Rochester, New York is called the "City of Flowers". And, just as flowers delight the eye with their variety of lovely colors, so do insulators. So what a perfect setting for the 14th annual National Insulator Association Show and Sale, which was held July 8-10, 1983! 

The clan began gathering the Wednesday before the show. On Thursday others began pouring in, and the usual pre-show gossip (I mean conversations) commenced. Those sessions are almost better than the shows (I said ALMOST), because it is all still ahead of us, and it is exciting to see people again, some of whom we haven't seen since the last national or longer. It's fun to get at least a hazy idea as to who has what, so that you'll know which tables to zero in on when they unpack.

Evelyn and Dick Bowman of Webster, NY, the show hosts, arrived Thursday afternoon and tables were arranged and covers put on. Then the doors were closed and the long countdown for Friday morning began! 

Speaking of the Bowmans, our hats are off to both of you for the wonderful show you hosted. (I heard a rumor, which I know is true ... these two were so organized, that a few days before the show, they were sitting around with nothing to do ... it had all been done!) And it WAS truly one of the best organized nationals ever.

Finally Friday morning came -- I thought it never would. (I had been waiting anxiously for this moment since Sunday, July 11, 1982!) Displays were now under construction along several walls, and goodies were appearing from out of boxes all over the room. I understand there were 90 tables (a sell-out show), and 28 displays, along with two brag tables. It was simply an insulator paradise.

Our table this year was next to Ginny and Paul Plunkett (North Wales, PA), and one of the highlights of the show for me was getting better acquainted with them. Ginny just radiates happiness, and to be around such good-natured people was delightful. We got to meet Paul Plunkett the Fourth, their adorable little grandson, who at three months of age, was a first-time national delegate. We also enjoyed meeting and sitting near Jeanne and Ora Beary (Venus, PA) ... what a lot of fun we all had!

Soon most of the displays were up, and nearly all of the tables were loaded with jewels, so off I went in search of rare treasures. Space forbids my mentioning everyone I saw, but let's start with the Californians: Rosella and Dee Willett (Bakersfield), Grant "Sleeping Beauty" Salzman (Sacramento), Pat Patocka (Penryn), we Hyves (San Diego), and last but NEVER least, Dora and Don Harned (Chico). Before I go on, I must say a few words about both the Patockas and the Harneds. We came very close to not having these four people with us this year. The Patockas were in a very serious highway accident just before the show which left them both cut and bruised, but alive to tell the tale. Pat was able to come to the show, but Shirley stayed home (we missed you!) Hope both of you recover completely soon. Dora and Don had a bad fire which partially destroyed their home just prior to the show. We in the insulator hobby can be so thankful that they were away from home at the time on a camping trip. Words just are not enough to convey the gratitude and thankfulness we feel to have these people still with us. And what an added treat for us that they tried to overcome their adversities long enough to join us at the national! 

Connecticut was so well represented that just about every collector was there. But I must make special mention of Doug MacGillvary (Manchester), who was voted (unofficially, by persons unknown to me) the best-looking man in the East. Doug was miffed that the title was limited to the East, so as a Californian, I'll include the West, too. How's that? (Sorry, Mr. Hyve).

Florida sent several delegates; two of my favorite people, Phoebe and Bob Adams (Miami), and Alma and Lon Holy (Pembroke Pines). Illinois released some of its best people in the forms of Mary Beth and Larry Veneziano and family (West Chicago), James and Steve Crandall (Des Plaines), Ramona and Bob Cheesman (Freeport), Dory and Paul Plunkett and Paul Plunkett the Fourth (Saint Charles), and Eileen and Mike Sovereign (Wheaton).

From Indiana we saw Darlene and Robert Nobbe (Connersville), and Mac Campbell and family (Bruceville ) . We camped near Roberta and W. Dennis McHenry (Bettendorf, IA). I'm so glad we got to know you better! (Will you EVER forget your "fancy" rides to and from the meeting and banquet?) Other Iowans included Carol and Paul "Farmer Trou" Ickes (Council Bluffs), who set up his display in record time (for him) this year, and Cecil Boo (Cumberland). Massachusetts representatives included Ray Lanpher and family (North Attleboro). From Michigan: Princine Petinga (Bloomfield), Mike Bruner (West Bloomfield). and Rod Krupka (Ortonville). . From Minnesota (Virginia, to be exact), came William Ogden, an avid collector of brackets as well as insulators. Jeanne and Dennis Weber came all the way from Saint Joseph, MO, while the same can be said for those from Montana; Jack Riesselman (Bozeman), and Vicki and Marvin Miller (Butte). New Jersey sent Jerry Wagner and family (Cranbury), and Carole and Tom Wisser (Linwood).

As you might expect, New Yorkers turned out in force. There were just too many to list here. But there are a few I must mention: Marie and William Mueller (Buffalo) -- we enjoyed seeing you at the show, and thank you for your hospitality as we viewed your beautiful collections later at your house. (Bill has a lovely insulator collection as well as over 2,000 bottle openers! Very impressive!) And Carolyn and Bill Bennett (Delmar) -- thank you, Bill, for helping me identify some of the people at the door the night of the banquet. It was great fun seeing both you and Grant Barnes (Scotia), hosts of the 1980 national in Herkimer. The same goes for the other Barnes brothers. Jeff McCurty (Millbrook) -- we enjoyed having you at our banquet table again, and your beautiful Pyrex display was outstanding! 

