Yada for April 99

As part of a project to assess the fitness of puppetry guilds across the country, last year the Puppeteers of America sent a survey to the guilds. I recently received a copy of the survey results. We should feel fortunate (and also proud) that, according to these statistics, we have one of the healthiest guilds in the country. (Statistics are good. We all know this. The fact that my spouse is a statistician - and also the person with direct control over my chocolate supply - has nothing to do with my opinion of statistics.)

Here's how Twin Cities Puppeteers stacks up: Of the 38 guilds who responded to the survey, TCP is the oldest guild, having been founded in 1936. We have the sixth largest membership (80 members). On a scale of "Thriving" to "Need Help," we are one of only six guilds who consider themselves "thriving." TCP is among the 15 guilds who hold at least one day of puppetry a year. (I must admit that the Columbus Puppetry Guild gets the award for sponsorship of the most unusual event. They have 8 "spit & whittle" sessions every year. We have none, although some of us do drool a little on occasion.) Numbers don't lie. TCP is healthy.

Just being a healthy guild, though, doesn't say much about WHO we are - what makes us unique. Perhaps what we need is a nickname/slogan. Something to perk up our little Northern egos, to warm our hearts on those dark below-zero nights. Something that says "We are a MINNESOTA guild, you betcha!"

I therefore submit for you approval, these suggestions for an official TCP nickname. (Take them with two grains of salt and call me in the morning.)

Guild Most Likely to Tell Ole and Lena Jokes.
Guild Most Likely to Laugh At Ole and Lena Jokes.
Guild With Largest Number of Mysterious Star-Shaped Holes in Nearby Frozen Lakes
Guild With Most Blatantly Chocoholic President
Guild Whose Governor Can Beat Up Your Governor
Only Guild With a Stuffed Crocodilian Mascot Currently Residing In Bolivia
Only Guild With A 107-Year-Old Living Charter Member
Only Guild With An Officer Dubbed "Skinny Boy Eide-y" By 107-Year-Old Charter Member

Okay, that takes care of the nickname. Now all we need is a guy to wear the giant stuffed Bolivian crocodile suit....




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	Return to Resources Page	By Diane Rains Editor, TC Puppet Monitor February, 1999 As part of a project to assess the fitness of puppetry guilds across the country, last year the Puppeteers of America sent a survey to the guilds. I recently received a copy of the survey results. We should feel fortunate (and also proud) that, according to these statistics, we have one of the healthiest guilds in the country. (Statistics are good. We all know this. The fact that my spouse is a statistician - and also the person with direct control over my chocolate supply - has nothing to do with my opinion of statistics.) Here's how Twin Cities Puppeteers stacks up: Of the 38 guilds who responded to the survey, TCP is the oldest guild, having been founded in 1936. We have the sixth largest membership (80 members). On a scale of "Thriving" to "Need Help," we are one of only six guilds who consider themselves "thriving." TCP is among the 15 guilds who hold at least one day of puppetry a year. (I must admit that the Columbus Puppetry Guild gets the award for sponsorship of the most unusual event. They have 8 "spit & whittle" sessions every year. We have none, although some of us do drool a little on occasion.) Numbers don't lie. TCP is healthy. Just being a healthy guild, though, doesn't say much about WHO we are - what makes us unique. Perhaps what we need is a nickname/slogan. Something to perk up our little Northern egos, to warm our hearts on those dark below-zero nights. Something that says "We are a MINNESOTA guild, you betcha!" I therefore submit for you approval, these suggestions for an official TCP nickname. (Take them with two grains of salt and call me in the morning.) Guild Most Likely to Tell Ole and Lena Jokes. Guild Most Likely to Laugh At Ole and Lena Jokes. Guild With Largest Number of Mysterious Star-Shaped Holes in Nearby Frozen Lakes Guild With Most Blatantly Chocoholic President Guild Whose Governor Can Beat Up Your Governor Only Guild With a Stuffed Crocodilian Mascot Currently Residing In Bolivia Only Guild With A 107-Year-Old Living Charter Member Only Guild With An Officer Dubbed "Skinny Boy Eide-y" By 107-Year-Old Charter Member Okay, that takes care of the nickname. Now all we need is a guy to wear the giant stuffed Bolivian crocodile suit.... Copyright 1999 Freshwater Pearls Puppetry