Mike-Scot McMurry / In Memoriam
Scott Malcomson
informed by his family that he had been in a coma for his last few days...I
console myself that at least he went out in peace, rather than pain.
I can't begin to describe how I feel about his passing --- the last time I
saw him, he was active and cheerful, appearing almost as healthy as before
the cancer struck. There was talk of putting him on the five-year list,
hope that he had actually battled cancer and won.
And then, in the span of a few short months, he deteriorated and died. The
doctors "missed a spot". It "hid" from them, they say. And it came back to
kill him.
I don't have to tell many of you how close the Tucson Mob was to the artist
we irreverently called "McMoo". ZonieCon arose from the get-togethers the
Mob and others would have over at Mike's place in Scottsdale, and our mascot
is his best-loved character. Mike himself was always supportive of (and
sometimes bemused by) our efforts.
IN MEMORIAM
Wolf Smith came up with something --- something approved by virtually
everyone presented with the idea, including Mike's family. So we're going
to do it.
ZonieCon will launch a new program in October, awarding an engraved plaque
on an annual basis to a notable person within the fandom for Conspicuous
Integrity. Bearing Mike's name and Zonie's likeness, it will serve in some
way to help keep alive his memory and his spirit, while also serving to
recognize those worthies in the fandom who manage to achieve the difficult
task of earning their spurs without selling their ideals.
Now part of the ConFurence Group (along with CF and CritterConDiego),
ZonieCon plans to coordinate ceremonies as follows: judging and initial
announcements will occur at ZonieCon each October. Confirmation and
presentation will occur at the following ConFurence, assuming Darrell Exline
is willing and able to host it.
The first award, for 2001, will posthumously honor Michael-Scot McMurry,
Deal Whitley, and Mark Wallace --- all of whom have records in the fandom
beyond impeachment. This first award will, hopefully, be the only
posthumous one ever given.
In future, anyone may be nominated by anyone to receive the award, so long
as the nominee has played a substantial role in advancing the
anthropomorphic arts while maintaining integrity. Nominators must submit a
one-page letter summarizing the nominee's relevant achievements. No one may
nominate themselves.
Judging will occur in two stages: first, a panel will examine the nominees
and select three via deliberation and vote. Panelists will be comprised of
all Convention Chairs which choose to attend, whether part of the ConFurence
Group or not, augmented by representatives of anthropomorphic publishers
which choose to attend. "Publisher" is defined as any registered business
which produces at least one anthropomorphic publication per year, with a
minimum annual distribution of 500 copies. Secondly, the three finalists
will be voted on by all attendees of ZonieCon to arrive at a single honoree.
These rules are subject to change pending ratification by the involved
parties.
Scott Malcomson
Chairman, ZonieCon