What's the weirdest thing in Columbus?

[Carol]

It's a backhanded compliment, to be sure.

In the new edition of Jim Miles' book "Weird Georgia," Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley is all over the place.

There are Whitesville Road ghost stories, Pine Mountain UFO sightings and the story of a Columbus house built like a windmill. Oh, and the story about the day two men found animal flesh raining upon them -- from careless vultures above, it is believed.

The folks at Columbus' Barnes & Noble bookstore hope the best story is yet to come, though.

The store is hosting a contest looking for the weirdest thing in Columbus. Miles himself will look at submissions and choose a winner when he's here to sign books at the store on May 21. The winner will receive a free copy of the book, autographed by the Fort Valley-based author.

"We wanted to get people thinking about Columbus and what's weird in Columbus," says Jennifer Sparks, community relations manager for the store.

"We're looking for weird things," Sparks says, "and not necessarily people. A lot of people say, 'Well, I've got a weird brother.' "

Those wishing to compete should just take a photograph of their weird thing, attach some text explaining what it is, and drop it by the store. A name and phone number should be included. Though store managers prefer the submissions be dropped by in advance, they'll accept them at the start of the book signing too.

The book is a believe-it-or-not tour of the state's stranger places and stories drawn from oral stories and newspaper accounts (Ledger-Enquirer staff writer Tim Chitwood is cited in reference to Bigfoot sightings).

IF YOU GO

What : Weird Columbus contest and book signing with "Weird Georgia" author Jim Miles

When : 1 p.m. May 21

Where : Barnes & Noble, Columbus Park Crossing, 5555 Whittlesey Blvd.

Cost : Free to watch. The book is $19.95.

Details :

(706) 653-7906

Source: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledg ... 530854.htm