Friday Flashback- HLCCA Conference 2015

Less than one week to this year’s HLCCA Conference and the countdown is complete! We’re wrapping up our Flashback Friday series by going back just a year ago and reviewing Conference 2015. We can hardly wait to see what fun memories we will be making THIS year! 

Conference 2015:

17th Anniversary Celebration

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

(Embassy Suites Coraopolis) 

Dates: July 16–19, 2015

Activities: 

• Welcome mixer: “Four Seasons of HLC = Four Seasons of Fun”

• Day trip to Newell and East Liverpool for factory tours, lunch on the HLC factory lawn, and dish shopping

• 2 seminars

• Speed learning: three stations

• Friday night consignment auction

• Show and Sale

• 5 judged exhibits

• Floral arrangement competition

• Tablescape competition

• Microzibits

• Awards banquet 

• Post-banquet auction

• Business meeting/closing session 

Judged Exhibits: 

It Only Cost What? — exhibited by Bill Beck and Kevin McCarty

A look at Fiesta, Ironstone, and Amberstone pieces in original packaging, complete with those wonderful prices of yesteryear! 

Carbone Duck Casseroles — exhibited by Jerry Lefever

A large flock of the whimsical duck casseroles produced by Hall China five sizes and many different glaze colors. 

String of Lights — exhibited by Dana Heath-Thomas

An extensive display documenting the different colorways and items produced in this popular P86 Fiesta Christmas design.

Evolution of Shapes — exhibited by Melissa Schlegelmann

There are many differences, often subtle, between vintage Fiesta and the same pieces in the P86 line; this exhibit offered examples showing how to identify and determine which is which. 

Yellowstone Pastel Rose — exhibited by Jerry Lefever

Many pieces from the Woolworth’s line sold in the 1930s through the mid 1940s featuring a pastel rose decoration on the Yellowstone shape with vellum glaze. 

Seminars: 

“Dishes” documentary— Screenings of the popular documentary about collecting Fiesta

“Come Over to My House” — Kathy Holley (presenters Lynn Robinson, Alvin Heitmann, and Ryan Goldner) 

Awards: 

Grand Award: Jerry Lefever (Yellowstone Pastel Rose)

Gold Awards: Dana Heath–Thomas, Jerry Lefever (Yellowstone Pastel Rose), Melissa Schlegelmann

Silver Award: Bill Beck and Kevin McCarthy, Jerry Lefever (Carbone Ducks)

People’s Choice Award: Melissa Schlegelmann

Microzibits People’s Choice Award: Andrea Sunnen

     Runners up: Alex Silva, Derek Green

Floral Arrangement People’s Choice Award: Alice Fast

     Runners up: Cristi Brewer-Allen, Sallie Minnish

Tablescape People’s Choice Award: Barb Swanda

Runners up: Kathy Holley, Sue Bishop

Favorite Dish Article: Andrea Sunnen, “For the Love of Dots and Rosie the Riveter”

Homer and Shakespeare Award: Jerry Lefever

President’s Award: Kathy Holley

What a Dish—Best Banquet Costume: Nicole Haugen

Raspberry Award: Melissa Schlegelmann

Conference exclusive pieces and gifts: 

Shamrock stick-handled Fiesta demitasse cup and saucer 

     (two per person)

Centerpieces: 

     Green stripe teapots

     Green stripe cream and sugar sets

     Green stripe large bistro bowl

     Slate pyramid candleholders

Ornaments: 

     Keep Calm and Collect Fiesta (in lapis, shamrock, cinnabar, 

     or chocolate, presented by HLC at the factory tour on Friday

     Green stripe with historic Eagle-Over-Lion HLC logo

     First Fire Sage
     First Fire Slate

Highlights: 

Conference attendees learned some HLC history as the company’s classic Buy American/Eagle-Over-Lion trademark backstamp was featured throughout the weekend, appearing on tote bags, posters, wine glasses, and ornaments. The iconic logo provided a link to the company’s historic past and acknowledgement of HLC’s status today as one of the few remaining dinnerware manufacturers in the United States. 

Limited edition polka dot Fiesta dinnerware in poppy and shamrock awaited eager shoppers as a special treat at the HLC outlet. There were mugs, salad plates, and dinner plates in each color with white dots. Another special treat courtesy of HLC was a picnic lunch for attendees on the factory grounds. Everyone got an exclusive “Keep Calm” ornament in one of four colors, too!

Participants had a blast at the “Four Seasons of HLC = Four Seasons of Fun” mixer. Great games got everyone involved and mingling. And the various costumes were a blast: everything from Santa Claus and a pumpkin, to beach wear, sports uniforms, and Uncle Sam! Games featured Easter eggs, picnic ants, picking posies, going “dishing,” and a trip to the pumpkin patch. 

The highlight of the Friday Night Auction was a one-of-a-kind Fiesta carafe, covered with painstakingly hand-applied decals in a colorful mosaic pattern. Donated by HLC, the proceeds from the carafe auction benefited the Team Mojo Foundation, an organization helps create opportunities for kids in need in the tri-state area. 

There were also some extraordinary items at the Saturday night auction—several Hawaiiana items, and some prototype flower pots, in addition to blue stripe casseroles.