D140 Clam Shell and Griffin. Black mark.

In Delray Beach, on the 6^th of January, 2007 eighteen members of the Sunshine Chapter, BCIS met to enjoy a most wonderful afternoon of social comradery and collector’s experiences.

President’s corner

New Year Greetings from Sanford. It’s 2007, another new year and another meeting of the Sunshine Chapter. It seems like we just had a meeting. Worse yet, are we into our eighth year of existence? And does the last meeting seem so recent because time is passing more quickly or simply because I was so late writing this section of the newsletter last quarter? I hope it’s because of the second reason, because otherwise it means something that I don’t want to talk about.

We had a truly great meeting at the home of Harlan and Kulla Wiss. Have no doubt, I enjoy all the meetings, but sometimes everything seems to click perfectly into place and we all have a really special time together. This was one of those occasions. I’m sometimes asked what it takes to have a good meeting, and I really have problems answering because it’s such a complex blend of ingredients. But I can tell you what this one included. First of all, there was the wonderful hospitality of our hosts. We were not only made to feel welcome but we were very comfortable in their lovely home. Second, we had a good turnout including some members we don’t have the opportunity to see as often as we would like because of the distance they would have to travel. Next, we had the opportunity to view Harlan’s wonderful collection that includes some rarely seen pieces of old Belleek. The opportunity to see others’ collections is one of the really special reasons to meet in someone’s home. The food was good, and there was a variety of dishes that enabled everyone to find things they particularly liked. And at the end, Kulla very generously transferred the donations towards the cost of the meal to the Degenhardt Scholarship Fund. These are all good elements, but in the final analysis it is our members that make each meeting such a special occasion.

Kulla and Harlan’s living room through the looking glass.

I know you are aware that we customarily have our annual auction to benefit the scholarship fund at the January meeting. Vicki and I decided to postpone the auction until the July meeting after the convention so we would have more time for our January meeting. Perhaps everyone will have more spare change a little later in the year as well. But speaking of the January meeting, we had lots of business to discuss, focusing mainly on the upcoming convention and the planned attendance of sixteen including six additional names we just learned. Vicki announced that we would not have an official April meeting, but instead will meet informally at the Pearce cottage during the convention. We should have a good turnout because of the large number attending from the Sunshine Chapter. That number suggests Florida will be well represented. Vicki also reported that we had heard from Shelley who has moved to Baltimore to care for a friend who has a serious illness. She believes, however, that she will be able to attend the convention. Dot reported on Kitty who has been unable to attend recent meetings because of illness. She is improving and in good spirits.

Three parrots perched on a feeder in the Wiss’s backyard.

For show and tell, Vicki and I brought several items of contemporary Belleek that we have acquired over the past few months. Happily, there are some very nice things hitting the market. In fact, Pat and I picked up several pieces in Aruba while on a cruise. Dot and Paul Morin, who were also on the trip, purchased one of the larger pieces there to use as a gift.

All in all it has been a good holiday season for most of us. Now we’re looking forward to the meeting in Ireland. Isn’t it a shame that we can’t bottle some of the 80 degree weather we’ve been having to take with us?

Driving tips in Ireland

For those who are driving to the 2007 Belleek convention, here are some driving tips.

It is illegal to drive and use a handheld mobile phone in Ireland. The fine is about €2000. ($2,600)

1. Speed limits

Default speed limits

M1-M99 [Motorways] 120 kph

N1-N99 100

R001-R999 80

Unnumbered roads 80

Urban Areas 50

Special Speed Limits

Selected Pedestrian and residential zones 30 kph

Selected suburban and other routes 60 kph

The speed limit for vehicles towing trailers, caravans, etc is 80 km/h (or less where signposted).

The speed limit for trucks (over 3.5 tons and single deck buses is 80 km/h (or less where signposted). The speed limit for double deck buses is 65 km/h.

*A lower speed limit may be signposted where road conditions dictate

2. Caution should be exercised when driving under the influence of alcohol. The legal tolerance limit is 0.08%.

3. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory in front and rear seats.

4. Children under 12 years age not permitted in front seats.

5. It is recommended to carry breakdown warning triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher and spare bulb kit in vehicle. If you wear glasses, bring a spare pair in the car with you.

6. Minimum Driving age: 17 years.

7. Documents required when driving:

Valid drivers license,

Vehicle title document/registration certificate or vehicle rental agreement,

Insurance green card (not obligatory for vehicles registered in IRL or another EU state),

National vehicle oval country of registration plate (not required for vehicles fitted with EU standard format license plates)

8. Drive on the left and vehicle headlights should be focused accordingly.

9. Avoid accidents at traffic signals by not braking suddenly when the lights turn to amber. This note particularly applies to drivers from GB who frequently create accident situations for themselves by not adopting to the driving style of the country they are driving in.

10. Precedence

Traffic coming from the right-hand side has precedence on roundabouts (traffic rotaries)

11. Direction Sign Colors

Freeways/Motorways = Blue

National Primary & Secondary routes = Green

Regional and local routes = White

12. Tolls

Tolls are payable at two points in the Dublin area - M50 Ring Road between the N4 and N3 interchanges only and on the R131 East Link Bridge. In each case the toll is approximately € 1.00 for cars, with higher tolls for vans and trucks.

