|
MESSAGE FROM
THE PRESIDENT
2007 Is Over . . .
Finally!
By Brian Pitman,
December 2007
 We
have come to the end of another year, and the
promise of a better new year rings especially
true this year. I won’t mince words: 2007 was
just a bad year, at least for me. Too many
personal losses in one year was just the
beginning. On top of that, work was extra crazy
this year (why can’t I be rich and not have to
work? Why does Paris Hilton have that over me??)
The year in
carnival glass, though, was pretty darn good.
Lots of auctions, lots of conventions, lots of
glass for sale on eBay: everything ran according
to schedule this year. But even so, maybe there
seemed to be a sense of change. Bill Richard Sr.
sold his last auction (and boy will he be
missed.) Harold (George) Cox wasn’t at the ICGA
convention this year to keep me honest because
he was too busy having lunch with Arlene and
Jesus. The Pacific Northwest convention lost,
and then found, its auction. For awhile there,
they were planning on having a convention
without an auction (and honestly, part of me was
hoping that it would be wildly successful!)
Fenton announced they were closing forever, but
(as of my writing this article) they are still
around, with rumors that they may just pull it
out.
On top of that,
the potential threat of China getting their
hands on the original molds in the Fenton
inventory scared the heck out of a lot of people
(including me.) Nightmares of vintage-appearing
carnival glass filling the shelves of your
neighborhood Wal-Mart kept many people awake,
wondering if they were truly in all of this for
the altruism and appreciation of artistry, or if
the elimination of value on their collections
would be the death knell of collecting as we
know it. Unfortunately, until the Fenton
situation is worked out, that threat may remain.
But really, there
are ways we can all help prevent that carnival
apocalypse. Through chance (or luck, if you
believe in luck), I found myself with the
opportunity to purchase the Christmas Compote
mold. I jumped, and now I can sleep at night
knowing that I won’t see $30 purple Compotes in
stocking stuffers across the world…
Anyway, I digress;
2007 was what it was. I personally didn’t enjoy
the year very much, and I am very enthusiastic
about kicking that old man out the door in the
hopes that the baby that shows up will bring a
FABULOUS year for all of us.
I can tell you
that ICGA is doing a much better job
financially. The 2007 convention didn’t have
quite the attendance that I wanted, but we still
made a little bit of money. The 2008 convention,
however, looks to be phenomenal, with the
amazing Rainbow display room and seven seminars
from it. On top of that, we have a SUPER hotel
for the event (found for us by Roger and Cathy
Dunham), one which is family friendly and very
close to lots of restaurants and shops for those
who want to get out and enjoy the location.
We have a very
active Board of Directors looking to make your
ICGA experience the best, and your Officers are
absolutely in it heart and soul. Not a day goes
by when an Officer doesn’t think about ICGA and
how to make it better. But more than all of
this, we have you! Our membership is fantastic,
and we treasure each and every one of you.
So as I sit here
(at a Mickey Reichel auction writing this
article) and consider 2007, I can say it
provided many challenges I don’t want ever to
face again. But I made it through this year
because of the wonderful fellowship with people
like you. And because of you, 2008 will be much,
MUCH better!!!
Go ahead and make
it better for you as well. Make your
reservations for the 2008 ICGA convention in St.
Louis. It really will be the best Christmas
present (in July) that you can give yourself….
Happy New Year,
everyone!!!
Brian Pitman
|
