The "Witch House" is a peculiar concept that has its roots in the works of the American writer H.P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft, known for his influential horror fiction, often incorporated unique and unsettling architectural elements in his stories, and the Witch House is no exception. The Witch House, also referred to as the "Essex County Witch House," appears prominently in Lovecraft's story "The Dreams in the Witch House," published in 1933. Located on the fictional French Hill in Arkham, Massachusetts, the house is described as a dilapidated, centuries-old structure with a dark and sinister reputation.

Wolf University | Kansas City Chiefs - Chiefs.com

KC Wolf has been performing at Kansas City Chiefs games for the past 30 years. This year KC Wolf is hosting Wolf University to teach young fans the basics of being a good mascot. Maybe you're an aspiring mascot or maybe you're just a kid looking for something fun to do while you're at training camp in St. Joseph, either way we would love to have you join us.

When and Where: The camp is going to be held on Sunday, August 4, 2019 from 9:00am – 10:30am at Chiefs training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Who: Wolf University is for boys and girls ages 5 – 12.

What to Wear: Come dressed in tennis shoes and your most comfortable and cool clothing. We will stay active so be prepared to do what all mascots do…SWEAT.

What to Expect: Our #1 goal for Wolf University is to have FUN! Campers will also be given important tips on how to become a good mascot. The camp will include several fun stations where campers will learn about things such as:

• How to communicate without using your voice
• Exaggerated Motions and Emotions
• Props and Skits
• The importance of Fitness and Nutrition
• The importance of being a Character with Character

What's Included: Each camper receives a Wolf University T-shirt and a digital group photo with KC Wolf.

The Big Prize: One lucky camper will have an opportunity to dress up like Mini Wolf and join KC Wolf for pregame festivities at the Chiefs game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, August 24th.

Instruction and Supervision: The camp will be coordinated by KC Wolf (aka. Dan Meers) and his assistants. The campers will be well supervised so parents can go enjoy watching the Chiefs practice.

NOTE: Space is limited. Registration will close when maximum number of participants is reached.

Questions: E-mail: [email protected] or call 816-920-4212

Super Bowl LVII: How Kansas City Chiefs mascot KC Wolf nearly died on the job

Kansas City Chiefs mascot KC Wolf, with Dan Meers inside, outside of Arrowhead Stadium in the Kansas City parking lot.

As Dan Meers can tell you, it’s not all fun and frivolity being an NFL mascot.

Meers, who plays KC Wolf for the Kansas City Chiefs, nearly lost his life on the job.

It happened Nov. 23, 2013, when Meers was practicing a stunt at Arrowhead Stadium for a game against the San Diego Chargers the next day. He was going to jump out of the lights at the top of the stadium on a bungee cord that would transition to a zip line carrying him safely down to the field. He was not in costume at the time.

There was a malfunction, however, and instead of falling 25 feet, he tumbled 75 feet into the seats on the top deck of the stadium. He landed with such force, he broke two of the seats and uprooted them from the concrete.

Astoundingly, Meers survived, although his injuries were severe: seven broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a fractured tailbone, a crushed sacrum and a broken T-12 vertebrae. He spent nine days in the hospital, six months on disability, and still has titanium rods in his back that stabilize his spine.

Yet Meers, 56, who is in his 33rd year suiting up for the Chiefs, feels only a deep sense of gratitude as he prepares for his third Super Bowl.

Inductees

Who is KC Wolf? That’s Dan Meers, who back at St. Charles West High School in the 1980s was definitely not a standout athlete.

“I wasn’t a mascot back then even though I got to watch our mascot perform because I was a three-sport bench-warmer – baseball, basketball and football,” Meers said, smiling. “I still laugh when I think about going from a high school benchwarmer to having a 30-year NFL career.”

No, Meers was never a National Football League player. Instead, he has been a league staple for that long as none other than KC Wolf, entertaining crowds not only at Arrowhead Stadium but across the country.

Which is why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly inducted KC Wolf, er, Meers with the Class of 2020.

Call it an intriguing journey that began as Truman the Tiger in 1986 at the University of Missouri, and at one point led to the role as Fredbird for the St. Louis Cardinals.

But the backstory of KC Wolf – and his role performing it – is something else.

“KC Wolf was named after the team’s ‘Wolfpack’, a group of boisterous fans who sat in temporary bleachers at the old Municipal Stadium,” said Meers, who after the costume was created received a call from Phil Thomas, a Mizzou alum working in the Chiefs’ gameday and promotions department.

“He had received my name from Joe Castiglione (MSHOF 2015) who was Mizzou’s assistant athletic director at the time,” said Meers, who was due to graduate soon. “Joe apparently had nice things to say about me because Phil invited me to come to Kansas City for an interview.”

Meers officially began his career with the Chiefs on June 4, 1990.

The funny part was the advice from his dad.

“My dad said I could always work as a mascot for a couple of years and then go out and get a real job like everyone else,” Meers said. “Well, 30-plus years later, I still haven’t gotten around to getting that real job. Thanks Dad!”

Playing a mascot had begun innocently enough. During his freshman year at Mizzou, he responded to a story in the student paper in which Mizzou was having tryouts for Truman the Tiger.

Meers spent the next four years as Truman the Tiger and made it to the Final Four of the National Collegiate Mascot Championships three consecutive years. He won the national title in 1989.

He then was Fredbird that summer as he worked the stands while the Cardinals, his boyhood team, played at Busch Stadium.

But then came a call from the Chiefs that changed everything.

