“HAPPY DAYS”  IN MADISON –

      AS “CAS SALUTES THE FANTASTIC ‘50s!”

 

It was a “blast from the past”, August 22nd in Madison, as CAS Collectors journeyed back to the fantastic 1950s – the second decade of the Studio’s heyday – for our 2009 CAS Collector Convention!

 

Following a fun-filled day shopping at the Wisconsin Pottery Association Show & Sale, Convention-goers gathered in the Howard Johnson Plaza’s Cedar Room.  Convention Coordinator Barb Patzer, and her dedicated crew of CAS Board members outdid themselves with decorations recapturing the spirit of the ‘50s.  An inflatable juke box, posters of such TV favorites as I Love Lucy and Leave It To Beaver, and Barb’s life-size recreation of a 1950s soda fountain, (complete with a counter jukebox blaring out ‘50s favorites), quickly got everyone ready to “rock around the clock”.

 

As the crowd gathered for the 6 pm Social Hour, there was an opportunity for souvenir photo-taking posed behind the 1950s car cutout in the lobby. Attendees then viewed and voted on the colorful entries in the “On Display Contest” arrayed on tables about the room, as contest participants described their entries.

 

When the time arrived for our 7 pm banquet, President Hank Kuhlmann welcomed all, and Shawn Slotten gave an opening prayer.  Our honored guests for the evening were then introduced: Studio workers Karl Ahlen, Patricia Hermsdorf, and  Ruth Paulson; CAS Collectors founders Tim Holthaus and Jim Petzold; Sheri and James Disrud of “Friends of Beckman Mill”; auctioneer Shirley Baumann – and, of course, the hard working members of your CAS Collectors Board of Directors!

 

Following a delicious “On Wisconsin” buffet (featuring carved prime rib), a short business meeting was held with election of Board members and officers for the coming year (Editor’s Note: details are given in the “Annual Meeting Minutes” elsewhere in this issue). After a brief break for a group photo, winners in the “On Display Contest” were announced (see list below), and it was time for our Club Auction!

 

Under the skilled leadership of auctioneer Shirley Baumann, the bidding was fast and furious. Among the most desired: CAS treasures from the estate of our good friend Margaret Purucker, including the much-sought-after Chick & Nest and Pied Piper Set. Proceeds from the sale of these estate items benefited “Friends of Beckman Mill”, a favorite cause of Margaret’s.

 

Rounding out the evening was the distribution of Door Prizes: colorful “1950s diner” table accessories, prepared by Barb Patzer and Mary Lamm-Feltman, which had served as centerpieces throughout the evening. Each prize was accompanied by a CAS memento, purchased by the club at Margaret’s auction.

 

And, of course, no CAS Collectors Convention would be complete without presentation of the annual Commemorative!  Commemorative Queen Lisa Louis described the process that went into the selection of this year’s specialty:  a covered ceramic candy dish, emblazoned with the CAS Zebra logo, the Convention date – and filled with candy! Each attendee received a candy dish Commemorative. Then, like all good things must, the evening’s festivities came to an end.  (But there’s always next year!)

 

Our CAS “Salute to the Fantastic ‘50s” made for a fantastic evening – chock-full, as the old song goes, with “Moments to Remember”!  In the words of more than one Convention-goer, the annual 2009 CAS Collectors Convention was “simply the best!” See you in 2010!

 

AND THE WINNERS WERE. . .

 

The sixth annual “On Display Contest”, showcasing the creative energies (and CAS collections) of our members brought forth some of the best entries ever! Here are the winners, by category, and their winning entries:

 

  • “Most Imaginative” (The “Millie, Flossie, Martha, & Rose Memorial Award”):

MARY LAMM-FELTMAN, “Best Wishes -- Elvis”

      (Elvis memorabilia, and a souvenir button for those who sang an Elvis song!)

  • “Funniest” (The “Reuben Sand Memorial Award”):

HANK KUHLMANN, “A Dog-gone Nice Day”

(Assorted CAS dogs, posed among dog treats and a photo of a hydrant!)

  •  “Best Use of Accessories (The “Sid Foye Memorial Award”):

HANK KUHLMANN, “CAS Take-Out”

(Various CAS Orientals, accompanied by fast-food boxes, fortune cookies & fans)

  • “Raciest” (The “Margaret Purucker Memorial Award”):

DON JOHNSON, “Hot, Hot, Hot”

(“Fire Man & Woman”, plus a red boa, feather mask, & vintage matches)

  • “Tell Me A Story: Best Use of Fantasy, Fairy Tale, or Nursery Figures”:

HANK KUHLMANN, “Pastorale for Margaret”

(Margaret Purucker’s “Little Boy Blue” display & other rustic figures)

  • “In the Spotlight: Best Use Of CAS Theatrical, Musical, or Dance Figurines”:

PAT JOHNSON, “Dancing With The Stars”

(The “Dancing Dutch”, judged by  2 “Pioneer Susies” & “Bedtime Boy”)

  • “Baby Boomers: Best Use of CAS Children Figurines”:

PAT JOHNSON, “Rock Around The Clock”

(CAS Kids’ Orchestra members, 45s’, a jukebox & a Cameo Girl ‘50s vase)

  • “At The Hop: Best Use of CAS Figurines to Recreate a 1950s Popular Song”:

PAT JOHNSON, “Rock Around The Clock”

(A repeat win for Pat!)

  • “My Country ‘Tis Of Thee: Best 1950s Patriotic Theme”:

DON JOHNSON, “Dad Liked Flowers”

(The “Triads” flower-filled, and surrounded by vintage seed catalogs & packets)

  • “Don’t Touch That Dial: Best Use of CAS Figurines as 1950s TV Characters”:

DON JOHNSON, “M-I-C-K-E-Y  M-O-U-S-E”

(“Children in Chairs” in front of a mini- TV, & “Mickey Mouse Club” souvenirs)

  •  “CAS Salutes The Fantastic ‘50s: Best Overall 1950s-Theme”

BARB PATZER: “Blount Street Sweets”

            (A life-size recreation of a 1950s soda shop counter with all the trimmings!)

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

PAT JOHNSON, “Mom’s The Word”

(An array of CAS “Madonnas”, among vintage Mother’s Day cards)

 

“BEST OF SHOW”: BARB PATZER, “Blount Street Sweets”

 

Each winning entrant received a certificate, and a “mini-‘50s” centerpiece. The Grand Prize: a four-CD set of 1950s hits, plus a ribbon and certificate!

 

What will they think of next? Only “ON DISPLAY 2010” will tell!

 

**  New for 2010: all “ON DISPLAY” entrant names will be placed in a drawing for an additional prize! An even better reason to join in the fun!