I missed Atlanta and I am bummed. Heard it was a great time with great folks. Trading was brisk and well attended. Next year I am gonna have to go if it means I hold on to the bumper of the Bylermobile the whole way.
This past months meeting had over thirty people and we had a great time. We will be discussing next year's show at the next meeting so please come. We always meet the second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at Vanness and adjourn to Far East for dinner. This year the show started with the traditional vendor dinner in the hotel's Blue Dog Room. The Friday trading was a blast and Saturday had to be experienced. I am proud of the work that this club put in to make this a success. The Arkansas Pen Show was a two day show this year. This worked well except for the inclement weather that threatened Sunday. The Arkansas Marathon was stopped because of Sleet on Sunday. Our Pen show has been theft free for the last three years. The Arkansas Pen Club would like to publicly thank Low Voltage for their support of our efforts to keep our show theft free with the security system. The HOSPITALITY ROOM was back this year for exhibitors and for seminars as it was a resounding success! This year's coffee was better than last. We really had a lot of fun and a LOT of pizza from Iriana's with some Diamond Bear beers for the exhibitors. When you come to Arkansas we want you to see what Arkansas has to offer. . VANNESS' website is online. They are sadly out of the giant Akkerman ink bottles, but have the more sensibly sized new ones along with some really hard to find new old stock pens. Call them, they have been in business for 75 years and have a LOT of cool pens. The 75th Anniversary Pen is simply gorgeous. It is cast Alumilite, turned by Shawn Newton with a HUGE 14kt nib emblazoned with the State of Arkansas and a honeybee. The State Seal is on top of the cap and the owner's name is engraved on the inside of the cap band so it will always be your pen. No buffing that out. It comes in a custom walnut box that has to bee seen to be appreciated. Mine writes like a dream. Seriously! Click on the red Vanness' link to go to their website. The open house party after the show they hosted at the store was fun. Mike called it a one man chili cook off. Next year I aim to take the crown! I wanted to thank everyone who attended, and our membership that came through at every turn with help! Andrew McCauley and Tim Byler really worked very hard at bringing this thing home and in the end that hard work paid off. I (Fernando Padilla) am exhausted, but in a good way. Seeing all of my friends and having a good time is what this show is about. Our pen club is amazing and I am proud of us for making this happen. Every year we gain new members and that is what this show is about. The future! Our club is a non profit and I want to thank everyone who helped bring it all together. Special thanks to Pen World Magazine for the magazines. That magazine is a must for all serious collectors. Thanks to them as well for the copies of the magazine for Vanness--they're flying off the shelf! Arkansas Life had a great article on the Arkansas Pen Show. Check it out at www.arkansaslife.com or pick up a copy around town. See y'all Soon! |
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