Rondo Awards: CHS nominated for Best Blog/Website

It’s that time of the year once again, boils and ghouls. The nominees have been named for the 2016 Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards, which honors everything from best picture to best convention, to best book and best website.

The Collinsport Historical Society has been nominated for Best Blog/Website for the fifth year running. We actually took home that honor in 2012, back when the most recent epidemic of Dark Shadows Fever was sweeping the world. As usual, this year's winners will be determined by votes from the public. And that means you. Readers are asked to select winners from this year's nominees and e-mail your selections to awards taraco@aol.com.

All voting is by e-mail only. One vote is allowed per person. Every e-mail must include your name to be counted. All votes are kept confidential. No e-mail addresses or personal information will be shared. Votes must be received by April 16, 2017.

If you want to vote in every category, you can find the entire ballot HERE. You DO NOT have to vote for each one in order for your vote to count. If you want to vote only for the DARK SHADOWS-related entries, copy and paste this bit of text below:

9. BEST SHORT FILM
THEATRE FANTASTIQUE: THE JOB INTERVIEW, directed by Ansel Faraj. "Vampire seeks a new Caretaker in this Dark Shadows tribute." Starring John Karlen, Lara Parker, Christopher Pennock and Kathryn Leigh Scott.

11. BOOK OF THE YEAR
NIGHTS OF DAN CURTIS: The Television Epics of the Dark Shadows Auteur, by Jeff Thompson

14. BEST INTERVIEW
James Storm of Dark Shadows, by Rod Labbe, SCARY MONSTERS #100.

17. BEST WEBSITE OR BLOG OF 2016
THE COLLINSPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

*****UPDATE*****

While browsing the other nominations this morning, I noticed the "Best Artist" category is a write-in ballot. My suggestion is Ben Walker Storey, a horror kid absolutely deserving of the recognition. You can see a sample of his work below, but feel free to wander over to his website and Threadless store to see more. A ballot amendment is listed below for you cut & paste pleasure.

25. BEST ARTIST OF 2016 (all formats, including paint, sculpt or design)
Ben Walker Story

*****

NOTE: This year’s Rondos are dedicated to the the latem great horror host, Zacherley. I've adored that guy since first hearing his song "Dinner With Drac" on Ronco's 1977 anthology "Funky Favorites." Here's a (blurry) photo of the "cool ghoul" with our own Jonathan Frid from their 1980 appearance together at the Magique Disco in New York City.