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May 2019 VADA News
The Vermont Maple Festival Antiques Show in St. Albans on April 27th and 28th was well attended with good sales reported by dealers. It’s a great little show and if you missed it this year, be sure to mark your calendar for next year’s show. This month’s featured dealer is Gary Briggs from Lunenburg. Gary says he has antiques in his DNA! His mother is a dealer and has had an antiques shop in her home for the past 50 years. Gary went to his first auction at age 7 where he bought a small bamboo stand for 25 cents and sold it years later--after it had appreciated in value for more than his initial investment of 25 cents! Gary has a shop in Lunenburg, Twin Oak Antiques, and also has space at Thos. Bartlett Antiques in Chichester, New Hampshire as well as a Facebook business page www.facebook.com/twinoakantiques. In addition, he does a handful of shows every year including the Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association show, Antiques at Stratton Mountain, and the Woodsville Antiques Show, Woodsville, New Hampshire. Gary is also the co-owner of Aunt Sadie’s Candles in Lunenburg. The candles are sold in retail stores and through catalogs throughout the US and Canada. www.auntsadiescandlesonline.com. Every dealer has at least one funny story to relate and Gary’s might sound familiar in that it chronicles the path many of our sales take from dealer to dealer. In 2015 he bought a box lot of vintage clothing and included was a box of 15 vintage bathing caps from the 50’s in their original packaging. The caps had big flowers and were in wonderful vibrant colors. Think Esther Williams for those old enough to remember her! Gary carefully removed them from their packaging and displayed each one on a plain white Styrofoam head. He took them to the Woodsville show and sold them during set up to another dealer but asked if he could keep them in his booth as they were so eye catching. The dealer wanted to sell the bathing caps so they were repriced. The show opened at 10am and within ten minutes the caps were resold to another dealer who also let Gary keep them in his booth, repriced once again. They were then resold at around 2pm to a dealer who took them to the textile show in Sturbridge before Brimfield opening where they sold to a New York decorator. Who knows where they are today???!!! Great story! Gary loves what he does and has fun doing it. Discovering the history of what he sells and the people he meets at shows and in his shop is his favorite part of being a dealer. Like many of us, he is a collector. Some of the things he likes to collect are Adirondack cabin and camp antiques and one-of-a-kind “oddities”, folk art, early wooden signs, and Lunenburg and Old Man in the Mountain memorabilia. Don’t forget to attend the VADA annual meeting and luncheon on May 28th at the Middlebury Inn. You can pay for the luncheon at the meeting but please let Brian know if you do plan on attending bittnerantiques@gmail.com . If you’d like to pay in advance, please send a check for $20 to Judd Gregory, PO Box 65, Dorset, VT 05251. There will be a meet and greet at 11:30 followed by lunch and a general meeting and a “Show and Tell” with an option to sell/buy so please bring something to share with the membership. Dues were due in January—if you haven’t paid them, please do so as soon as possible in order to be included in the Directory and listed on the website. Mail your dues to Judd Gregory. We urge all members to attend the annual meeting if possible as this is your association and best functions if all the membership participates. I am including an email that Brian sent to me. Dear VADA Member, I am writing to let you know of my plans to resign as President of VADA later this year. I have enjoyed filling this role and plan to continue to serve on the board. I no longer have the time to devote to this position that it deserves. I informed the rest of the board of this decision at the end of 2018. As of yet no one has volunteered to fill the position. I am hopeful that one of you may consider. The ideal candidate would have an interest in directing the association through the next 2-3 years and availability of time and energy. Please let me or another board member know if you are interested. And please plan on attending our Annual Meeting at the Middlebury Inn Tuesday May 28th, 2019. We are also always looking for more involvement on any level. If you would like to consider a position on our board or a subcommittee, please let us know. Sincerely, Brian Bittner 802-272-7527 www.vermontada.com Have a great spring! Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com
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April 2019 VADA News
