“From cryptids to classics, every book holds a new adventure.”
Mothman, Literacy & Legends Come to Life in White Sulphur Springs
Fall is in the air, and that means it’s time once again for the festive tradition of Scarecrows on Main Street in downtown White Sulphur Springs! Local organizations and community members are decorating lightpoles with scarecrows representing characters, and clever themes—and the Kiwanis Club of the Greenbrier Valley is excited to join in with our 2025 theme:
📖 “Legends and Literacy” 👻
This year, our lightpole will feature a creature of mystery and legend that hails from right here in the Mountain State: the Mothman!
👁️🗨️ Who (or What) Is Mothman?
Mothman is one of West Virginia’s most famous cryptids—a term used to describe mysterious creatures that some people believe exist, but haven’t been proven by science. Think of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, or the Chupacabra—these are all cryptids that show up in legends, books, and campfire stories.
According to legend, Mothman is a large, winged creature with glowing red eyes, first reported near Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in the 1960s. Sightings of the strange creature caused quite a stir in the community. Some believed Mothman was a warning of danger—especially after the tragic collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967. Others believe Mothman was simply misunderstood.
Whether a real creature, a misidentified bird, or a local legend that grew over time, Mothman has become a beloved figure in West Virginia folklore. Today, Point Pleasant even hosts an annual Mothman Festival, where people from all over come to celebrate the mystery!
🦉 What Are Cryptids?
Cryptids are legendary creatures that spark curiosity and imagination. Some are spooky, some are silly, and some are downright fascinating. They’re often passed down through storytelling—just like folk tales, fairy tales, and myths.
And guess what? Many of these creatures can be found in children’s books! Reading about cryptids can be a great way for kids to explore storytelling, history, science, and culture—all while having fun.
📚 How Kiwanis Promotes Literacy
The Kiwanis Club of the Greenbrier Valley is using this spooky season to highlight the power of stories—and the importance of reading. That’s why we’re encouraging kids and families to discover the exciting world of books, whether it’s about cryptids, heroes, history, or adventure.
Our club collects new and gently used children’s books all year long to help stock several Little Free Libraries across our community. These small book boxes offer free books for kids and families—anytime, no library card needed!
We’re excited to announce that we’re expanding our Little Library program to serve even more neighborhoods in the Greenbrier Valley. With your help, we can get more books into the hands of young readers and continue our mission to support childhood literacy.
🎃 Visit Our “Legendary” Lightpole!
Come downtown to see all the amazing scarecrow displays, and be sure to visit the Kiwanis Club’s Mothman! Our version of Mothman is less scary and more book-loving—with wings wide open to welcome readers of all ages. Stop by for a photo and share it and tag us on Facebook with the hashtag #legendsandliteracykiwanis to help promote the importance of reading, legends, and a little local mystery.
📦 Want to donate books or support our Little Library expansion? Find us on Facebook at Kiwanis Club of the Greenbrier Valley or send us an email.
Legends And Literacy
Mothman, Literacy & Legends Come to Life in White Sulphur Springs
Fall is in the air, and that means it’s time once again for the festive tradition of Scarecrows on Main Street in downtown White Sulphur Springs! Local organizations and community members are decorating lightpoles with scarecrows representing characters, and clever themes—and the Kiwanis Club of the Greenbrier Valley is excited to join in with our 2025 theme:
📖 “Legends and Literacy” 👻
This year, our lightpole will feature a creature of mystery and legend that hails from right here in the Mountain State: the Mothman!
👁️🗨️ Who (or What) Is Mothman?
Mothman is one of West Virginia’s most famous cryptids—a term used to describe mysterious creatures that some people believe exist, but haven’t been proven by science. Think of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, or the Chupacabra—these are all cryptids that show up in legends, books, and campfire stories.
According to legend, Mothman is a large, winged creature with glowing red eyes, first reported near Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in the 1960s. Sightings of the strange creature caused quite a stir in the community. Some believed Mothman was a warning of danger—especially after the tragic collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967. Others believe Mothman was simply misunderstood.
Whether a real creature, a misidentified bird, or a local legend that grew over time, Mothman has become a beloved figure in West Virginia folklore. Today, Point Pleasant even hosts an annual Mothman Festival, where people from all over come to celebrate the mystery!
🦉 What Are Cryptids?
Cryptids are legendary creatures that spark curiosity and imagination. Some are spooky, some are silly, and some are downright fascinating. They’re often passed down through storytelling—just like folk tales, fairy tales, and myths.
And guess what? Many of these creatures can be found in children’s books! Reading about cryptids can be a great way for kids to explore storytelling, history, science, and culture—all while having fun.
📚 How Kiwanis Promotes Literacy
The Kiwanis Club of the Greenbrier Valley is using this spooky season to highlight the power of stories—and the importance of reading. That’s why we’re encouraging kids and families to discover the exciting world of books, whether it’s about cryptids, heroes, history, or adventure.
Our club collects new and gently used children’s books all year long to help stock several Little Free Libraries across our community. These small book boxes offer free books for kids and families—anytime, no library card needed!
We’re excited to announce that we’re expanding our Little Library program to serve even more neighborhoods in the Greenbrier Valley. With your help, we can get more books into the hands of young readers and continue our mission to support childhood literacy.
🎃 Visit Our “Legendary” Lightpole!
Come downtown to see all the amazing scarecrow displays, and be sure to visit the Kiwanis Club’s Mothman! Our version of Mothman is less scary and more book-loving—with wings wide open to welcome readers of all ages. Stop by for a photo and share it and tag us on Facebook with the hashtag #legendsandliteracykiwanis to help promote the importance of reading, legends, and a little local mystery.
📦 Want to donate books or support our Little Library expansion?
Find us on Facebook at Kiwanis Club of the Greenbrier Valley or send us an email.
https://www.facebook.com/GreenbrierValleyWVKiwanis
Together, we can help every child discover a love of reading—one legendary story at a time.
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