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MESSAGE FROM
THE PRESIDENT
Make A Connection In
Indianapolis
By Brian Pitman,
June 2007
 The
time for the annual ICGA convention has come
around, and I want to share some of the details
for you so that you can make your reservations
and plans to attend. Our convention theme this
year is “Make A Connection.” There has been a
lot of thought put into this theme, and I want
to explain what it means.
I have written
many times about the large number of carnival
glass collectors out there who don’t join an
association and miss out on the friendship,
bonding, and education from the experience. One
of the things ICGA provides for our members is a
connection to other members, with our annual
convention being the prime execution of that
benefit. Attending an ICGA convention is like a
very large reunion, with friends whom you
haven’t seen in person for awhile. On top of
that, you get the very real and tactile bonus of
holding and examining carnival glass with people
who can share more information.
Our seminars this
year are built around making a connection with
the people and the glass. We are very pleased to
have Dorothy and Emmett Morgan of Brenham,
Texas, as our banquet speakers. Dorothy is a
judge in Texas, while Emmett is an enterprising
businessman. They will be showing off some of
their collection during their banquet seminar,
each with a story that highlights the fact that
many diverse people attend conventions, and some
unique friendships come from that environment. A
collecting hobby that extends beyond background,
financial “status,” and various professions is a
hobby that brings the world together. Their
seminar will explore some of their own
friendships and how they may not have been
possible had they not collected carnival glass.
Aaron Hurst will
also be presenting at the convention this year,
and we are truly thankful to have the
opportunity to see his glass and hear some
stories. Aaron is Old Order Mennonite and lives
very near the east-Pennsylvania community that
saw tremendous tragedy last year with the school
shootings. He will speak on making a connection
across different social backgrounds and even
different societies. He has some amazing glass,
and his knowledge of carnival glass from a
different social perspective will be very
enlightening.
Jim Seeck is our
auctioneer again this year, and he will also be
exploring the business side of carnival glass.
Many people don’t realize it, but there is a
business connection that needs to be made in the
hobby these days, as more and more who swore
they would never sell their collection are
starting to explore the possibilities, while
many of today’s newer collectors are a new
hybrid of collector and dealer, with a respect
and love for the glass, but also an appreciation
for the value and investment side of the hobby.
Jim will answer all of our questions about
buying and selling, auctions and more, and he
will shoot straight and give you honest and open
answers. We will also look at some ways people
have made a career out of buying and selling
carnival glass. Are you considering selling your
collection? If so, this seminar is a Can’t Miss!
Jim will be
selling the collections of Bart Dooley (one of
ICGA’s brightest stars and best friends in its
40+ year history), as well as of Mickey Lee of
California. This auction continues a very nice
string of awesome glass, so come with your
checkbooks ready to buy, buy, buy!
And of course, we
couldn’t have a convention without some of our
special magic and surprises throughout. We are
going to have a show and tell for children
during our ice cream social, so make sure you
bring the kids (or grandkids) with some of their
pieces and their stories!
So, grab your
phone and make your reservations now. Call
317-244-3361 for Reservations (tell them you are
with ICGA and the carnival glass group) to get
our $99 rate. You MUST make your reservations by
June 17th to be guaranteed the rate (so do it
now, as we really want to see you there!)
Make a connection
with your fellow collectors, and spend the rest
of your life enjoying these friends!!!
Brian Pitman
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