This is the season of thankfulness and the Daves can’t think of any Thanksgiving where we’ve been more grateful. A year ago at this time we were a couple of die hard Svengoolie fans (which we still are) who had no idea what other amazing personalities existed outside Chicago City Limits. Now we use names like Zomboo, Dr. Destruction, The Bone Jangler, and Wolfman Mac in everyday conversation and have amassed huge samplings of the work of many hosts from across the country. We also now have an actual venue for which to share our appreciation of them, as well as the world of horror fandom in general. We’ve really enjoyed doing this and can’t imagine life without it. There are so many people we wish to thank (not the least of which you the reader) but, rather than write a generic “thanks,” we’d really like to break down our appreciation to those folks who really helped make this one of our best years ever!

Svengoolie (Rich Koz) – When I sit down and honestly think of the impact Chicago horror host, Svengoolie, has had on my life it is hard not to get downright va-klempt! If it weren’t for his YAHOO group the Daves would never have met, thus there’d be no “Terror from Beyond the Daves” and I’d be deprived of my best buddy! Early on I had written a piece on Sven (which you can read here) and was shocked that he not only read it, but mentioned it in his own blog later that week, He wrote: I was alerted to a very touching and flattering  blog written about me by longtime fan Dave Fuentes- you can see it at https://terrordaves.wordpress.com … a nice personal recollection of how he’s watched me most of his life! I’ve met Dave  and his family at several of my appearances, and we’ve shown some pictures of them during our mail segments- but this blog  was a big surprise to me, and I appreciate  all his kind words.. I was so happy that he was able to see how much of an impact he had on my childhood and how his legacy continues on through my own children. My six year old accompanied me to a Svengoolie event last year and still walks around the house with his signed rubber chicken. It’s not many horror hosts that can boast this type of multi-generational impact and I am grateful that ours is one of those rare examples. Dave F.

Zomboo – Zomboo is one of those rare gems that I found by accident and knew from the first time I saw his show that he was someone special. His humor and the overall entertainment of his show quickly catapulted him to one of my favorite horror hosts. I immediately wrote to him via his website and found him very friendly and personable. He was thrilled when I offered to write an article for him for SCARY MONSTERS MAGAZINE and even more thrilled when he read the final version (set to be published in March in the 2011 YEARBOOK). Zomboo is the first horror host that I actually talked to on the phone and he has been nothing but generous in providing shows to complete our collection of Zomboo episodes. He has expressed constant appreciation for what we have done but the truth is, I appreciate him and what he does more than he will probably ever know. David A.

Nikki Robilota – My dear friend “Saint Nick” has not only been a great friend to me for nearly 10 years, but also gets credit for coming up with the idea of doing this blog site. Early last summer she worked to convince me (despite my initial trepidation) about how this would be the best way to go in lieu of what a giant pain in the ass it is opening an actual website and what we wanted to accomplish. I’m so happy she proved me wrong and that, although not a horror fan, she continues to assist us along with much needed feedback. All the best to you and your family Nikki! Dave F.

Richard Braden – I met Richard after he friend-requested me on Facebook. A teenager, in many ways Richard reminds me of myself when I was his age with his love of horror movies and hard rock music. At the time we became Facebook friends, I never could have expected him to become such an important part of TERROR FROM BEYOND THE DAVES. He quickly supported Dave and I’s decision for the website and starting offering his assistance immediately. One of the first things he did was create our logo…his work is amazing and he does it so quick! He also helped further develop the overall appearance of the site and has been instrumental in creating many different images that we use on the site, including our contest page. We cannot thank Richard enough for his friendship and TERROR FROM BEYOND THE DAVES is so appreciative of everything he has done for us. David A.

Vicki Vanderkolk (Wolfman Mac’s Chiller Drive-In) – Vicki has gone above and beyond ingratiating me to The Chiller Drive-in and sending info regarding Wolfman Mac and the amazing folks behind his show. She does all this despite the fact that  I am outside of RTV’s viewing range. She even took time out her busy schedule to send alternative driving directions to us when my daughters and I payed a visit to The Chiller Drive-in Open House a couple months back (thereby avoiding a lot of construction). Quick to respond and always eager to assist, Vicki is a Class Act and we really appreciate all that she’s done and continues to do!  All the best Vicki to you and your family this Thanksgiving! Dave F.

Chuck Jarman (Bump In The Night FX) – Chuck Jarman is someone who I have known of for years thanks to his amazing masks and puppets. Thanks to Facebook we became friends and started trading movies and horror hosted shows. Not only is he an incredibly talented sculptor and mask maker, but he is also a really nice guy. We have become really good friends over this past year and I am thankful for him not only providing some amazing pieces for my personal collection but also for his friendship. To coincide with my piece on him (which you can read here) Chuck also donated some of his pieces for contests that we are running! David A.

Uncle Lar (Larry Gibbs) – I was fairly inebriated when I bumped into Uncle Lar in the Marriott parking lot last March during Horrorhound. Somehow I ended up in a  riveting conversation regarding horror hosts with an active player of The Horror Host Underground. Eager to share his knowledge as well as shows from various public access hosts, Uncle Lar has been very helpful to us and his support of this site can not be understated.  It was great meeting him and I look forward to doing so again (when my eyes can actually focus).Dave F.

