COVID-19 has changed the way life has operated for the past nine months. One of the biggest changes due to the pandemic is that social distancing protocols across the country have made gatherings for the holidays difficult. The holiday season – including holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa – is a time for families to gather and share times celebrating love and life. 

This year, families have to face the choice to nix all family gatherings, keeping them within immediate households or risk traveling to see their loved ones. The average holiday party also holds the potential to become a super-spreader event, resulting in many sick individuals who are likely to spread the virus to others. This holiday season, I believe it is best to keep things small and close and leave the traveling and big parties for next year. 

While it isn’t fun to keep family away, doing so is really for the betterment of everyone. Some people are of the opinion that this may be the last holiday for some family members and that seeing family and holding gatherings is necessary. I don’t think this is necessarily true. What this type of mindset holds is that this virus is not preventable, which it is. The best prevention of getting sick with COVID-19, or giving it to someone else, is simply to not interact with others. 

However, the strain of social distancing is immense on many levels, including financially and on mental health. The “stay-at-home” option is not viable for many Americans, who must work to feed their families and thus place themselves at risk every day. Until sufficient aid is given, or society is able to operate without a lot of the workforce, there are going to be individuals that will be in more direct contact with COVID-19. Those of us fortunate enough to stay at home most of the time must do our part in stopping the spread. 

If you’re going to travel for the holidays, it is important to follow as closely as possible the local and national guidelines for traveling. Right now, the best option is to stay home unless it is absolutely essential that you travel. If you do travel, getting a test, quarantining at home for two weeks before the travel and wearing a mask while traveling on public transit are all good options. If these are not options available to you, then you might want to reconsider large travel. 

If your travel only requires you to use a car for your destination, the same protocols can apply, although you don’t need to worry about being on a cramped plane with strangers. Even with car travel, you might need to stop for gas or food, which still means you will have contact with people. The only way to avoid the virus completely is to completely eliminate your contact with other people outside of your home, which is extremely difficult for many individuals. 

If you aren’t traveling for the holiday season but are considering having a large gathering, I would suggest that you just don’t do so. According to the CDC, if you’re hosting a gathering, it should be outside with social distancing and masks in place. The cold weather presents a problem to this, as it is difficult to stay outside for too long. This means gatherings likely will move indoors, where you will be in close contact with others. The Clay County Public Health Department recommends keeping a contact list of less than 10 people that you can easily identify in the instance of an outbreak. If you go to a party, this rule can easily not apply to just 10 individuals. 

If you are going to see people that you don’t regularly see, and you aren’t sure about your exposure or theirs, you should really be social distancing and wearing a mask. If you choose not to do these things, then you must be comfortable accepting the risk. For myself, there is a limited circle of people who I will not wear a mask around, including my roommates, family and boyfriend – who because of living circumstances make it difficult to social distance and mask myself constantly. It can be done, but this is the risk I have accepted. 

Telling others that you don’t want to see them because you’re uncomfortable can be difficult. It can be difficult to have conversations with members of your household who don’t have the same views you do on the pandemic that you’re not comfortable with their actions. These types of conversations need to happen while the pandemic is occurring. You need to make it clear that if someone is attending large gatherings or traveling, you may not be able to see them for a few weeks. It’s not personal, it’s not political, it’s safety. 

While I personally will not be traveling or attending large gatherings this holiday season, if you’re going to, you need to follow guidelines and assume the risk. You also need to accept that some in your circle will not want to see you after these activities. And that’s okay. It is important to be kind and respectful of those around you, and you can do so by following guidelines. Your actions during this pandemic do not just affect you, but those around you. It is important to be selfless during this time in order to benefit yourself, your household and your loved ones.

These changes aren’t the only ones the museum has had to make in this unprecedented year. On Oct. 21, the museum released a statement that it was cutting its budget and laying off employees due to the financial stress of the pandemic. During the closure from March to September, the museum reported losing revenue from events, special exhibit ticketing and other avenues, such that they would need to cut their budget by 25 percent to stay afloat. Along with these budget cuts came the need to layoff 36 employees. 

Photography curator Keith Davis resigned after photography curator Jane L. Aspinwall was included in the cuts of employees. Aspinwall was the longest standing curator of the photography department. The photography department at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art received critical acclaim after acquiring the Hallmark Photographic Collection in 2005, which Davis was a part of. Davis was one of three long-time staff members who had built the Nelson-Atkins photography department into what it is today. 

