The Past couple of weeks has us right in the center of some great decoys shows here in the Mid-Atlantic. First we had the first ever "Meet the Carvers" show at the Barrier Islands Center http://www.barrierislandscenter.com/ in Machipongo Virginia. The excellent staff there managed to get some of the best carvers of the past 50 plus years assembled in one place for a 3 hour show with some local beers and wine from Chatham Vineyards.
I was somehow expecting 50 invitees, but was pleasantly surprised with the 150 plus turnout (I think there was even a wait list for tickets). I had a wonderful time meeting all of the great folks who showed up to enjoy such a special evening. The food was excellent, and if you haven't had Chatham Vineyard's wine, you might think twice about VA wines. I don't think that we could have been better received, and I was honored to be among such great carvers. We were all honored to have such a great outpouring of support from the local community and guests from mainland VA and all the way from Delaware. I'm hoping that we can make this an annual event.
But once done in Machipongo, it was time to get a good night's rest, and get back to work for the Easton Waterfowl Festival. The festival is like final exams. The McNair children grew up at the shows, and it has been a mainstay in our calendar. It is the biggest show we go to, and often makes our year. Kind of like our Black Friday, ideally.
For me, this would be my first show that I actually exhibited by myself. I had always just shown up with some birds in a basket, but working at it full time, I decided to fork over the $25 and get myself a space, well I actually forked over $50 for two spaces. I showed up Wednesday with the Team. By the "Team", I mean I got my buddies to come up with me. One of my best friends works in the family business in Willis Wharf, VA. They grow Swansecott oysters in Hog Island Bay. I convinced him to come up and shuck oysters to promote his brand and have a little synergy with the McNair Brand. Also included were Parke Atkinson and Scott Hubbard, duck hunters and decoy fans, who got to come to their first decoy show as well. We were oh so lucky to have 70 degree sunny weather in mid-November. The parking lot was full of vendors and we had a busy afternoon. I suppose if you are giving away some of the finest salt oysters around, it is pretty easy to make friends. Brian, Parke and Scott had a good time at their first show, and left some memorable impressions. I think the best moment of the day was when Brian called one Dick McIntyre out on how to sell a certain bird. I can't really put the specifics into this family friendly blog, but if you know either of those two, you might be able to imagine. John Sullivan came by to hang out for a bit, and we came up with a new style of neckwear, showing off some Cobb Island inspired rootheads. I think it is going to be all the rage with the Brooklyn and Portland hipsters.
The rest of my ESVA team had to go back by the next morning, but not before a nice dinner and a visit to the best hosts in town at the Trumpeter Swan antiques later that evening. We didn't set up Thursday in the parking lot, the weather turned, and I was mostly out of things to sell. Oh, and the Trumpeter Swan evening finished off most of my next morning.
I spent the rest of the weekend about town, in the Buy, Sell, Swap and Artifacts at the high school. We had another nice dinner at our rental house with the McMasters. Colin and I went on a little trip to check out a collection outside of town and finished up the weekend at the Tidewater.
I am back in Charlottesville VA. My wife and I bought a house here, so she can follow her career as a newly minted Montessori Teacher. I have my own shop which I am filling up with all of my own tools, and trying to keep warm while I upgrade the electric up from the two outlets and lack of insulation. Right now it is Christmas orders, a few working decoys to upgrade the rig, and starting to put together a great group of birds to bring to the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition SEWE Charleston at the Audubon Gallery for my first ever show (also featuring Mark McNair, Gordon Allen, Tom Boozer and Ronnie Riddle) in February.