By John Maruskin

Clark County Public Library

Weird science and historic forensics at the Clark County Public Library next week.

EKU Professor Mason Smith talks about sightings of cryptids (Bigfoot, Chupacabra, et al) and UFO’s in Kentucky. Reference librarians Jennifer Mattern and Angela Turner present volume XI of their popular Bluegrass Murder and Mayhem series.

At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Smith will present “The Truth Is Out There: UFOs, Monsters, and Cryptids in Kentucky Lore.”

Kentucky is home to famous UFO cases and cryptid reports.

The Thomas Mantel UFO Incident made national headlines in 1948. Kentuckians have reported numerous encounters with Bigfoot, the Pope Lick Monster, wolf-human creatures and even a serpent in Herrington Lake.

What are these eyewitnesses seeing? Why do these stories fascinate us? What’s really crawling around in the bushes when their branches scratch across the windows at night?

Smith grew up in Muhlenberg County hearing stories about the Bell Witch, a wolf-man lurking in the Land Between the Lakes, and the Bremen Bog Monster.

Smith’s presentation will cover a variety of things cryptid. While he is not a fanatical skeptic, he suggests that many of these stories have their origins in the realm of psychology and folklore.

“The Truth Is Out There: UFOs, Monsters, and Cryptids in Kentucky Lore” is free and open to the public, but register to attend by calling the library or using the Evanced online registration system at www.clarkbooks.org.

This program is made possible through the sponsorship of the Kentucky Humanities Council.

On Thursday, the Local History Potluck Dinner Program stars reference librarians Jennifer Mattern and Angela Turner presenting “Bluegrass Murder & Mayhem, volume XI.”

Small town life in Kentucky has many charms. You feel like you can really get to know your neighbors and join them in forming a productive community. However, sometimes behind Ms. Samantha’s fresh baked pies, or Mr. Robert’s friendly hellos, there is a hidden monster waiting to emerge.

Join friends and local history aficionados for a potluck dinner and a harrowing dip into the sanguine pool of Bluegrass murder and mayhem.

If you want to attend the potluck, please bring a dish and arrive at 6:15 p.m.

If you only want to hear the program, arrive a few minutes before 7 p.m.

Either way, since space is limited. Register to attend by visiting the library, by phone or by using the Evanced online registration system.

Other programs this week?

— At 2 p.m. Monday, Chair Yoga. Taught by Kathy Howard, a certified Yoga Alliance instructor. $5 per class.

— At 2 p.m. Wednesday, Kentucky Picture Show presents a 2019 comedy. Laura and her son Henry are forced to drive her estranged, pot-dealing, carefree father Jack across country after he is kicked out of a nursing home. Rated R.

— At 7 p.m. Wednesday, cryptids and aliens vie for prizes at Jeff Gurnee’s Engine House Pizza Pub Trivia Challenges.

—At 10 a.m. Friday, bring your cryptid and space alien tales to Write Local.

Next week, it’s time for another Halloween tale by CCPL’s resident horror writer, James Gardner.  Stay tuned.

John Maruskin is director of adult services at the Clark County Public Library. He can be reached at john.clarkbooks@gmail.com.