Now for Ohio, a state which sent many collectors this year also. Columbus sent Rhenda and John Gephart and Lillian and Pete Bishop. From East Orwell, Ray Klingensmith and sister, Debbie. (Where IS East Orwell, Ray? It wasn't on MY map!) Virginia and Robert Roosevelt came from Elyria, and brought me four out of the five goodies I got at the show, for which I thank you! Betty and Scott "Mickey Mouse" Given (Lodi) -- (thank you for being so gracious when dumbo me bought the wrong Insulator). John McDougald and sons (Olmsted Township) -- John, we hope that Carol's dad is doing much better. (We missed you, Carol). Paul Houpt (Upper Sandusky), who let me tweak BOTH sides of his moustache this year, a thrill practically beyond measure! And, Paul brought me my fifth goodie at the show, for which I thank you, too. 

Ohio's most famous residents (at least as far as insulator banquet roasters go) are in all probability Marilyn and Jerry Turner, and their little grandson, Jerry Turner the Third. Hailing from Goshen, these people make our nationals complete. Marilyn, what a nice surprise it was to find out you are a potter! (And I love my little owl). Jerry, as always, you did a magnificent job on your world famous Hemingray 42 Awards. They were better than ever! You ARE "Mr. Saturday Night Banquet". I can't imagine what it would be like without you. Thank you for the laughs and the top-rate entertainment, from both the "roastees", and all others in attendance (which numbered a whopping 193!) You are the greatest! 

Pennsylvania was so well represented, that aside from those already mentioned, it would take too much space to name everybody. But you are all a great bunch of people, and we had fun meeting all of you!

Moving out to the Pacific Northwest, I was so happy to see my old buddy, Steve Watkins from Portland, OR. The state of Washington sent young Dave Benko (Kirkland), who flew to NY all alone to attend the show. Such enthusiasm is remarkable. Speaking of Washington... it was announced at the Friday night meeting that our 1984 national will be hosted by Vi and Andy Brown (two swell people), in Tacoma, July 20-22. As of this writing there are only 337 more days until the national. I can hardly wait!

Last, but certainly not least, we come to Texas, "you-all". And we were most honored that Texas sent two of its star people, Marilyn and Bill Albers of Houston. Marilyn is our NIA President, and Bill is NIA Treasurer. Marilyn is also the "foreign" expert and has authored several books on the subject. Along with those efforts, she's been, and continues to be, a very hard-working President. Thank you, Marilyn, for all you do! And to Bill, a big Texas "THANK YOU" for the excellent job you're doing as Treasurer. It was certainly a lot of fun being with "you-all" for those three days.

Our neighbors to the north, Canada, sent over 21 representatives to the show as dealers and/or exhibitors. Altogether, there were over 40 from Canada who just attended as onlookers/buyers. It was a real pleasure to see so many of you there! 

Something new was added this year...Saturday was "costume day" at the show. And it turned out to be a complete success. There were at least 9 very clever and amusing outfits. Even the people who handled the concession booth participated! In the "hat only" department we had two cute paper insulator crowns (Evelyn and Dick Bowman), a hat full of fruit (Marie Mueller, who was Front Veranda, Carmen Miranda's sister), a bee keeper (Steve Watkins), and some assorted Robin Hood types (the concessionaires). I think I saw an Arab, or a camel driver? (Kevin Lawless). As for costumes, we had a cowboy (Dee Willett -- but, Dee, you ALWAYS look like a cowboy, so we aren't certain you were in costume!), a colored American (Ray Klingensmith, who collects American beehives), a Swiss Miss mountain climber (Marilyn Albers, our "foreign lady"), a railroad engineer whose costume probably made Paul Ickes jealous, as he wore farmer trou, engineer's hat, and carried authentic Amtrak schedules (Wes Gordon, alias Mr. Hyve), and last and certainly least, a giant bumble bee who will never get off the ground (Yours Truly). It was a fun addition to an already fun event -- so let's keep it going and do it again next year. Now's the time to start working on your idea for a costume.

The head concessionaires were Joanne and Ken Kelsey, and a word about them must be said here. Not only was the food absolutely delicious, but Ken and company were a fun bunch of people to be with. They added to our show just by being there, and we thank you all for doing such a magnificent job feeding all of us hungry insulator buffs. 

As with all good things, the Rochester show ended too soon. Sunday came upon us like a thief in the night -- quickly and unexpectedly. But here it was, time to pack up. The only good thing about it was that the Bowmans had invited EVERYONE over to their house on Monday for food and talk. So we had that to look forward to. And it was fun (and the food was plentiful and GOOD!) We got to see their lovely home complete with a forest, and Cardinal birds flying all over in their back yard -- a sight that really impressed this Westerner. Plus we got a chance to see their beautiful collections. Thank you, Evelyn and Dick, for an unforgettable national, and for your hospitality afterward. 

Both going back to New York and on the way home, we stopped to see Charlie Allmon in Kansas City, MO. Knowing that visit was coming up kept me from sinking to the depths, in what I call "Post-National Depression". Charlie has the most beautiful collection of H. G. Co. glass I've ever seen, along with a super general collection. The colors are just startling. Thank you Charlie, and Barbara, for a very pleasant two visits. We also met Chris Hedges of KC, who is a delightful person whom we enjoyed thoroughly. Chris collects old "mud" (oops! Sorry, Chris,) porcelain -- the big stuff. 

Well, I'd better wrap it up for this time, before Dora is forced to divide this report up into more than one issue. I haven't left anyone out intentionally -- it is just impossible to remember and/or list everyone who was there. Plus, there are so many collectors I don't know. I've purposely left out mention of any awards and honors that were given, as most of those will be covered in the official show report. This story had dealt mostly with the people themselves who, after all, are what make up this terrific hobby. 'Bye for this year. See you in Tacoma!