Doubling the Pleasure - Doubling the FUN!

Twice-Monthly Rounds are More FUN than One!

For the first time since Charlie's Chaplains' auspicious beginnings in 1991 at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, NC, the now-Hospital Clown Creative Arts Ministry (a new generation of the group) has instituted twice-monthly visitations.

A long-held heart's desire, the group unanimously agreed to adopt the new schedule and carefully considered this revamped modus operandi over the summer. Twice-monthly Rounds were instituted following Skool '08, with the October visitations.

MidYear Special Training Gathering Planned

As is tradition for FRMC Charlie's Chaplains, plans are currently in the works for the group's annual MidYear Gathering, a private training session held for active members. A half-day of specialized training, the program is designed to complement the more comprehensive full-day now-infamous Skool.

Each year, the session has provided in-depth exploration of particular disciplines for the group to learn more one-on-one about: puppetry, magic, balloons, family entertaining skills, and more...

When a spring special event is planned, Charlie's Chaplains also incorporates a unique training component into the day's activities. At past MidYear Gatherings, this has included "Kazoo Band" instrument design/construction and practice, "Pickle Bucket Band" drumming lessons, and "Kitchen Sink Band" instruction and rehearsal.

What is planned for FRMC Charlie's Chaplains' MidYear Gathering '09? It is a mystery to most, but here are the clues: brown bag, rampage and karaoke.

Stay tuned!

Charlie's Chariots Stocking Some New Items!

In addition to puppets, sight gags, and stickers Frye Regional Medical Center's Charlie's Chaplains Hospital Clown Creative Ministry has some fun new additions that will be regularly stocked in their hospital clown carts, also lovingly referred to as "Charlie's Chariots," beginning on Rounds in January, 2009. Lucky recipients will be the patients, as well as the staff.

Online in a recent issue of The Hospital Clown Newsletter, Editor Shobi Dobi shared a PDF link for MollyPenny's beautiful "Wee Cards," that are sweet, colorful leave-behind items for patients. Included in the file are tiny "Happy Birthday" cards, along with lots of cute designs and featuring other kind wishes. Charlie's Chaplains has wanted to offer similar cards for many years, but believe these designs were just the ticket!

Visit The Hospital Clown Newsletter to see MollyPenny's "Wee Cards" and download them by clicking on this link: http://www.hospitalclown.com/


Charlie's Chaplains' play always includes fun with the FRMC Staff, and have great plans for a new addition in the coming New Year expressly for the FRMC Staff! The latest innovation is "bubble wrap" cut into squares, to be handed out to the staff on Rounds. It is a stress reliever for them, a fun reminder of our visit, and a little something that lets them know how important they are.

As is tradition, Charlie's Chariots are decked in "holiday" and/or 'winter' (after the holidays)-style, with special antennae topped off with tiny snowman heads. Legend and lore has it the antennae help the group make Rounds during the winter months. For sure the special embellishments add more festive frivolity!

"Things I've Learned..." words by Andy Rooney

Skool '08 Was Very COOL!

Skool '08 was LOTS of FUN and it is gratifying to see how it has inspired, encouraged and instructed -- all goals of Skool... everyone has emerged refreshed, batteries recharged, and engines revving for a truly stellar new Skool 08-09 year!

And the transformations -- were incredible and quite evident, when revealed on Sunday's Rounds!

Except for under the Ringling Big Top, we don't think anyone any where would have ever seen such a collection of clowns -- !

Roger "Scrubs" Carr's pix tell the story...!
http://flickr.com/photos/rogercarr/sets/72157607564592134/

Charlie's Chaplains' Sammy Cortino Presented Doctoral Degree in Magic

Magic’s Royal Duke Sammy Cortino recently received the Doctoral Degree in Magic, the most comprehensive degree offered by the International Magicians Society. With over 37,000 international members, the society is the world’s largest magic organization.

Magic forms taught in the program include paper magic, hypnotism, grand illusion, card manipulation, money magic, and other varieties. Sammy, 19, says the course has allowed him to produce routines in a more studied manner. “I learned the conventions of every aspect of all magic forms. Creating solutions for a new number is now a snap!”

With a Doctoral Degree under his belt, what plans does Sammy have underway in his art? He is hard at work securing an agent to book illusion shows at performing arts centers internationally and is in the early stages of taking his large-scale, 90 minute Las Vegas style show to regional performing arts centers in 2009. At the Hayes Center (Blowing Rock), he was a sold-out hit and will enthrall audiences in these future engagements!

Sammy has been delighting and cheering patients, visitors and staff as the resident magician with FRMC Charlie's Chaplains since 1997. He has been instructing and inspiring at Charlie's Chaplains' now-infamous Skools since 2004.