Tom and Dee Moran’s place in the country.

President’s Corner

For those you who were unable to attend the November meeting, this is my last President’s Corner. No, I’m not going away, but I am relinquishing the office of President. For the last couple of years, I have felt that I have run dry of ideas to stimulate our organization and provide interesting and effective leadership. It has been a great honor and pleasure to have served in the capacity of President for the last eight years, but I have long thought there should be a change. Vicki Pearce agreed to stand for the office and has been unanimously elected. Her husband, Bob, will function as Secretary/Treasurer. I know that Vicki has the enthusiasm and energy to provide good leadership, and she has the inside knowledge of what is happening in Ireland to provide interesting insights into new products and news from the pottery.

You all know Vicki and Bob and are aware of their enthusiasm for Belleek and the Sunshine Chapter. In fact, Vicki was the first person to come forward after I had contacted the BCIS for information about how to start a chapter, and she has always been there with her advice and expertise. I know she will make a fine President and that you will give Vicki and Bob the same support you have provided to Vicki and me during our long tenures in our respective offices. As for me, I will continue to enjoy the fellowship of membership in our fine chapter. The most significant event of this meeting (besides the election) was the voting of Honorary Membership to Ann and Charlie Belmont who have been members from the beginning. Charlie and Ann sent Vicki and me a letter recently resigning because of their inability to travel to the meetings. We the members felt we could not let them go; hence the awarding of honorary membership. They will continue to be on our mailing list and in our hearts as we continue to enjoy their presence in spirit if not in person.

We had a very special meeting at the home of Dee and Tom Moran. They have a large house, eleven acres in the forest, horses, and all the trimmings. We had a great meeting, and we appreciate their hospitality.

Our January meeting is scheduled for Vicki and Bob’s home on January 19, 2008. This is our auction meeting, so begin thinking now of what you might bring so we can maintain our tradition of generous donations. We have received very nice letters from Linda Beard, the President of the Scholarship Fund, and from the University of Ulster thanking us for our donation of $1400 for 2007 and our continuing support. The university has been able to increase the number of Degenhardt Scholarships provided by the University from two to three thanks to the support from the U.S. chapters. I am confident we will be able to maintain our level of support in order to sustain this fine effort. Have a wonderful Holiday season, and I will look forward to seeing you all in January.

Vicki's Corner,

I'd like to thank you all for the confidence that you have placed in me. I know we are all collectors of the older Belleek but if we do not continue to purchase newer pieces of Belleek, the pottery may not be around later. The Pottery is getting into many new things. I have seen Bake wear, Teapot quilted warmers, Tea Towels and many other accessories to go with the beautiful china pieces. I will try to bring these things to light as time goes on. Again I thank everyone who was at the Annual Meeting and not a “nay” was uttered with the election of Officers. Bob and I look forward to an exciting year and our auction will be on January 19th, 2008. Please get your pieces sorted out to donate.

From left to right; Tom, Threse, Paul, Jim and Dot enjoying a little after lunch conversation.

During our meeting the question came up about why the University of Ulster was chosen for the Richard K. Degenhardt Belleek Collector's Scholarship. I did some research through the back issues of The Belleek Collector and found the following article in Issue, Volume 12, Number 3, page 7.

I did make 2 minor alterations to the text so the article would still “flow” 7 years later.

NEVER FORGOTTEN

On August 30, 2000, Richard Degenhardt, one of the founders of the Belleek Collectors Society, passed away. During the year following his passing several things were done to recognize Dick's accomplishments in the area of Belleek collecting. A memorial plaque, referencing Dick's love of the townspeople and their craft, was placed on the clock in the square in the village of Belleek

As an ongoing and living memorial, Linda Beard, 1999 Belleek Hall of Fame Honoree, established a scholarship fund, entitled the Richard K. Degenhardt Belleek Collector's Scholarship. At the BCIS Convention, in Toronto, Linda announced that the scholarship award was to be given on an annual basis to an outstanding student in the area of porcelain and design and/or Celtic studies at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland. This particular scholarship is the first of its type for the University of Ulster, which has two of its four campuses located near the Belleek Pottery. The University of Ulster has a number of outstanding graduates including Belleek's Head of Design, Fergus Cleary and Managing Director John Maguire. The University of Ulster is proud to be the recipient of the Degenhardt Belleek Scholarship endowment and believes that the award will be able to advance the interest in Belleek porcelain as well as Celtic arts.

Degenhardt Belleek Scholarship Committee members are Linda Beard, Gene Krach and Angela Moore. At the convention, Gene Krach, Honoree 1991, discussed the tax benefits that would be afforded to contributors and encouraged everyone to participate. Angela Moore, BCIS president, on behalf of the Belleek Pottery, announced that the Pottery had produced a pearlized version of the Degenhardt Basket to be auctioned at the convention. The only other pearlized version of the Degenhardt Basket belongs to Mrs. Margaret Degenhardt and was specially produced at the request of her late husband. The funds raised would go to the Degenhardt Belleek Scholarship. Pictured below is the pearlized Degenhardt Basket, with Linda Beard, is the basket's new owner, Canadian Val Fleming, who paid $6,000 for it.

Linda Beard, 1999 Belleek Honoree and Chair of the Degenhardt Belleek Scholarship Committee, tells us that funds for the award are coming in from both individuals and BCIS chapters and the committee has received well over half of what is needed to fund the endowment.

If anyone would like to make a personal donation, contributions may be made by sending your check and pledges to Linda at the address below.

Please make check payable to:

Degenhardt/Belleek Scholarship Fund, U. of Ulster

And Mail to:

Ms. Linda N. Beard, Chair

R.K.Degenhardt/Belleek Scholarship Fund

2539 Oak Crossing Drive

Decatur, GA 30033 USA

Dee with Tango.

Merry Christmas to all and to all,

Please stay safe. See you next year.

September 5, 2007

Ms. Vicki Pearce

Secretary/Treasurer

Sunshine Chapter, BCIS

2457 Fieldingwood Road

Maitland.FL 32751 Dear Vicki:

Thank you for your chapter's recent contribution to the Richard Kennedy Degenhardt Belleek Collectors' Scholarship Awards. I have received and recorded your contribution as follows:

Date Check # Amount

August 6, 2007 2134086354 $1,400.

Suntrust Bank Check

Your Chapter's extraordinarily generous gift for scholarships will be a tremendous asset in continuing our goal of presenting ongoing awards in memory of Richard Kennedy Degenhardt at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland. As you know, we are now in our sixth year of awards and in the spring of 2007, scholarships were again presented to three outstanding students in the areas of Celtic Studies and Ceramics and Design. Through 2007, a total of fourteen scholarships have been presented to date. Your chapter's contribution will help in making these special scholarships possible on a continuing annual basis.

We are grateful for your chapter's continued and ongoing support for this unique scholarship in memory of our friend, colleague, and fellow Belleek collector — Richard Kennedy Degenhardt. Thank you for your chapter's contributions, interest, and participation. It is most appreciated.

Kindest Regards,

Linda N, Beard, Chair

The Richard K. Degenhardt Belleek Collectors'

Scholarship Awards Committee

PS. A separate letter will follow from the Friends of the University of Ulster confirming your