|
By John Scannell |
|
In March of 2006, I wrote an article for the Sebastianworld News announcing the start of the new Sebastian Miniature Collector's Convention. I was totally unaware of the many challenges that I would face to provide an event where the collectors could gather, discuss, and purchase Sebastian Miniatures. What I did discover is the dedication of our collectors. They all pitch in to help make our convention a huge success.
I wondered how I would be able to set up all the tables for the vendors to display their wares, and then the collectors started to arrange the tables themselves. I needed to have the auction pieces identified and displayed, but I also needed to set up my own table. Just like clockwork, Jim Garrabrandt volunteers his experience. He tags, and places the items on display. Linda Garrabrandt volunteers to log the auction bidders and amounts, and then acts as a cashier at the end of the auction. Then there is Sallie Dietrich who loans us her dishes and silverware for our Friday night dinner. She hauls them all the way from Cape Cod. And what is an all Sebastian Miniature auction without Sharon White, our own "Vanna White", who walks each piece through the bidding crowd. There are so many ways that our collectors contribute to make our event a success that I feel a need to express my gratitude. It seems so inadequate, but thank you all.
The Friday night dinner will provide us with our initial get together. The first hour we catch up on the previous year. How much snow did you get...? Did you find any Sebastian Miniatures since we last met...? Did you see the prices on eBay...? There is just so much to talk about and so little time. After all, we only meet once a year. This year, I look forward to our dinner. I know last year I said that we were going to have roast turkey for dinner on Friday, but circumstances caused a change in the menu. However, I have been assured that the roast turkey dinner will be "real roast turkey". The Friday night dinner will be $28 per person. Please let me know in advance if you plan on attending so that I can provide the cater with an accurate count. I am hoping for another increase in attendance for the dinner. Following the dinner, Woody and Margery will discuss the state of Sebastian Miniatures and will display several new pieces that were produced during the year. As usual, Woody provides many anecdotes about the development, design, and production of the several new Sebastian Miniatures.
On Saturday, there will be a "paint-your-own" contest for a $25 entry fee (100% donated to charity). Each entrant will receive a pewter medallion (limited to the first 25 people). Last year we donated $300 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in memory of Jim Waite. It always amazes me at how adept some of our collectors are at painting these little figures. The winner will be determined by our judges Woody Baston, Margery Baston, and Jim Garrabrandt. Of course the first place prize is the highly coveted gold painted pewter medallion.
The Masonic Lodge will provide (limited menu) lunches at a very reasonable cost to our collectors. I have received many comments from convention goers about the delicious lunch.
The auction will commence at 2PM, and will feature many very hard to find Sebastian Miniatures. There will even be some RARE pieces in the auction. A complete listing with pictures will be available at the 5thconvention.shutterfly.com web site. I have tried to include something for every level of collector. I am sure there will be something for everyone. Please visit http://5thconvention.shutterfly.com/ for more information. This web site will contain directions to the Masonic Lodge.
The annual convention is an important part of our Sebastian Miniature "culture" and we need to try to increase the attendance each year. There are hundreds of long time collectors who no longer attend any Sebastian event. In fact, there are many collectors who have never attended a convention (Festival or Fair). We need to welcome them back and hope that they bring new friends. I am willing to listen to any suggestions to help make this annual event the best for everyone.
If anyone has any questions, requests, complaints, or comments, I can be reached at : or or John Scannell 181 Clifton Place Syracuse, New York 13206-3236
|
|
5th Sebastian Miniature Collector's Convention Auction Items
|
|
Schedule of Events Fifth Sebastian Convention
Friday June 18, 2010
· Evening activities are to be held at: · The Masonic Lodge - North Reading, Massachusetts · Personal appearance by Woody and Margery Baston · 6:15 p.m. Social Hour · 7:00 p.m. Dinner - Reservations required by June 11, 2010. Dinner tickets are $28.00 apiece. · Tickets available from: John Scannell, 181 Clifton Place, Syracuse, NY 13206-3236 · Social hour includes cheese and crackers, fruit tray and two kinds of punch. · Dinner (Family style) includes roast turkey, backed potato, vegetables, salad, (light) desert, coffee, and tea.
Saturday June 19, 2010
· 8:15 a.m. Doors open - Coffee and doughnuts will be available. · 8:30 a.m. Paint-Your-Own contest begins. (Winning entry will receive a gold painted, limited edition Convention Medallion. All other entrants - contest limited to a maximum of 25 entrants - will receive a pewter version of the same medallion. Entry cost is $25.00, all proceeds donated to the Susan G. Koman Foundation in memory of the late Jim Waite.) · 11:30 a.m. Lunch available · 2:00 p.m. The All Sebastian Auction - To request photos of specific items that appear on the auction list, send an e-mail to jhsoyy332@aol.com Photos will be returned to you via e-mail. You may also request that an official Mail Bid Form be sent to you at the same time. Mail bids are to be sent to John H. Scannell, 181 Clifton Place, Syracuse, NY 13206-3236.
Directions to the North Reading Lodge Take exit 39 (Concord Street) off Rte. 93. Bear right off the ramp onto Concord Street. Go to the end of Concord Street and at the stop sign turn right onto Park Street. Go straight on park Street crossing Rte. 28 at the traffic lights. The Masonic Lodge will be on the left just before the junction of park Street and Rte. 62.
For further information about the Convention, please contact: John Scannell, 181 Clifton Place, Syracuse, NY 13206 E-mail at JHSOYY332@aol.com
|