As a (fairly) new fanatic of this spirit commonly known as "letterhead", I look back and wonder just where I would be if I had been attending these meets for the many years that it has existed!
I come back inspired...and wanting more...and I want to personally thank the one person that has given me that direction...Fred Self. The sacrifices that he has made to host these meets for this long should make everyone thank their lucky stars to have people like this around. It kind of keeps a balance going to all the stupidity and craziness in our lives today. I hope that everyone that attends a meet will take the time to thank their host and make sure that folks like Fred come away feeling like the immense time and headaches that are involved in putting one of these functions on are appreciated!
I had a blast and am already looking forward to the next one!!!!!
-------------------- Robert Beverly Arlington, Texas Posts: 1023 | From: Arlington, Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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We sitting in a hotel room in Sherman, TX tonight. The last 3 days just flew by in a blur! We're already missing our Letterhead pals.
This is a special meet. That's because Fred and Marilyn are very special people. They work their buns off to ensure everyone has what they need to feel welcome and explore the limits of their creativity. Thanks to all of you that make this meet, and indeed all meets, happen.
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
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Well, it's back to the real world today after a great weekend at Fred's. It was nice meeting many fellow Letterheads in person as well as visiting with old friends. It all went by too fast!!
Thanks to Robert Nouis for a killer panel and Greg"Lil Toot" Tuter for the "mini" van graphics. RT Thomas once again made some really neat panel backgrounds. Also thanks to Frank Manning of 1Shot for all of his support.
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Add my voice of appreciation to Fred and Marilyn for a great weekend. Both were looking a little fraziled as Mike and I left on Sunday. There are not many in our profession like Fred - he gives 110% to his craft and then shares everything he knows with anyone that will stand still long enough to listen. You just can't help being a friend of Fred's. His humor and humble nature does not readily reveal the tremendous, serious man than lives inside. His Christian character is evident in the way he treats people (all people) with respect.
Of the several other people that I met for the first time this weekend was one that really impressed me with his eager enthusiasm for learing everything possible and trying to do it all at once. Robert Beverly you are, in the truest sense, a Letterhead. Twenty-five years ago there were a bunch of guys that had that burning in their gut to do things a different and better way and the Letterheads came into existence. It is so refreshing to know that there are still people like Robert that discover the excitement of a craft that is so unique that it is hard to explain. It was great to finally meet you Robert, and I'm sure that many of us will be gathering around you to learn all the new stuff that you are learning and willing to share with us - both young and even us old geezers.
To those of you in Letterville who have never attended a gathering of the "spirit" you should do whatever it takes to make the next one. You will not be disappointed...and you will be changed.
Even after being a part of this "unique" group of people for over 25 years I still feel that tingle and the hair stands up on the back of my neck whenever I realize what a tremendous blessing it is to be a part of so many talented people. Often at Fred's this weekend I would just stand and look around the room and be amazed at how much talent was there, and that each was willing to give whatever they had to anyone that would ask. The humble nature of these gifted people is so gratifying.
I tip my hat to you all.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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My first meet, and I enjoyed it very much. Thanks Fred and Marilyn for everything. Very nice layout for so many artists to work in. I enjoyed getting to meet so many of the Lettervillians, that I have posted with for that last few years, plus a lot more I didn't know. I guess, I am suprised that not all post to the board at least occasionally. Letterville, to me seems like the most effective common denominator to "keeping the craft". If it weren't for this bb, I would never know about any of the events, and would still be struggling with all methods. Steve and Barb requested that Diane and myself come to Freds, and I'm sure glad that we did. I didn't have a project or panel planned, but got some great ideas for my next meet and probably learned as much as anyone by just watching.
-------------------- "Don't change horses in midstream, unless you spot one with longer legs" bronzeo oti Jack Davis 1410 Main St Joplin, MO 64801 www.imagemakerart.com jack@imagemakerart.com Posts: 1549 | From: Joplin, MO | Registered: Mar 2000
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Hey!! I slid into home base about 1AM this morning!! It was a looooong hard drive, but after I made Shreveport I could hear my bed calling. When my bed calls I do everything I can to make it shut up.
