Introducing Lakewood’s Sinister Syndicate
By Hollie Gibbs
One, two, Freddy’s coming for you.
Three, four, better lock your door.
Five, six, grab your crucifix.
Seven, eight, gonna stay up late.
Nine, ten, never sleep again.
It is not hands that summon us; it is desire. And the desire to watch macabre mayhem and gratuitous gore have summoned a subculture of those who know that sometimes dead is better to gather together on a regular basis to revel in cannibalistic carnage. After all, what’s blood for, if not for shedding?
Although some horror fans may have grown up with mothers who told them, “They’re all going to laugh at you,” The Lakewood Horror Society understands that we all go a little mad sometimes. Some members may even feel that to die — to be really dead — that must be glorious!
So listen to them, the children of the night; what sweet music they make.
It started in January with buddies talking about how their wives and children made it difficult to watch horror movies at home.
“I went home and thought what a great idea it would be to gather all the fans of horror in the area and see if we could get together somewhere to watch horror movies,” Craig Hendzel said. “It just happened to grow on its own for the most part.”
Soon he, Michael Pae and Aaron Boron had officially formed the group. Craig said he had previously acquired a large number of movies from video store B-Ware’s going out of business sale.
“I got all my horror up there back in the days,” he explained. “That store and [owners] Eddie and Natalie are part of why this society exists. Good food, booze, and a group of people hanging out who love horror movies — what’s better than that?”
Although Craig said they are open to hosting events in other locations, Jammy Buggars is often chosen because of the private party room with projector. While Jammy Buggars does not currently serve human livers with fava beans and Chianti, they do offer American fare and a full bar.
Although the horror society officially has 179 members, about 30 to 50 show up at any given event. Past events have included a double feature of Dead Alive and Planet Terror with a raffle between, horror movies at their own horror art show, a Saturday afternoon showing of family-friendly horror, and a double feature of Duel and Christine with a wall full of horror and car paintings and photographs for display and sale. And what other local group commemorates Friday the 13th by watching Friday The 13th part 1 uncut followed by Freddy vs. Jason?
“We try to mix up the genres,” Craig said. “We usually go to the members and have them pick the movie. Then I post all the picks, and everyone votes on them. The movie with the most likes gets played. We are open to all genres; I hope to try to do a Saturday morning matinee style event that features only old black and white horror movies.”
The group is kicking around ideas for other future events too, including a movie viewing in a barn with maniacs running out of the woods to scare everyone, and playing a score live behind a white sheet onto which the silent film Nosferatu is projected. There is also talk about brewing Lakewood Horror Society beer and organizing a bigger, better art show with live music.
“I hope it just works for enough people to make it worthwhile,” Craig said of the group. “I would love to see it grow, maybe even find a home for the society if it does grow. Ideally, I would love to see an old theatre open up and do a Cedar-Lee type thing on the west side. Who knows?”
If you’ve seen enough horror movies to know any weirdo wearing a mask is never friendly, these are your people. All are invited to join the viewings in the party room, but whatever you do — don’t fall asleep. Just sit back enjoying a free movie and free popcorn with like-twisted-minded people, and raise a glass to a new world of gods and monsters.
For more information on the Lakewood Horror Society, click here.
Hollie Gibbs has a BS in journalism from Kent State University and studied photography at School of the Visual Arts in Manhattan. Her articles and photographs have appeared in numerous local and national publications. She can also be found playing guitar with various bands and building life-size monster props.
Lakewood, OH 44107