After reading about the Ghoul in Balladeers Blog, the idea of writing my experience came to me. My experience with the Ghoul was in the Cleveland Akron área of the 1960s and 70s when I was there [and not in other places].

First I was born in Akron [North Hill area]Ohio March 5 1962 at a time of upheavel. I did not remember feeling at home with the exception of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as my dog.

The Ghoul at that time had his specials which were unforgettable. I watched these specials and enjoyed them. It made me forget that I had a disjointed family because of some a hole in Cuba.

Even then, I had a shortwave radio I listened to and I visited relatives in other parts of America and the world. Regardless, the Ghoul was one of these figures that helped me in life and gave laughter.

I remember the joy of going to Parma to see the Ghoul one Halloween in the 1960s and 70s. It was a special of specials  with the Ghoul having tanks of water and pies for the vampiresa or female vampires.

One unforgettable night was participating in the contest for reciting Whose On First by Abbott and Costello with a neighbor. We won honorable mention and were congratulated for reciting a difficult piece.

This might have been in the 1960s becsuse later on I returned in the 1970s. The same thing and this time it was reciting one of the 3 Stooges film segment with another neighbor.

While I did not win Honorable Mention, I won a post card from the Ghoul. I also won a gift certificate to a restaurant called York Steak House.

I had left the NE Ohio área after my dog died and never returned with some exceptions. The Ghoul was forgotten and replaced by another show person from Italy who later became the country’s Prime Minister in my mind.

I eventually founded my blog and kept writing and filming videos eventually going to China during the 2008 Olympics. Upon my return from China, one of my relatives received a CD for me but did not know its origins.

I opened the CD and it was signed by the Ghoul. Apparently, he visited my blog and I thanked him for the CD.

This Ghoul [Snead as well as Ghoulardi] died but the CD is there as well as the memories. Thank you Ghoul for the memories and thank you Balladeer for the inspiration to write this.