December 2010

Attendance was up at the fall VADA meeting and all the vibes were positive. Attending for their first meeting were new members Lori Frandino, Mary and George Bittner, and Mike Kamel. Membership chairman Mike Seward announced the latest associate members. They are Doug Ramsey of DBR Antiques and DeWolfe and Wood, rare book dealers, from Alfred, Maine. We have welcomed a fine group of dealers to our association this year and the members are looking for more. If you are a Vermont dealer don't be surprised if you are approached by a Vermont Antiques Dealers' Association member with an invitation to join. As they say, "The More the Merrier!"

One positive reason for joining Vermont dealers will be our new and improved website. Wynne Patterson of Pittsfield, Vt. has been chosen to gently redesign our site. Look for our "New Look" by the first of the year. Another VADA perk is our annual Directory. It's your best advertising bargain for just the cost of membership and this year's goal is to have it in the hands of the antiquing public in January. Bob Fraser from Chester will be in charge of distribution.

Mike and Lucinda Seward announce the opening of their new shop "Always On Friday". At least that's my name for it. The shop is located at 15 Central Street in Brandon, Vt. and shop hours are from 10-5 every Friday or by appointment. They are joining Stoneblock Antiques, located in Vergennes, another Friday only shop, in making the Rte 7 corridor a shopping destination. To find a seven days a week shop visit the Middlebury Antiques Center. It's located midway between the two .For more information see their combo ad in Maine Antiques Digest.

With election of officers Greg Hamilton went from interim to official President. Continuing in previous posts are the following: Membership-Mike Seward, VP at large-Howard Graff, Treasurer-Judd Gregory and Hot Line-Norm Gronning. Lori Scotnicki will be the new VP of Communications and Mary Fraser assumes the role of Secretary. Directors serving one year terms are Jim Dunn, Joan Korda and Jeff Noordsy.

Celia Oliver concluded the meeting with a slide presentation about 19th Century Hand Worked Floor Coverings. Our spring meeting will be April 13th and Art Cohn from the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum will be our guest speaker.

From the Vermont Antiques Dealers' Association Happy Thanksgiving to one and all,

Mary Fraser (mbfrasers@comcast.net)