Spring has yet to make an appearance in Vermont! The only sign that spring is coming is that maple sugaring has begun, but even that has been delayed because of all the snow and cold weather. The 53rd Vermont Maple Festival is April 26th through the 28th in St. Albans. There are many festivities throughout the town and fun for the whole family. Also included as part of the city-wide event celebrating Vermont’s maple syrup harvest is the Vermont Maple Festival Antiques Show, also in its 53rd year. The show opens on Saturday the 28th, 10am to 5pm and continues Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Admission is free. The antiques show features a great variety of antiques, including country, primitives, folk art, sporting antiques, and chocolate molds and silver items. The show is at the St. Albans Educational Center, 169 South Main Street (exit 19 off I-89). The Vermont Maple Festival is a non-profit group whose objectives are to contribute to the educational and promotional aspects of the maple industry. Stone House Antique Center in Chester is having its 6th Annual Garden Party April 27th and 28th, 10am to 5pm, to celebrate spring and antiques. Stone House is located at 557 VT Route 103 South. It’s always a fun day with much a great variety of antiques, much good food, and a chance to meet many of the dealers. The Waterbury Flea Market opens April 28th and continues every Saturday and Sunday through October 28th, 7am to 4pm. It is central Vermont’s longest running outdoor flea market. It is located at Farr’s Field, 1901 US Route 2 West in Waterbury. We offer our condolences to Clayton and Kate Pennington and their families and friends on the death of Sally Clayton Pennington, on March 21st. She and her husband Samuel Pennington founded and began publishing the Maine Antique Digest in 1973. Vermont Antiques Dealers' Association Annual Meeting: The Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association annual meeting will be held on May 28th at the Middlebury Inn in Middlebury. The Executive Board will meet at 9:45 after which there will be a Show and Tell program, followed by the General Meeting and lunch. Everyone is invited to bring an item for show and tell—it has been a lot of fun at past meetings and generated interesting discussion. The cost of lunch is $20 per person and if you wish to pay in advance, please mail your check made out to VADA to Judd Gregory, PO Box 65, Dorset, VT 05251. Also please email Brian bittnerantiques@gmail.com if you plan on attending as we need to inform the Inn on the number of people to expect for lunch. Everyone is encouraged to attend as it a great way to make your voice heard and to meet your fellow dealers. Wishing everyone a wonderful spring! Vesta Urband (vkurband@gmail.com March 2019 VADA News
Greetings from snowy Vermont! Winter weather can be a problem for shows but luckily that wasn’t the case this year for the 42nd Annual Cabin Fever Show and Sale in Quechee, Vermont. It was a lovely but cold day, and in spite of terrible driving conditions including snow and icy roads on Friday, dealers were able to arrive safely for set up. It is always a nice little show and this year was no exception. There were some new dealers and many familiar faces as well. Looking ahead to April, the 53rd Vermont Maple Festival Antiques Show and Sale is going to be held on April 27th and 28th in St. Albans at the St. Albans Town and Educational Center. The show opens Saturday, 10am to 5pm and again on Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Admission is free. This month Holly and Jeff Noordsy are our featured VADA dealers. They have been active members of VADA for many years and Jeff is currently Vice President, Membership. Jeff and Holly are probably best known for selling bottles, glass, and ceramics but they also deal in other antiques especially those with painted surfaces and unique craftsmanship. They met while both were attending Middlebury College in Vermont and discovered a mutual interest in American history and the material culture of the 18th and 19th centuries. Unlike many college students, they began attending tag sales and estate auctions and used their finds to decorate their dorm rooms. Their interest in antiques was further fostered while Jeff was working a summer job for a Middlebury graduate who specialized in buying and selling antique building materials acquired through disassembling 18th and 19th century structures. His employer had been an avid bottle digger in the 70’s and his tales served to pique Jeff and Holly’s interest in antique bottles. They quickly began actively searching for and buying bottles and decorated stoneware. After graduation Holly worked in local museums, including the Sheldon Museum, the Shelburne Museum, and the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum; and Jeff continued work as a carpenter and contractor. They set up at their first show in 1993 and were quite successful and by 1997, they were doing