Showing posts with label Barry Haldiman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barry Haldiman. Show all posts

May 16, 2017

Ideas needed! Craft future programming at May 20th meeting!

What: Monthly KaCSFFS Meeting
When: Saturday, May 20, 2017, from 6:00 till 9:30 p.m.
Where: The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO 64111
Food theme: Favorite meeting-fare samples

Time to get creative
Join new Director David Means and your KaCSFFS friends for an evening of creative development this Saturday! It's time to plan the meeting programs for the next twelve months.

Barry Haldiman starts with a puzzler's overview.
Recent Directors have encouraged the discovery of interesting, hitherto-unknown-by-KaCSFFS collections, skills and talents of our members.

For instance, we've gained fascinating insights from Barry Haldiman's crossword-puzzle-creation skills.

We've been amazed and delighted by William McCullough's collection of Armed Services Editions, the half-sized paperback books that turned a generation of American soldiers into a nation of readers.

We've enjoyed Corey Barber's extensive collection of wonderful fantasy and sf art, and been enlightened by David Means-and-Family's collections of tabletop games (still providing us with interesting blog posts a year and a half later), plus most recently YA books (last month's fascinating program).

William McCullough and (most of) his collection of Armed Services Editions, many of them sf.

We also have been beguiled by interesting speakers, such as YM Rivadineira and her amazing costumes--and who could forget the R2 Builders, whose presentation has been considered by some the "best program ever"?

Then-Director Margene observes the R2 Builders presentation
We also have brought together authors doing readings, artists exhibiting fantasy and sf artwork, as well as panel discussions, such as the one in March, when Earline "Cricket" Beebe and Ty Gephardt gave an inspiring presentation on how to throw a great room party, or the one presented several years ago about the Kansas City connections to authors in our genres.

Recent meetings also have been more multi-media, combining live presenters in the room with remote interviews via FaceTime with authors K. B. Shaw, Julia Mandala, and P. R. Adams, or movie previews and videos, such as those produced to promote MidAmericon II. If you like that trend, please tell us!

And don't forget the food! KaXFEN love to eat, and we include some amazing cooks among our number. Several of our meetings each year are organized around food (the Annual Picnic; Thanksgiving, the Chili Cook-off). Are there other food-centered events we should consider?

The possibilities are as wide-ranging as our genres and interests. Please take some time to think about presentations you'd like to see, or any other hidden talents or amazing collections we haven't yet explored.

IMAGES: The photos of Barry and William were taken by Jan S. Gephardt. the photo of the R2 Builders' presentation is by Ty Gephardt, via Facebook. All are used with permission.

November 21, 2016

2016 KaCSFFS Thanksgiving

The KaCSFFS tradition of having a Thanksgiving dinner together each year was started so no KaXFAN would ever have to go through the season without Thanksgiving dinner (even if it was a bit time-shifted). We made sure of it yet again this year, at The Writers Place. Here are some photos.
We opened with a short business meeting, conducted by Margene Bahm.

While waiting for other diners to take their turn, we enjoyed good conversations.
Feasters began with the drinks and turkey meat.
From there, they moved on to the side dishes.

The dessert table offered a variety to finish things off. 

Then everyone dug in. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
After the meal, one group went upstairs to play a tabletop game. Others sat around and chatted, or participated in an informal beer-tasting. A good time was had by all.

IMAGES: All photos are by Jan S. Gephardt.





June 18, 2015

June Monthly Meeting Set for 6/20/2015

Puzzle it Out at the June KaCSFFS Meeting 

What: Monthly KaCSFFS Meeting
3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111
When: Saturday, June 20, 2015
5:30 Board of Directors—open meeting
6:00 Doors open for setup and pre-meeting socializing.
7:00 Meeting and Program begin


Barry (R) with wife Beth Welsh
Master puzzle-maker and KAXFAN Barry Haldiman will be the evening's highlight, as he teaches us how to construct a crossword puzzle, then guides us through the creation of a science-fiction-themed puzzle. 

"My Favorite Food" is this month's theme. Bring a personal or family favorite to share with the group, as we enjoy Barry's presentation.

Although in recent past years the June meeting has been our Annual Indoor Picnic, we decided this year to move the picnic to September, when we hope the weather will accommodate an Outdoor-Indoor Picnic. Stay tuned for details. 

IMAGES: Many thanks to The Pre-Shortzian Puzzle Project, for both of the images in this post!