June 2017

Brimfield week started off rainy and cold and ended pretty much the same but there were lots of smiles from happy dealers in spite of the weather. The Vermont tent dealers reported good sales so all ended well. Looking forward to the next Brimfield!

Now for the good news/bad news: First the good news—Lucinda Seward is fine, last seen at the VADA spring meeting looking as pretty as ever now that the bruising is fading!  The bad news for those who don’t know the story, Lucinda and Mike were set up at Brimfield and for a short getaway Lucinda borrowed a bike and went for a ride on Route 20. She hit a pothole and ended up face to face with the side mirror of an oncoming car. She was taken to the hospital and treated. She was badly bruised and had a half dozen stitches in her chin but she was very lucky in that she didn’t break any bones or any teeth nor did she suffer a concussion. We’re all very happy and thankful that this Brimfield story had a happy ending!

The VADA spring meeting was held on May 23rd at the Middlebury Inn. A fun and interesting program of show and tell followed lunch. Everyone was encouraged to bring an item from either their own collection or inventory that was of special interest to them and share it with the group. Many dealers brought things to share, among them were Mary Fraser who brought a beautifully worked Canterbury sampler on homespun dated 1823. She and Bob bought it many years ago and it has remained in her collection. Mike Seward brought two lovely Victorian woolwork birds. They had waxed beaks and metal legs and had originally been part of a larger display under a glass dome. The sewing was exquisite. Jeff and Holly Noordsy shared one of the first antiques they bought about 25 years ago—a tin watchman’s lantern with an unusual sunburst for emitting light from within. It was from the 1800’s. I’m sure everyone enjoyed this as much as I did. Thank you all for sharing your finds with us. The next meeting will be November 14th at the Middlebury Inn. The board of directors meeting will be at 9:30; show committee meeting will be at 10:30; and general meeting will be at 11:30. Reminders will be sent out closer to the time.

If you’re not already a member of VADA perhaps now is the time for you to consider joining. There are many benefits in addition to being part of a great group of dealers who actually also have fun at the meetings! Two important benefits are having your business listed for free in the newly designed flyer and on the VADA website. Members also enjoy the benefit of having the opportunity to participate in the yearly Vermont Antique Dealers’ Show. If you are interested in joining and getting better acquainted with your fellow dealers contact Jeff Noordsy, Membership, at jeffnhol@shoreham.net. The new flyers will be out in a few weeks.

While on the subject of the Vermont Antique Dealers’ Association, I thought it would be fun to periodically feature one of our members in the newsletter. This month our dealer is Rita Masso and her husband Louis from South Burlington. They have been buying and selling antiques since 1971. Rita’s dad was the inspiration for their interest in antiques--he gave them an Eastlake Victorian parlor set as a wedding present. While it inspired Rita and Louis to pursue their interest in antiques, the parlor set was so uncomfortable that they soon sold it!  She and Louis had a shop, New England Shop Antiques, for many years on Route 7 in Charlotte. They sell Early American antiques. Now that they no longer have a shop, you can find them at the Vermont Antique Dealers’ Show and various other shows. Thank you both for agreeing to be my first profile!

The Vermont Antique Dealers’ Association Show and Sale this July is going to be another great show. As a reminder, this year’s show has a few changes from previous years. The new venue is Stratton Mountain Base Lodge. The days and times have also changed—this year’s show will be Friday, July 21st from 12 noon to 8 pm and Saturday, July 22nd from 9 am to 2 pm.
The Waterbury Flea Market, 2201 Bolton Road, opened for the season on April 29th.  The market runs every Saturday and Sunday, April 29th through October 29th. The hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Flea markets are always fun because you never know what treasure you may (or may not!) find.

Vesta K. Urband
​
vkurband@gmail.com