 Before
there were dozens of anime conventions across North America, there were
plenty of science fiction conventions. A younger Charles Piehl was there,
always volunteering and striving to make sure the show was run correctly.
Piehl's still going to those sci-fi cons (Demicon, Concussion, MiniCon
[tm] in Minnesota, the Icon in Iowa) and is a large part of the Trans-Iowa
Canal Company of actors, but now he's a regular occurrence at AnimeIowa.
In 2001 he ended up chairing the convention and ran it with a generous
but firm hand (when Charles says no, he means no), but he's always the
event's voice when it's time for big ceremonies or the costume contest.
Legend has it that Piehl is the AnimeIowa cosplay master of ceremonies
for life. Another legend may have been revealed in 2001 when a plush pink
elephant slipped into the Cedar Rapids event, leading to a night-long search
by Piehl during the costume contest. |
