For long term planning purposes, demographics of membership should be a consideration. I have attended two Symposiums during the past 8 years of membership. I’ve been overwhelmed with the expertise, judgement, and execution of the Club’s stated goals by the Board with current voting requirements. The proposed change may change the club’s nature, no one knows at this time. It seems to me the Board would do well to discuss this further before “the vote”.

I really do see strong reason to say all dues paying members should vote, but not knowing the make-up very well would caution that such a change may bring along a change in club focus. Folks in or close to Corning are and will be at the epicenter of this club’s longevity, specially if modern Steuben is included.

The club should gravitate towards the real interest, knowledge, and commitment of individuals who sincerely care.

Willson Craigie, Richmond, VA

Where is the Membership From?

New York contributes the most members. In fact, it is essentially a third of the club – 67 by my count. Florida contributes 17 and California contributes 13. Those three states get you to almost 100. Pennsylvania is next with 11, followed by Virginia at 9, New Jersey at 8 and Indiana, Maryland and Texas at 7 each. That’s about 150. The remaining 40 or so paying members come from 22 states and Canada.

Scott Hansen, Briarcliff Manor, NY

A Toast to Mr. Carder

Symposium Chair, Bonnie Salzman of Richmond, VA reports that the Saturday night banquet will include a toast to Mr. Carder’s 150th birthday and your invited to bring your Carder Steuben toasting goblet. She’s been asked whether a wine or champange. Wine it will be.

Compliments Gladly Received

Dear Marshall Ketchum and Alan Shovers,

THANK YOU BOTH for your wisdom, your conscientiousness and your dedicated hard work in championing your love and appreciation of the beautiful glass of Frederick Carder.

Marshall, you have gifted us with your truly marvelous Carder Steuben web site, which has become an accurate and comprehensive research encyclopedia of Carder Steuben glass and a virtual museum. Your vast knowledge of Carder Steuben glass has been generously shared with all of us and you help all of us learn about and love Carder Steuben glass.

Thank you for pointing out that adding post-Carder Steuben glass to our Club’s mission would ultimately require a complete rebuilding of our web site, which would entail a huge amount of work and considerable expense-you know this better than anyone.

Alan, you, Sir, are a true connoisseur of beauty, which you avidly seek! Your eyes have fallen on the beautiful forms and colors of Frederick Carder’s glass and you love what you see. An important component of your love of this glass is your fidelity to the art created by this great genius.

Through your unswerving vision and indefatigable effort, you have made our Gazelle Gazette become the voice of the Carder Steuben Club. You created a forum for members to contribute thought and participate in the processes of Club deliberations and happenings.

Neither of you, on account of your modesty, properly appreciates that your contributions are the two greatest gifts to our Club. You enhance the value and worth of our membership and enhance its attraction to new members.

We understand that some Board members lacked enthusiasm for the Gazelle Gazette’s inclusion of the discussion regarding changing the Club’s mission. We happily accept the role of “culprit” in this matter. Duly noting that only those Club members present and voting at next month’s Symposium will decide the future of our Club and its mission, we believe that the thoughts and comments of our members published in the Gazelle Gazette will contribute to a wiser, more representative and more reasoned vote, come September.

We personally believe that our Club’s singular dedication to the beautiful glass of Frederick Carder should continue.

This in no way precludes anyone from joining our Club, nor does it preclude the Club from sponsoring presentations that expand our knowledge of Post-Carder Steuben glass-or, indeed, of any other kind of beautiful glass, as our Symposium programs often do.

You have contributed mightily to our wonderful Carder Steuben Club. We are content to abide in it.

All the best-Just the best!

Elizabeth and Frank Creech, Brevard, NC

2013 Carder Steuben Club annual Symposium will be held at The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY from September 19-21, 2013. The festivities will begin with Frederick Carder’s 150th birthday celebration on the evening of September 18, 2013.

Any opinions expressed by participants to the Gazette e-mail newsletters are the opinions of the authors and are not endorsed by or the opinions of the Carder Steuben Club.