On Friday, I posted about artist Paul Szauter's beautiful Maine Mystery Beast sideshow banner that was to be auctioned off this afternoon. I suggested that the winner might donate it to cryptozoologist Loren Coleman's International Cryptozoology Museum. Whaddayaknow! Journalist and blogger Rogier van Bakel won the banner and says he'll do just that. What a generous, wonderful act-of-cryptozoological-kindness. From Rogier's post:
Kids – who knows what goes through their minds. Earlier this week, when I was reading a children's tale to my four-year-old daughter, she stopped me halfway through the first chapter because it was "too scary." The book: Paddington Bear…
Today she surprised me again by immediately taking a shine to an acrylic-on-canvas sideshow banner I'd just bought at auction…
As a longtime Fortean and a fan of Fortean Times magazine, to which Coleman contributes (as have I), I found Pescovitz' request pretty compelling. So I do indeed plan to donate the banner to Coleman, for public display. Next time I make it to Portland, I'll pay his place a visit and drop off his prize.
For now, my daughter loves the painting and has it on loan in her room. Good thing it doesn't feature Paddington Bear, or she might not be able to sleep at night.
Link
As soon as Rogier emailed me, I called Loren to tell him. "Loren, I have wonderful news. Guess what!" His half-joking response, "You found a Bigfoot!?!?" Ummm…. Sadly, no. But great news nonetheless! From Loren's email reply to Rogier:
Many, many thanks. I am overwhelmed with joy to hear it was picked up by
someone that understands.
