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The "Safari
at the Zoo" is now another fantastic Letterhead memory, thanks to all
the gang at Signs of the Times. As Kent Smith eloquently toasted their
100th birthday, we sipped from gift champagne flutes printed with a
commemorative seal. Todd and Wade Swormstedt's Dad got 2 standing
ovations at dinner, held in a large open-air pavilion at the Zoo. The
previous night we toured the American Sign Museum and were entertained
by a bluegrass band. It was my first chance to see the museum and Ray
Chapman and I got a little teary-eyed back by the Rick Glawson display.
All weekend, Susie and David Butler were whirlwinds, producing hundreds
of screened bevel glass pieces for all the registrants. The seminars
were awesome and well-attended with the best in the biz showing us their
stuff.
It was great to finally meet some of our BB pals like Cat and Bobbie in
person, and also to see that international gun smuggler Ricky Jackson
again. I bunked in with Billy Pickett, who gave me a huge book of Alf
Becker typefaces - you have no idea how delighted this font freak is.
The nights ended on the roof of the gothic Vernon Hotel, where the soft
neon glow of the hotel's sign lit up the patio and provided a panoramic
view of downtown. Dave Beatty's massive boom box blasted blues well into
the wee hours, and Nancy and Noella did a mini-concert for an enthused
crowd the next night. Behind them were Voula and Kir, who came over from
Greece - unfortunately, the tables on the patio were too flimsy to dance
on.
Two people who weren't able to attend, Jillbeans and Jeff Ogden, sent
some incredible banners - Jill's had a warning on the bottom - "Please
Do Not Feed or Embellish the Animals". What a hoot. I noticed quite a
few Lodi t-shirts among the crowd and even though there have been lots
of meets in a short time, some of us obviously can't get enough.
(Insert shameless plug here) With that in mind, mark your calendars for
October and the Dixie Meet - SIGN CIRCUS.
Thanks again to all the hosts, sponsors, exhibitors and attendees. It's
a very unique family we have here and I'm truly honored to be able to
hang out with you....by Sonny Franks
click on photo's below to view larger image
 
 
Click here
to view more photo's
courtesy of
Raymond Chapman
Click here
to view more photo's
courtesy of William Pickett
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