Friday, May 27, 2016

Flashback Friday: HLCCA Conference 2009


Flashback Friday is here again! Let’s go back and revisit Conference 2009 in Pittsburgh. Tie-dye, red stripe, and tons of fun…check it out!  
Conference 2009
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Embassy Suites Hotel) 
Dates: July 9–12, 2009
Activities: 
• Welcoming mixer: “Dishstock: Three Hours of Peace, Love, and Dishes”
• Bus trip to HLC and East Liverpool for tours and shopping
• 3 seminars
• Friday night consignment auction
• Show and Sale
• 5 judged exhibits
• Floral arrangement competition
• Awards banquet 
• Post-banquet auction
• Annual meeting 

Judged Exhibits: 

Tabletop Time—exhibited by Daphne Durham
An introduction to tablescaping, with HLC dishes, and linens, flatware, stemware, and accessories both vintage and modern. 
A Modern Design for ‘55—Kenilworth, U.S.A. —exhibited by Fred Mutchler
An exhibit showcasing the contemporary styling of HLC’s Kenilworth shape.
99-44/100% Pure Ivory—Dishes, That Is—With a Touch of Cobalt (Bluing) — exhibited by Chuck Denlinger
Unique collection of hard-to-find and experimental Fiesta, Kitchen Kraft, Riviera, and Harlequin pieces, mostly in ivory.
Colors of the Fifties—exhibited by Jerry Lefever
HLC’s Rhythm shape in all five solid colors, with some solid-color Charm House. 
Epicurean Delight — exhibited by Michael Thomas
HLC’s unique Epicure shape epitomized mid-century modern design, but enjoyed limited success.
Seminars: 
“An Introduction to Vintage Fiesta—An American Classic” — Bill Beck
“Come On Over to My Place: Collectors’ Show and Tell” — Daphne Durham
“Conversation with HLC” — Dave Conley 


Awards: 
Grand Award: Daphne Durham
Gold Award: Chuck Denlinger, Daphne Durham, Jerry Lefever, Fred Mutchler, Michael Thomas.
People’s Choice Award:  Daphne Durham
Floral Arrangement People’s Choice Award: Cindy Irick
Best Dish Article (tie): Daphne Durham, “Tablescape Extravaganza!” and Richard Mayberry, “Chip Chat Reports on the Bailey/Allred HLC Collection”
Homer and Shakespeare Award: Steve Douglas
President’s Award: Kit Fox
What a Dish—Best Banquet Costume: Laura Breaux and her son, Sage
Raspberry Award: Rebecca Donaldson

Conference exclusive pieces and gifts: 
Red stripe dinner plate, teacup, and saucer (marked as Conference exclusives)
Centerpieces: Red stripe 10” vases, red stripe mugs
Ornaments: Peace, Love, and Dishes (mixer, courtesy HLC)
First Fire lemongrass (courtesy HLC)
            Red stripe with HLCCA logo

Highlights: 

The surprise debut of HLCCA’s exclusive red stripe wares was the highlight of the Conference. Gasps were audible when attendees entered the banquet room and saw it—then realized that everyone would be taking home a three-piece place setting. Red stripe had been in the planning and development stages for two years and replicated beautiful vintage red-stripe Fiesta. Mugs were available for purchase on Sunday morning, and then the organization rolled out additional red stripe items throughout the year and at future Conferences. 

The opening mixer was a 40th anniversary celebration of 1969—The Summer of Love. Games and attire featured lots of tie-dye and mod fashions, memories of Woodstock, love beads, that historic first landing and walk on the moon, incense and potpourri, Fiesta Twister, and a game where participants tried to identify photos of HLCCA members as they looked in 1969. There was a special commemorative ornament courtesy of Judi Noble and HLC for mixer attendees.  

Once again, Conference attendees had the opportunity to visit the HLC showroom as part of their visit to the factory. The showroom features dozens of displays of HLC’s wares past and present, including many custom creations for specific restaurants. 

The HLCCA’s 1941 commemorative juice pitcher was unveiled: “Urban Jazz Culture” on lemongrass. 
Another club exclusive item was released at this year’s Conference: the embossed teapot ornaments. The first three colors offered were scarlet, tangerine, and evergreen. 

- submitted by Kathy Holley and David Schaefer

Friday, May 20, 2016

Flashback Friday: HLCCA Conference 2008

It’s Flashback Friday and as we countdown to this year’s HLCCA Conference, we’re looking back to the 10th Anniversary Conference in Minneapolis. What a milestone!  It also means that this year’s Conference is just eight weeks away!
Conference 2008:
HLCCA’s Tenth Anniversary Celebration
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesoa (Doubletree Park Place) 
Dates: July 17–20, 2008
Activities: 
• Welcoming mixer: “10 Years of Memories / Minnesota, America’s Vacation Spot”
• Come Over to My House: The Live Version 
• 3 seminars
• Friday night consignment auction
• Show and Sale
• 4 judged exhibits, 2 non-judged
• Floral arrangement competition
• Awards banquet 
• Post-banquet auction
• Annual meeting 

Judged Exhibits: 
HLC Children’s Dishes—exhibited by Margaret Denlinger
An extensive display of children’s dishes made by HLC, ranging from the early 1900s to the late 1900s. 