“After my first season with the Chiefs, the KC Wolf mascot program really began to take off,” Meers said. “The team was playing well, and we were getting a lot of appearance requests. It became obvious that the mascot position was going to require a lot more hours to do the job effectively. That is when KC Wolf became my full-time role.”

In 2013, Meers suffered an accident at Arrowhead Stadium, missing six months as he went through injury rehabilitation. In his time off, he wrote a book, and his career took off even more. It led to what’s now about 350 appearances annually, either as KC Wolf or as a motivational speaker.

“I quickly learned that one of the best things about writing a book is people think you are smarter than you really are,” Meers joked.

All revenue from book sales goes to charity, said Meers, who has visited orphanages in the Philippines, India, Africa, Honduras, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

In 2006, KC Wolf was the first NFL mascot inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame.

Which is one of numerous honors for Meers, who thanks many for the success, especially his wife of 27 years, Cam. They are parents to Mycah, Aaron and Mallory.

In fact, when he and Cam married, the Kansas City Star wrote a story with the headline, “KC Wolf answers call of the aisle” and he still has the story.

“I truly consider myself one of the most blessed men on the face of the earth,” Meers said. “God has been so good to me. He has blessed me with a wonderful family, and I’ve made so many great friends throughout my career.

“I love what I do,” Meers added, “and there is no other job I would rather have then serving as KC Wolf – The Kansas City Chiefs Director of Shenanigans.”

Located on the fictional French Hill in Arkham, Massachusetts, the house is described as a dilapidated, centuries-old structure with a dark and sinister reputation. The reputation of the Witch House arises from its twisted history and association with alleged witchcraft and strange occurrences. Lovecraft portrays it as a place where witch trials took place during the infamous Salem Witch Trials of the late 17th century.

The house's eerie aura is heightened by its unnerving angles, non-Euclidean geometry, and odd dimensions that seem to defy conventional architecture. The protagonist of Lovecraft's story, Walter Gilman, becomes a tenant in the Witch House and begins experiencing bizarre dreams and interactions with otherworldly beings. These experiences suggest the house's connection to ancient and malevolent forces beyond human understanding. Lovecraft's vivid descriptions evoke a sense of dread and otherworldly horror associated with the Witch House. The concept of the Witch House has inspired various adaptations and interpretations in popular culture and the horror genre. Numerous video games and role-playing games have incorporated the Witch House as a setting or reference, expanding Lovecraft's mythos. Artists and illustrators have also depicted their own interpretations of the Witch House, further contributing to its haunting presence in our collective imagination. The Lovecraftian trope of a haunted or cursed house, exemplified by the Witch House, continues to captivate audiences and influence contemporary horror fiction. Lovecraft's ability to create an atmosphere of cosmic dread and mystery through his descriptions of the Witch House has solidified its place as an iconic symbol of his unique storytelling and the broader Cthulhu Mythos. In conclusion, the Witch House is a fictional location featured in H.P. Lovecraft's horror story "The Dreams in the Witch House." With its dark history, enigmatic architecture, and eerie associations, the Witch House has become a prominent symbol of Lovecraft's otherworldly horror and has left a lasting legacy in the realm of supernatural fiction..

Reviews for "Uncovering the Origins of HP Lovecraft's Witch House"

1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "HP Lovecraft Witch House Stpru" as I'm a fan of Lovecraft's work. However, I was profoundly disappointed with this book. The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. The characters were underdeveloped, and their actions seemed forced and illogical. The writing style was also quite dull, and I struggled to stay engaged. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and would not recommend it to fellow Lovecraft fans.

2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "HP Lovecraft Witch House Stpru" was a complete waste of my time. The story was convoluted and difficult to follow, with abrupt shifts in narrative that left me confused. The author failed to create a sense of suspense or horror, which is disappointing considering it's a Lovecraft-inspired work. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing itself was mediocre at best, with clumsy dialogue and a lack of descriptive language. I would not recommend this book to anyone.

3. David - 2/5 stars - As a lover of Lovecraft's work, I was excited to read "HP Lovecraft Witch House Stpru," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story felt cliché, with predictable plot twists and unoriginal ideas. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow and boring parts followed by rushed and confusing sections. The author's attempt at capturing Lovecraft's writing style fell short, and the prose lacked the elegance and darkness that I associate with Lovecraft. Overall, this book failed to capture the essence of Lovecraft's storytelling, and I was left disappointed.

4. Emily - 1/5 stars - "HP Lovecraft Witch House Stpru" was an absolute mess. The plot was convoluted and made little sense, making it incredibly difficult to follow and stay engaged. The characters were poorly developed, with no clear motivations or personalities. The writing style was confusing and lacked clarity, making it a chore to read. Furthermore, the book was riddled with grammatical errors and typos, indicating a lack of editing and attention to detail. I would not recommend this book to anyone, especially Lovecraft fans expecting a captivating and well-crafted story.

5. Michael - 2/5 stars - "HP Lovecraft Witch House Stpru" had potential, but ultimately failed to deliver. The story started promisingly, but quickly became repetitive and predictable. The characters were one-dimensional, lacking any depth or growth throughout the book. Additionally, the writing style felt amateurish, with awkward sentence structures and excessive reliance on clichéd horror tropes. While it attempted to pay homage to Lovecraft's writing, it fell short in capturing the essence of his storytelling and atmospheric tension. Overall, this book was a disappointment and did not live up to expectations.

The Witch House: A Key Location in the Lovecraftian Universe