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Fresh back from Dixie, I find myself reminiscing about other meets. I am up to at least my 15th meet. The first one was at the Zoo in Cincinnati, the '94 International. I know that there are folks out there with many more meets under their belts than me. I personally cannot choose a favorite, because my 2 faves are a tie...FKAB and the last Muster. With Dixie a very close second! Each meet takes on a life of its own. Just curious to see which ones the other Heads hold dear. If anyone has yet to attend a meet, I urge you to do so and soon. It will change your life! Love- Jill
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Each and every meet was my favorite, they just keep getting better. The more people you meet and get to know, the better each meet. I have met some of the best in the business and the new members are a treat to see how their eyes are opened to a new world of information and friendships.
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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I would have to say Nanaimo for the Splash. Since we have come back our enthusium has been awesome, we have airbrushed fridges and even brand new still on the lot vehicles. And of course putting real live people to the names was worth the time and expense in it self. My hi-lites were Sue and the gang ( very friendly and welcoming) and of course the demo put on by Dan, I'd love to see a pic of the finnished Rooster. There was even some excitment after the fact when I saw Clarkes'(one of the "Gang") pic in the paper some moths later, picketing the Ferry strike GOOD FOR YOU CLARKE!! I still have that clipping on my showroom wall. Mind you this is also the only one I have gone to so far.
-------------------- Glenn Thompson Tell-Tale Signs Williams Lake, BC sign@telus.net (250)398-7446 Posts: 201 | From: Williams Lake, BC | Registered: Dec 2000
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Probably Fred's in Oklahoma last year ... mainly because it took such an effort to get there. And, because I got to meet so many American friends for real that I have known here and on the chat channel.
I go to the annual Ozzie Letterhead Meet every year and have hosted a couple of mini meets myself.
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Our first was Niles Signfest in '89 and I remember being dazed! Our entire family loved the Zoo in Cincinati. (kids had a blast!) Allerton was our first walldog and we were hooked! Kids had a blast at that one too. The first Kenlake was one of my favorites. And again, the kids met up with their buddies from other meets at both Kenlakes. ALL the Makin' Track to Jacks (eight, I believe) were awesome. Bloomington, IL was our first meet we help host. Bloomington, IN had the great little scale city and Alton G. doing the airbrush Star Spangled Banner and the belt sander racers. Both Atlanta Walldogs were soooo much fun...I know I've left a bunch out. How cool is it that we have all these great memories of people, places and things and they are all trips we took for WORK! I LOVE THIS BUSINESS!
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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my best one an only one is fkab i try go at somme other juste miss mike meet an ryan an donald meet i know not can go to mass mayhem because im in edmonton at this time an lose detroit too because its the same weekend i have my kids my next can be newbrunswik or maybe fkab2 ??? im sure go an like newbrunswik anniway letterville still be the best one meet^place c-ya
-------------------- rene st pierre quebec city canada
red & white 81 forever 666 Posts: 290 | From: quebec city | Registered: Aug 2003
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Rene- BRING your kids! Unless they are very young, they will have the time of their life!
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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See what you cause Stevo? If you had been at Dixie I bet it would be on top of Jill's list, but NOOOOOO. We have to settle for second.
The only reason I would pick my meet was that 40% of the people there were first timers. I was overwhelmed by that. Isn't that what all of this is about? Not to say that I don't think we had a great meet. To me it was fantastic, simply because of the people here, not because of anything Ryan and I did. Well mainly me, because I got zero help from Loserboy!!!
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I've been to 14 now and they all have had there own special place in my heart. And with all the hard work that the host put in them I would hate to say one was better than the other.
-------------------- Ed CJ Williams CJ Graffx Christiana,Pa. cjgraffx@comcast.net Just have'n fun.... Posts: 296 | From: Christiana,Pa. | Registered: May 1999
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I would have to say that there is no one meet that i can say was better than the rest, they were all good in their own way.
Maybe I should say that the last meet I attended was the best one because they each seem to be better and better. Not to say that the first one was that much worse than the msot recent one, but this time I have more freinds to sling paint with and I know more about the bizzz.
-------------------- Harris Kohen K-Man Pinstriping and Graphix Trenton, NJ "Showing the world that even I can strategically place the pigment where its got to go." Posts: 1739 | From: Trenton, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2001
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Mass Mayhem last year was my first and will always remain in my heart for that reason. Being called a "hoot" by the man with the heart of a Letterhead in the picture above, Bill Riedel, was a moment I'll never forget.
The 1st Panel Picnic was close to home and I certainly felt more at ease with a smaller group setting. Meeting Frank Manning for the first time and playing mad chemists all weekend was the high point.
FKAB was my first international meet and had Pierre's signature all over it. Tres Magnifique! Striping trucks in the parking lot with George Perkins. rooming with Chris Elliot, and swapping panels with "My Favorite Martian", Jilly.
Dixie? Are you kidding? I'm gonna be forever remembering the laughter and talent in Laurens. Working into the wee hours of night to the sound of Timi "sawing wood", Sheila taking to her first meet like she'd been to a dozen before it, and getting "crabs" from Mike Meyer (ya hadda be there). Too much!
So which meet is my favorite?
The next one! Meeting friends, new and old, learning and sharing, and all the hijinx and laughter at each meet make the future meets something to look forward to. And once they are over, you always smile when you look back.
Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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I always say the last was the best...but I have to admit the most exciting was "Cork 1999" it was loaded with "firsts" our first time overseas...our first sunrise in Ireland...our first time to sail in the Irish sea...many many more experiences (too many to mention) but the real ...most important thing was to realize people all over the world share our love of what we do.
We were treated so well there...we even spent 4 days in the home of one of the local Irish families there...Pat and Marie Cantillon of Limerick....what a special experience that was!
The work we saw there literally takes your breath away.
Fortunately we took the time to really enjoy Ireland...including the meet we were gone 22 days...had a wonderful time traveling with Jeff and Mary Beth Lang (Old Lang Signs)...
If I thought for an instant we could go there and make a living I would be writng this post from the Dingle Pennisula (the South of Ireland) and enjoying the company of the many friends we made while we were there.
Don't miss the next Ireland meet...it's and enchanted land, filled with the kindest people in the world.We just finished our new building when the last one came along and were sad for months because we couldn't go.
God I love Ireland!
We are gearing up for the Greece meet now and hope to pull it off...if we do we'll make it a full 3 weeks.
Can't wait...wish us luck!
[ March 31, 2004, 09:20 PM: Message edited by: Monte Jumper ]
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
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Ray, I know what you mean. A Brush with Discovery in Banff was my first and only one so far, but it will remain special to me even though I was so afraid to meet people. I'm looking forward to attending more in the future. Really wanted to attend Splash in the Pacific, but am still trying to dig my way out from debt from my drinking days
-------------------- Mike Duncan(from the left coast) Astoria, Oregon Posts: 367 | From: Astoria, Oregon 97103 | Registered: Nov 1998
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The most overwhelming to me was The Denver Exchange in '85 with over 750 real signpainters -- & newbies, of course - but this was Pre-Vinyl! The most fun, though to me have been the smaller Micro Meets. Boise was a kick in the pants, but too big and separated to me. I was amazed that 90 people showed up at the one I hosted - I expected about 5 or 6. Ha ha, I ran around all night like a chicken with his legs cut off! Posts: 1859 | From: / | Registered: Nov 1998
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i have to say that mark fairs meet was THE BEST FOR ME!!!it was my 1st ever. i was so overwhelmed by the amount of talent there i was ga ga for 2 weeks after. that started it!! ive been to almost one every year since. and all of the others have been great....but there sorta like sex...after the 1st time...hehehehehehehehe
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Like Mr. Languin, I would say...1985 BC. That would be the "Just plane Bill" Sign Fest in Livermore,CA,at ARTSIGNS, We blew the roof off that sucker. Took about 10 days to recover from that event.
Bill Davidson, who now lives in Australia, was the host and I was lucky enough to be a contractor at his shop at the time. At first I could'nt figger out what all the fuss was about but 1 hour into the deal it was pedal to the metal and did'nt let up for three days.
CrazyJack
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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That's like asking which one of your grandkids do you love the most? (or kids if you are younger)
Usually, everyone has a special fondness for the first because it is all so new.
My first was the one that started it all I guess. I got an invitation in the mail to join the Letterheads that were meeting in Boise in the summer of '82. I really couldn't believe that this group was asking me to attend. Then it got even better. Mike Jackson called and suggested that we make the trip together, so I flew up to Oklahoma City and spent the night with him before both of us flew out to Boise. Just being able to finally meet Mike and see his shop was a "trip" all to itself. Walking into Noel Weber's place and seeing all the heroes that I had only read about up until then was the top of the mountain. For three days we rarely slept and my brain was frazzled from sensory overload. On the plane back to OKC Mike began the plans for his "Bash" in October.
Everyone was surprised at the turnout for Mike's gathering. They came from everywhere, even New Zealand. So many had a life changing attitude while at Mike's - to never again do ordinary signs. It was there that I met Mike Stevens and Gary Anderson, and the McIltrots from SignCraft, and so many others. I didn't really appreciate what I had been a part of until some time later. Looking back now, those two meets put me in touch with a family that are still a vital part of me over twenty years later. We shared good news and bad news together. Rejoiced with marriages and children being born (and now grandchildren). And cried together when a part of the family was missing.
You can't explain the bond that fellow brothers of the brush have for each other. You can only experience it. Maybe that is why from the very beginning folks began to talk about "catching the spirit".
So many more stand out in my memory. In fact, each one is so very special. Gary Anderson's Main Street was a highlight because I finally got to walk into his shop and see where the magic happens.
The Walldog Jam in Cornwall was great because of the same reason - being able to see the place where Nancy and Noella turn out masterpieces. And being able to work along side so many tremendous artists.
The Lone Star gathering in November, 1983 was the first in Texas and it was special because I was the host. Many that were there have remained friends until now. Ray Skaines from League City and the Bakers from Austin. And it was the first Letterhead meet for the strange one - Alton Gillispie.
Then in 1993 I helped John Oldham host the Waco meet and again they came from all over. It was there that I decided to have a short devotional period on Sunday morning for those who might want to spend some quiet time in worship. And the first people to show up were Rick Glawson and Lola Grey. What great memories.
Wow. Where do you stop? Everyone that I have attended has charged my battery and reassured me that I have to be in the greatest profession in the world.
This has been a long response. But I have to stop now. Not just because of the time, but the tears keep me from seeing the monitor.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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