The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)

‘Unnatural Ohio’ authors to speak at Huron library

Ohio is home to some of most credible sightings of unidentifi­ed flying objects on record and fertile ground for reports of unusual creatures, according to a news release.

For more than a century, people have reported seeing a giant sea serpent on Lake Erie, from the western basin near the islands to the central basin near Cleveland, the release said.

Ohio is one of the leading states for Bigfoot sightings, which have been reported in every corner of the state, according to the release.

And Ohio shares the infamous mothman with West Virginia, the release said.

These are just a few of the Ohio folklore accounts featured in the book, “Unnatural Ohio: A History of Buckeye Cryptids, Legends & Other Mysteries,” by Kevin Moore and M. Kristina Smith, according to the release.

The authors will speak about their book at 6:30 p.m., Jan. 25, at Huron Public Library, 333 Williams St. in Huron.

Copies of the book will be available for sale, and the authors will sign them for purchasers, according to the release.

Those who already have a copy of the book are welcome to bring it to be signed, the release said.

“Unnatural Ohio” was published by The History Press on Sept. 18.

It is available at independen­t and major bookseller­s, the Hayes Presidenti­al Library & Museums Store in Fremont and through the authors at unnaturalo­hio@gmail.com.

The book originated from a special exhibit the Hayes Presidenti­al Library & Museums had in 2020 and 2021 on Ohio folklore, legends and cryptid creatures, the release said.

Moore is the museum’s curator of artifacts, and Smith is the museum’s marketing/communicat­ions manager.

“Unnatural Ohio” takes an in-depth look at these stories and incidents and uses primary and secondary sources, as well as interviews with experts, to examine these stories and how they have evolved over time.

Moore has been writing since he was 8 years old, pecking away on his mom’s typewriter, the release said.

He enjoys reading and writing fiction.

Moore decided to pivot his life toward studying history profession­ally about 10 years ago and hasn’t looked back since, according to the release.

He now gets to research, preserve and share history at Hayes Presidenti­al and hosts “Can’t Make This Up: A History Podcast,” where he gets the privilege of interviewi­ng authors and historians, the release said.

Moore lives in Toledo with his family.

As a child, Smith read every book on the Loch Ness Monster she could find at the Defiance Public Library, the release said.

Since then, she has been interested in cryptids, the paranormal and unexplaine­d phenomena.

As a former investigat­ive reporter, Smith spent years asking questions, digging through public records and researchin­g materials to find the facts behind stories, according to the release.

Today, she shares the history and stories of the collection­s, people and events at Hayes Presidenti­al, where she worked since 2015.

Smith also works as a freelance writer and photograph­er, featuring stories about people, wildlife and places around Ohio. This is her second book. Her first, “Lost Sandusky,” was published by The History Press in 2015.