Pitt Pounders 2002 Show at Butler Pennsylvania, Report 

By Holly Moore

   This weekend, Ann McGrath and I went together to the Midwest Federation’s Artistry in Leather show, hosted by the PittPounders Guild, in Butler, PA.  Pictures will be posted on the IILG site soon!  I’m sure you’ll also be hearing a report from Maria Haddock. 

     We left Friday morning, and the drive took about 6 hours.  I was pleased upon arriving to have LOTS of help setting up the display.  It’s always nice and gets the job done quicker.  I met Denny Doaty for the first time, and he was our primary assistant with that task.  I would like to remind you all to PLEASE send display items to me if you’d like to have them put out at shows.  I can send them back, or keep them in my box with the other “permanent” items.  Our display is sparse in comparison to other guilds, and we have A LOT more members.

    Competition was Friday night; I was a judge, Maria and Ann scribed.  Head judge was Fred Kilburn.  There were about 50 items in competition.  As most of you know, friends of mine pressured me into entering the Labyrinth binder, and I also decided last minute to enter a tri-leg stool with knot work on it.  Both were in the advanced category.  The stool took a third place.  The binder…took a FIRST! My first blue ribbon ever! With that news (and later drinking a can of soda), the excitement and caffeine kept me awake all night!  A complete list of placings should be coming to us from Terry Moore.

    Saturday there were demonstrations and classes, with lots to choose from.  I particularly enjoyed a demonstration by Sharon Smith Hurlburt on bookbinding.  I asked if she would consider giving a class in it when we hosting the IFOLG show in 2006, and she said yes.  She also is considering teaching a course on carving knotwork in an earlier show.  Our guild’s dinner was in the hotel restaurant at 5 pm Saturday night.  Attending the dinner were:

 Lois and Clyde Silvis,  Ann McGrath,  Holly Moore,  Maria Haddock, Pat Goodman

Denny Doaty and his wife,  Chris Kearns and wife Jennifer,  Gary aka “Draper” and wife Charlotte

Terry Moore,  Fred Kilburn (joined us this weekend) and guest Frank Zigon

James Starr and his wife,  Mark Strain, Allan Scheiderer

Peggy Gabauer (joined us this weekend) and guest Joyce Wedge

Kevin Cohn, Bill Billings,  Jan Patton (guest)

     We added 4 members during the course of the show this weekend (one re-joining, actually); and 2 others took applications home with them.  Info on the new members will follow separately.  I also sold 2 polo shirts, and Maria got one in exchange for a bill we owed her.  (Ann and I wear our shirts at the shows we go to, so I bring the shirt box with me in case someone sees it and wants one right away - saves on postage too!)  

    Sunday morning was the awards brunch, raffle drawings, and packing up to go home.  Once again, I had lots of help taking down the display.  I cannot rave enough about what a great group of people this is, both our members, and the other guilds at the show.  Next year, the Midwest Federation’s show will be hosted by the Buckeye Guild, and will be held in Columbus, OH.  Mark Strain will be sending an electronic version of the flier to Ben for posting on our site.

Holly Moore