Anyway, Had a great time at Fred's as always. This is the BEST annual meet in the country in my opinion. Fred knows how to throw a good one! Lot's of new faces there this year and a lot of the old ones too. That makes for a good mix. Everybody had a blast as intended. Thanks guys for making my life a little more tolerable!!
Waiting on next year!!
See ya'll later, R.T.
[ March 10, 2003, 01:52 PM: Message edited by: R T Thomas ]
-------------------- R.T.Thomas,AirDesigns/Sign And Airbrush Studio rtart1@earthlink.net
Hattiesburg,MS 39401 Shop 601-584-1000 Cell 601-310-5901 Proud supporter of LETTERVILLE!
"Ahhhhhh.......Juicy Fruit." Posts: 547 | From: Hattiesburg,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I would like to say that I learned more in 3 days than I learned in 3 years of trial and error, the people were great, It's funny to walk up to someone you've never met but feel you know well and start carrying on a conversation, but thats exactly how it was...
A big thanks to Fred for taking a few minutes to talk to me about chipping glass and gold leaf...thanks to Steve and Barb for being such normal folks and being so easy to talk to, thanks to Tom and Kathy Durham for being such great hosts to me the week before and letting us follow them to OKC, you guys are great!! And to Jack Davis, change that picture!!! Your older than that!! LOL Just kidding, really great to meet you and your wife...hope we can get together soon.
As you can see, I can go on thanking everyone forever, but thats just how this meet was (my first) it was like a big family sharing ideas...
I'm eternally grateful,
Shawn
-------------------- Shawn Setzer Signs by Shawn 826 Hwy 47 East, Troy, MO Posts: 241 | From: Troy, MO, USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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There is a story behind Terry's panel. I did a panel for him and it seems that I misspelled Oklahoma (first time for everything), but I didn't want to go back to redo it, so I just brushed in an "Oops" over the mistake. Thus the #1 thing heard at a Letterhead gathering is "oops".
Terry is just one great guy and a wiz with a brush. I have several of his panels and all are cherished momentos.
By the way, that photo of the panel was taken before it was finished...it looks a lot better now, and it is right here beside me.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hey, we finally made another of Freds meets, our second. We realized how sorry we were to not make more of them and vow to make every one. Its such a friendly easy work atmosphere and everyone is relaxed and enjoying themselves! We were so glad to see all the people we have missed and met alot of new great letterheads too! Thanks to Fred and Marilyn and Skip. Hope Skips back is better too. He hurt it preparing for all of us, and didnt get the fun of it like we did . We didnt roll in until 10:30 pm, and still need to catch up on sleep. Thanks to all of you who helped us with projects etc. We feel newly inspired as always and hope to put the fun into our everyday sign chores again. Hope to be back on the bb again too. See you at the next one!!
quote:"In God We Trust, All Others Must Pay Cash"
-------------------- Tom & Kathy Durham Weber Hill Signs House Springs, Mo. 63051 636-671-4676 Posts: 11 | From: House Springs, Mo. | Registered: Mar 2003
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Mark, I still remember the fun I had and the lessons I absorbed watching Terry paint that panel at your meet!!
I agree with every one's feelings about the meet but especially Ray's comments!! I also enjoyed seeing the synergy shared by Robert Beverly & his fiance, Karen (they make quite a team), and Steve Falkner & his lovely lady, the irrepressible Ellen (also quite a team, who drove into Fred's all the way from Maine)!!
Here's the panels by Raymond & Terry that were mentioned.
I talked to Marilyn today, she & Fred had a chance to get some rest and are back in the saddle so I'm headed back to OKC tomorrow to retrive the glass panel I left in the glue chip box & finish the gild for my panel swap project.
-------------------- Chris Elliott 1longshot@classicnet.net cell 62084two2232 Posts: 686 | From: Scottsdale, AZ & Anthony, KS, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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Raymond This day has been a very long day for me with the passing of Rick Glawson, but I want to extend my sincere appreciation for the kind words you extended. I have recently been termed a "purist" letterhead and I hope to live up to that title and to have someone of your stature recognize my sincere desire to carry this spirit forward is very gratifying! I look forward to opening up "my" box of goodies and techniques during the meet we have planned in June. I hope you can make it!