Mr. Lobo (Cinema Insomnia) –  Mr. Lobo is one of those hosts who I was aware of for awhile, but it took a kick in the ass to actually watch (some beer helped). Because he wasn’t your “typical” horror host I had no idea what to expect. What I found was never judge a book by its cover…Mr. Lobo’s Cinema Insomnia quickly proved that a host that didn’t wear monster makeup could be just as funny and entertaining as those who did. All it took was one episode to be hooked (so much so that I immediately wrote a two-part blog on him…read part one here and part two here) and I do thank him for that but even more so, I am thankful for the friendship that has developed. He has been supportive of TERROR FROM BEYOND THE DAVES from the start and his shows have provided countless hours of entertainment for both Daves…what else can you be thankful for? David A.

Dr. Destruction (Dale Wamboldt) – Despite his intimidating appearance (he stands about 6’5 and the hair is 100% real) Dr. Destruction has been a great friend to the Daves. He’s invited me to Kenosha a few times and honored me by allowing me to be a guest on his show. He has also been the most generous host, sending me over 6o of shows without charge and always eager to assist. He’s a great guy and I look forward to seeing him again on Friday. Dave F.

Brian Maze (artist) – I actually didn’t even know who Brian Maze was until I started seeing his wonderful horror host pogs appearing on all of the horror hosts’ Facebook pages. These so impressed me that I sent a friend request to Brian and we have been friends ever since. The Daves would both like to thank Brian for letting us use his amazing pog images in our most popular feature on the TERROR FROM BEYOND THE DAVES site, our weekly WEEKEND HORROR HOST REPORT. The use of his artwork really pulled the whole piece together adding conformity that had been missing, making the overall appearance 110% better. Maybe it is also a coincidence but it seems as though Brian has also chosen hosts in our updates who didn’t already have pogs to be his next ones to do, and for that we are very grateful. David A.

The Bone Jangler – When I arrived at the horror host section of the Horrorhound Convention I felt as if I’d stumbled into a whole new world. The Bone Jangler came right up to me and immediately made me feel welcome. He also introduced me to his friend the Son of Ghoul which was very nice! He continues to show the Daves support with his positive comments and also sending us copies of his show. I look forward to seeing these shows and also seeing him again in March!  Dave F.

Merredith – I have known Merredith since 1985 and whereas Dave is my best guy friend, she is my best girl friend. We have been through a lot over the years and have always been there for each other. Though she doesn’t share my interests in horror movies or monsters, she never judged me for it and has always been supportive in everything I have done, especially this website. Thanks! David A.

Dennis Druktenis – The publisher of SCARY MONSTERS MAGAZINE has been very supportive of our work which is a HUGE honor to both of us as we have long been fans of his! He has honored us even further by publishing some of our stories including my articles on Wolfman Mac and Jeff Carlson’s Dracula Medallion (to be featured in the next Scary Issue) and David’s Zomboo one (2011 Yearbook). I am not ashamed to say that this site was always intended to be a protege of his magazine which is why we list movies and  titles in all “CAPS” and try to include as many photos as possible. He has been a monster fan’s best friend for years and Forrest J. Ackerman would be proud! Dave. F.

David Albaugh – I saved the best for last. 2010 saw our friendship reach new heights via this blog and his daily communications and support. He’s one of the nicest people you could ever meet and a lot of fun. For most of my life I have searched for the elusive “best male friend” you read about in books and see on TV. For monster movie fans, that’s a lot harder than it seems. We tend to be the weird ones who, instead of watching the NFL “Giants,” would rather watch a “giant” insect attack a major city. When I was on the plane flying back to Chicago from his native Rhode Island, I was struck at the realization that I finally had the best friend anyone could wish for. Thanks David, for your treasured friendship, I can’t tell you how much it has meant to me. Dave F.

Dave Fuentes – Not to sound like a copycat but everything Dave said about me is also true as far as my feeling for him. Who would’ve thought that two people with a common interest in Svengoolie would become such great friends in such a short time? I have always been someone who had more female friends than male friends (and the male friends I had were always questionable, as far as whether they were a positive influence in my life). For the longest time my “best” male friend was someone who I saw repeatedly talk behind peoples’ backs and never supported me in any way. In fact, being with him brought me down and that is not how best friends are supposed to be. They say good things come to those who wait and it is certainly true when it comes to my friendship with Dave Fuentes. He has a way of not only supporting me and my interests but he motivates me to not only be positive but to better myself and he instills a self confidence that I have been missing for a very long time. TERROR FROM BEYOND THE DAVES is something I have wanted to do for some time and thanks to Dave it is now not only a reality, but it is a popular reality that garners a lot of support and praise. My friendship with Dave, in the short time we have known each other, is so much stronger than any male friend I have ever had and Dave, I truly appreciate this and cannot thank you enough. David A.