DIMENSIONS OF IMAGINATION The Official Newsletter of the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation AS I KNEW HIM UPDATED! Details inside! SPRING 2021 FOUNDATION NOTES FROM NICK An Update from RSMF President Nick Parisi Hello everyone and welcome to work. Guy has been a professional hope you will let us utilize your work our spring 2021 newsletter! There’s illustrator for over 30 years and in other fundraising efforts. We’ll be lots going on in our little corner of has drawn every major character in touch! the Serling-verse to cover this time and worked with every big name around. in the comics industry imaginable. Since our prior newsletter, a few He’s also a passionate Rod Serling interesting Serling items have In our previous issue, we fan and generously offered to surfaced: mentioned our plans to erect a donate his time and talent to us for statue in Rod Serling’s honor in this project. Thanks, Guy! Check Season one of Betty White’s 1972 Binghamton, New York. By the out www.guydorianart.com for series, PET SET, was recently added time you read this, we will have samples of Guy’s incredible work. to Amazon Prime, and episode started or will soon start our online 20 features a guest appearance campaign to raise funds for this When we initiated this project, one from Rod and his adorable “son,” ambitious project. One of the of our newest board members, Michael, the family’s Irish Setter. many fantastic items that we plan Shelley McKay Young, put out If you had any doubt of Rod’s to offer in exchange for donations a call for artwork and several affection for animals – and dogs is the first official Rod Serling talented artists responded with specifically – check this out. Memorial Foundation Calendar. original pieces of work for us. A documents the story behind this Despite popular demand, this huge thank you to Wendy Brydge, For decades, one of the more project elsewhere in this issue. calendar will not include glamour Kevin Ennis, Scott Kawczyinski, sought after and mysterious pieces shots of Foundation board Kevin Yozviak, Michael DeCarlo, of Rod’s voiceover work has been That’s all for now. Till next time, members. No, our calendar will and Daniel Cottrell for your a 1975 radio event called “Fantasy include all original artwork created generous contributions. Though Park.” Rod’s demo recordings Nicholas Parisi by renowned illustrator Guy Dorian, we will not be able to use your were recently posted to YouTube President, The Rod Serling Sr., inspired by Rod’s vast body of submissions in our calendar, we and RSMF board member Gail Flug Memorial Foundation FOUNDATION OFFICERS Nicholas Parisi, President RSMF ARCHIVE Kate Murray, Vice President Tony Albarella, Secretary / Archivist A Collection of Items from the Release Andrew Polak, Treasurer of the Rod Serling Postage Stamp Helen Foley, Founder by Andrew Polak several panels of the 44 cent first BOARD OF DIRECTORS class stamps, we have the rubber All officers, and… After over a decade of stampers for the October 2nd and Joe Bardales campaigning for a Rod Serling 3rd stamp cancellation event held Amy Boyle Johnston postage stamp, in 2009 we were during the TZ@50 celebration here Mark Dawidziak finally rewarded by having Rod in Binghamton. To make them Gail Flug included in a collection of 20 more special, the stamper images Mark Olshaker commemorative stamps: “Early TV were designed by our webmaster, Carolyn Price Memories.” Stephen Schlich! The stamp itself OUR PLEDGE Steve Schlich was designed by Carl T. Herrman Rod Serling’s achievements in Anne Serling In our Archive, we have the who has designed over 400 playwriting, speech making and Jeff Serling framed dedication to the images for the USPS. broadcasting are considerable Douglas Sutton Serling family from the and important. As members of The Gordon C. Webb Binghamton Post Office Rod Serling Memorial Foundation, Shelley McKay Young that was presented to Rod’s we dedicate ourselves to promote daughters, Anne and Jodi and preserve this great man’s ADVISORS Serling and donated to the contributions to the Arts and Brian Frey Foundation. We also have Humanities. Robert Keller a giant size poster image of Jodi Serling the Rod Serling Twilight Zone We pledge to educate the public Jackie Stapleton stamp that you may have about Rod Serling’s genius and seen on display at many of his passion, hoping that they will WEBMASTER our functions. In addition to understand and appreciate his Steve Schlich mastery of the creative arts, his unique understanding of human NEWSLETTER EDITOR relationships, his esteem as a Gordon C. Webb writer, his generosity as a speaker in and around Binghamton, and NEWSLETTER DESIGNER his uncompromising commitment Gail Flug to quality. Rod Serling Memorial Foundation Box 