2005 CONVENTION

WESTIN

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA

JULY 7 - 10. 2005

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The Convention  started  with a 'bus tour of Los Angeles on the way to a great open house at Robyn Britton's in Agoura Hills.  The house was designed by Robyn and husband Mic, and was most interesting with specially built-in cupboards for the pottery.  Robyn had a cake made with a Torquay pot on it, which was fabulous. 

Friday morning we elected a new President,Shelby Scherr and a new First Vice-President, Carl Fisher.  We also elected 8 Honorary Life Members.: Joe Brewer, Mary-Jo O'Connor, Gerry & Jerry Kline, Diane & Jerry Claffy, Audrey & Charles Robinson.  We were pleased to welcome U.K. members Brenda Kimber (Chair TPCS) and husband Ian, Elaine Wade and Martyn Flint and Lucy Long.

Friday afternoon Diane Claffy paid tribute to Berni & Roger Donnelly and Brenda Kimber shared her recollections of Ken Hall.

We had some interesting talks:  Carol Oxley (OR) "Decorating with Torquay";  Jerry Claffy (MN) "Blowing in the Wind" showing his collection of windmill pots;  Elaine Wade (UK) "Early Days and Influence on Pottery";   Ian Kimber (UK) "A Fisherman's Tale"

 

Themed displays showed molded cottages, Kerswell daisies and Rosy sunset pieces.

 

The sales mall on Saturday had some new vendors this year, including Cynthia Holt; Annette Jaques; and Mary Jane Steiner.  Returning vendors were; Chris Fessler; Barbara Singer; Brenda Kimber; Robin Britton ; Elaine Wade. and Lucy Long  There were lots of great pots.  At the silent auction, there was a giant teapot which went for $800, and a last minute rush for a holly pattern vase between Lucy Long and Edith Malson.

 

Robyn Britton entertained us in so many ways with her amusing quips.  She awarded Oscars to some people at the closing dinner! 

 

The nurses from Boston, Kathy Collins, Priscilla Sherwood, Pat DeLuca and Lyn Caruso provided after dinner entertainment with a game of Trivial Pursuit, with four teams of two people, which was very funny and lots of catcalls from the members. 

 

The Queen Mary was docked just a short way from the hotel, and some of us had lunch or dinner there.  There were free city buses running right outside the hotel, and lots of restaurants nearby, so it was easy to get around.  Some of us stayed on for a few days and went to Catalina Island.  The hotel was very luxurious with lovely bed linens and double head showers, and the weather was a perfect 85 degrees every day.  The roof top pool was a popular place and we were able to see a movie scene being shot down below, with a car set on fire!

 

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