Editor's Note: Pam Markel, immediate past president of the NCA, is contributing a column to NCA Today that highlights interesting historical events. In this edition, she describes a memorable regional meeting.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa in April, 2000 was the setting of another NCA regional meeting. This wonderful event was hosted by Jim and Elaine Watkins-Miller from Center Stage Costumes. Members from all over the Midwest area, California, Florida and to add an international flair from London, and Canada. Special guests of Andy Crainock, two natives of the Slovak Republic were also in attendance. Duane Wendel, of Features Costumes in Florida, was president of the NCA at this time.
The weekend was full of educational opportunities such as radio advertising, point of sale computer systems, Santa wigs and beards, fantasy makeup, stage combat and opera costuming. The members were treated to other special events. A trolley ride transported the attendees to the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, and the History Center and Brucemore for tours.
The highlight of every regional meeting is always the entertainment and dinner. With the theme, “Why Don’t You Give Iowa a Try?” would you expect anything but fun? One of the highlights of the evening was caricatures by John Demory. Jim and Elaine were targets of a hysterical drawing depicting some confusion they were experiencing about where to find “milk”? Not sure what the story is behind that? Check out the drawing.
I was not in attendance at this regional, however the main attraction appeared to be the costume
contest. NCA conventions and regionals have seen a lot of costume events with fabulous creations, but the Iowa regional, well this event was a smash success. President Duane Wendel planned to enter the contest as Iowa member “Betty Hill Swander” from De Moines Theatrical. For those who knew Betty, there were a few famous items that shaped her persona. A huge red beehive hairdo, a beautiful floral headscarf, white tennis shoes and pantsuits were her iconic look. At the market she always pulled a rolling suitcase with her orders. So… Duane decided to portray Betty. He commissioned Gary Broderick and Glen Alexander from Performance Costumes in Tennessee, to create a wig of Betty’s iconic hair and ship it to Center Stage Costumes before the event. There were specific instructions NOT to open the box before he arrived. When our delightfully ornery President Duane Wendel paraded onto the stage, the audience erupted into hysterical laughter. He was dressed to the “Nines” as Betty Hill Swander, pantsuit, wig, scarf, tennis shoes and rolling suitcase with fake money falling out of it. Of course, Duane or as better known “Betty,” was the grand prize winner of the costume contest.
There were many more fun events, stories and endless entertainment during this great regional. Those in attendance were grateful for the time spent with fellow costumers. I am sure they left more educated, more stimulated with new ideas and filled with all the special memories from the weekend. (Especially Duane Wendell’s appearance as Betty Hill Swander.)
Regional meetings were a thing of the past, but do they have to be?