so well that Jeff was able to become a full-time dealer and a year later Holly joined him selling full time. Holly and Jeff currently have two websites www.jeffnholantiquebottles.com and www.noordsyantiques.com. They do a number of shows, including the NHADA show during New Hampshire Week and the VADA show, Antiques at Stratton Mountain, during Vermont Antiques Week. They also do the ADA show and some of the Peter Mavris shows in New Hampshire during the winter. The major bottle shows they do are held in Baltimore, Maryland and in Keene, New Hampshire. Jeff and Holly both love being dealers and enjoy researching and learning the history of what they sell and the thrill of finding a unique piece, never knowing what may turn up. They continue to collect bottles, especially labeled Vermont bottles and other objects of local interest such as Addison County redware. One of the difficulties facing the antiques market is attracting a younger audience. Both Jeff and Holly feel that shows are still relevant in the age of internet selling but that shows must change to better fit the times. Younger people and others often seem less interested in the historical background of a piece than they are in the visual appeal of the piece. Perhaps dealers might need to present objects in such a way as to be visually appealing first and then engage the mind. I think that after this winter, most of us are now ready for spring and are looking forward to the new season of antique shows. Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com February 2019 VADA News
This has turned out to be some winter here in Vermont and elsewhere! Lots of snow and freezing temperatures. Best way to fight those winter blues and cabin fever is to get out and antique! VADA members Bonnie and Dave Ferriss of Lake Luzerne, NY have been selling antiques and doing shows since the 1970’s. They have a booth at Stone House in Chester and at the newly renovated Flying Pig Antiques in Westmoreland, NH. Some of the shows where you can see them are Brimfield and Rhinebeck and at one of the shows during Antiques in Vermont and New Hampshire Week. They started in the antiques business as many do--they were frequent attendees at antiques shows and finally a dealer suggested they should consider getting a resale number and start selling as well as buying. So, long ago, in 1973, that’s exactly what they did and have enjoyed every minute of it. They have been members of the Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association for many years. They remember the first time they set up at a show/flea market which was about a half hour from their home. As Dave tells it, they put some stuff in the back of an old baby blue 1960 pickup truck and off they went. While at the market, some kid was racing up and down at great speed on the main road. Another dealer at the show who sold early tools saw this and ran out into the middle of the road, shirtless and waving a huge broad axe at the kid while cursing at him as fast as the kid was driving! It made quite a sight and luckily no one was axed or killed! Just another fun day at a show! By the way, Bonnie and Dave did sell two bowback Windsors that day and were thus hooked forever! They deal primarily in folk art, which they also collect, and country, architectural, and garden antiques. When asked what they love the most about the business, they both agree that it’s the hunt for antiques and the friendship family of fellow dealers. They feel as many dealers do that the market has changed dramatically. They also feel that the more interesting, unusual, and higher quality pieces will eventually attract an audience that may never have paid much attention to collecting. Dealers can encourage these new collectors and educate them to understand that antiques are lasting as opposed to newly manufactured items from Ikea and such. Fortunately, there does seem to be an increase in a younger audience at some shows. If you haven’t sent in your VADA dues, please do so. Dues letters have been sent out and if you haven’t received one, please contact Brian Bittner at bittnerantiques@gmail.com or Jeff Noordsy at jeffnhol@shoreham.net Enjoy the rest of the winter and as always, would love to hear from you! Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com 2019 January VADA News
