Moving Forward With ‘Shards Of Time’ Projects

On August 24, a gala fundraising event took place in the eclectic barn at the home of Peggy Jepsen near Ram’s Pasture in Newtown. Those who attended were privileged to preview a DVD slide show created from The Poison Swamp, the first book in a series of 15.

The evening started with an array of food and drink, while Chris and Tom Fragoso entertained guests with their musical talents on the conga drum and guitar.  When they finished, Ms Jepsen introduced Mark Aldrich, the author and illustrator of the Shards of Time series. Mr Aldrich, a Newtown resident, then offered an overview of his project and a preview of the slideshow he would be presenting as the featured element of the evening.

The Shards of Time series is the adventures of a group of architectural preservationists, characterized as various animals, that work to save world treasures from the sabotage and mayhem of terrorists.

The members of The SPOOL Society (Sisters for the Preservation Of Old Landmarks) are 15 cartoon animal women who are architectural historians and preservationists. They uncover diabolical plots that threaten to destroy old buildings, and their mission is to preserve beautiful things. Part of that mission must be to teach the rising generation about the importance of historic and artistic preservation.

In The Poison Swamp, Tunisia Tut, an Egyptian camel, works to save a beautiful antebellum plantation. She battles a wicked rooster, a mean stupid bear, and Godfeather and his gang of vicious birds, in order to save Johnny Rakko, an innocent young raccoon and other oppressed swamp animals from the rooster’s tyranny.

The books are illustrated and written by Mark Aldrich. The Poison Swamp has been produced as a DVD slide show by Kenneth Lundquist, artistic director of The Clockwork Repertory Theater, owner of KLJ Productions and WulfLynx Studios, with technical assistance from Randolph Zaini.

Featured are the talents of 12 professional actors whose voices bring Mr Aldrich’s characters to life.

Following the viewing guests had the opportunity to ask questions of Mr Aldrich and comment on the unique form of art and entertainment.  He then accepted donations which are needed to make the final production come to fruition.

Additional events are being planned for the Shards of Time books and DVD productions, including a free screening at C.H. Booth Library in Newtown, at Newtown High School, and also in surrounding towns. College art departments and museums are also on the list of prospective venues.

Meanwhile, Mr Aldrich and his friends are currently working with Newtown High School’s Career Department to interest students in producing a companion piece to the video which would serve as a lesson in composition and art history, comparing drawings from The Poison Swamp to the original art works and drawings on which they are based; and with Charter Communications for sponsorship of this as a student project.

Future projects would involve Newtown youth who are experienced in theater work to collaborate on a theatrical version of The Poison Swamp to be staged at Edmond Town Hall. Choreographers, dancers, mask-makers, and musicians would all be needed for a theater production.

For additional information on the different Shards of Time/Poison Swam projects, contact Mark Aldrich at 203-304-8034 or 203-270-2897, or MAldrich53@gmail.com.