As I have long said, this has to be the greatest small show in the universe, only it is not so small anymore. As we arrived, I was greeted by Henry Gostony, he and his wife, as well as George and Michelle Fischer, made the trip from Arizona. We shortly ran into Joel and Diana Hamilton and Sherrell Tyree. By evening, Sharon and I had hooked up, too, with our Bay Area contingent. John Strother with Deb and her friend Pat, Alan and Susan Brookings, Bill Forbess, Saul and Barbara Kitchener were all there for drinks and munchies Thursday night.
Friday began relatively early, at around 9:00 in the John Steinbach Room of the hotel. Brian Johnstone and Maja Furlong made up the early advance contingent from BC. By midmorning, Saul, me, Joel, Alan Brookings, and John were set up in one corner of the room, shortly we were joined by others, including Stuart Hawkinson, Gail, and a few others locally. Ms. Carla (Mortensen) ably assisted by John Schwab and Michael Yeats (bowman extraordinaire) and others presided with their usual grace and aplomb. Sam and Frank Fiorella and their niece Kyla, came in during the course of the day as did nibmeister Greg Minuskin. Other sellers filtered in throughout the day, so that by day’s end and the first of the famous receptions, this hosted by the Portland Pen Club, the rooms were quite crowded. Before the reception, Jim Marshall read a proclamation from Portland mayor Tom Potter, welcoming us to the city, and with that the reception began. Despite travel problems, Kim Sosin made it in from Omaha, early Friday, but Faye Pearce and Joanne Thompson did make it until later in the day.
Now a reception at Portland does not mean a few crackers and dried out chunks of Co Jack cheese. There was, to be sure, a cheese platter with Stilton, Brie, and herbed chevre cheeses. There were scallop and sashimi appetisers, crab cakes and prawns. Some folks partook of the veggie platter, and everyone had at least one too many of the white and dark chocolate dipped strawberries.
For most of us that was dinner. Today, I promise to unleash the camera and capture images from my favoritest pen show ever. For those within two hundred miles, it’s not too late.
Full Version: Greetings from Portland
QUOTE (Rick Propas @ Jul 12 2008, 06:48 AM) 
As I have long said, this has to be the greatest small show in the universe, only it is not so small anymore. As we arrived, I was greeted by Henry Gostony, he and his wife, as well as George and Michelle Fischer, made the trip from Arizona. We shortly ran into Joel and Diana Hamilton and Sherrell Tyree. By evening, Sharon and I had hooked up, too, with our Bay Area contingent. John Strother with Deb and her friend Pat, Alan and Susan Brookings, Bill Forbess, Saul and Barbara Kitchener were all there for drinks and munchies Thursday night.
Friday began relatively early, at around 9:00 in the John Steinbach Room of the hotel. Brian Johnstone and Maja Furlong made up the early advance contingent from BC. By midmorning, Saul, me, Joel, Alan Brookings, and John were set up in one corner of the room, shortly we were joined by others, including Stuart Hawkinson, Gail, and a few others locally. Ms. Carla (Mortensen) ably assisted by John Schwab and Michael Yeats (bowman extraordinaire) and others presided with their usual grace and aplomb. Sam and Frank Fiorella and their niece Kyla, came in during the course of the day as did nibmeister Greg Minuskin. Other sellers filtered in throughout the day, so that by day's end and the first of the famous receptions, this hosted by the Portland Pen Club, the rooms were quite crowded. Before the reception, Jim Marshall read a proclamation from Portland mayor Tom Potter, welcoming us to the city, and with that the reception began. Despite travel problems, Kim Sosin made it in from Omaha, early Friday, but Faye Pearce and Joanne Thompson did make it until later in the day.
Now a reception at Portland does not mean a few crackers and dried out chunks of Co Jack cheese. There was, to be sure, a cheese platter with Stilton, Brie, and herbed chevre cheeses. There were scallop and sashimi appetisers, crab cakes and prawns. Some folks partook of the veggie platter, and everyone had at least one too many of the white and dark chocolate dipped strawberries.
For most of us that was dinner. Today, I promise to unleash the camera and capture images from my favoritest pen show ever. For those within two hundred miles, it's not too late.