Happy New Year! Hard to believe that the holidays have passed and we’re into another year! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and is ready for some antiquing! Mark your calendars for the 42nd Annual Cabin Fever Show and Sale coming up on February 16th. This is a great show and a wonderful way to spend a Saturday in the middle of winter. This year’s show features 28 exhibitors offering a nice variety of antiques. The show is located at the Mid-Vermont Christian School, 399 W Gilson Road, just off Route 4 in Quechee, Vermont. Show hours are 10am to 3pm and admission is $10. Stone House Antique Center in Chester holds a Dealer Day the first Tuesday of every month. It’s a lively affair with many dealers there to answer questions, and there is always a great array of goodies to munch on while you browse and shop. Stone House is located at 557 Route 103, Chester, Vermont. It is open 10am to 5pm daily. In addition to Dealer Days, Stone House also hosts many Open House Weekends throughout the year. Montpelier Antiques Market continues its ongoing market January to April. The schedule for the remaining markets is January 27th, February 19th and 24th, March 10th and 24th, and the last market is on April 14th. The market is held at the Canadian Club, 414 E Montpelier Road, Barre, Vermont. Hours are 8am to 1pm. Early buying is at 8am, admission $5; regular admission at 9am is $2. Dues letters will be sent out this month to the VADA membership. Please send your dues to Judd Gregory, PO Box 65, Dorset, VT 05251. If you did not receive a letter, contact Brian Bittner at bittnerantiques@gmail.com. If you would like to join the Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association or would like information, contact Jeff Noordsy at jeffnhol@shoreham.net. As always, I welcome news of your shop, shows, and other antique events. Have a wonderful new year and hope you find a treasure or two along the way! Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com December 2018 Newsletter
The holidays are fast approaching—hope you all have been out shopping in your favorite antique shops or at your favorite shows for those special gifts for everyone on your list. Antiques make lasting gifts and you can be assured that there won’t be a new version coming out every 6 months! The Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association show committee met on December 4th. The committee agreed that moving the Dealers’ show from summer to fall as part of Antiques in Vermont Week was a success. An email will be going out shortly to all those dealers who participated in this year’s show. The dates for Antiques in Vermont Week 2019 are October 3rd through October 6th, one week later than this year. The Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Show will be October 5th and 6th. Anyone interested in exhibiting at next year’s show please contact Lori Scotnicki at lscotnicki@gmail.com. The 42nd Annual Cabin Fever Show and Sale is coming up on Saturday, February 16th at the Christian School in Quechee, 10am to 3pm. Anyone interested in information on the show should contact Lori Scotnicki at lscotnicki@gmail.com. VADA is always pleased to welcome new members. If you are interested in becoming a member or wish information about becoming a member, please contact Jeff Noorsdy, Membership Committee Chair at jeffhol@shoreham.net. The Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association wishes happy holidays to our members, fellow dealers, and friends as well as to all those collectors, show goers, and customers who support us all year. Season’s greetings and best wishes for the New Year! Vesta Urband (vkurband@gmail.com) November 2018 VADA News We have been enjoying a lovely fall in New England and here in Vermont the maples have been especially glorious. Vermont Antiques Week 2018 is now a memory, but you can mark your calendars for 2019 Vermont Antiques Week—October 3rd through October 6th. As a reminder, there will not be a November meeting of the VADA membership. At the spring meeting it was voted that in the future we would have only one annual meeting to be held in the spring. Janice Goodwin and Goodwin’s Antiques probably need no introduction to many of you but for those who haven’t met Janice, she has been buying and selling antiques for 29 years. She deals primarily in quilts and other textiles and Victorian and Edwardian clothing and accessories in addition to items related to sewing and needlework. She also buys and sells primitive and country items. Janice started out as many dealers have by joining a group shop while still working. After retiring from the working world to try something different, she opened her own multi-dealer shop, Victorian House Antiques, in Johnson, Vermont. When her husband, Gordon (Gordie), retired he joined her in the business doing furniture restoration and repair. They had the shop for 10 years. After closing their shop, Janice maintained a space in the Middlebury Antiques Center while doing shows mainly in New England and New York. Janice now does about 7-9 shows a year and sells online on ebay and Facebook. She also shares a website www.antiquesvt.com with two dealer/friends and has recently taken space at Five Corners Antiques in Essex Junction. Janice likes every aspect of the antiques business from meeting people to finding unusual antiques to research and sell while also doing some restoration of textiles. She finds that every day dealing with antiques and customers offers a new and often unusual experience. She related a funny story from when she owned her shop in Johnson. Janice and her husband were in the driveway talking to some friends when a car from New Jersey drove in. A woman stepped out of the car and she was literally trimmed in yellow feathers from her shoes, ankle socks, shorts, shirt, and drawstring bag up to her hat and earrings! Janice says that the woman looked like a huge “chicken” and it wasn’t even Halloween! Janice never found out what her “story” was, and I forgot to ask if she bought anything! Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com VADA Newsletter October/November 2018
