Amidst the glowing landscape at Canterbury Shaker Village, your Board of Directors recently met to scope out the venue for our new show, September 27, 2009. And what a place it is ! If “Field of Dreams” hadn’t already been coined, it would be perfectly suitable to describe the location of the 1st Annual Canterbury Shaker Village Antiques Show, sponsored by NHADA, and promoted by our own Nan Gurley.
Situated on Shaker Road, bordered by old stone walls, with the Shaker buildings peppering the background, sits one of New England’s most gorgeous hayfields – perfectly flat, stretching out as far as the eye can see. Most of the booths will be sheltered by large tents, but there will be some dealers who can set up out in the autumn air. Nan is working on a great “field” plan, and our Directors were delighted with the site.
We were then gathered for a sumptuous lunch at The Shaker Table, the restaurant run at the Village by Mike Janis, who will be designing the food for the show. The devil is always in the details, and Nan is fully engaged in making sure everything is in ship shape. This show is for “members only”, and booths will be assigned on a first-come-first-seved basis. You are probably already sick of hearing that phrase repeated, but it’s important. Nan is getting many, many calls from dealers who want to do this show, and we are happy to know of your interest, but here’s how it will work: The contacts will go out on or about the first of March, 2009, and booths will be filled as the contracts are returned to Nan. Applicants who are not NHADA members should attend to that soon. Click here for a membership application.
We are planning on about 132 exhibitors. The admission price of $10. for adults and $5. for children over six, will get you into the show, and give you access to the Shaker compound. This is a substantial reduction over usual pricing, and you have Nan to thank for that. She is a really lovely, tough show promoter.
Speaking of membership, we warmly welcome familiar faces to our fold: Hilary and Paulette Nolan, Falmouth ,MA; York Antique Gallery, York, ME; Mary de Buhr, Downers Grove, IL; and Frank de Ramer, Ossipee, NH. (Frank, we’re sorry about any confusion, but be assured – you are back ! ) One of the perks of membership has just gotten a huge boost due to the hard work and talent of our Membership Chair, Peter Sawyer of Exeter. Our annual meeting and dinner will be at the spanking new Currier Museum in Manchester on November 13th, 2008. For a few precious hours, the Museum will be ours alone. Peter came up with the idea, and, when costs mounted, he spearheaded an enthusiastic campaign to get some generous member sponsors. So several generous dealers have kicked in a substantial amout of $$ to reach this goal. Thank you to all. Please come. This is a very special opportunity.
A note of sadness: Charlie Clark of New Castle, NH, died suddenly in September. Charlie and Laurie have been familiar to all at the NHADA show for many years. We mourn his loss, and send our heartfelt sympathy to Laurie and the family.
Looking forward to seeing you during the fall in New Hampshire, and at our Annual Meeting at the Currier on November 13. And… please vote on the first Tuesday in November.