Volume XXXVII No. 3 September – December 2020 As we entered August, many of us reflected on the convention that was not to be this year. We thought about how we would have been finalizing our travel plans to Pittsburgh, seeing old friends and meeting new ones, selecting that special shaker for Show and Tell, planning displays and shakers to enter in the contests, and deciding which shakers to sell in the auction. This was going to be a special convention, a joint event with the National Toothpick Collectors’ Society, which would allow us to pool resources and expand our connections. However, it was not to be. Like almost everything else scheduled for this summer, the COVID-19 pandemic compelled us to cancel the convention this year. Recognizing the risks of a large gathering, the board wisely cancelled the event during the spring, allowing everyone adequate time to change their plans for the summer. Nevertheless, the cancellation was disappointing and the convention was very much missed. Although we had not planned a virtual convention via Zoom, it would be remiss to just let this time pass and not to address some of the important aspects of a convention including the club business. Consequently, this issue includes the annual reports from the board, officers and committees. In addition, members were asked to submit pictures for Show and Tell, one of the favorite events in the convention. Finally, since there was not a shaker auction this year, members were reminded that they could sell the shakers that they had planned to put in the auction by listing them in the classified section of The Pioneer. What’s Inside . Page "Virtual" Show and Tell Convention 2020: The Convention That Wasn’t 1 There is always a lot of anticipation for the first event of 1, 6 - 9 “Virtual” Show and Tell the convention, the dessert social followed by Show and 10 - 12 Annual Reports Tell. This is one of the most enjoyable events as Illinois Shaker, Ron Miller, President 2 members get together to greet old friends not seen since last year, meet new members, and enjoy a tasty dessert. Welcome New and Returning Members 2 Anticipation builds as attendees around the room carefully unwrap their Show and Tell shaker, present their From the Editor 3 treasure, and tell a brief story about the shaker. With no convention this year, several of our members AGSSSC News 4 - 5 answered the call to submit pictures for a "virtual" Show and Tell. Submissions included a close-up of the shaker Discoveries from the ID Committee, Lanae 13 - 14 that they would have brought, a "selfie" of the member Kilcoyne holding the shaker, and some brief comments about why Holiday Highlights 15 - 18 they chose that shaker. As usual, Show and Tell did not disappoint, with members displaying rare and beautiful Auction News 19 - 21 shakers and shakers that have special meaning. Hopefully, these pictures will bring you some of the Facebook Finds 22 - 24 enjoyment of the annual Show and Tell. Sorry – no dessert! Marketplace: classified ads 25 - 28 Continued on p. 6 THE PIONEER - published tri-annually (January, May, September) by the Antique Glass Salt and Sugar Shaker Club, Inc., a non- profit organization for collectors. Illinois Shaker WEBSITE: www.AGSSSC.org Normally at this time I would be sharing all the DUES: $25 per calendar year, payable to the AGSSSC wonderful events from our annual convention. The new normal is not the old normal. Maybe next year we’ll see ADVERTISING: Members: free listings of shakers for sale and wanted as space is available. Non-members: one time only a return to what we have all enjoyed in the past. After free classified ad. Send list, pictures (optional) and contact being cooped up so long, it will be a great opportunity information to Editor at [email protected]. for those that have never attended or have missed a few to get out and enjoy meeting others with interests in ARTICLES: Send articles for publication to the Editor. Copy is salt and sugar shakers or toothpick holders. A new date due by the end of the month preceding publication. and information should be available by the next issue. AGSSSC OFFICERS AND BOARD This last month we lost a great member, Rick Hess. PRESIDENT Ron Miller Rick and Charlene always enjoyed our conferences. [email protected] Rick was truly a great person and will be missed enormously. VICE-PRESIDENT OPEN SECRETARY Peter Jochimsen Many times we are unaware of a member’s passing. [email protected] Please inform myself or one of the Board Members when these situations occur. TREASURER Rick Koenig [email protected] A special shout out to June. She is doing a terrific job of trying to keep everyone involved with great ideas and DIRECTORS Jay Rogers lots of hard work. I hope many of you took advantage of Linda Spahr the show and tell concept. Thankfully her reminder