As for you Chris...A one of a kind spirit that always brings a smile to my face and yes...Karen has been my godsend...and I am going to get her infected with the letterhead virus too!
-------------------- Robert Beverly Arlington, Texas Posts: 1023 | From: Arlington, Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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Wow what a GREAT time Shari and I had this year at Freds. Thanks to everyone that helped us learn new skills and improve the few we brought with us. Next year I hope to participate in the panel swap ( I didn't know that was the whole idea of panels) Thanks again for being there and having so much fun. Ron Myers ( the younger one )
Posts: 8 | From: Enid , Okla, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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What a great weekend of fun. Coming to the Oklalhoma City (that’s the way Raymond spells it) Letterheads meet is what I needed to get the creative juices going again. Too much water has passed under the bridge since my last Letterheads meet in Denver ’95. As usual, the people are keeping the spirit alive with their sharing, teaching, and encouragement. It was a blast to rub elbows with some talented and friendly heads. To Raymond and Mike many thanks for coming and introducing me to so many great people. To my buddy Trav thanks for being there and your encouragement. To R.T. thanks for your teaching and panel painting. To Mark Yearwood, Robert and JoAnna, Chris Elliot, Joey Hutson, Ron Myers, Rebel, Lil’ Toot, Juan DeLeon, Ron and Eric Elmgren, Terry “Letterman” Teague, Steve and Barbara Shortreed, John Oldham, Mary and Alton Gillespie, “One Shot” Frank, and Bob Pickard, great to have met you all and look forward to seeing you all again. Many thanks to Robert Beverly for your sharing and awesome enthusiam. You have the fire and passion to elevate our craft to the next level. I am anxiously waiting for June to get here and be at the Arlington meet. I wish you and Miss Karen all the best. And a big special thanks to Fred and Marilyn for all their hard work to put on such a great Letterhead meet. See you again.
-------------------- Ray Skaines League City, Tx www.srsigns.com Posts: 130 | From: League City, Texas | Registered: Mar 2003
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Another great meet from Fred and Marilyn...it's always a pleasure to be there.
This is the first time I've had to get on here since the meet. Jon ("Bushie") and Sue Butterworth from Oz have been with us all week and we've been running the town ragged showing it off.
It was sure good to see Terry again (been a while) and of course Steve and Barb, Si and Coop n' Treana. Had another great time with the Padilla gang and some quality time with "Tomkat"
Somehow I came away form this meet with no pics...can hardly wait to see what others have.
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
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Hello Monte. I sent Chris Elliot and Nigel Caulfield a cd of the pictures I took at Fred's. Would be glad to do the same for you. Just need a mailing address.
-------------------- Ray Skaines League City, Tx www.srsigns.com Posts: 130 | From: League City, Texas | Registered: Mar 2003
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Hiya All .. Bushie^ Here at Si's place ... fly home tonight
I expressed my feelings on the Meet in Monte's thread "return to OZ" Check it out:)
Took over 200 digit photos and two rolls film on this trip. Will post some here when I get home. Including probably the last photo of Rick Glawson tken when we visited his shop just before the meet.
Thanks for the hospitality
See some you again ... somewhere ... sometime.
Jon (Bushie^) Toowoomba,Queensland, Australia.
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
si.allen on Skype
siallen@dslextreme.com
"SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Never mess with your profile while in a drunken stupor!!!
Brushasaurus on Chat Posts: 8827 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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We would appreciate any special photos you may have from this meet. Over the next week, I'll get to work on a page. Ellen from Maine has already e-mailed in her report. I love these meet reports from first timers/
E-mail your photos to steve@letterhead.com
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
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. We didnt roll in until 10:30 pm, and still need to catch up on sleep. Thanks to all of you who helped us with projects etc. We feel newly inspired as always and hope to put the fun into our everyday sign chores again. Hope to be back on the bb again too. See you at the next one!!
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