CAS COLLECTORS CONVENTION 2014: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!

“A Toast To The Past. . .A Toast To The Future. . .A Toast To CAS Collectors!”

The anniversary wishes echoed throughout Madison on August 23^rd, as CAS Collectors from far and near gathered to celebrate our club’s 20^th anniversary! Inside the spacious, brightly-decorated Redwood Room of the Howard Johnson Plaza, a fabulous, festive, party to end all parties was underway!

Yes, the big event was finally here: the 2014 CAS Collectors Convention, “A Toast To The Past: CAS Collectors’ 20^th Anniversary!”

After a day spent trolling for treasures at the WPA Show & Sale, the crowd of Convention attendees was ready for fun – and fun they found! There was a “souvenir stand”, well-stocked with take-home novelties. . .a memorabilia table jam-packed with memories. . . a “Silent Auction” table. . .and a colorful anniversary party décor to set the mood. Our CAS Raffle again did brisk business, thanks to a beautiful quilt, created and donated by June Behnke. (The lucky winner: Steve Johnson.)

The annual Club Auction proceeded at a peppy pace, once again under the leadership of professional auctioneer Shirley Baumann. Many wonderful items were on the bill, including more treasures from the Dan and Shirley King collection.

And, as always, there were prizes galore! Among the dizzying array:

· Beautiful centerpieces designed by Convention Coordinator Barb Patzer. (The winners: Greg Everson, Rick Feltman, Anita Guzik-Miller, Lori Johnson, Hank Kuhlmann and Kathy Plehn)

· “Earliest Earlybird Contest” (a CAS Bear Snuggler was awarded to drawing winner Kathy Plehn)

· Grand Prize #1: “A CAS Surprise”, won by Barb Patzer

· Grand Prize #2: “A Toast To The Past: 2014 Convention Welcome Poster”, won by Ruth Paulson

· Vivian Holthaus painting: Shawn Slotten

· “20^th Anniversary” Piñatas: Pat Hermsdorf

In addition to a surplus of souvenirs, each Convention attendee also took home a 2014 Commemorative – an elegant 20^th Anniversary Bell, designed by Lisa Louis, emblazoned with the club logo.

Then, there were the “On Display” winners. This marked the eleventh year for the contest, which gives club members the opportunity to creatively display their CAS pieces in themed categories. The themes change each year, and of course, so do the winners. Here are the results from Convention 2014:

• “Most Imaginative: The Decorators’ Memorial Award” (in honor of Millie, Flossie, Martha, Rose, & Gertie)
• “Pink Flamingo” by Mary Lamm-Feltman. (Mary’s souvenir flamingo, accompanied by – who else—the Mouse & Cheese!)
• “Funniest” (The “Reuben & Margaret Memorial Award”)

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” by Hank Kuhlmann. (The CAS “Dawn” found some unlikely new companions from the Studio animal kingdom!)

• “Best Use of Accessories (CAS or non-CAS)” (The “Sid & Karl Memorial Award”)

“Who Invited the Mouse & Cheese?” by Lisa Louis. (Hula dancing Hawaiian figurines were puzzled by this new addition in their midst!)

• “Kid Stuff: Best Use of CAS Children Figurines”

“Welcome to Munchkinland” by Don Johnson. (Celebrating the 75^th anniversary of “The Wizard Of Oz”: Ozzy items, & the CAS “Wee” figurines as Munchkins!)

• “Animal Fair: Best Use of CAS Animal Figurines”

“20^th Annual CAS Cat Show” by Bunny Lenburg. (A gathering of CAS cats being judged by – gasp – the CAS poodles!)

• “The Gang’s All Here! Best Use of CAS Pairs or Groups”

“Our Ship Is Coming In” by Laurie Zelnio. (A castle filled with CAS figurines looking out to sea, waiting to welcome seafarers home from the sea!)

• “It Was 20 Years Ago Today: Best Use of CAS Figurines to Re-create the Year 1994!”

“A Toast To The Past” by Pat Johnson. (The CAS “Polish” figurines get in the spirit of things, with the help of a bottle of champagne!)

• “Down Memory Lane: Display Best Celebrating the History of Our Club”

“At The Studio” by Laurie Zelnio. (A CAS decorator’s dream: sketches, paints, brushes, and a lovely figurine awaiting decoration!)

• “Anniversary Song: Best Depiction Of A CAS-Themed Anniversary Party”

“Past/Present Future” by Barb Patzer. (A Commemorative from the past and this year’s Bell. . .but what will the future hold?)

• “As Betty Intended: Display Best Capturing The Style and Spirit of Betty Harrington”

“Fishing in the Woods” by Jane Wilkinson Stevens. (The Fishing Boy & Girl, with pine trees overhead, and a beautiful mirrored lake!)

And, last but certainly not least, (drum roll, please), our “BEST OF SHOW”:

“OUR SHIP IS COMING IN” by LAURIE ZELNIO

Several “On Display” contest categories honor these departed Ceramic Arts Studio friends: Betty Harrington, Reuben Sand, Karl Ahlen, Flossie Young Balch, Mildred “Millie” Ehle, Sid Foye, Gertrude Harris, Martha Pendleton, Margaret Purucker, and Rose Segerson. Thanks for the memories!

All “On Display” winners received Certificates of Merit, accompanied by their very own souvenir medals — plus a “Blue Ribbon” for “Best of Show” winner, Laurie Zelnio, a 1994 Memories booklet – and a bottle of champagne! Mary Lamm-Feltman received the special prize in our“On Display Entry” drawing – an oversize champagne “popper” bottle.

Of course, the best part of any CAS Convention is the opportunity to mingle with friends who share a common interest in Ceramic Arts Studio and its legacy. And what a thrill to talk with those who actually were a part of the Studio in its heyday! Our honored guests this year, who each received a special certificate, were Pat Hermsdorf, Ruth Paulson, Itzy Sand, and Marlys Wilkinson, and members of their families. Also honored: club co-founders Tim Holthaus and Jim Petzold, and our quiltmaker extraordinaire, June Behnke. Yes, a wonderful time was had by all!

As promised, Convention 2014, “A Toast To The Past! CAS Collectors’ 20^th Anniversary!” truly was “the biggest and best party of them all”! What could be better? Why, Convention 2015, of course! Make plans now to attend!

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES—

AND SEE YOU IN MADISON, AUGUST 22^{nd ,} 2015, FOR—

“CAS COLLECTORS CONVENTION 2015: CALL OF THE WILD!”