Davis had been curator of the Hallmark Fine Arts collection since 1979, and became curator of the collection at the Nelson-Atkins when it was gifted to them. Davis cited that he had lobbied for Aspinwall to be retained at the museum for 10 days, but was not successful, sparking his resignation. The only curator left in the museum’s photography department is April M. Watson. 

The cuts by the museum occurred even after they received a small business loan from the government, which allowed them to pay employees during the closure. The museum largely operates on private donations, but these funds were not enough to make up for the amount of money lost during the lockdown. The Director of the museum, Julian Zugazagoita, commented in the statement released by the museum that it is the last option to cut any staff.

However, the financial strain of the pandemic was too great. He also stated that the cuts would not impact the enjoyment of museum-goers. 
The decision to layoff remarkable staff at a remarkable Kansas City institution highlights the problems COVID-19 created for museums and other businesses. Art enthusiasts and casual museum-goers can choose to donate to the museum through this link, or in person when they visit.

Stories are an integral part of all cultures, and the Kansas City Storytelling Celebration seeks to bring the art of storytelling to light. For centuries, storytelling has been one of the best ways of educating and entertaining. Before there was the internet, people would have gathered around the campfire on a chilly night and told the tales of their lives, painting a picture with their words across a starry night sky. Now, that storytelling is being celebrated virtually through the Storytelling Celebration, held Nov. 2 to Nov. 7.

The Celebration aims to ignite interest in storytelling as an art form. Stories can range from real and personal to fantastical and imaginary. During the festival hosted by Mid-Continent Public Library, Metropolitan Community College and River and Prairie Storyweavers, nationally and regionally recognized storytellers, will be telling their tales online. Each storyteller has a unique background and style that makes them exemplary members of their field. To learn more about the storytellers, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page. 

Each night of storytelling is shown on the Mid-Continent Public Library website, listing what type of story it is, who the storyteller is, and what age range the story is appropriate for. To view a story, you can click on the link and it will direct you to the MCPL360 Facebook page to watch the story at the correct time. Each story lasts about an hour and on Nov. 7 the schedule is packed with workshops and celebrations. The workshops will be on Zoom, and attendees need to register beforehand. You can register using your MCPL library card number or continue as a guest. 

Some of the stories include sounds or different languages to engage the listener in a variety of ways. To find out more about the program, the storytellers and the types of stories that will be shared, check out this video on the website. 

The schedule for Nov. 2 to Nov. 7 is below.

Storytelling Celebration Schedule

Monday, Nov. 2

7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Storytelling Celebration 2020: True Adventures of Growing Up on a Rural Missouri Farm (MCPL360)

“Storyteller Beth Horner grew up on Sugar Grove Farm in Boone County, Missouri.”

Ages 6+

Tuesday, Nov. 3

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Storytelling Celebration 2020: The Bebop Monster (MCPL360)

“With my imagination, you have the power to create a story any way you want. Even your [fave] monster can dig some cool, Bebop Jazz.”

Ages 3+

7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Storytelling Celebration 2020: Tricksters and Shapeshifters! (MCPL360)

“‘Are these stories true? Yes and no, of course!’ Join Gene as he shares stories from his Native heritage and personal experiences.”

Ages 9+

Wednesday, Nov. 4

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Storytelling Celebration 2020: Tales in Tandem (MCPL360)

“There are always two sides to every story. Linda and Gary tell stories of road trips and true love from personal experience to Greek myths. Come and listen before you decide which side you choose.”

For adults

7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Storytelling Celebration 2020: It’s Storytelling Time (MCPL360)

“Join Oba William King for a collection of story-songs, folk tales, rhythm and rhyme, with original stories and poems from his books.”

Ages 8+

Thursday, Nov. 5

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Storytelling Celebration 2020: Silly Stuff (MCPL360)

“From tee-hee to guffaw, with giggles in between, this program is not for the serious minded. Check all scowls at the door! Stories, songs and puppets galore!”

Ages 4+

7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Storytelling Celebration 2020: Once Upon a Cuento (MCPL360)

“Ready for some fun? Laughter & smiles need no translation!”

Ages 9+

Friday, November 6

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Storytelling Celebration 2020: True Tall Tales & Other Lies (MCPL360)

“Jim Wallen shares side-splitting, belly laughing stories of growing up in the Ozarks.”

Ages 9+

Saturday, November 7

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.    

Storytelling Celebration 2020 Workshop: Telling Stories with Music and Movement Workshop Featuring Oba William King (Zoom)

“Join storyteller and musician Oba William King and learn how to capture audiences’ attention through storytelling, poetry and drama.”

