Minty Fresh

What a cool day. I spent it in the Capital Region, which meant I didn't have far to drive (for a change). After an early morning workout, I traveled to the WAMC studios in downtown Albany to take part in a live segment about Norman Rockwell Museum's upcoming Girl Scout Festival, that will celebrate the organization's 100-year anniversary.

Norman Rockwell created the designs for these
12 Girl Scout medallions for the Franklin Mint
back in 1977. I thought they looked great!
Courtesy and from the collection of
Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts.

I'm usually the one gathering guests to represent the Museum, but this time no one was available... so I decided to do the talking. I have done live radio before (even had my own weekly show), but I'm no expert on the Girl Scouts, so it did feel a little "unknown" once I got there...

Luckily I had two very informed guests join me: Monica Minor, the Vice President of Girl Development for Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York; and Dana Carnegie, Communications Manager for Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (both of these ladies' councils will be helping us with the festival). Dana I had spoken with before, and was very impressed with her professionalism--we share a similar job in terms of managing communications, so it was inspiring to talk with and finally meet her--I thought she came off great on the air. She also brought along a loan of original Girl Scouts medallions that Norman Rockwell had designed for the Franklin Mint back in 1977-- the Museum did not have these originals, so it will be a nice addition to a small exhibit of related Scout artworks that we will be displaying... I was really happy to help secure this loan. Dana also brought along a box of thin mints for me, so she is officially OK in my book.

The host of The Roundtable, Joe Donahue, always seems to do his homework, so I thought it went well. A good portion of the show was devoted to talking about Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low, so I was happy to have Dana and Monica there to inform us all. I really let them do most of the talking, and was happy to learn more about the organization. Conscious of our short 15 minute segment, I did want to acknowledge my wife's long-time involvement with the scouts... this is where much of my interest came from, and I guess you could call it a love letter... hope it was appropriate. There were other things I had hoped to add, but it is hard to think on your toes during such a live segment, and better to let the host lead the show. 

Here is a link to listen to the final broadcast: 
wamc.org/post/norman-rockwell-museum-girl-scout-festival-centennial-celebration

After that, I drove up the street to do some more outreach for the Museum... this time at a local comic book shop to talk about our upcoming exhibition on the art of Alex Ross. They seemed excited... I may have been more of an authority of that subject. I left with several new ideas all the same.

Good, productive day. It's good to get out of the office now and then...