by Rob Peck, education editor

 

I begin with heartfelt thanks to Holly Martinez, whose effort and organizational savvy created the large hand-scrolled posters listing the entire day's workshop titles, timeslots, Instructors etc. that so many jugglers consulted. Taped to the wall behind it, she even posted an overview of pre-scheduled offerings for future days! Without even being able to attend the festival herself, Holly and her "can do" attitude nonetheless made the difference in making the Rapid City's workshops the best publicized and best attended ever. Secondly I thank Scott "Schedule Sheik" Slesnick and Ralph "Map­Man" TIppins for bailing me out and posting signs directing jugglers to the upstairs workshop locations. They also helped in organizing the volunteer staff at the information table. I received similar practical assistance (and a great political joke!) from Erica Kelch and Deena Frooman.

 

Likewise my hat is off to all who showed up Tuesday for the planning meeting and continued to help throughout the week. As best I can recall, those folks included Walt Szeezil, Hans Lonrith, Tony Flowers, Jeff Wiggs, David Deeble, Jan Brotman, Bob Messinger, Justin Martinez, Chuck Roach, Scott Glaser, Joanne Wrozek, Dave Brautigan, the Reids (Jonny, Adam & Murray), the Ozolins (Corinne & Kevin), and the irrepressible Ralph Tippins and his friend Chuck. Likewise five others whose last names also elude me: Karyn, Melissa, Mary Ellen, Rochelle and Rich (whose skill with a devil­stick I definitely remember!).

 

Special thanks as well to Dave "Mr. Microphone" Walbridge, who served as two­time shift volunteer, "Trays and Plates" instructor, 11th hour "Comedy Writing" guest host and frequent velvet-voiced workshop announcer.

 

Others who went the extra mile include Larry "Lasso Ngaio" Kluger and Steve "Proud Papa" Salberg who filled in for missing instructors to give workshops in "Beginning Rope Twirling" and "Bullwhip Cracking." Ditto for Jon Poppele, who at the last minute graciously filled in on the "Three Club Tricks" workshop for two days. Jackie Reis, Corrinne Ozolins, the ubiquitous Scott Slesnick and several others I'm blanking on pitched in on one or both sessions of "Learn To Cascade." Merd Grazzi aussi (thanks also) to Terry Kimpling who, in addition to teaching double sessions of "Cheap Three Ring Tricks" and "Diabolo 101," also substitute taught the "Beginning Cigar Box" class.

 

Several intrepid souls who either volunteered, or capitulated to mild coercion, to teach for the first time and/or pioneer a new offering. They included Ray Miller for the marathon "Rubenstein's Revenge Revealed" and "Team Juggling Acts" (what a concept!) with Clockwork's Jack Kalvan and Rick Rubenstein. The latter duo joined with Dan Bennett, Dan Menendez, Mark McGuire and Vince Bruce as guest artists for Dick Franco's "Panel of Pros" session. Other first timers were Ben Schoenberg, Peter Nicolaus, Mike Hout and Jek Kelly, who joined regulars Arthur Lewbel, Paul Klimek and Martin Frost in providing expert instruction.

 

Kudos as well to the instructors who did double duty, including vets Don Olney, Bill Giduz and John Phipps, and first timers Stefan Bell, Brian "Get Down" Patz, Michael & Marilyn Sullivan, David "Thumbs Up" Deeble, Scott "Can-man" Slesnick and Peter "Free 0" Davison.

 

Triple thanks to those who either taught three different workshops or offered the same one in triplicate - newcomer Bob "Hardest Workin' Man At The Festival" Nickerson, and veterans Wendy "No Foul No" Harms, Sam "On Board" Killbourn and Dale "Yo this, Tommy Smothers" Oliver.

 

Going one or two steps further were seasoned pros Robert "Butterfly Man" Nelson and Mike "Big Shoes" Vondruska. Then there was the truly tireless Stuart "Daily Does It" Celarier, who taught two solid hours of beginning club passing for five consecutive days. Workhorses par excellence Laura "Miz Tilly" Green and Ken "No Sweat" Sprano each offered five different workshops - and several of them more than once!

 

Last and definitely loosest was Dick Franco, who never let his big name stand between him and students in his workshops. And although they didn't exactly conduct "workshops" both Bob Bramson and Albert Lucas treated us to a relaxed and intimate off-stage view of their juggling worlds.

 

Here's hopin' you'll all be back (and that Bramson will re-retire!) bigger and better than ever for our 50th anniversary bash in Pittsburgh next August. Until then, thanks again for your time, talent (and in some cases, tenacity). Long may you continue the kind of learning and leading where the lessons and the laughter go hand in hand.