The Vermont Antiques Week shows, September 27--30, had beautiful fall weather. It was a perfect weekend to get out and antique as there were plenty of shows to attend and lots of wonderful antiques to see and buy. Show attendance was good, and the dealers I spoke to had had good shows and were happy. There were lots of familiar faces as well as many new dealers at all the shows. Thank you to the show managers and promoters and all the wonderful dealers for another successful Antiques Week. Also thank you to all the people who attended and shopped the shows. VADA welcomes the following new dealers to the association and to the Antiques at Stratton Mountain VADA Show: Barbara Gentiluomo of Candleglow Antiques, Holliston, Massachusetts; Josh and Mary Steenburgh, Pike, New Hampshire; Nancy Cummings, Swanzey, New Hampshire; Matt King, Marshfield, Massachusetts; Don Heller of Heller Washam Antiques, Portland, Maine; Pam and Steve Regan of Nutting House Antiques, New Paltz, NY; Karen and Mark Wheaton of Maria’s Pond Antiques, Pattersonville, NY; Derrick and Charles Holt of Color of the Berkshires, Lenox, Massachusetts; Matt Ehresman “Dr, Matt”, Wadsworth, Ohio; and John Hunt Marshall of John Hunt Marshall Antiques, Florence, Massachusetts. The new Directories are available and if you have not received one or would like some for your shop or shows, please email Trish Koptiuch at h121657@aol.com. The Montpelier Antiques Market opens on November 11th and there is another market on the 25th. There are no markets in December, and they start again on January 13th. It’s held from 8am to 1pm at the Canadian Club, 414 East Montpelier Road, Route 14, Montpelier. For information call 802-751-6138. The Milford, New Hampshire Antiques Market is held every Sunday October 21st through March 31st, 2019. The hours are 8:30am to noon. It is located at the Hampshire Hills Athletic Club, 50 Emerson Road, Milford, New Hampshire. For information call 781-329-1192. Wishing everyone an enjoyable fall and a Happy Halloween! Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com September VADA News 2018
Vermont Antiques Week takes place this month featuring 5 outstanding shows with over 175 dealers from all over the country. It promises to be a wonderful antiquing experience with great dealers bringing their best. It runs from September 27th through September 30th. Hope everyone can attend all the shows. The Weston Antique Show in Weston kicks off the week with a preview on Thursday, September 27th, 5-7:30 pm, Admission $75 and continues Friday, September 28th and Saturday, September 29th, 10am to 5pm, Admission $10. The show is at the Weston Playhouse on the Green, Route 100. The Black River Antique Show in Ludlow is Friday evening, September 28th, from 7-9pm, Admission $15 which includes a catered dinner. The show continues Saturday, September 29th, 10am to 3pm, Admission $7. It is located at the Ludlow Community Center, 38 South Depot Street. The Okemo Antique Show in Ludlow opens with a preview party celebrating its 25th year on Friday, September 28th, 2-6pm, Admission $15. The show on Saturday, September 29th is from 10am to 3pm, Admission $10. The show is at the Okemo Lodge, 77 Okemo Ridge Road, Ludlow. The 43rd Annual Antiques at Stratton Mountain Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Show is Saturday, September 29th from 8am to 5pm, and Sunday, September 30th, 11am to 3pm, Admission both days is $10. It is held at Stratton Mountain Base Lodge, 5 Village Lodge Road, Stratton. The Vermont Picker’s Market, Sunday, September 30th is from 8:30am to 3pm, Admission $10. It features many of the dealers who previously exhibited at the Riley Rink show in Manchester. The show is at Okemo Lodge, 77 Okemo Ridge Road, Ludlow. For more information on these shows, as well as places to stay, restaurants, and area attractions, visit the website www.vermontantiquesweek.com The new membership Directory Brochures are now available. You should be receiving one soon. If you would like a number of them for shows or your shop, please contact Brian at www.bittnerantiques.com Many VADA members have reported receiving emails supposedly from