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By James Gardner

Clark County Public Library

Many are planning on traveling for the holidays. Some might want to go to a log cabin on a snow-covered mountain and experience the inside of a freshly shaken snow globe firsthand. Others might want to travel to a place that only vaguely knows about snow like Miami or the Bahamas (or the slightly more budget-friendly Myrtle Beach). For science fiction fans, one suggestion I would suggest, other than Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World, is another dimension, a dimension of sight and sound (If you’re already thinking “Twilight Zone,” thank you for making me feel not so old).

Why the “Twilight Zone,” you might ask? Other than the fact that Walt Disney World is also the home of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, the birthday of its creator Rod Serling falls on December 25th, perhaps the most unfortunate day to have a birthday because the number of presents one receives is always less. However, if he were alive, he could take solace in the fact that his name will live on in the annals of science fiction and television despite his Birthmas (See? Even the portmanteau is terrible).

Ironically, some people might not recognize Serling outside of phrases like “a dimension of sight and sound” delivered in his croaking deadpan voice and the image of Serling as a man in a dark suit who is somehow staying outside of the scene being portrayed behind him. In this capacity, he served as the tour guide for our trips through the “Twilight Zone,” which usually involved stories with fantastic elements grounded in the realities of the human condition.

The classic “The Twilight Zone” (DVD Series TWIL), produced in the late 50s and early 60s, introduced many great stories that are still relevant today. One of my personal favorites is “Time Enough at Last,” which is based on a short story by Lynn Venable. The story follows a man named Henry Bemus who survives an apocalypse and discovers he finally has plenty of time to read (It not only reveals Serling’s particular sense of irony, but as a book lover who needs glasses to read, I can relate to him). The episode “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street” is one that, while missing supernatural or science fiction elements, does reveal the power of human paranoia. And for something fitting the holidays, “The Night of the Meek” features a department store Santa who wants to give gifts like the original Santa Claus.

These original episodes all have Serling’s touch on them, but it was the 80s revival that really impressed me (DVD Series TWIL). It was a more horror-driven affair (the opening credits had a montage featuring a nuclear explosion). It also featured some updates to some of his classic stories like “After Hours,” which focuses on a young woman who’s lost in a department store. The 80’s version of this story really plays up the horror aspect with the mannequins actually stalking the woman. And that series, too, did its own version of “The Night of the Meek.”

And the series kept going with two more revivals after this one. And a movie. And, of course, the ride at Walt Disney World. And Serling’s status as an icon in television and fantastic storytelling exists for one simple reason: his humanity. “The Night of the Meek” is all about the spirit of giving while “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” explores how we sometimes create our own monsters. Even the stories where he strayed from a didactic approach are still fun and spooky stories, but a lot of his stories evoke the Christmas Spirit, and not just “Night of the Meek.”

The Christmas spirit is a spirit that can last all year and involves finding and maintaining connections with your community and your fellow man, to empathize and understand what others are going through, and the willingness to help out when necessary.

It’s a spirit (or even a feeling) you can keep all year long, and you don’t even have to go to another dimension.

Just a reminder. The library is closed on December 31st and January 1st for New Year’s Day.

After you’ve recovered from the holiday festivities, come to the Kentucky Picture Show on December 27th at 2 p.m., for a trip to post-World War II Venice. Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) is retired and living in his own exile when he reluctantly decides to attend a seance. But when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer. Popcorn and snacks will be provided. Rated PG-13.