posted
I want to tell everyone who was involved with the Dixie Sign Circus, thankyou for a great meet. The entertainment was spectacular, the food was well worth the trip from New England, and everyone was fun and friendly.
I learned a lot from Tramp Warner about pinstriping, watching him from the sidelines. The best part of the meet for me was that I participated in the Pinstriping Panel Jam. It was a first for me, and I was really nervous, but I enjoyed it beyond anything I've ever done involving paint.
Most meets have a theme. Sometimes it's passion, and sometimes it's just to relax. For this meet, it was entertainment, and very much so at that. That 19 year old (correct me if I'm wrong) who showed up and played guitar blew everyone away. And vice versa. Everyone that painted something, blew HIM away with their art.
Again, thank you Sonny and B-Bob for everything, and everyone else invloved. I had a blast.
posted
I second that, many thank you's to Sonny and Bob.
And I also thank the crew from the UK who hand built this fine work of art. Some of the signatures are so small the camera cannot resolve them. They are pointed out by the arrows.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5273 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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It was really a pleasure meeting you, too, Gump!
Glad you had the opportunity to go to PiZings. (Did your dad Karaoke? He's great at it, especially when Joe South, himself, is there and Rapid blows Joe away with "Hush"!!). Your family is blessed with so many talents (arts, music). I sincerely hope the enjoyment of sharing those with others is as gratifying for you as it is for us!
{{I even *gasp* painted at this Meet, so it's great to know that we both were able to achieve personal 'Firsts'.}}
I'm equally glad you both were able to see a bit North Georgia during our just-peaking Fall colors. It's as close as I've gotten to 'real' New England in a while, but I like it here. I'll never not miss my Ct homestate Birch trees.
*Hugs* to you, Rapid and the whole family. Buford's always open for Suthan Hospitality for All Ya'll, any time!
How'd you like the canned Possum? ;o)
-------------------- Karen Wunch (kwunch on chat) A2Z SIGNS in Buford, GA 678.714.1965 ---------------- "Believe there is a great power silently working all things for good, behave yourself and never mind the rest." ~~Beatrice Potter Posts: 126 | From: Buford Georgia | Registered: Jan 2003
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another awesome meet this Year! You would of thought it was an international one! Thanks Sonny,B BOB and crew,Terry, and John for cookin' all those omelets! My new cooler Rocks! Oh yeah I'd like thank Marcia for another great panel! Bobbie also and Jill for being a fun easel mate even tho she was taking up quite of bit of space! Gump yer da man! Keep Rapid between the lines will ya! see you'uns next year!
-------------------- Roger DiNofa Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 147 | From: Hattiesburg, MS | Registered: Feb 2002
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It is too hard to put into words how much I enjoyed this meet. It was great to see folks from this board that I had never met before. There were alot of us there. It was great to see old friends again also. The hospitality was beyond belief. Sonny, Peggy, Bob, Nancie and John did a great job with the meet particulars. John Smith did his usual great job with his grill. Bob's kinfolks did a great job with the BBQ. Everything was top notch guys. THANKS for EVERYTHING.
posted
This week was special in so many ways. One for the history books for sure.
There were so many firsts here... Gump had never been south of Connecticut before and the whole trip was an adventure. Despite the long drive, his sense of wonder made it special and I'm looking forward to reading his journal of the trip.
Special thanks to Sal, Jackie and Wes for having us as guests along the way. We had a blast.
Very special thanks Mark "Tuck" Tucker for his true southern hospitality in Georgia as well. GO FALCONS!!!!
Above all, special thanks to Sonny (YOU ROCK, BUBBA!) and B-Bob. You guys did it all with a true friendship that rubbed off on everyone.
AGIN AGIN AGIN!!!! 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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Agin, hell. Seriously, we had a blast and I'd like to put in a very sincere thanks to the Man Upstairs. He pulled it all together AND gave us beautiful weather. I woke up Monday morning to a rainstorm and it hasn't stopped yet.
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4115 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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This was such an awesome meet!!! Jill mentioned the words, "meet hangover", & that is what I am suffering from, along with cold , windy, rainy weather at home!!!! Jill & I were so beat, we only made it to Virginia Sunday nite & had to stay til yesterday, when we finally got home.
