Wednesday, 26 January 2011

Dear DG Valentines,

WHAT IS LOVE? To quote the 60’s song with that title, “It’s 5 feet of Heaven in a ponytail.” That may not be the definition that suits everyone, so if you will allow me, I’d like to take a few liberties (since February is synonymous with Valentine’s Day) and talk about “love” using song titles with that magic word in the title. (song titles in caps followed by year it was popular)

Ah…..YOUNG LOVE! (’57) Remember when you were a TEENAGER IN LOVE (’59)?
Even though your parents said it was only A TEENAGE CRUSH (’57), you proclaimed that you had just finished reading THE BOOK OF LOVE (’58) and that he/she was your
DREAM LOVER (’59). The two of you would spend hours writing LOVE LETTERS IN THE SAND (’57) near THE SEA OF LOVE (’59). Before the waves washed away your precious sentiments, you’d hurry to read the words that you had written: ”I CAN’T
STOP LOVING YOU(’62) and “I’LL NEVER FAL IN LOVE AGAIN”(’69)

However, APRIL LOVE (’57) doesn’t always last. When one of THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF LOVE is broken and your TRUE LOVE (’56) can no longer say WE GOT LOVE (’59)well….it’s BYE,BYE, LOVE (’57)

You were sad. You couldn’t eat or sleep. After all, people in the know always advertised that LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING (’55). What was wrong with you??!!
A few misery-filled weeks after telling your friends that they CAN’T BUY ME LOVE(’64), a cute looking chick/guy just happened to pull up next to you in their ’58 Chevy convertible, and you secretly remarked,”UH OH, I’M FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN!” (’60)
As a brief P.S. to all this nonsense, if you were not a young teen during the time these songs were popular, I apologize, but “I gotta’ go with what I know!”

Now on to the more serious business at hand…

More than 35 DG members braved the cold to attend the first meeting of 2011, There was much conviviality present as members bought and sold glass at a table that is set up at each meeting, conversed with people that had not seen in a while(Rich Tritschler/Bob Bracken), or sipped the warming soup that was provided as part of the hospitality table. Although the fall show was discussed in more depth at the Christmas party, Paul once again remarked that overall it was a great success financially as well as for the dealers. After paying the tab @ Portobello’s ($1800), the treasury still has close to $8000. Contracts for the spring show (April 1-2) have already gone out via e-mail/ snail mail. That familiar chant of “Trip! Trip!” was back. Several ideas were discussed including a return to the Corning Museum or a visit to the Westchester Glass Show in April. I brought up the fact that the bus co. we hire does not allow its drivers to be out more than 12 hours, so we are looking for places with a radius of 2 to 2 ½ hours. Many members said they would check into possible destinations and bring back info for the February meeting.

Chris Madison, who is a twice-yearly participant in the Birchwood Manor Antique Show in Whippany, provided members with free passes. Thanks, Chris!

Bob Bracken’s 91-year-old dad is doing much better after suffering a stroke; he thanked all for their concern. Adele is on the mend after a recent bout with pneumonia.

After Walter and Tom talked about the Whats-it? table (items included both a Heisey “Orchid” and a “Moondrops” piece), we broke for an especially well-laden refreshment table filled with fruit, cheese and crackers, soup and bread, and desserts. If you are one of the kind individuals who signed up for February’s meeting ( I do not have a list), think along the lines of something hot ( we have an oven), fruit, bagels, cheese, etc. for a nice change. Whatever you bring, of course, is always greatly appreciated!

Ken’s program entitled (I’m paraphrasing, so excuse me)”How Glassware Got Its Name” not only enlightened us but also made us lightheaded at the same time! His super gorgeous and expensive array of glassware (mostly Cambridge, what else?) ranged from cordials to snifters to goblets with a myriad of other types in-between. We were all getting a bit “tipsy” while imagining what a martini or Mai Tai or brandy might taste like
in one of these colorful holders. He kept us spellbound while he told us about the background of each of the glasses and how they came to hold the drink that they did.
“Inbibe” was certainly the word of the evening, but all we had to drink was coffee!
Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday evening, 2 February beginning as close to 7:30 as possible. The program for the evening will be TRANSPORTATION COLLECTIBLES presented by Roger Loucks. Garnering most of his items from either
e-Bay or antique shows, his 20-year collection focuses on items that relate to both buses and trolleys from the 1930’s through the 1950’s. When I asked him whether there would be anything pertaining to the world’s #1 bus driver, Ralph Kramden, (AKA Jackie Gleason)he said, “No, not so far.” Sounds like it’s going to be a wonderful program fraught with memories for those of us who grew up riding either mode of transportation!

Until we meet next week, a thought that may help to warm you up: Yankee pitchers and catchers report to spring training in little more than 2 weeks!

See you soon,
June