Strange Lizzies

  • Tatyana’s Graphic Design

     

    Tatyana Jula, a Philadelphia graphic designer and illustrator made a visit to the Borden house in October, opting for the day tour, but not quite brave enough to spend the night. She has captured her unique vision of Miss Lizzie as a hospitable  “innkeeper” of a bed and breakfast, a mix of gracious charm with wicked intent! (images used with permission)

    To see how these designs were created step by step, and to order a poster visit these links http://tatyanahjula.com/post-itsngs/lizzie-borden-bed-breakfast/ To order on paper or canvas http://society6.com/tatjula/Lizzie-Borden-Bed-amp-Breakfast_Print

    Visit Tatyana’s web site for more travel posters, postcard and travel art. http://tatyanahjula.com/

  • The Dead Files visits #92

     

    Popular Travel Channel program, The Dead Files, will be making a visit to the Borden house.  Ghosthunters and psychics are nothing new at #92 but this show has a different slant.  According to the channel web site –

    “On The Dead Files, physical medium Amy Allan and retired NYPD homicide detective Steve Di Schiavi, combine their unique and often conflicting skills to solve unexplained paranormal phenomena in haunted locations across America.” 

    Ms. Allan, will “go into the house cold” and form impressions and hopefully channel information about what happened in 1892.  It is up to NYPD detective Di Schiavi to investigate actual factual data to support her findings. Air date for this program has not been released, but it will be posted here when the time has been set. To learn more about the investigation team visit http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/the-dead-files/articles/meet-amy-and-steve

  • Oddity in the Borden Kitchen

    Many visitors at the Borden house are delighted to capture video and photos of peculiar phenomena while on tour or spending the night. In the photo above, it is clear that the glass door knob and brass lock above it are merely smears, perhaps from motion of the camera while the picture is being taken.  Even the round “orb” at the top center might be explained as dust or moisture.  What is very odd, however, is the appearance of a wooden handle which seems to appear springing from  the middle of the door.  Do you see anything peculiar in this photo which was taken August 4, 2010? Maybe the missing hatchet handle is making an appearance at last!

     

  • A Little Death Metal?

    The list of Lizzie Borden tunes grows ever-longer.  Here’s the latest from death metal band, Macabre, track 10 off Grim Scary Tales.  Here is what “Gruesome Greg” has to say about the album, released in 2010:

    “Thematically, it’s a concept album about historical murderers. Whereas their previous work dealt with Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy and the Nightstalker, here we have tunes named after Dracula, Lizzie Borden, a demented take on “The Big Bad Wolf” and a competent cover of Venom’s campy classic “Countess Bathory”.   (Well, that explains Vlad the Impaler on the cover).

    Third track “The Black Knight” is another one of those catchy, I-can’t-believe-I’m-singing-along-with-this songs that Macabre does so well. A driving, punky chorus alternates with slower tempos and clean, monotone singing. “Dracula” is old-school Macabre, blast-beats and guitar-synth-a-plenty. It’s also the first time on the album that Corporate Death unleashes his trademark wail—a whole four songs in! As previously mentioned, “The Big Bad Wolf” is awesome. I know I’d buy an album of Macabre singing children’s campfire songs—oh wait, they’ve already done that…

    Anyways, if you’re one of those weirdos like me who worship Macabre, you’ll want this one. Although the production is a lot better and the sound slightly more modern, there are enough shades of Sinister Slaughter on Grim Scary Tales that oughtta make solid additions to their live set next time they’re in our vicinity. (I’m already looking forward to it!)”

    And here you can hear Lizzie Borden by Macabre, and probably understand some of the lyrics ! Turn your volume down.

  • Lizzie’s Hatchet is one artist’s inspiration

     

    River’s Edge Library in North Jersey is the venue for a unique art exhibit running through the end of the month.  Works by the artist are inspired primarily by fictional things such as the Mad Hatter’s teacup, arranged as an artistic “artifact” to give a feeling of reality to a literary character.  Lizzie’s hatchet is one of the two items which draws upon reality for its inspiration.