I have never been so encouraged in my whole life, & I feel I am coming along way in my striping efforts! I will always thank Bill Diaz for being my "Striper Dad", teaching me last year at Jill's meet. I did not expect that panel you did for me, either!!! Thank you so very much!
And Joe Buck is SUCH a sweetheart!!! I am so glad to meet him, & Mark Peters, hope you made it to the site, you are a really nice person, & so wonderful to meet! Then Vince Balisteri, thank you for your Santa panel, & you snuck over & DID sign my box for me!!!! You, Joe, & Mark, are 3 humble men, & I am so pleased to have met you all.
Brian Papa! I did not meet you til the end of the meet! I was so busy painting at my easel, I felt tied to it! Next time, I'm gonna make you a panel! You are such a nice guy!
Rapid made me an awesome blue flame lady! Is that me???
Sheila was just delightful! And just as beautiful inside as she was outside!
Nancie you were a really nice girl, girl, so nice to meet you!
And Jeff Ogden gave me a NEW ONE SHOT TEE SHIRT!!!!!! You are such a very nice man, Jeff, & gentle & kind too!
John Lennig you were fun, you really were, just like Jilly said you would be, & thanks for that panel!
Billy Pickett put on such a thorough seminar on glass gilding, I was amazed. Good job, Billy! And many thanks for rescueing me Saturday nite, you know what I mean! My hero!
Don Ecklund does not visit her, but he also let me gild about 80% of his glass panel from the Zoo, & he is a really neat guy! I am now ready to start, thanks to him & Billy!
Ricky, I was so excited to see that smiling face of yours!!!!! And what nice hugs you give, too!
And Doug!!!! So very nice to meet you!!!!!!!!!!!! You are a really nice guy, you are!!!! Hope to see you again, & post some pics when you get that sign done!!! Me & Jill were hoping your home is ok, after hearing about the earthquake in Hawaii. Let us all know!
Those Peaches! Sunday nite we blew past them tooting our horn on the highway! Hope you 2 got home safe, & many thanks for the panel!!!!
And the young fella next to me, Kevin, so sorry I bugged you so much, hope to meet you again, & also Joe the other guy next to me! Use that striping book you got!!!
Mike Meyers, it was great to see you again, too! You are one fast painter, you are! Hope you got home safe!
OP!!! My goodness, you are nicer than you are on the BB!
Si was good to see again, & Martie could not be sweeter!
Dusty! What a cutie he is!!! John Denver, for sure!
Roger Denofa, thanks so much for that panel! I LOVE it!
Sonny, you & B Bob really out did yourselves, & thank you so much!!!!
Oh...Dave & Susie, those teeshirts were GREAT!!!! Looked just like Sonny!
Sorry to go on....
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
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Well I guess there is no better place to chime in with my 2 pesos so here goes.
First of all, what can I say that hasn't been said about Sonny, Peggy, B. Bob, Nancie, John and so many others that made this meet so wonderful and memorable? You certainly have my thanks and admiration; I know it took many many weeks to put this on and it shows.
Sponsors: Wow, what an incredible bunch you are!! Don't think that your generosity goes unnoticed! We gotta buy "stuff" somewhere, right? Carter Barnes at Aluma Panel just went to the top of my vendor list.
Doug Allen: it was so nice to meet you and chat with you; you are a class act, just like here on the board and you are a super drummer too; it was a pleasure jamming with you.
Nancie Phillips: you're always a sweetheart. thanks for loaning your son to us for the jam session; he's a great kid.
Jake Snow: You are one funny guy!! You and would definately be best buds if you lived anywhere close by.
Bill & Jane Diaz: Wow, what a super couple! Talent running out the ears and personality to boot.
Rapid Ray: You'd be right in there with Jake and myself; we'd be getting into trouble all the time. It was fantastic jamming with you too.
Kissy: You're everything I expected you to be you little brat, LOL.
Terry Colley: You are such a talented, wonderful man and I can say that about your sweet family also. Words cannot express my gratitude for the fabulous gift.
Scott and Damian: What a pleasure meeting you guys. I'm so glad it was such a terrific meet for all the time and expense of coming from so far (that goes for Manfried and the others that came across the pond).