For adults

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

Storytelling Celebration 2020: Family Storytelling Concert Featuring Beth Horner (MCPL360)

“‘Pluck, Muck, Laughter & Groans: Stories and Songs from My Family to Yours:’ From childhood farmyard escapades to traditional tales of adventure, storyteller Beth Horner will captivate with stories told with words, music, kazoos & bones.”

All ages 

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Storytelling Celebration 2020 Workshop: Spicing Up the Storytelling Stew with a Second Language Featuring Carrie Sue Ayvar (Zoom)

“Use a second language as a sprinkle of spice (only a word or two necessary) or as a flavorful main ingredient (more fluency) and learn how to blend two languages into a savory story that flows with ease. Discover and develop your own tasty tales through demonstration and participation. Appropriate for new or experienced tellers. Fluency in second language is NOT required.”

For adults

2:15 – 3:00 p.m.

Storytelling Celebration 2020: Family Storytelling Concert Featuring Gene Tagaban (MCPL360)

“‘Are these stories true? Yes and no, of course!’ Join Gene as he shares stories from his Native heritage and personal experiences. The teachings of Raven and Coyote, rising of the tides and the people of the air, water and land. Trees hold the remembering, if you want to remember ask the trees. To enjoy this virtual program, go to our MCPL360 Facebook page at the scheduled day and time.”

All ages

While many ghost stories consist of a bunch of circumstantial evidence with no real cause, some are a little more factual. The appeal of ghost stories heightens around Halloween when it appears that the supernatural might be brought to life. 

One such ghost story that takes place in our own little state of Missouri occurs in Wildwood – a city just outside of St. Louis. This tale is full of legends, death and some apparent evidence that one may not wish to dwell too long at night on Zombie Road. Originally called Lawler-Ford Road, it was built in the 1860s and follows the train tracks to the Meramec River. The road has since been repaved and is now called Rocky Hollow trail where bikers and joggers can exercise, but many are still wary to be anywhere near the area. 

The trail sits on top of an old Native American burial ground and winds through two miles of dense woods. The trail was also used as a path for soldiers in the Civil War and was the site of railroad accidents and various mysterious disappearances. All of this has created the legends surrounding the trail today. One of the most compelling legends tells of a figure that appears around the railroad tracks. This figure is rumored to be the soul of someone struck and killed by a train. In fact, there was someone who was actually struck and killed by a train in that spot.

Della McCullough was a woman that lived in the area in the late 1800s and was killed by a train on Lawler-Ford Road in 1876. This is the only record from the area of a person being hit by a train at this time so this legend might be true. It’s also possible that others fell prey to the trains but that we don’t have this documentation. Many trains derailed here as the tracks surrounding the area were sharp and often bent. 

The area surrounding the trail also used to be a small resort community that fell into disrepair around the 1940s. Now, abandoned homes line the trail adding to the spooky factor. Some people have said that they have seen figures going in and out of the homes and have even heard someone yelling at them. 

In the late 1950s, the trail and railroad tracks had fallen into great disrepair, and it became a popular spot for young couples to hang out. It was at this time a rumor that many had disappeared without a trace at the hands of a crazed escaped killer nicknamed “The Zombie Killer” began to form – and the legendary name of Zombie Road was born. There is no evidence at all that these killings took place, and there is no evidence that any escapes from mental institutions occurred.  

Today, the trail is closed at night, and you can even receive a fine if you’re caught trespassing. Perhaps the creepiest feature of Zombie Road is that individuals still report seeing multiple shadowy figures, hearing unexplained footsteps in the forest and on the trail and feeling like they’re being watched. The fact that these things are happening today in daylight might lend some credibility to the theory that the area is haunted. 

While there is mostly circumstantial evidence that the area on and around the trail is haunted, the large amount of historical significance, tragedies and abandonment surrounding the area all leads to a perfect concoction for a potential haunting site. The real factual evidence, such as that of Della McCullough, provides a detail that makes one wonder whether every account is true. 

The wooded area is often chilly and dark even during the day and as you think about all that has happened here over the years, you might begin to feel a small chill run up one’s spine. The trail is used frequently during the day, and many who don’t believe in the paranormal appear to not think too much of the spooky legends here. It might just be that when your headphones are in and you’re running along, you don’t notice the dark figure standing behind that tree or hear the footsteps creeping up behind you when no one is there. 

Whether or not you choose to believe that Zombie Road is haunted, I think that the evidence here lends to at least a decent bedtime story to give kids a little wariness about what goes bump in the night. It’s most likely nothing, but what if it’s not? Ghost stories allow us to indulge in the supernatural and let us wonder: What if it’s real?