    ‘”Arcanifacts” is a collection of 21 works taken from a larger project River Edge resident Scot Ryersson began in 2007. Ryersson said he invented the term from the Latin words arcanus (secret) and factum (thing made) to describe an artifact containing both mystery and truth.”

    For more about the exhibit visit http://www.northjersey.com/news/105409913_Exhibit_inspired_by_fictional_characters.html

    No, the statue above is not Lizzie Borden- but she is to be found in Massachusetts- in the town of Haverhill at GAR Park.  Her name is Hannah Duston and her fame commenced in 1697 after an incident with a local Native American tribe.  Hannah’s statue is said to be the first erected to a woman in America.  For more about this grisly and bloody true story, visit this very informative and entertaining New England folklore blog.

    http://newenglandfolklore.blogspot.com/2010/04/hannah-duston-heroine-of-haverhill-part.html

  • Ravenous Romance and Lizzie?

    For those who thought Elizabeth Engstrom’s Lizzie novel was an eyeopener, 2010 may bring an even juicier Lizzie title from publisher Ravenous Romance.  http://www.ravenousromance.com/

    Award winning author Lisa Mannetti of Port Chester, New York has confessed she is “on tap” for a new approach on the Lizzie Borden story. Fresh from winning the Bram Stoker Horror award for her novel The Gentling Box,  Bad Moon Books will be bringing out her dark gag book, 51 Fiendish Ways to Leave Your Lover (illustrated by Glenn Chadbourne) in February 2010 and Cargo Cult Press is publishing her novella, Deathwatch, in spring/summer 2010. A second novel The Everest Hauntings, is in the works. She has not given the date for her Lizzie novel.  It should be something to look forward to in the near future, and quite likely another pageturner!  Visit Lisa’s website at http://www.lisamannetti.com/ Read about her visits to the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast there at the link below. http://thechanceryhouse.com/res_ghosts_liz_2006/res_ghosts_liz_2006.htm

    Night time tour guide, Eleanor Thibault has been the host at #92 Second St. for the visits of NECON, the Northeastern Writers Conference, an organization to which Ms. Mannetti belongs.

  • Halloween Lizzie-Dressed to Kill?

    LizzieBordenFSWith the proliferation of Lizzies popping up at haunted hayrides, ghost tours and Halloween venues all over the country,  Lizzie duds are in demand for the season.  The same fashion ensemble used for the Living Dead Dolls series is now available up to a woman’s size 12 in a “dead ringer” three piece in black and scarlet, selling for $44.95.(hatchet not included).

    Those leg o’ mutton sleeves are de rigeur of course, but the rest of the costume is easy to manage from your closet and tool bench, being a long skirt, boots and weapon-in-hand.  Lizzie’s frizzie bangs and tight little bun complete the look, and perhaps a slightly crazed glint in the eye.  Internet tips on Lizzie costuming urge red hair, but of course Lizzie was not a redhead- light brown hair is listed on her passport from 1890. 

    Don’t forget the costume contest Saturday night at the Eagle on North Main Street, a special feature of Lizzie Borden Live ! , the award-winning play starring Jill Dalton.  First prize will be a night’s stay at the famous house on Second Street.  Strap on your corset and come on down!

  • Lizzie Borden: To Bing or Google?

    Got plenty of time to kill? Google Lizzie Borden and find 494,000 results on the web and 80,000 image files -some of which go out there pretty far to be related.

    But maybe the newest thrill on the internet might be Bing.com where Lizzie Borden can net you 1,300,000 results and 11,500 image-related files. The images are worth the search and can turn up some pretty interesting stuff ranging from the Partners in Crime Kennels which has bred this beautiful red Irish setter bitch named – Lizzie Borden

    Lizzie_stacked_thumbnail

    to the very unique and mysterious Lizzie artwork of Lu LoBue (lulobue.com)

    lulobue

    Happy Googling- and uh, Binging?