Important 2009 Convention information from Patricia Hennessey.

“The North Jersey Convention Committee is getting down to the final tasks for the convention. Music and entertainment have been booked; we are looking forward to a great convention with long time and new Belleek friends.

We are urging people to make their hotel reservations so that the hotel continues to hold the block of room enabling all the attendees can be in the same location as the convention.

The North Jersey Plate Design Committee headed by member Margaret Karpin labored to develop a lovely rendering which includes special aspects of their state. Fergus Cleary and his staff are hard at work on the plate; it looks beautiful. Fergus has been taking photos of each step of the process which he will use for a power point presentation at the convention. He will show how items go from design, molding and all other stages to end up with the collector. It should be very interesting since each attendee will have the finished product. I think I saw some of the photos in one of the Sunshine Chapter's newsletter.

Fergus Cleary and John McGuire were in Manhattan in Oct. and the Convention Committee had a very productive meeting with them. In August, Angela Moore met with the convention chairs to go over details and lend her support and that of George to the efforts. Angela, John, Fergus and Patricia from the Pottery and George Davis from Reed and Barton have all been helpful and supportive regarding the convention.

I am compiling a listing of Belleek items for which attendees have been searching. There are always pieces we want; for many years, a cone, butterscotch teapot was on my list. People are invited to let me know if there are some things they would especially like to see in the sales room. Hopefully such a listing will give the vendors an opportunity to bring such items. I will not share names, only the items. Chapters are also invited to email me a list without names.

There will be a restorer at the convention, as part of the sales room, available to look at Belleek pieces and give estimates on possible restorations. "Restorations by Louis" comes highly recommended for his Belleek work. He also works in early stoneware, pottery, papier-mache, ivory and jade as well as gold work on fine porcelain. His work is not limited to fine antiques. It also includes contemporary collectibles such as Lladró, Boehm and Royal Doulton. People are invited to bring items in need of restoration for his inspection.

In addition to speakers on Belleek, the program committee has a member of the International Society of Appraisers as one of the speakers. Linda Roberts, ISA, AM, has a strong interest in European and American hand painted porcelains and has qualified as an "Appraiser As Expert Witness". Linda is open to topics and specifics attendees would like her to address in her remarks.

There is still room in the program book for a few more ads if anyone is interested. There is an attachment with the size and cost information. We plan to begin work on the book right after Jan. 1, 2009 and need ads by then.

People are welcome to email me at hennesseypatricia@hotmail.com, call 631-665-4680 or write to Patricia Hennessey, 38 Woodland Drive, Brightwaters, NY 11718 about any of these items or other convention questions. It has been a fun part of the convention planning process to chat with Belleek collectors from far and wide. I spoke recently with attendees Phyllis Bagnall from Grand Rapids, UK's Paul Tubbs, Margaret Mitchell in San Francisco, Linda Beard in Georgia and Olga Clarke in Northern Ireland. I have exchanged emails with collectors from New Zealand who are planning to travel all the way to the convention.

I have also attached the registration information in case anyone still needs a copy.” Patricia Hennessey

2009 Belleek Convention

Hosted by

The BCIS North Jersey Chapter

April 23 – 26, 2009

Park Ridge, New Jersey

Join us for great company, good cheer and beautiful Belleek!

Join friends from all parts of the collecting world for a fun filled convention! Attend the cocktail party, a buffet dinner and banquet, presentations, lectures and entertaining events. There are too many to list, so here are a few activities and highlights! We promise you Belleek, Belleek and more Belleek!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Registration and the convention bag including the beautiful convention plate, as well as New Jersey souvenirs.
Belleek gift, compliments of Reed & Barton, US Belleek Distributor.
Evening reception with a warm welcome from the North Jersey Chapter, a featured harp player, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, pasta specialties plus beer and wine.
Sales room opens.
Specialists in antique Belleek -- Olga Clarke, Marion Langham, Nanci Levine, Margaret and William Mitchell, Tony Hardy and Eileen O’Neill -- on hand to discuss Belleek and answer your questions.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Breakfast followed by returning Master of Ceremonies Don Campbell introducing speakers and activities.
Fergus Cleary “Belleek: From the Design Process to the Collector”.
The Trenton Museum presentation on the Trenton Potteries and American Belleek.
Live auction, Dean Bagnall as auctioneer.
Evening buffet dinner, Irish night entertainment by singer/comedian Seamus Kennedy.

