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Dare I say Happy Spring??!! The calendar says that spring has arrived but one wouldn’t think so looking out the window at all the snow still on the ground in some places! We in the Northeast were hit with winter storm Stella for two days in mid-March, blanketing our area with 20 or more inches of snow. Luckily for show goers during the weekend of March 18-19, the weather improved giving us sunshine and warmer temperatures. This ensured a good turnout for both the Schoharie and West Lebanon antique shows. Vermont dealers who did these shows reported good sales. Then the weekend of March 31-April 1, more snow! The dealers who did the show in Woodsville, New Hampshire reported having a good crowd and sales in spite of the inclement weather.
News from Brian Bittner, our President: “Antique Trail” (www.antiquetrail.com) which prints 50k+ brochures every year has offered VADA members a special opportunity to join. They will build you a website and help with marketing etc. Membership is usually $300 a year but if 5 VADA members join by next Tuesday, April 11th, the cost will be reduced to $200 this year and every year thereafter. Chris McNulty of Stone House, Chester and David Booth of Five Corners, Essex Junction are both members and would be very happy to answer any questions you have. If interested, contact Lori Reynolds at lori@antiquetrail.com to sign up. Sorry for such late notice, but it took a while to come to this agreement. We are very lucky to have many fine museums here in Vermont. Many of them are open year round. In addition to the wonderful Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, we have the Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburg, Billings Farm in Woodstock, the Bennington Museum in Bennington, the Vermont Historical Society in Barre, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes, and the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum in St. Johnsbury. This month I’d like to introduce you to the Henry Sheldon Museum in Middlebury. The Henry Sheldon has in addition to the museum collections, a museum shop and a beautiful garden to enjoy. In 1882, Henry Luther Sheldon chartered the Sheldon Art Museum, Archaeological and Historical Society in the brick house known as the Judd-Harris House on Park Street, site of the current museum. Sheldon’s museum was located on the top two floors and the bottom floor was a residence. The museum had its ups and downs and in the 1930’s, the task was undertaken to begin its journey to becoming one of the best history museums in New England. It is the oldest community museum in the United States. In the museum you will find a wealth of information about the settlement of Addison County as well as its industries, natural resources, and its residents. All of this can be found in the collections of 18th and 19th century furniture, art, household objects, clothing, and personal artifacts such as photographs and written records. The museum also has a Research Center. In addition, the museum hosts changing exhibits in the Walter Cerf Gallery. Currently there is an exhibition featuring five photographers from the Middlebury area. The exhibition is on view from March 7th through May 13th. The five photographers have used items from the collections and interpreted them from a variety of perspectives. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm and in the summer, Sunday, 1 pm to 5 pm. The Research Center is open Tuesday through Friday, 1 pm to 5 pm. There’s great news for all dealers and show goers wondering what they were going to do on Sunday of Vermont Antiques Week—Kris Johnson of Tex Johnson and Son Antiques, Adamstown, Pennsylvania and Steve Sherhag of Early American Antiques, Canfield, Ohio are planning a new show called The Vermont Pickers Market. It will be replacing Antiques in Vermont which was held at Riley Rink in Manchester. It too will be a one day show, Sunday, October 1st, 10 am to 4 pm. It will be held at Okemo Base Lodge in Ludlow, but the location may change if a larger venue can be found. Stay tuned for more information. It’s maple sugar time in Vermont and honoring this tradition is the 51st Vermont Maple Festival Antiques Show in St. Albans. Plan on attending it Saturday, April 29th, 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, April 30th, 10 am to 4 pm. The show is held at St. Albans Educational Center and admission is free. Dennis Chrin of Partridge Hollow Antiques is the promoter. It’s always a good show and there are many fun festivities in town as well, such as a pancake breakfast, carnival, and craft and food tents. Something for the whole family! There’s a new shop in Mendon on Route 4—The Popular Pioneer. Mike Bishop is the shopkeeper and has a great mix of antiques, primitives, and folk art. Mike is very enthusiastic about the business which is catching! The shop is open Thursday through Monday; closed Tuesday and Wednesday. A call ahead is advised: 802-772-4459. VADA members, mark your calendars to attend the VADA meeting on May 23rd at the Middlebury Inn. I’ll remind you again next month! Also, if you haven’t paid your dues, please plan on doing so. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, contact Brian Bittner at bittnerantiques@gmail.com . If you have questions about the VADA show at Stratton Mountain in July contact Greg Hamilton at sbainc57@yahoo.com . Until next month, enjoy the warmer temperatures and don’t give up hope that spring will actually come and stay! Vesta Urband, vkurband@gmail.com
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March VADA News
The Cabin Fever show celebrated its 40th year with another successful show. The weather was beautiful and it brought out the shoppers! The dealers I spoke with reported good sales and I was told that much furniture was sold—yeah! Trish Koptiuch, one of VADA’s newest members, set up for her first show with Andy Gardiner. March looks as if it will be a busy month. Two shows are coming up: Antiques in Schoharie in Schoharie, New York on March 18th and 19th and the Lebanon Antiques Show and Sale in West Lebanon, New Hampshire on March 19th. Look for many VADA dealers at both shows. Many of our dealers are on the road in March to other shows. Rick Fuller is headed out to Illinois for the Country Spirit show March 3rd and 4th and will be at the Country Antique Show in Danielson, Connecticut on April 1st. Tommy Thompson and Bonnie and Dave Ferris will also be in Danielson. Janice Goodwin, Jean Tudhope, and George Johnson will be doing the Woodsville Antique Show at the high school in Woodsville, New Hampshire on April 1st. Don’t forget to visit Pewter and Wood’s websitewww.pewterandwoodantiques.com to bid on an item in the Alzheimer’s Silent Auction beginning March 10th. The auction is on March 18th. It’s a very worthy and important cause—let’s help Barb achieve her goal of $12,000 this year! According to Greg, contracts for the VADA show at Stratton Mountain in July will be mailed out soon. Debbie and Jonathan Lang informed us that Lang Farm in Essex closed at the end of February. We were happy to learn from Linda Brown of The Cargill Collection that her husband David Brown is recovering from the heart attack he had. We missed him at the Cabin Fever show. Dick Vandell of American Decorative Arts in Canaan, New Hampshire is not well and we wish him a speedy recovery. We were sad to learn that Jack Winner of Newfane, Vermont died unexpectedly on February 5th. Jack ran a successful shop, Jack Winner Antiques, for many years. Our condolences to his family. Take a look at our website www.vermontada.com for information about VADA and to find a dealer or like us on Facebook. Happy antiquing and remember, spring will be here before we know it! Meanwhile, Happy St. Patrick’s Day! |
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