VADA concerning “invoices or invoicing”. These are NOT from VADA and should be disregarded, unopened, and deleted. The Norwich Antiques Show is Saturday, September 15th, 10am-3pm on the grounds of the Norwich Historical Society, Main and Elm Streets. In addition to great antiques, there will be appraisals ($5 per item), a raffle, live music, and delicious food. Admission is $5 Adults, children 12 and under admitted free. The show benefits the Norwich Historical Society. If you’re in Maine or want a reason to go to Maine, the 2nd Maine Antiques Exposition at Thompson’s Point Event Center in Portland is on Saturday, September 15th, 10am-5pm and Sunday, September 16th, 11am to 4pm. The show features over 65 dealers from 7 states offering quality antiques. News from California from VADA member Halliday House: during this year’s annual grape harvest in the Napa Valley, Halliday House will be hosting a Gala Party to celebrate the opening of their new shop in a historic stone block creamery. The party is on October 13th, 11am to 3pm at Big Ranch Road, Napa Valley. Gail and Sue say the shop will be loaded with Americana and folk art. Be sure to drop by if you live or are in the area. As always, I look forward to hearing from you with news of your business or shop events. Hope to see you during Vermont Antiques Week. Happy antiquing! Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com August 2018 VADA News
I hope that everyone is having a great summer and preparing for some serious antiquing in September. The Norwich Antiques Show takes place on September 15th (a week later this year) on the grounds of the Norwich Historical Society from 10am to 3pm, admission $5 Adults, 12 and under admitted free. The many exhibitors will offer formal to country furniture and accessories, Oriental rugs, linens, fine art, and jewelry. William G. Smith of Smith’s Auctions will be giving informal appraisals from 1 to 3pm, $5 per item (maximum of 3). The show benefits the Norwich Historical Society located at Main and Elm Streets. In addition to great antiques, there will be a raffle, live music, and delicious food! Brimfield is coming up September 4th through 9th. Look for Vermont dealers exhibiting in many of the fields. The Vermont tent is in Green Acres. Vermont Antiques Week takes place September 27th through September 30th and features 5 outstanding shows with over 175 dealers from all over the country exhibiting quality antiques. For those wondering what happened to the Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Show, previously held in July, it has joined the Vermont Week Shows and has a new name: Antiques at Stratton Mountain Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Show. The Ludlow Antique Show also has a new name: Black River Antique Show, and it is still held at the Ludlow Community Center. For more information on these shows, as well as places to stay, restaurants, and area attractions, visit the website www.vermontantiquesweek.com. Tom Baker has been a member of VADA for many years and a dealer for many more years! Tom was in the banking industry for 12 years, living in Albany, New York and then Boston. He and Sheila were avid collectors starting back in 1978 filling three houses, each bigger than the last, to house their collections. They finally decided that in order to keep collecting, they would need to start selling (sound familiar??). They rented booth space in an antique center in Groton, Massachusetts in 1986 and instead of bigger houses, their space in the antique center got bigger and bigger. They eventually moved to California and then back to the East coast to the Albany area where they now live. Tom is co-manager of the Antiques Market Place, a group shop with 20 dealers, in Lake George, New York on Route 149. He also maintains a number of websites: www.bakerantiques.com, www.digantiques.com, and www.antiques-market-place.com. In addition to the shop and websites, Tom does about 7 shows a year in the Northeast. He specializes in game boards, firkins, pantry boxes and other painted pieces as well as American folk art, textiles, and items of local historical significance. Like many of us, Tom laments the changes in the current antiques market—fewer collectors/dealers and fewer new ones to take our place, as well as the need to attract a younger audience. When I asked Tom what he liked most about being a dealer, he replied “Being always on the hunt for the one thing I can’t live without.” Sadly, Joseph E. Doppman, Sr. died on July 22nd at the age of 80. Joe restored and sold antique lamps, maintaining a booth at 5 Corners Antiques in Essex Junction. Our condolences to Joe’s family and his many friends and associates. See you next month with more information on Vermont Week shows. Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com |
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