BLENKO COLLECTORS CONVENTION - Mark Your Calendar

If you read this blog regularly you know - Dental School Summer Session ended Thursday. My National Dental Board Exam is scheduled for August 2/3.
My world the next four days is a cubicle at the WVU-Charleston Campus Library as I prep for Dental Boards.
Tim Alonzo Blenko Glass Collector from TEXAS, has agreed to host this BLOG during the Blenko Convention and several other collectors have offered to provide BLOG updates for the next 7 days. I'll occasionally do a short post. I expect to return to normal schedule after 8/14. Thanks for reading, I enjoy your email and comments. I'm certain Tim will also enjoy your comments. Hillary

This information was provided by Tammy Kosla - who is President and Founder of the Blenko Collectors Society. I wish I had a photo of Tammy to post, so when you attend the convention you would immediately recognize her. Tammy and her husband John are from Chicago. Their BLENKO GLASS collection is featured on the BlenkoProject website.
Blenko Collectors - like all collectors are extremely friendly, passionate, and want very much to make new friends, and meet new collectors. Everyone is most willing to share information and knowledge. They also 'help' one another complete collections! hjh
JOIN!

BCS 2007 Convention Agenda

Thursday, August 9th, 2007

Sunrise - Flighthouse balloon inflation and flight
The Flighthouse balloon has a painting of vintage Blenko as one of the windows and is a great sight to see! The balloon will be near the 4-H building on the Fairgrounds. Weather permitting, the balloon will inflate at sunrise (approximately 6:30 AM), stay inflated for approximately 45 minutes, then take flight.

7:30 AM – Blenko Visitor Center opens, visit the BCS welcome table on the second floor of the Visitor Center

10:00 AM to Noon – Stained Glass Class
Call Blenko at 304-743-9081 and ask for Don Lemley in stained glass to reserve a place in the class. Up to 25 participants will create their own 12" x 12" panel with Blenko Dalle de Verre. Materials fee is $75 and will be paid directly to Blenko. Panels will be available Friday morning for pick-up at the Visitor Center. Be prepared! Come with an image in mind or a drawing of what you would like to make. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that you don't mind getting dirty!

Noon to 1:00 PM – Lunch on your own, information available at the welcome table

1:00 PM to 2:15 PM – Factory Tours
Meet on the 2nd floor of the VC. These tours, limited to 10 people per group, will take you behind the scenes to see how the glass we love is made. See the blowers, finishers, glory holes, molds, mold carving, the stained glass department, and much more.

2:30 PM – Blenko Collector Society meeting
Location will be the 4-H building. The 4-H building is located on the fairgrounds across from the Blenko factory. This meeting is for paid BCS members only

Your evening is free. Enjoy the malls, restaurants, and more. Information will be available at the welcome table.

Sunset – Flighthouse balloon inflation
Weather permitting; the Flighthouse balloon will inflate 2 hrs before sunset

Friday, August 10th, 2007 - Bill Blenko Day

Sunrise - Flighthouse balloon inflation and flight
The Flighthouse balloon has a painting of vintage Blenko as one of the windows and is a great sight to see! The balloon be near the 4-H building on the Fairgrounds. Weather permitting, the balloon will inflate at sunrise (approximately 6:30 AM), stay inflated for approximately 45 minutes, then take flight.

7:30 AM – Blenko Visitor Center opens
8:00 AM to 9:45 AM - Master Glassworkers Shop
Retired Blenko workers will be set up in a shop near the Visitors Gallery. Collectors may watch these master glassworkers at work. There will be a drawing for the chance to purchase one of these creations.

9:00 AM – BCS information and membership table opens in the 4-H building

10:00 AM to noon – Presentations
Bill Blenko Day presentations, including Tammy Kosla & Deborah Allen
Dawn Weber – To Label, or not to Label?
Meet three members of the new design team!
Barry DiLibero - Movie, “Batching Blenko”
Question and answer session with Scott Davis, Blenko’s lead batcher

Noon to 1:30 PM – Lunch will be offered for sale by the 4-H club

1:30 PM to 3:00 PM - More Presentations
Walter Blenko – What’s next for Blenko?
Randy Rider – Blenko history through a current day employee’s eyes
Drema Wood – Postal changes and how they affect collectors
Brent Aikman – Blenko in Architecture

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Group fun activities involving Blenko. Stick around and get to know your fellow collectors and more about Blenko!

Your evening is free. Enjoy the malls, restaurants, and more.

Sunset – Flighthouse balloon inflation
Weather permitting; the Flighthouse balloon will inflate 2 hrs before sunset

Saturday, August 11th, 2007
8:00 AM – Set up begins for glass show & sale, 4-H building on the Fairgrounds

9:00 AM - Blenko Visitor Center opens

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM - Blenko and other collectible glass show & sale, 4-H building on the Fairgrounds

Noon – Lunch will be offered for sale by the 4-H club

3:15 PM to ? – Blenko Visitor Center
Raffle drawing, meet Blenko employees and the Blenko family, and take advantage of one last chance to chat with fellow collectors. Refreshments will be available.