Saturday, April, 25, 2009

Chapter presidents (or their designees) roundtable at breakfast.
Don Campbell’s Belleek Earthenware presentation after breakfast.
“Collecting Around the World” panel discussion by NZ, UK, Canadian and US representatives.
Lectures focusing on antique Belleek, insurance and restoration.
Chinese auction winners posted.
Gala Dinner, 2009 Honoree, Irish music, champion dancers from the Peter Smith School of Irish Dance.
Belleek door prizes provided by the Pottery.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Breakfast followed by panel of Honorees and closing remarks.

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Live auction:

We hope that individuals – and certainly each chapter-- will donate to the always entertaining Dean Bagnall led auction. Already donated: a crested black mark plate, a Twin Towers plate and a Sighting of Miss Liberty (Annie Moore) plate! The auction proceeds serve two purposes, the Richard Degenhardt Scholarship Fund and seed money for the next

convention. Many thanks!

Chinese Auction:

A Chinese Auction of smaller, less costly Belleek pieces will provide attendees an additional opportunity to participate in an auction. Bidding is done by numbered tickets (6 for $20 and 15 for $40) and a drawing is held. Donations to Jean Lockington, 5 Nolan Rd, Allentown NJ 08501 or at the convention.

Convention Roster:

A 2009 convention roster will make it easy to keep in touch with long time friends and new ones. If you don’t want your contact information listed, please indicate so on the registration form

HOTEL RESERVATIONS, Park Ridge Marriott, 300 Brae Blvd., Park Ridge, NJ 07656:

Room rates at $139US (excluding taxes) include daily breakfast for two people in a hotel with a health club, pool, whirlpool, sauna and a shuttle to nearby restaurants and shopping. This excellent rate will apply for two days prior to and after the convention.

Reservations: USA: 1-800-882-1038 and international calls: 001-353-800-882-1038.

Mention the Belleek Convention or use the event code “bicbica”.

Online: www.marriott.com/ewrpr?groupCode=bicbica&app=reslink” or go to www.marriott.com

Airport Transportation:

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is the closest airport. JFK and LaGuardia, in NY, are also accessible.

Local budget transportation from Newark Airport to Park Ridge:

*Carmel Limo 1-800-922-7635 *Airbrook Airport Express

www.carmellimo.com 1-800-800-1990

appox. $64 per car www.airbrook.com

Optional tours before and after the convention, prices are US and based on 49 people per tour:

Thursday April 23, 2009—New York City Lower Manhattan Tour: See Little Italy, Times Square, Greenwich Village, SoHo, United Nations area, Rockefeller Plaza, Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall (no admissions included). Stops at Ground Zero, Battery Park, South Street Seaport. Hotel pickup at 9am and returns at 3-4pm. Cost $55.

Thursday April 23, 2009— West Point, US Military Academy: Travel to the beautiful west bank of the Hudson River for a tour of the Academy, a US military post since 1802. Tour includes lunch, and discount shopping at Woodbury Commons Premium Outlet. Hotel pick up at 10am and returns at 6pm. Cost $55.

Sunday, April 26, 2009—Woodbury Commons Premium Outlet Shopping: Shop within 220 designer and name brand discount outlets including Gucci, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Nike. Hotel pick-up at 12 noon and returns 6:30pm. Cost $40. www.premiumoutlets.com.

Sunday, April 26, 2009—New York City 3 hour Circle Line Boat Cruise: Discover the entire 35 miles of Manhattan Island, see all 3 rivers, 7 major bridges, 5 boroughs and over 25 world renowned landmarks with a GREAT view of the Statue of Liberty. Hotel pick up at 12 noon and returns at 6pm. Cost $55.

On your own:

The following site has many tours and will give you an idea of what is available to book on your own. www.citysightsny.co

Belleek Convention 2009 Registration Form

Great company, good cheer and beautiful Belleek! Join us!

Please return both pages with all information completed and all fees.

Register by Nov. 1, 2009 to be eligible for a special Belleek drawing! Deadline is Feb. 1, 2009. No refunds of the convention fee of $425US will be made after March 1^st unless there is a replacement registration.

