In 1990, my great friend Rich Cunningham and I decided to start a newsletter about scarab beetles. Both of us were avid amateur collectors, and there were so many hints, notices, book reviews, collecting reports, travelogues and such to write about, why not? Originally printed only on paper, our newsletter, called Scarabs, was mailed to enthusiasts primarily in California. Now, 74 issues later, we have an editor from France, and we are still publishing. We gave issue #15 (November, 2004) a facelift including a new logo which has endured to this day. It is free, and is hosted by two websites: The Coleopterists Society (http://coleopsoc.org/default.asp?Action=Show_Resources&ID=Scarabs) and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln (http://museum.unl.edu/research/entomology/Scarabs-Newsletter.htm). In this same issue I posted a photo of myself with two friends from work, Sue and Charissa.
Barney identifying scarab beetles with Sue and Charissa.
This innocent photo led to a brainstorm. Why not include photos of pretty ladies to add interest and color to the pages? Great idea, but what was to be the reason for including such photos? This led to brainstorm #2: the newsletter would have beautiful "employees." What follows are some actual images taken from past issues, in no particular order.
Jennifer remains one of our most popular "employees." An 8" x 10" signed print of this photo was given to winners of a contest. A tank top with an iron-on transfer of the Scarabs logo became the official uniform of our "employees."
Our Latin-American liaisons Valerie (seated) and Yvette trying to teach the editors Barney, Rich Cunningham and Bill Warner spanish.
Signed prints of the spectacular Cheree were coveted prizes for another contest.
Trap designer Anne and blacklight assistant Charissa coming to my aid after I fainted while reading the rough draft of a submitted article, which appeared in issue #31.
Anne wearing a T-shirt with an awful photo of my friend Bill Warner. We often poke fun at other enthusiasts of scarab beetles. The photo accompanied an article Bill wrote. He is an absolutely brilliant guy, but my camera caught him blinking. Anne has graced more issues than any other "employee." Thanks Anne!
When a major new book is published, we announce it along with one of our staff holding it, as shown here by Charissa.
One of our curators, Cindy, on the job. This appeared in issue #40.
This image of Sonja was also given away to lucky winners of one of our contests.
When I wrote a series about old books, magazines and collecting spots, Laurel was there to help me out.
Our "librarian" Andrelica was the subject of a calendar. This photo was used on the cover.
Tiffany holding a book that was reviewed in Scarabs 69.