Matt Rolli: didn't get to spend as much time with you as I'd have liked but from what I saw you are one great guy.
Sheila Ferrell: You are so much fun girl. I don't think I've ever seen anyone with as much paint on their hands as you. I loved the rodeo song you wrote; please get that copyrighted.
Si Allen: It was so good to finally meet you in person. Is that your high school annual photo here on the board? hehehe
Sue Banasky: do you need my mailing address to send those Nanaimo bars? You sure live in a beautiful place; I sure enjoyed my 3 weeks nearby.
Steve Greer: It was good to see your infectious smile again. You are such a credit to our craft.
Bob Peach: so good to meet you at last and have a good chat. Since you are a "Peach" I think we'll just claim you as Georgians.
Sal Cabrera: I love the flying eyeball T-shirt! Gracias amigo.
Jon Jantz: you're shorter than I expected - and younger looking without the shades but you are every bit as nice as I knew you were, a true southern gentleman.
Blake Kohen: You didn't talk much while I was around; I guess you were in such awe of my guitar playing skills, LOL. But you hang out with Jon so you have to be a top shelf guy.
Duncan Wilkie: typical Canadian - bursting at the seams with talent and personality; what a gem of a guy.
Nancy & Noella: see above, LOL. You ladies are amazing and then some.
Dusty Campbell: I wouldn't have picked you out of a lineup; that's for sure. You're certainly not a redneck.
Mike Barnes: You are such a trip, especially if Jake "dueling banjos" Snow is around. You're the kind of guy that I wouldn't be able to call if I were in jail; you'd be there with me.
Uncle Crusty (Curtis): You are younger looking than your photo, nicer than it might appear to some in your posts and a heck of a nice guy.
Jill Beans: Wow, you're short! The thing that stands out to me about you is how much you stayed at your "workstation". You must have painted 20 panels over the weekend!
Bobbie McGhee: You are such a sponge for knowledge and so giving; you embody the spirit of the Letterheads.
Karen Wunch: it was nice to see you again, Georgie girl.
Judy Pate: Same goes for you too Georgie girl. You're a credit to our state.
Bob Hines: It was good to see you again; you are one super talented, fine guy.
David & Suze Butler: You work your tails off at every meet; you pull major surprises like the banner and t-shirts; you give of yourselves so freely. You are truly friends and mentors.
John Lennig: didn't get to do much other than speak but I'm glad we did get to meet.
Cisco: Man you rock! You're just an amazing guy.
Mike Meyer: Same with John L., we got to meet and that's about it; I think I got gipped.
Don Hulsey: Pleasure to meet you, chat awhile and hear about you getting (and out of) those speeding tickets.
Billy Picket: We're soul mates dude, plain and simple. We've been friends and Letterhead buds since Chuck Crawfords meet about 25 years ago. I've always been amazed at your many talents and your good nature.
I know I must have missed a couple but my mind is still a little foggy. I don't think I had a negative moment - well there was the incompatibility issue with the bar-b-que and the beer but that was just me.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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I'm at a coffee shop a short walk from my daughters house in downtown Austin TX. She has her laptop too, so I'm not really ignoring her to post here... but if I tried to say all the nice things about all the nice people that I would have to say if I got started... well, then I would really have to sacrifice this next unbeatable experience to re-live the last one... so to sum it up, I'm already setting my sights on my next meet.
posted
Would just like to give love and thanks to my fellow Dixie Meet Goers and new friends.
Sonny and Bob are obviously my first people to thank. Sonny really went out of his way to make sure I could make the meet. I am indebted to you, but no money could be exchanged for the companionship and knowledge I got from this meet.
Ricky Jackson: You are one hell of a guy. I look forward to future get togethers and great times to come. You are an all encompassing artist and a master of all trades… except rock climbing. See ya soon friend and enjoy the music.
Sal Cabrera: You know your stuff… Thanks for all the tips on pinstriping and airbrushing. I’m getting better already.
Nancie Phillips: Thanks for letting me use your compressor… she works like a charm. Now I gotta chunk mine and get one like yours. You are extremely talented and you and Rapid almost knocked out that mural in no time it seemed.