Room price of $139 is for one or two people and includes breakfast for two. If you are interested in sharing a room, please check here and you will be put in touch with others interested in sharing a room.

_____Yes, I am interested in information on a room share.

Please Print

First Name Last Name Email address

Mailing address

City State Zip code/country code

Telephone number

Chapter name:

******************************************************************************************

Convention fee $425US per person. Make check or money order payable to North Jersey Chapter BCIS

Total enclosed $_____________________US.

If paying by credit card, registration is $438US per person to cover the credit card charge.

(circle one) registration fee of $438US VISA or Master Card.

Credit card charges will appear as C2W-Creations, LLC.

Account Number

Expiration Date

Security code on card

Name on card

I authorize the total of $ ____________US to be charged for registration fee/s and the total of $__________US for tour fee/s.

Signature

Mail to: Patricia Hennessey 38 Woodland Drive Brightwaters, NY 11718 USA

Questions: email hennesseypatricia@hotmail.com or call 631-665-4680

Live Auction: Dean Bagnall, Auctioneer

___________________________ Chapter (or individual) will be donating. Designate the proceeds to go to the Degenhardt Scholarship or the proceeds will be split between the scholarship and the future convention.

The piece will be ______________________________________________________________________

______________At this time I do not know what the piece will be.

Chinese Auction

___________________________ Chapter (or individual) will be donating a small piece/s of Belleek.

Convention Roster

______________ No. Do not list my name/contact information in the roster.

_____________ Yes. You may list my name, chapter and contact information in the roster.

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Optional Tours

To book tours it is necessary to pay at the time of registration. If any tours are canceled due to insufficient bookings, refunds will be issued to all who have paid. You will be notified promptly about cancellations. Tour prices are based on 49 participants per tour. Prices may change based on size of the group and other changes in costs. No refunds after March 1^st unless there is a replacement registration.

_______ New York City Tour on Thursday, April 23, 2009, cost of $55US ($58US credit card). Enclosed is $_______ US for ______people, names listed: ______________________________________________________________________________

_______ West Point Tour on Thursday, April 23, 2009, cost of $55US ($58US credit card). Enclosed is $________ US for ______people, names listed: ______________________________________________________________________________

_______ Woodbury Commons Outlet Shopping Tour on Sun. April 26, 2009, cost of $40US ($42US credit card). Enclosed is $_________ US for ______ people, names listed:_____________________________________________________________________________

_______ Circle Line Cruise on Sun. April 26, 2009, cost of $55US ($58US credit card). Enclosed is $__________US for _____people, names listed:

______________________________________________________________________________

Total tour fees enclosed $__________________US.

Same payment arrangements as convention fees. Feel free to combine them in one payment! Credit card charges will appear as C2W-Creations, LLC.

Program Ad Form/Contract

Belleek Collectors’ International Society Convention April 23-26, 2009

Park Ridge Marriott, Park Ridge, NJ

You are invited to take part in the Convention Program!

Reach Belleek Collectors; old friends and new!

The North Jersey Chapter is authorized to insert an advertisement for:

Name of Group/Individual
Name of Contact Person
Address
City, State, Zip
Telephone Number Email

Ad Size, Specifications, Cost for Program Booklet 8.5” wide X 11” high:

	Color Inside Full Page $200.00 Ad size 7.25” wide X 10” high
	Black and White Full Page $100.00 Ad size 7.25” wide X 10” high
	Black and White Half Page $75.00 Ad size 7.25” wide X 4.75” high
	Black and White Quarter Page $50.00 Ad size 3.25” wide X 4.75” high
	Black and White Business Card Size $25.00 Ad size 3.25” wide X 2” high

Space will be reserved in the order applications with payments are received.
If space is not available, you will be contacted.

Place an Ad:

Email a completed application with an electronic (pdf.) ad or a paper copy by Jan. 1, 2009 to: hennesseypatricia@hotmail.com or to the address below.

Payment:

Ads must be paid in full by Jan. 1, 2009 with US money orders or checks payable to North Jersey Chapter BCIS. To pay by credit card please call Pat at 631-665-4680 or provide your credit card information as follows:

I authorize $__________US to be charged for a program ad.

Name on card

Account number Expiration Date

Security code on card

Signature:

Mail to: North Jersey Chapter BCIS

Patricia Hennessey 38 Woodland Drive Brightwaters, NY 11718