The 55th New Hampshire Antiques Show is finally here (August 9-11)! The level of excitement is just phrenetic as the last t’s are crossed and i’s dotted to ensure an event like no other during Antiques Week in New Hampshire. Sixty-seven New Hampshire Antique Dealers Association members who have been saving up their best for this premier show at The Center of New Hampshire are ready to shine. Opening day, Thursday morning, is always a rush, with the hundreds of avid collectors lined up inside and outside the venue vying to get to their favorite dealers first. We hope to see you in that line — but if not then, NHADA wants to entice you with a couple of other options.
On Friday August 10 from 2:00-5:00 p.m, New Hampshire Home Magazine will be presenting walking tours of the show floor with nine designers who will talk about decorating with antiques. These tours are free to the general public (although show entrance fee applies). Just come to the NH Home Magazine booth at the show and sign up with a designer who “fits your style.;
On Saturday August 11 from 1pm to show closing, the Board of Directors will be hosting “Member Appreciation Day.” We invite all NHADA members to join us for light refreshments on the floor of the show. Come celebrate and meet with fellow members and talk about (what else?) — antiques! It should prove to be a fun Saturday afternoon doing what we love to do best — talking shop in wonderful surroundings, with old and new friends. Your NHADA membership card gets you into the show for free, as a benefit of membership.
The New Hampshire Antiques Dealers Association will be offering two-for-one passes for the show through our website when you sign up to our email list. As it implies, two tickets for the price of one. Coupons will be emailed two weeks before the show.
Every year, with all the activities surrounding the show, we are seeking NHADA members to volunteer to help out with the various tasks of survey taking, hosting the hospitality table, general ambassadors to visitors and whatever pops up. If you can provide a couple of hours any day Thursday through Saturday, please contact me at NHADAprez@aol.com with the time you have available and I will find something for you to do! Thank you in advance.
Starting August 3, with Northeast Auctions’ Annual Summer Americana Auction and ending the week with The 55th Annual New Hampshire Antiques Show (August 9-11), there is plenty happening during Antiques Week in New Hampshire. A new website has been set up to focus on the week; www.antiquesweeknh.comand offers a show calender, detailed information about the shows, and lodging suggestions. Besides these events, please attempt to visit some of the hundreds of great antiques shops that are in our beautiful state. New Hampshire has a well-deserved reputation for being an antiquing destination, and our shops and shows prove that every day.
NHADA welcomes new members: Prospect Hill Antiques, Essex Junction, VT; Denise Scott Antiques, E, Greenwich, RI; Michael Sylvia, Rochester, MA; and Karen Alexander Antiques, Somers, CT.
We recently received news of the passing of long-time NHADA member Lee Burgess on June 2, 2012, in Bonita Springs, Florida. Lee and her husband Robert were very active members of their community in New London, NH, and exhibited at the August show for many years. They had many friends in the antiques world who were saddened to hear of her passing (Robert died several years ago). Our condolences go out to her family.
There is a lot in this month’s column. If more information is needed, please visit the websites listed, or forward feedback and newsworthy items directly to me at NHADAprez@aol.com. I will make every effort to pass on the latest in New Hampshire antiques happenings. Until next month – happy antiques hunting!
Richard Bojko
Northwood, NH
President, NHADA