Rapid: Ditto on the mural. Your knowledge was much appreciated as well on the airbrushing. Your one talented guy and can’t wait to see ya again.
Sheila Farrell: Thanks for the panel. I love it and it will forever hang in my collection of “Legendary Letterheads”. You are such a sweetheart and great person. It was great to meet you and I will see you again soon.
Steve Greer: Us young guns will have to hold up this artform when these old fogies are gone. I just hope I can catch up to your outstanding knowledge and abilities… and WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY PUTTING IN THE WATER IN TORONTO? You’re a little bigger than your picture here.
Bob Peach: Great to meet you and your lovely ladie. You are sincerely nice people and will see you again soon.
Jon Jantz: Great to meet you finally. Sorry we missed the extra curricular activities… wink wink. Next time I’ll be more prepared and have more time to hang out.
Dusty Campbell: Sorry you forgot your “special” boots, but I guess you didn’t need them this time. You are a great guy and we will definitely have to hang out more next time too.
Mike Barnes: What a fun and happy guy. I don’t think a smile left his face the whole time I was there. It was a pleasure to meet you and look forward to next time.
Jill Beans: Ditto to what Ricky said. You’re a little girl with big talent, and a sweety to boot. Great to meet you finally.
Ryan Young: I didn’t catch your last name when we traded panels but I’m guessing this is who you are. You are extremely talented and can’t thank you enough for the panel. I know mine was no where near comparible, so Thanks Again!!!
David and Suze Butler: Thanks for helping with the Photoshop demo and sorry I hogged the time…I didn’t mean to be rude and should have let you take the floor before Sonny kicked us out.
Billy: Thanks for the inspiration. You’re a cool guy and I think we can be great friends.
Well, there’s just too many people and too little time, so thanks to everyone for sharing all of your wisdom with this young artist. I came a little nervous and intimidated, but each and every one of you really made me feel at home. I can’t express the PASSION I felt at this meet and the confidence and knowledge I gained from this meet.
Thanks again.
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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It was a wonderful meet. Thanks to Sonny, Bob, Nancie, Terry, and all the others. I think Kelsey and Brian Papa are brothers with different mothers! And Dusty is very cute and sweet. So is Jon. Jake is sorta salty but sweet. I enjoyed painting beside Roger. I did manage 16, beating my old record. It was great to see old favorite friends and to meet new ones. Ricky Jackson and Curtis are both TALL! Doug and OP were neat, the coffee was wonderful. I got to meet Luke Scanlan, who is funny. And a new guy named Joe Golden, no relation to Gene. It was good to hang out with Mike Meyer and the Scottish contingent. And Ryan, Donald, Jeff O., Billy Pickett,Kevin Mallard, the Mikes, Rapid, Gump, Mr. and Mrs. McMunn, Butler, Diaz, and Wilkie, John Lennig...too many to list. Thanks to Don, Dora, and Karen for the rides. The shop was great, full of lovely deep sandblasted signs. There were plenty of panels and paints and great door prizes and vittles. I loved riding down with Bobbie and staying with both her and Sheila...we were like three high school girls. Since the photo site is down, I will try to do it this way: (look at that sneaky guy Damian peeking in) note the custom harmonica holder (sorry some shots are blurry) love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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that looked like one big fab meet great i love seeing them.....
-------------------- Nicola Rowlands RGS Signs & Screenprinting Reval Green Finavon By Forfar Angus scotland 01307 850 260
'learn from the mistakes of others..you can't live long enough to make them yourself' Posts: 108 | From: scotland | Registered: Jan 2005
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Sonny, there was an upstairs? Just kidding. And thanks again.
The list is just too long to start saying good things about everyone I met. I started, but when the list is about 100 strong, I got to about 25 names and realize I'd be a few days writing it.
One thing that is really cool to me is now so many of you have voices to attach to your posts.
My expectations were blown away. Nobody's ego was bigger than their heart. Everyone was friendly and down to earth. Even the guy who wants to be known as a jerk(cough-Ryan) couldn't hide the fact that he's a good guy.
I enjoyed meeting everyone so much. As I raise my coffee cup: Here's to friends. Hope to see you all again soon.
posted
I laughed so much my stomach & cheeks hurt.