Peter Jochimsen spurred me to get mine in. I see this as a way to share our future finds (or former finds) with fellow members in FOUNDERS BILL AND DOTTIE AVERY future issues. EDITOR June Sprock [email protected] Hope everyone has stayed safe and well during these times. WEBMASTER Tom Foozer [email protected] Ron Miller, MEMBERSHIP Andrea Natsios President [email protected] ID CHAIR Lanae Kilcoyne [email protected] AGSSSC FACEBOOK Tom Foozer [email protected] Robert Korn [email protected] HISTORIAN Gretchen Zale New Members (since the May Pioneer) CONVENTION Ron Miller Claudia Estep, Jacksonville FL COMMITTEE Gretchen Zale Charlene Hess Linda L. Podewils, Altoona, IA Ed Hale Linda Spahr Nancy Thompkins, State College, PA AGSSSC Mission Statement The Antique Glass Salt and Sugar Shaker Club encourages, promotes and supports the collection and study of late 19th and early 20th century glass salt and sugar shakers. The Club seeks to stimulate interest and education of members and the general public about this distinctive, histor- ical and decorative art form by providing written documentation, research, news articles, opportunities for meetings and discussions. This statement was adopted by members of the Board during a telephone conference call in September 2008. 2 From the Editor This is the third issue of 2020. The next issue will be published in January 2021. As you know, our annual convention scheduled for August was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cancellation was disappointing but necessary, especially since the hope that the outbreak would lessen during the summer months never materialized. The plan is to hold the joint convention with the National Toothpick Holder Collectors’ Society (NTHCS) next year in the same location (Pittsburgh). The date and other information will be provided as it becomes available. The convention was very much missed, in terms of the social and educational opportunities, the chance to buy and sell shakers, as well as the occasion to conduct AGSSSC business and communicate with members. Due to not having a convention this year, the AGSSSC board, officers and committees were asked to submit annual reports which are published in this issue. In addition, members were asked to submit pictures for a "virtual" Show and Tell. Thanks to all who responded to this request! This issue begins with an article on "Convention 2020: The Convention that Wasn't," starting with Show and Tell followed by the annual reports. The issue continues with the regular columns, including AGSSSC News, Holiday Highlights, Auction News, Facebook Finds and Marketplace. In addition, there is a new column by Lanae Kilcoyne, Discoveries from the ID Committee, that will appear periodically. Many thanks to Lanae for offering to write this column to keep members apprised of the work of ID Committee. In AGSSSC News, I am sorry to report that longtime member and former president, Rick Hess, passed away in August. On behalf of the AGSSSC, I want to express condolences to Charlene Hess for the loss of her husband. This issue’s Holiday Highlights features red, white and blue opalescent striped shakers representing the patriotic theme of the summer holidays. Auction News features another auction from Jeffrey Evans & Associates, the Summer 19th & 20th c. Lighting/Glass Auction. This auction offered shakers and other pieces of Victorian art glass from several consignors, including well known glass researcher, Thomas Bredehoft, and from Scott Roland’s estate. As always, Facebook Finds highlights exceptional shakers posted by our members on our Facebook page, and Marketplace is the free classified ad section for members. Because there was no convention auction this year, some members listed shakers for sale that they had planned to put in the auction. Remember, there are no listing fees, and everyone is welcome to submit shakers that are wanted or shakers for sale. Feel free to send me your business cards and links to your websites and online stores. Finally, please consider submitting articles or pictures of rare or interesting shakers for publication in The Pioneer. I am always seeking articles, from in-depth historical pieces to brief pictorial overviews, and everything in between. Finally, please send me member and club news that you would like posted on the AGSSSC News page. June Sprock, Editor Reminder to Pay Dues If you have not yet renewed, or know of someone in the club who has not yet renewed, there is still time to do so! We would like to report that 100% of our 2019 members have returned in 2020!! It’s very easy. Go to our website www.agsssc.org and pay your dues via paypal. Note that you still have the option of sending a check in the amount of $25.00 payable to AGSSSC and mailing it to Andrea Natsios/AGSSSC, 77 Hawthorne Rd., Waltham, MA 02454.