size wicker furniture that looked from the Victorian era. It is probably reproduction but nice to see anyway. Unfortunately the tower in Lyndhurst was off-limits to visitors (something about fire escape rules).
I think I found the tree where Angelique had been hung! We took pictures in the back of the house standing in hopefully the same spot where Grayson had stood 33 years earlier when her picture was taken there. A picture that graces the front cover of this year's program.
Back at the hotel Darren Gross took us through about 27 minutes of the 35 minutes of missing footage from NODS. He talked about the strong possibility of the longer version of HODS being found in Asia. We're not to hold our breaths waiting for acquisition of the tape but that it seemed like a good possibility over time that it would find it's way back to the US.
I was fortunate to have Denise Nickerson at the same table as I for the Sunday banquet. Wow! She is definitely a lot of fun and very sociable. I might add that she was very patient with us and answered all the questions that we asked.
The Dark Shadows actors presented The House written by Art Wallace in 1957 and shown on TV. It was very much a prelude to Dark Shadows. I thought that Karlen and Marie Wallace were exceptionally strong of voice and emotion during their parts. Karen took the Jason part and his Irish brogue was top-notch!
We roared with laughter over some of the fan videos and in particular several from Cheep Productions-1996. We understand that there is a good chance of another one being produced in time for next year's fest.
There was quite an upset when John Karlen leaned back in a chair and fell off the stage! He's okay and although a little sore this a.m., apparently is not seriously injured. Thank God!
Lara Parker is finishing up her novel and hopes to be published by November. Marie Wallace is also finishing up a book right now too. She is such a classy lady!
Another thing that I've noticed is the dwindling down of the amount of merchandise available in the dealer's room this year. MPI was out of several items I was interested in purchasing for myself. I had orders from other's who couldn't make the fest but MPI didn't have the merchandise to fill their requests either.
We were never able to get a straight answer as to whether or not there would even be a fest next year. Several people I talked with are worried as I am that this might have been the real final one.
Again, I had a great time. I'm really looking forward to hearing about it from all those who attended and what they thought about it.
I had a great time! It was much more organized that usual (probably because more volunteers this year or so it appeared). I went with the group to Lyndhurst on Friday. The tour guide said that at least 100 people from DS went through the tour). As a matter of fact, I loved it so much, went back the next day with a friend who arrived on Saturday! Met some nice, friendly people who were at their first fest and the abundance of enthusiasm was a joy to behold! The guided tour itself didn't extend out side of the house so we were on our own to bumble around and find all the little things that matter to a Dark Shadows fan.
We found the pool house finally after much worry and discussion that it had or might have been torn down. It was surrounded with barbed wire. Couldn't see much inside except for an odd display of baskets! I believe that there may be plans for a restoration in the works for the pool house.
What a thrill to be looking in on the dining room where the family and friends had gathered following Carolyn's funeral. We visited the art gallery where the works of art hung and picked out the spot where Angelique's portrait had been. This same room had the huge window where I can picture Daphne looking out right now and realizing that her beloved husband wants her dead.
Lyndhurst, aside from the Dark Shadows reference, is a sight not to be missed. The tour guide told us that they decorate big time for Halloween and Christmas. The surrounding estate is gorgeous with huge maple, oak and chestnut trees and gently sloping lands. We actually went into Rose Cottage (the door was left open as if awaiting our arrival) and observed child size wicker furniture that looked from the Victorian era. It is probably reproduction but nice to see anyway. Unfortunately the tower in Lyndhurst was off-limits to visitors (something about fire escape rules).
I think I found the tree where Angelique had been hung! We took pictures in the back of the house standing in hopefully the same spot where Grayson had stood 33 years earlier when her picture was taken there. A picture that graces the front cover of this year's program.
Back at the hotel Darren Gross took us through about 27 minutes of the 35 minutes of missing footage from NODS. He talked about the strong possibility of the longer version of HODS being found in Asia. We're not to hold our breaths waiting for acquisition of the tape but that it seemed like a good possibility over time that it would find it's way back to the US.
I was fortunate to have Denise Nickerson at the same table as I for the Sunday banquet. Wow! She is definitely a lot of fun and very sociable. I might add that she was very patient with us and answered all the questions that we asked.
The Dark Shadows actors presented The House written by Art Wallace in 1957 and shown on TV. It was very much a prelude to Dark Shadows. I thought that Karlen and Marie Wallace were exceptionally strong of voice and emotion during their parts. Karen took the Jason part and his Irish brogue was top-notch!
We roared with laughter over some of the fan videos and in particular several from Cheep Productions-1996. We understand that there is a good chance of another one being produced in time for next year's fest.
There was quite an upset when John Karlen leaned back in a chair and fell off the stage! He's okay and although a little sore this a.m., apparently is not seriously injured. Thank God!
Lara Parker is finishing up her novel and hopes to be published by November. Marie Wallace is also finishing up a book right now too. She is such a classy lady!
Another thing that I've noticed is the dwindling down of the amount of merchandise available in the dealer's room this year. MPI was out of several items I was interested in purchasing for myself. I had orders from other's who couldn't make the fest but MPI didn't have the merchandise to fill their requests either.
We were never able to get a straight answer as to whether or not there would even be a fest next year. Several people I talked with are worried as I am that this might have been the real final one.
Again, I had a great time. I'm really looking forward to hearing about it from all those who attended and what they thought about it.