Ricky, I do have to disagree, somewhat, with you. Mike Barnes is a sleeper / instigator. Not only would he be in jail with you, I'd be willing to bet he'd be the reason you're in jail. Wonder if jail in Georg---ja is any different than Canada.
Duncan, dude, I love your wife. Thanks to you 2 for the taxi service, the laughs and just being the absolutely wonderful people you are.
Jake, what can I say? Everything I expected, although you still have my sense of humor. I'd like it back soon, please. Thanks for being a good sport.
Mike Barnes, can't be nothing better than a fellow Ron White fan.
Mike Faig, I'm betting you're a sleeper too. The boys need to make room for you in that cell too.
Ricky, I only have 1 word for you... EACH?
Jon Jantz, did you ever stop smiling? It was great to see you sucking in all the knowledge you could.
Blake, you're such a sweetie for making sure that boy got back home without any problems in Deliverance Holler.
Si & Marty, 2 of the bestest people on the planet. I love you guys.
Crusti! I'm really glad you could make it, bout time I got to meet you.
John Smith, our very own roadkill chef. What a sweetie.
Doug, great to see you as always.
Karen, such a truly sweet person. Glad I got to meet you in person.
Rabid, always a pleasure and thanks to Gump for the panel.
Ryan, about time I meet you face to face. Under that tough guy, there's a real sweetie.
Tramp, didn't get to talk with you as much as I'd have liked to. See ya in AC!
Don (Mr Rogers) & Dora, I've been missing you 2 since Pat's meet. Glad ya made it.
Cheryl, thanks for making me cry girl! Great to see ya, don't be a stranger.
David & Suzie Butler, it was a pleasure finally meeting you in person.
Sonny, B-Bob, Sharon & John. Yuns went above & beyond. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I know I'm missing people, but my right now mind is still mush.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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HUGE GRATITUDE AND THANK YOU'S TO: Bob (the proposal still stands) and Sonny and Peggy and Nancy and EVERYONE who worked so hard to put this meet together. It was a wonderful and perfect weekend!!
It was a thrill to get to finally meet Opie in person, fully clothed and apparently, seemingly, in his right mind . . .
It was great to meet Kelsy, who, being in Arlington, is practially homefolk to me . . .
It was such an awesome thrill to meet Bobbie live and in person as we've had a lotta e-mail and phone calls and she is even sweeter and more bubbly in person, and really loves the Lord!!! Thank you SO much for the awesome panel and paint brush!
Pretty cool to finally meet Doug, whom I've dubbed 'Hawaii' . . . man! What a talented drummer that guy is!!
It was so awesome to see Jilly again and I tell you, I love that girl like a long lost sister . . .Thank you - thank you - thank you for the cute slate panel!! (BTW, Jill, because of your great nursing skills, my leg is healing great, I still have not touched those steril-strips!!!)
So many other people I've never met before I was so honored to meet, like Francisco and 'Gump', Dusty . . . .
Mr.Bill & Ms.Jane!! They are just like I thoguht they'd be!!
Like 'Cadabra . . . he had a great idea there with that nice sketch pad gettin' signatures . . . mabey I should'a done that!!!
. . . that really pretty woman whose husband could sing just like Neil Diamond and Gordon lightfoot . . . that one really tall guy . . . . . . GYA! I HATE forgettin' NAMES . . .
It was real thrill to get to see again:
David & Susie, Kevin, Dinofa, Nancy & Noella, the Paychiz, JoeBuck, Manfred, Marcus, Scott, Damian, Matt, Donald, Si & Marty, Carl & Sarah, Leuke, Jeff, Ray, the little Moondoll, Mike, Ricky (oh yeh- thanx! the copy/publishing rights have been in effect for quite a while)
(Judy, Roger-doger & RT: Y'all are like family, but I still love gettin' to see ya . . . )
I know I've left someone out and I feel so bad about it I'm sure I will edit this as more come to me . . . but I love you all because . . .
![[Rolling On The Floor]](graemlins/rolf.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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You are such a very nice man, Jeff, & gentle & kind too!![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Embarrassed]](redface.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
)![[For Your Information]](graemlins/fyi.gif)
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