On the day following John F. Kennedy’s assassination, November 23, 1963, the first episode of Doctor Who hit the airwaves. Through its many seasons, spinoffs, and incarnations, it has remained a popular story. It follows the adventures of “the Doctor”, a time-traveling alien “time lord” on his journeys throughout time and space, correcting injustices and exploring frontiers in a less-than-reliable archaic time machine known as the TARDIS.

On an interesting side note, the show is featured in one of my favorite movies. In several scenes of Get Real, the lead character’s father is watching old episodes. A Doctor Who clock is proudly displayed on the wall and he is dressed as a Cyberman (one of the Doctor’s adversaries) as he prepares to attend a convention. On another interesting note, the lead actor (Ben Silverstone) is older than me… by only six days.

The show has seen 751 aired episodes since the 1960s and is featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running scifi series in history. Ten separate actors have been cast in the main role over the decades, including Peter Davison (’Tristan’ from All Creatures Great and Small) and the most current, David Tennant.

This show marked my first indoctrination into scifi only a few years ago and quickly became a favorite. Its mix of real history, bizarre creatures, philosophical undercurrents, and quirky humor add to its unique charm.

So, happy belated birthday, Doctor Who. Here’s to hoping for many more years of fantastical oddities…

Once again, it’s the anniversary of the “Headless Motorcyclist” of Elmore, Ohio.

According to the tale, the unknown man was returning home from World War I, to surprise is fiance with an early release from duty. He rode his motorcycle to her house to find that while he was gone at war, she left with another man. Jilted and angry, he sped away down the drive and out to the road. His rage lead to a few wrong moves, and before he knew it his motorcycle went out of control at the bridge. The authorities found the wreck site later, the twisted motorcycle lying in the creek. The decapitated head of its rider resting only a few feet away.

Ever since, rumors have spread that on the anniversary, the light of his motorcycle makes its fateful route again. Flash your headlights three times and honk your horn three times. And then the light travels from the driveway down to the bridge and vanishes. People have experienced it, but it remains a mystery.

Tonight, March 21, marks the 89th anniversary of his death (in 1919 for those of you with poor math skills). Will he come back? Why not see for yourself?

The bridge (which crosses Muddy Creek, the middle branch of the Portage River) can be found along Fought Road in Ottawa County, 1/2 mile south of the Ohio Turnpike (I-80)/King Road and 6 miles southeast of Elmore.

But don’t be surprised if you’re not alone…