2101, Binghamton, New York USA 13902-2101 www.RodSerling.com NON-PROFIT PLEDGE The Rod Serling Memorial Foundation is operated exclusively for the above and other non-profit purposes, and is registered with the IRS as a non-profit entity. No part of any net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any private member. ON THE COVER: The last photo of Anne, age 21, and her dad. FOUNDATION RSMF PROFILE Mark Dawidziak - Board Of Directors, Member Mark Dawidziak is the author or years as a television, film and the- of works by celebrated editor of about 25 books, including ater critic at such newspapers as Twilight Zone contributor three studies of landmark televi- the Akron Beacon Journal and the Richard Matheson, who sion series: THE COLUMBO PHILE: Cleveland Plain Dealer. In 2015, he mentioned Mark in the A CASEBOOK, THE NIGHT STALKER was inducted into the Press Club dedications to two of his COMPANION, and EVERYTHING I of Cleveland Journalism Hall of books. NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN THE Fame. THE TWILIGHT ZONE, his lightheart- In 2002, Mark and his wife, ed 2017 tribute to Rod Serling’s He also is the author of the 1994 actress Sara Showman, classic anthology series. He also horror novel GRAVE SECRETS, as founded the Largely is an internationally recognized well as such non-fiction books as Literary Theater Company, Mark Twain scholar, and five of his THE BARTER THEATRE STORY: LOVE dedicated to promoting books are about the iconic Ameri- MADE VISIBLE, THE BEDSIDE, BATH- literature, literacy and live can writer. He has been portraying TUB AND ARMCHAIR COMPANION theater. Their repertoire in- Twain on stage for more than 40 TO DRACULA and, most recently, cludes works by Mark Twain years. No less an authority than THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and Edgar Allan Poe. Ken Burns has said, “Nobody gets REVEALED: HOW ONE STORY KEEPS Mark Twain the way Mark Dawid- HOPE ALIVE, a 2019 deep-dive We’re pleased to have ziak does.” look at the beloved film based Mark as one of the newest mem- Mark poses with his TZ book at on a novella by Stephen King. He bers of the Serling the carousel in Recreation Park, Born in New York, Mark spent 43 also is the editor of three volumes Foundation’s Board of Directors. Binghamton, NY SPEAK YOUR MIND Share Your Serling Scenario by Steve Schlich fans of Rod Serling reveal how behind the intimidating Twilight wonder and the invaluable he reached them personally and Zone icon that we all know so well. guidance he received while My favorite corner of the Twilight helped them through life. I love creating a short film for the United Zone that is this website is our these stories because they let you We encourage readers just like Fund with Rod Serling. SPEAK YOUR MIND page, where see the sensitive and caring man you to share their own Serling stories with the world, and we’ve Tales Told Twice: My own Rod received some enchanting tales. Serling encounter, as a freshman I’ll point you to a few of them in a college cafeteria. below, but please go to the RSMF MERCHANDISE SPEAK YOUR MIND page and look YouTube Videos for yourself. There’s lots to like (on our MEDIA:VIDEO page) The RSMF has teamed up with there, and a way for you to tell Muckles Ink - a retail & commercial your own tale. Here’s a primer… Twilight Zone in Death Valley: screen-printed apparel company a true labor of love, this video owned and operated by The Twitter Zone: compares sixty-year old shots Binghamton University Alumni - to New York Times columnist from the series with the same print and distribute our official Maureen Dowd muses about territory today. Enchanting and shirt! Proceeds will benefit the Rod the Twilight Zone’s continuing spooky! Serling Memorial Foundation. It’s a appeal and relevance, and why great conversation starter to meet she watches the annual July Blues for Rod Serling: Guitarist Phil fellow fans and a rewarding way to marathon again and again. deGruy pays musical tribute to show your support for Rod’s legacy! the man. TZ, My Father, and Me: Details: Scott Sommer tells how the TFW: That Feeling When ...you • 52/48 Airlume combed and episode “One for the Angels” realize that you’ve time-traveled ringspun cotton/polyester reminds him of his father’s love. into the Twilight Zone! A mash-up • Unisex sizing of those magical TZ moments • Coverstitched collar and sleeves Spare the Rod Serling and Spoil reveals the many ways that • Shoulder-to-shoulder taping the Child: Writer Patrick Timothy actors can drop their jaws. Retail fit, side seams Mullikin recalls his “Rod Serling • Tear-away label childhood” with fondness, Rod Serling Video Festival: wonder, and wicked humor. All contestants are high school Available in black with white print or age or younger.