Incomparable storyteller Lionel Fanthorpe discussed hidden and lost treasures, as well as vampire lore & time slips. He also shared unusual & favorite stories such as the mystery of the Barbados coffins, the Green Children, and Spring Heeled Jack. Treasure can be what people typically think of-- precious metals and gems, but it can also take the form of magical secrets or lost knowledge, he noted. Egypt's Pharaoh might have chased the Israelites across the Red Sea in order to recover the Ark of the Covenant, an object that contained secret knowledge, he conjectured.

At the ancient Goblin Hill in Wales, excavators found a prehistoric sheet of gold, while archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann uncovered artifacts in Anatolia that he believed belonged to the ancient city of Troy, Fanthorpe reported. Digging at the mysterious 'Money Pit' in Nova Scotia yielded a coded sign saying that millions of pounds were buried there, yet no treasure was ever found. He speculated that the site could have been a protected Templar grave. Some treasures are associated with curses such as the Hope Diamond, which was said to have been stolen from an Indian statue.

Fanthorpe recounted Augustus Hare's tale of the 'Vampire of Coglin Range' in which a scarecrow-like creature with red eyes clawed its way through a window and attacked a woman. He also detailed the life of Vlad the Impaler, who killed thousands with spikes outside his castle. In 1931, his tomb was exhumed, and a golden crown and other items were taken to a Bucharest museum, where they were later stolen.

Fitting In & Standing Out

First hour guest, author Howard Bloom reacted to a story about how in the animal kingdom, freaks of nature survive because of their traits. Relating this to humans, he suggested that people first seek out others they fit in with, then within this group, they try to stand out and show their individuality.

'Horse Leg' Extensions

'Horse leg extensions' created by a Seattle designer are allowing people to walk around 14 inches taller. The designer, Kim Graham says the legs "give a person the uncanny and graceful appearance of an animal." More at Ananova.

Bumper Music

Bumper music from Thursday May 14, 2009