The Big Payoff—exhibited by Jennifer Flory
A look back at cultural touchstones of the 1950s, highlighted by “The Big Payoff” dinnerware.
Riviera Dinnerware: It’s Hip to Be Square!  — exhibited by Dennis Stasiak
Examples of standard Riviera pieces and some hard-to-find pieces and ephemera. 
3 + 7 = 10—exhibited by Fred Mutchler
Ten important pieces in Homer Laughlin China history and key items that set the stage for America’s most significant production pottery company. 
Non-Judged Exhibits: 
China Premiums Produced by HLC — exhibited by Jerry Lefever
Pottery items that HLC made for use in their customers’ premium offers. 
Serene Serenade — exhibited by Jerry Lefever
A table setting using HLC’s pastel-glazed Serenade.
Seminars: 
“China Premiums Produced by HLC” — Jerry Lefever
“Come On Over to My Place: Collectors’ Show and Tell” — Daphne Durham
“Conversation with HLC” — Dave Conley 

Awards: 
Grand Award: Dennis Stasiak
Gold Award: Jennifer Flory, Fred Mutchler, and Dennis Stasiak 
Silver Award: Margaret Denlinger
People’s Choice Award:  Dennis Stasiak
Floral Arrangement People’s Choice Award: Mike Ellsler
Best Dish Article: Merrill Miller, “Can’t Stop With Just One: Decals and Decorations for Every Occasion”
Homer and Shakespeare Award: Rick Benning
President’s Award: Linda Hedlund
Best Costume: Elvie Davis
Raspberry Award: Saarin Schwartz

Conference exclusive pieces and gifts: 
White disk pitchers with the 10th anniversary in gold and red and blue striping
Centerpieces: White presentation bowls with 10th anniversary in gold and red and blue striping
Ornaments: First Fire Ivory (courtesy HLC)
 and HLCCA 10th anniversary logo on cobalt
Highlights: 
Attendees at the opening mixer were asked to wear attire representing their state. Costumes included the Statue of Liberty, the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz, a Mississippi belle, Kentucky Derby hats, a Cheesehead, and a clove of garlic! The mixer also featured a reprise of several popular mixer activities from the past, such as Bobbing for Shakers, Pirate Scavenger Hunt Bingo, and Madame LaVerte, the green medium. 

This was the first (and only) time the group has ever toured a member’s home as part of the activities. School buses took attendees from the hotel to the home of Fred Mutchler (also known as 3M: Mutchler’s Minnesota Museum!). Fred’s amazing collection of HLC wares was on display throughout the house—what a great field trip! 
The HLCCA’s 1940 commemorative juice pitcher was unveiled: Uncle Sam on ivory.

- submitted by Kathy Holley and David Schaefer

Friday, May 13, 2016

Flashback Friday: HLCCA Conference 2007


Ahoy, mateys! Grab yer scabbard and eyepatch and let’s flashback to the pirate-themed HLCCA Conference of 2007! 
Conference 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Embassy Suites Hotel)
Dates: July 19–22, 2007 
Activities: 
• Welcoming mixer: “Pottery Pirates on HLCCA Pottery Isle”
• HLC factory tour and shopping in Newell and East Liverpool 
• 2 seminars
• Friday night consignment auction
• Show and Sale
• 5 judged exhibits, 2 non-judged
• Floral arrangement competition
• Awards banquet and keynote speaker
• Post-banquet auction
• Annual meeting 

Judged Exhibits: 

Laughlin Art China—exhibited by Chuck Denlinger
An extensive display of 11 patterns available in Laughlin Art China.
Employee Christmas at HLC—exhibited by Sid Cannon
Ten year’s worth of items given to HLC salaried employees at their annual holiday luncheon.

Good Morning America — exhibited by Linda O’Zee
A vintage Fiesta breakfast setting of green and red. 
Non-Judged Exhibits: 

Court of Honor: display of the 1999 Grand Award–winning exhibit—exhibited by Fred Mutchler
A reprise of the popular recreation of the vintage 1939 Fiesta Ensemble service, including additional items procured in the last five years.
Jubilation — exhibited by Jerry Lefever
Two table settings using HLC’s pastel-glazed Jubilee.
This and That — exhibited by Andy and Jane Flachs
Unusual HLC items found in 17 years of collecting.

Pastel Rose—exhibited by Jerry LeFever
A full set of the Pastel Rose treatment on HLC’s Yellowstone shape. 
Seminars: 
“Come On Over to My Place: Collectors’ Show and Tell” — Daphne Durham
“Conversation with HLC” — Dave Conley 

Awards: 
Grand Award: Chuck Denlinger
Gold Award: Sid Cannon, Chuck Denlinger, Linda O’Zee 
People’s Choice Award:  Linda O’Zee
Floral Arrangement People’s Choice Award: Rebecca Donaldson and Jeff Kestner
Best Dish Article: Leon and Martha Drebes, “50 Years with Fiesta Dinnerware”
Homer and Shakespeare Award: Daphne Durham
President’s Award: Merrill Miller
Best Costume: Sheri Wadkins
Raspberry Award: Chuck Denlinger
Conference exclusive pieces and gifts: 
Heather 8” vase with gold striping at the top and bottom
Centerpieces: 10” heather vase with gold striping at the top and bottom
Ornaments: First Fire Evergreen (courtesy HLC)
First Edition of HLCCA ornaments -- HLCCA logo in gold on plum. This was the first year to introduce HLCCA ornaments
Banquet Keynote Speaker:
Harry Anderson, sculpture artist, utilizing found objects; he also collects Fiesta and Harlequin, and created the book Fiestaisms.

Highlights: 
This Conference marked a couple of firsts: it was the first Conference at the Embassy Suites, which has become our regular Pittsburgh hotel, and it was the first Conference where there was a floral arrangement competition. 

The tour of HLC this Conference included a very special privilege: the opportunity to visit the showroom, a lavish setting for a large display of HLC’s wares past and present where buyers come to see the range of dinnerware available and some of the many custom creations for specific restaurants. 

The HLCCA’s 1939 commemorative juice pitcher was unveiled: a two-sided design on cobalt, featuring the New York Worlds Fair on one side and the Gold Gate International Exposition on the other.  

- submitted by Kathy Holley and David Schaefer