13. Automobile club breakdown services

AIT Tel 1-800 66 77 88 (0800 88 77 66 in NI)

FIA Tel 1-800 53 50 05 (0800 82 82 82 in NI)

14. Tips for North Americans driving in IRL for the first time

A car is the best way to see Ireland. Driving styles and regulations differ in every country. It usually takes between a few hours and a day to get used to a new driving environment, particularly if you have not driven in the country before.

If you are used to an automatic, be sure to specify automatic when making your reservation

When you drive the car for the first time, take it around the block at the airport a few times to get used to the controls and driving on the left-hand side of the road

Try and avoid the narrower R roads for the first day or so until you are familiar with your car and the driving environment

Get a good map at the airport, and have someone other than the driver to navigate

Take your time - drive slowly at first until you gain confidence. Watch the signs carefully! They are few and far between.

If you cross the road to park or to visit a gas station, be sure to return to a driving position on the left-hand side after you exit the space!

15. Parking

Parking regulations are strictly enforced, particularly in Dublin city. Tow trucks and vehicle disabling programs are in operation. Parking meters operate in the downtown area - check signs for days and hours of chargeable parking specific to a location. The typical cost, €1.30 to €1.90 per hour. Many meters are of the "Pay and Display" variety, with a single solar powered meter serving about 20 spaces. As coins are inserted, the parking expiry time for the amount inserted is displayed. When sufficient coins have been deposited, pressing the green button causes a two part ticket to be printed. The larger part should be stuck to the winshield, and the counterfoil can be retained as a reminder of when the parking expires. Disk parking operates outside the central zone and in some suburbs and many cities outside Dublin. Multi-story car parks typical cost €1.50 to €2.50/hr - some offering discounts for overnight use are signposted along the parking routes with advance space availability indicators showing how many spaces are left in each park. These parking space availability displays are updated every minute. Some of these car parks payment machines accept Visa, MasterCard and Eurocard payments (eg Stephen's Green and Royal Surgeons). If you have recently rented a car in Dublin and have no Irish change to hand, follow the parking route signs to one of these car parks and use a credit card to pay.

16 Broadcast traffic reports on radio

The traffic information of the motoring organizations is broadcast in English by RTE Radio 1 and 2 and most commercial radio stations.

17 Fuel prices

Fuel costs in Ireland are at about European average levels.

Fuel prices in Northern Ireland are similar to Britain.

Up to date Irish fuel prices - note the prices in this website are quoted in EUR cents per litre(er). If you wish to convert the price per liter into a price per US gallon for comparison, multiply the cents per liter figure by 3.785. This will give you the price in Euro cents per US gallon. You can get the current exchange rate for the Irish Pound (Ireland) and Sterling (Northern Ireland) here. Americans should bear in mind that European cars tend to be more economical in terms of fuel. Diesel cars tend to be even more economical still and diesel fuel is cheaper.

18 Drivers Licenses

When renting a car most car rental companies will require a drivers license issued by the state you are normally resident in - and not an "international driving license".

General Directions to Belleek

From Shannon Airport:

N19 east to N18,

N18 north to Galway by-pass,

N17 north to Sligo (Collooney),

N4/N17 north to Sligo,

N15 north to Ballyshannon,

N3 east to Belleek. 160 miles

From Dublin Airport:

Exit the Airport to M1,

M1 south to M50,

M50 west to N3,

N3 north to Belturbet,

Belturbet (N3) north becomes A509(NI),

A509 north to A4(Enniskillen)

A4 west to Belcoo(B52),

B52 north to Belleek. 127miles

From Belfast International Airport:

Exit Airport to A26,

A26 south to M1(Lurgan)

M1 west becomes A4(Dungannon),

A4 west to Enniskillen,

Enniskillen(A4) to A46,

A46 to Belleek. 105 miles

2007 Belleek Convention

The convention registration starts at 7:30pm on Wednesday the 18^th, at the Killyhevlin Hotel in Enniskillen. There will be busses from Belleek to take us there and return. I am guessing at this point that the busses will probably be leaving shortly after 6:00pm either from the Carlton Hotel or the Pottery.

Thursday, April 19. Morning visit to Enniskillen Castle Museum for special viewing of private Belleek Collections on loan just for this convention. Picnic lunch on boat ride to Devenish Island in Lough Erne. Afternoon tour of the magnificent Castlecoole. Return to your accommodations to relax and for evening meal on your own. Entertainment this evening at your hotel.

Friday, April 20. The complete day will be spent at the Belleek Pottery. You will tour the factory, chat with the carftpeople, and enjoy lunch in our Belleek restaurant. Later in the day you will have the opportunity to fettle or paint a piece of Belleek. There will also be time for a little shopping and coffee. Return to your accommodations to relax and for your evening meal on your own.

Saturday, April 21. Everyone will meet at the Killyhevlin's conference for some great presentations and talks by local celebrities. After lunch we will all go the Belleek Pottery for the 2007 Honoree induction and some great Irish Coffee The convention will close with a great Gala Dinner, special prize drawings and a wonderful show.

Convention Souvenirs: A specially designed tote bag, convention plate and other goodies.

During the convention you will be transported via luxury coaches between hotels and convention venues. There will also be a coach available to and from Dublin city. Follow-on tours are planned and information will be forwarded upon request.

Shellie has been found in Baltimore where while looking after her friend Susan, she fell and broke both wrists. She is healing slowly and steadily. She is still hoping to make it to the convention.

Michelle is recovering from surgery and will also be attending the convention.

We wish Judy and Kitty a good healthy year.