Author: Jane Albright

My very first blog was about an exhibit I provided on behalf of the Oz Club to the Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas.  Imagine how pleased I am to report that my good friend and fellow Oz Club member Blair Frodelius has now set up an exhibit on behalf of the Oz Club at All Things Oz in Chittenango, New York. “Christmas in Oz” used material from Blair’s collection and a few things from me to showcase L. Frank Baum’s novel, Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, WW Denslow’s Night Before Christmas and other Wizard of Oz and Christmas connections.    Thank you, Blair, for sharing your collection and promoting our Club!

Oziana 2017 has arrived in my mail. What a pleasure!  Reading the new Oz stories written and illustrated by Oz Club members has been an annual tradition for me since I first joined the Club in 1971. That was also the first year we published Oziana.  A high school student, Gary Ralph, edited that first issue. As a young reader, I loved it. With Marcus Mébés in the editor’s seat, I still love it — although these days, I’m only a “young reader” at heart. First to love is the creative work. Each publication offers new stories and art by a mix of both professional and aspiring amateur writers and artists. In the 46-year tradition of Oziana editors, Marcus features stories that intend to be consistent with L. Frank Baum’s original vision of Oz. The characters may be new or beloved favorites. The plots often tackle an inconsistency in the Oz books for which the writer poses a solution, or something that tosses a magical interruption into the tranquil fairyland of Oz. There is nearly always a fresh adventure. This year there’s even a touch of romance. Second?  I love that this publication simply is.  Before the Internet, self-publishing, websites, and blogs like this one, Oziana was the best way, if not the only way, for someone with an original Oz idea to have a voice within the Oz community. Illustrators could see their talents bring a tale to life. Here was a way to share our original Oz stories with other fans, and find out if people liked our work. “Our” means I joined the party. Oziana stepped deeper into my life in 1985 when a short story I wrote was published. And in 1992 I scored a real fangirl jackpot.  Eric Shanower illustrated my “Christmas Tree for Dorothy.”  Eric Shanower!!!  He was already well known in Oz circles for his professional work.  I could scarcely contain my delight. It’s been more than 40 years, but I won’t forget the first time I sent a story to Oz Club secretary Fred Meyer for inclusion in an Oz Club contest. Or the first time I was published. Or that incredible pleasure at having something of mine beautifully illustrated arrive in my mail. For all our digital age, that much hasn’t changed. There’s still a rush of joy when an editor accepts your work with a congratulatory note. It’s still exciting to see your own story illustrated, printed, and to know that other fans are enjoying it. Marcus and his contributing editors, Joe Bongiorno and Eric Gjovaag, still give today’s Oz-theme writers and artists that opportunity. While they secure work for all to enjoy, they are also opening a door. And those with budding talents are still invited to step through and discover an appreciative audience of Oz fans. If your membership level does not include Oziana, it can be purchased on Lulu:  http://www.lulu.com/shop/l-frank-baum/oziana-2017/paperback/product-23400178.html

For more years than I can remember, I’ve designed the Oz Club’s annual membership card. It’s always a challenge to find timely or appealing art that most members – particularly new members – will appreciate. Since Baum’s book, The Tin Woodman of Oz, turns 100 this year, I opted to honor that beloved character on the 2018 card. A charming Dick Martin Tin Man was handy. I added “Welcome” to his banner to remind members that you most certainly are welcome to be part of our Club, welcome to contribute your talents, and welcome to join us at events. When your card arrives, those of you with roots that go deep into the Club will notice a few throwbacks.  The card will be the size of a business card, and printed on white stock with rounded corners.  And instead of our printing cards one at time with your name in place, they’ve been printed all at once; it will be up to you to write your name on the card. New and renewed memberships for 2018 will be available Nov. 1.  I’m looking forward to a great year. Jane Albright

The Oz Club is now represented year-round at the Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas.  Three cheers!  This charming little town has become a destination for 30,000 Oz fans a year since it opened The Oz Museum in 2003. I’m delighted to think all those fans now will learn about our Oz Club when they visit. In 2017 the Oz Museum generously loaned an MGM Munchkin soldier jacket to an Oz toy exhibit I assembled here in Kansas City.  A side effect of that exhibit was my thinking about all the small topical displays I’d love to put together if I only had a place. In my backyard.  Like…. Wamego.  I bounced the idea off Ryan Jay, chairman of the Club’s Planning Committee, because I know he’s interested in finding solid strategic partners with which we can work. He encouraged to me to pursue the idea, so I wrote the museum director. My proposal included enough ideas to provide two displays a year for the next decade. First up?  “Passport to Oz.”  Of course, for me going to Oz means going to a Club convention, and I’ve been to my share of festivals, too.  But back in 1992 Stan Barker wrote a two-page article in the Baum Bugle about the history of Oz Amusement parks and I became intrigued with places a fan could visit where they can have some kind of Oz experience.  Since then I’ve stayed in Dorothy’s House at the Land of Oz in North Carolina. I saw the MGM Grand when it was all decked out with Oz, and I rode the Great Movie Ride in Orlando. I’ve followed the Yellow Brick Road in Aberdeen, SD, and played mini-golf with other Oz fans at Sluggers and Putters in Ohio. Those sculptures in Chicago’s Oz Park have most certainly spoken to me. For the majority of Oz fans, that much pursuit of Oz adventure is not the norm.  Awareness of these fun, Ozzy places just isn’t widespread.  So I picked that as our first display theme and rounded up souvenirs and ephemera from my collection, added images to signage and pulled this together. Up in time for 2017 Oztoberfest, I suspect around March I’ll change it out for a next theme. Meanwhile, I’m now free to switch gears and concentrate on finishing up the Club’s 2018 calendar.  Chances are strong you’ll be hearing about that in my next blog. Jane Albright