33rd National Insulator Association Convention
by Carol McDougald
Reprinted from "Crown Jewels of the Wire", August 2002, page 15
Fort Collins, Colorado
July 5-7, 2002
What kind of individual would be willing to host THREE national shows in
three different decades? It would be someone with boundless energy, someone a
bit "off-the-wall", someone a "little bit nuts", someone
with a bizarre sense of humor; someone who would choose a quiet, methodical and
organized partner to support their dream of bringing the 2002 (Toot two)
National to Colorado! Mike Bliss (the crazy one) and Mike Gaudy (the quiet one)
teamed up and executed a tremendous 33rd National Insulator Association
Convention during the 4th of July weekend in Fort Collins.
Cover Photo
Entering the lobby of
the Holiday Inn, one was greeted by an insulator dinosaur, a special creature
fashioned by the owner/ artistian of Swetsville Zoo of Fort Collins. A metal
fence post topped with white porcelain knobs composed its backbone and aqua
beehives its ribcage. A large porcelain multipart portrayed the face of a
tireless lineman about to install a mickey mouse with his trusty tools. A bit
"off-the-wall"!
Multibeeknobpinasaurus
After the building and setup of 26 displays and the
hauling in of sales and trade stock, one would have to be a "little bit
nuts" to not enjoy the fabulous barbecue held on the tree-covered patio at
the Holiday Inn. Many were dressed appropriately in red-white-and blue in
celebration of the 4th of July holiday. At 8:00 p.m. three bus loads of
collectors were taken to the Fort Collins City Park for the annual fireworks
spectacular display. The reflections in the park lake enhanced the aerial show.
Those less adventurous were able to watch the show from the upper floor rooms at
the Holiday Inn.
It wouldn't be the 4th of July without a "insulator family"
barbecue!
When the doors opened on Friday morning and National Insulator
Association membership entered the hall, they were greeted by 103 dealers/exhibitors
spread over 121 sales tables. The crowd through the door was tremendous and the
show activity never ceased for the remainder of the weekend. And, it has been a
number of years since the quantity and quality of insulators for sale or trade
had been offered at a national show.
If you think the economy is a might
sluggish, think again. Money was being spent in the "little bit crazy"
whacky world of insulator shows. The sale of a mint Locke 25; one of two known
CD 138.2 Lawrence Gray's Process insulators; a Brookfield CD 173; a mint Chicago
pony; an ERW in super condition took place on the tables next to mine! And, five
dealers said it was the best show for sales in years.
Taking "walk-in"
awards were the darkest set of purple Cochran bells I have ever seen and a mint
CD 123.1 Chester -- both with collectors who have not been active in the hobby in
recent years.
On Friday evening, following the NIA annual membership meeting, an
enthusiastic group of collectors played "bingo for insulators". Great
fun for the entire family. Following a full day in the show hall, the
festivities of Saturday evening were filled with surprises for everyone. Late in the afternoon, the room holding the displays was cordoned
off and transformed into a dance hall with stage, tables and chairs for the
cocktail hour. SURPRISE! A bluegrass trio entertained while folks enjoyed
conversing and dancing to the music.
Jeanne "You go, girl" Weber and Jerry "Hee haw pants"
Turner enjoy a dance
while Jason and Stephanie Owens perform the "Laramie
Lasso Two Step"!
On cue and within an hour the nearly 200
people went through four buffet lines and were seated in the tree lined atrium
with a dramatic three-tiered waterfall for an elegant banquet meal. SURPRISE!
Ever try a CD 327 Pyrex upside down filled with colored water and white candles
as table centerpieces?
After dinner everyone returned to a different setup
configuration of chairs in the room which contained the 26 displays. Mike Gaudy
added drama to the presentations by illuminating the winning displays on the
perimeter of the room as each displayer received his/her award. SURPRISE!
Mike (show host with the bizarre
sense of humor) Bliss arranged for some special "Hemingray 42 Awards"
to be presented by Jerry "Hee Haw Pants" Turner.
SURPRISE, Mike! You didn't think YOU would escape unscathed, did you?
Having
introduced the new editor Howard Banks and family (see CJ, July 2002 for
announcement) of Crown Jewels of the Wire during the awards presentation, Grampa
Mac and I were SURPRISED by the conclusion of the evening when Mike Bliss brought in glasses of champagne for all in attendance
and toasted our involvement in the hobby as we conclude our editorship of the
magazine.
Sunday can be a wind down day, but this national just kept winding. Howard Banks, NIA Western Region Vice President, held a seminar on various mold
types of CD 123 E.C.&M. Co. insulators. (Watch for an upcoming color article
in CJOW.)
Another tradition established at other Colorado nationals was the
SILENT AUCTION table where some really great purchases of insulators were made
of pieces destined to find new homes rather than make the return trip to their
original point of departure.
God bless America and the freedoms we have!
God
bless the celebration of liberties and the pursuit of happiness that the
national at Fort Collins provided!
Gaudy Bliss, Mike and Mike!
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