Public Forum

Apes In Green Hell: Racism and Revisions

Dr. Karl Shuker has written numerous articles and several major books devoted to cryptozoological topics. One of his earliest books is the classic like Mystery Cats of the World (1989). But today, I do not speak of felines. He also wrote other books that have become favorites of cryptozoologists, such as Extraordinary Animals Worldwide (1991), The Lost Ark: New and Rediscovered Animals of the 20th Century (1993), From Flying Toad to Snakes with Wings (1997) and, acting jointly as consultant and contributor, Man and Beast (1993). During the 21st Century, Shuker has undertaken the revising and updating of many of [...]

A Bridge Too Far…For Some

You never know where a bridge will take you. This is the Devil’s Elbow bridge in Oklahoma, along Route 66. Photo: legendsofamerica.com Whether you have thought my attention to the Mothman links has been wonderful or weird, most folks, let’s say, have had an opinion one way or another. A few have not understood why I would even be interested at all. Yes, additionally, I’ve received grief from a verbal few for exploring a couple breaking stories to highlight the fact that dwelling just beneath the surface of such news – whether in Minnesota or China – a wealth of [...]

Free Books At “Halloween At Hadlock”

This Friday, April 17, 2007, is “Halloween at Hadlock.” I will be appearing at the Portland Sea Dogs – the Red Sox AA game – with Dan Gordon, the co-author of Haunted Baseball: Ghosts, Curses, Legends & Eerie Events (Lyons Press, 2007). Dan will be giving away five just-off-the-press editions of Haunted Baseball, and I will distribute five free copies of the 2007 edition of Mysterious America. We will be there to meet all kinds of folks, from baseball fans to ballpark Forteans. Friday, August 17, 2007 Doors Open at 5:30 PM Seadogs vs New Britain Game at 7:00 PM [...]

Cryptotourism Ideas

Go and Get Monstered What do you do with your little monsters this summer holiday? Take them to meet some of their relatives! Robin Gauldie goes in pursuit of monsters and other weird creatures…  Netting Nessie No monster hunt would be complete without a visit to Scotland’s Loch Ness. You can take your little darlings on a two-hour trip across the loch with Jacobite Cruises for £12 each (01463 233999, www.jacobite.co.uk). Rival “research vessel” Nessie Hunter (01456 450 395; www.lochness- cruises.com) does similar cruises for £10. You can stay in a two-bed lodge at the Great Glen Water Park with [...]

Cryptotaxidermia Wurzeltodensis

One of the prize pieces of the Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists. Suzanne Gerber (above). Suzanne Gerber has collected an incredible gallery of pieces in her “long-awaited Taxidermy, Cryptozoology & Animal Curiosa Überpost – dedicated to a very precious and talented friend” of hers: “The lovely Jessica Joslin.” Open the magnificent door to her Taxidermia Wurzeltodensis and visit her large online collection of cryptotaxidermy and more. By the way, I was watching Showtime’s early Dexter episodes two weeks ago, and was surprised to hear and see that one of the serial killer suspects was a practicing “cryptotaxidermist.” (I wonder the [...]

Beyond Mothman: I-35W Blues

Things fall down. People look up. And when it rains, it pours.Magnolia, 1999. The collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minnesota is a tragedy, some say of epic proportions. Certainly, it is the most significant bridge collapse, not caused by an easily visible external reason like an earthquake or an impact from a barge, since 1967. An Anomaly National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Mark Rosenker said it is too early for officials to know if the accident could have been avoided. “They are built not to fall down. This is an anomaly and we’re going to try to find out [...]