Friday began relatively early, at around 9:00 in the John Steinbach Room of the hotel. Brian Johnstone and Maja Furlong made up the early advance contingent from BC. By midmorning, Saul, me, Joel, Alan Brookings, and John were set up in one corner of the room, shortly we were joined by others, including Stuart Hawkinson, Gail, and a few others locally. Ms. Carla (Mortensen) ably assisted by John Schwab and Michael Yeats (bowman extraordinaire) and others presided with their usual grace and aplomb. Sam and Frank Fiorella and their niece Kyla, came in during the course of the day as did nibmeister Greg Minuskin. Other sellers filtered in throughout the day, so that by day's end and the first of the famous receptions, this hosted by the Portland Pen Club, the rooms were quite crowded. Before the reception, Jim Marshall read a proclamation from Portland mayor Tom Potter, welcoming us to the city, and with that the reception began. Despite travel problems, Kim Sosin made it in from Omaha, early Friday, but Faye Pearce and Joanne Thompson did make it until later in the day.
Now a reception at Portland does not mean a few crackers and dried out chunks of Co Jack cheese. There was, to be sure, a cheese platter with Stilton, Brie, and herbed chevre cheeses. There were scallop and sashimi appetisers, crab cakes and prawns. Some folks partook of the veggie platter, and everyone had at least one too many of the white and dark chocolate dipped strawberries.
For most of us that was dinner. Today, I promise to unleash the camera and capture images from my favoritest pen show ever. For those within two hundred miles, it's not too late.
Sorry not out there. Hope to see you guys in Wasington.
d
I snuck in late today and nabbed a few small items from the Pendomonium table. It was late though (close to 5pm) and I'm not sure if I saw everything I needed to see. I may show up again tomorrow.
Well, this was far and away the best Portland show, from every standpoint. Had a great time seeing everyone, sold some great pens, got some great pens, ate well--too well. In fact I gained two pounds, which I had avoided thus far on the trip. But the razor clams at Higgins on Saturday night were terrific and the paella at Lauro on Sunday was as good.
On Sunday, the show was a bit more relaxed and there was less of a public presence, but I was able to do a bit more buying and selling to cap off the weekend.
If you haven't been to Portalnd, you have missed five great pen shows. If you haven't been to Portland, you need to make plans for next year. Carla Mortensen, supported by the Portland Pen Club has done a superb job of c reating one of the finest pen shows in existence, one that just keeps getting better and better.
For us, next stop, Ashland.
On Sunday, the show was a bit more relaxed and there was less of a public presence, but I was able to do a bit more buying and selling to cap off the weekend.
If you haven't been to Portalnd, you have missed five great pen shows. If you haven't been to Portland, you need to make plans for next year. Carla Mortensen, supported by the Portland Pen Club has done a superb job of c reating one of the finest pen shows in existence, one that just keeps getting better and better.
For us, next stop, Ashland.
I agree with Rick.Other than a few vendors that didn't show up,it was a great show and filled up more than last year. I only came away with some ink that Sam from Pendemonium sold me.Really happy that they brought some Diamine as i find it rarely.Also stocked up on another bottle of Stipula Muschiato Moss green.Thats all.No pens.
I know,i know.All those pens and nothing came home with me.
Maybe next year!!
It was really happy to meet up with some FPN members.That made it all worthwhile!!
Jim
I know,i know.All those pens and nothing came home with me.
Maybe next year!!
It was really happy to meet up with some FPN members.That made it all worthwhile!!
Jim
Yes, this was quite the show, third one for me. Being a newbie to FPN, I didn't think of checking this forum before heading over there. Maybe I'll meet some of you next year.
I did meet several people who were quite helpful, but due to time constraints didn't get a chance to see any presentations.
Walked away with a new blue Lamy All Star from Pendemonium and found a nib for my Esterbrook which was scratchy after dropping.
I don't remember seeing any Visconti tables this year. I seem to remember a pretty flashy display in the past.
Al
I did meet several people who were quite helpful, but due to time constraints didn't get a chance to see any presentations.
Walked away with a new blue Lamy All Star from Pendemonium and found a nib for my Esterbrook which was scratchy after dropping.
I don't remember seeing any Visconti tables this year. I seem to remember a pretty flashy display in the past.
Al
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