2015 Chattanooga National – The FOHBC Banquet

2015 Chattanooga National Antique Bottle Show

The FOHBC Banquet & Awards: Marriott Plaza Ballroom A & B – 6:30 – 8:00 pm

*All Photographs by Mallory Boyle

The traditional cocktail party preceded the FOHBC Awards Banquet and as usual, was the place to rub shoulders, bend your elbow and catch up with your bottle friends from across the country. At 5:15 pm the ballroom doors opened to the music from Glenn Millers Chattanooga Choo-Choo. A great way to start the banquet. Seating was prompt and initial introductions and announcements were made by the show organizers and Federation president.

Three meal choices were served in preparation of the keynote banquet speaker Tom Hicks from Eatonton, Georgia. The great southern storyteller, who spoke on his “Adventures in the Hobby,” captivated everyone. Another highlight of the banquet was the FOHBC Hall of Fame award that was given to Ralph Finch from Farmington Hills, Michigan. Ralph engaged the crowd, as he usually does, with his colorful way of speaking and reminiscing about his many years in the hobby and his global quest and love of antique glass. Yes, he spoke about target balls too.

Banquet keynote speaker Tom Hicks.

FOHBC 2015 Hall of Fame recipient Ralph Finch

More awards were given to the Federation clubs which included, Club Newsletter, Greater Buffalo Bottle Collectors Association (Buffalo, N.Y.), THIRD PLACE, “Traveler’s Companion”, editor: Craig Maefs, Mohawk Valley Antique Bottle Club (Utica, N.Y.), SECOND PLACE, “Bottles Along the Mohawk”, editor: Jon Landers and the Ohio Bottle Club, FIRST PLACE, “The Ohio Swirl”, editors Phyllis and Adam Koch. For Show Flyer awards, Genesee Valley Bottle Collectors Association (Rochester, N.Y.), THIRD PLACE, designer Aaron Weber, Ohio Bottle Club, SECOND PLACE designers: Matt Lacy and Louis Fifer and North Star Historical Bottle Association (Minneapolis, Minn.), FIRST PLACE, designer Steve Ketcham. For Web Site awards: Genesee Valley Bottle Collectors Association, THIRD PLACE, James Bartholomew, webmaster, North Star Historical Bottle Association SECOND PLACE, Steve Ketcham, webmaster and Ohio Bottle Club, FIRST PLACE, Alan DeMaison, webmaster. The three Articles-Research/Information awards went to Mike Bryant, author, THIRD PLACE “How Well Do You Know Your Fellow Club Members?”, published in “The Bottleneck”, Mike Bryant, author SECOND PLACE “Aztec Brewery Murals”, published in “The Bottleneck” and Jack Sullivan, author, FIRST PLACE, “Uncovering Lima’s National Wine Company”, published in “The Ohio Swirl”. Best True Story awards: Mike Bryant, author, THIRD PLACE “Promoting Our Show in the West Indies and Cuba” published in “The Bottleneck”, Mike Bryant, author, SECOND PLACE “John Crihfield, The King of San Diego Breweriana” published in “The Bottleneck” and Ed Stewart, author, FIRST PLACE “Don’t Dig Up the Dead Dog” published in the “Oklahoma Territory News”. The Best Original Fictional Story awards went to Mike Bryant, author, SECOND PLACE “Ask Aunt Blabby”, published in “The Bottleneck” and Jim Bender, author, FIRST PLACE, “A Weekend to Remember” published in “Bottles and Extras”.

THIRD PLACE, “Traveler’s Companion”, editor: Craig Maefs, Mohawk Valley Antique Bottle Club (Utica, N.Y.)

Jack Sullivan, author, FIRST PLACE, “Uncovering Lima’s National Wine Company”, published in “The Ohio Swirl”.

Benny Baldwin picking up an award for the Ohio Bottle Club, FIRST PLACE, “The Ohio Swirl”, editors Phyllis and Adam Koch

Jim Berry accepting an award for the Mohawk Valley Antique Bottle Club (Utica, N.Y.)

North Star Historical Bottle Association SECOND PLACE, Steve Ketcham, webmaster

Mike Bryant, San Diego Bottle Club, winner of many awards.

Group picture of just a few of the FOHBC Club award winners. Left to right: Louis Fifer, Alan DeMaison, Phillis and Adam Koch, Jack Sullivan and Matt Lacy.

The special President’s Award was given to Jim Bender (Sprakers, N.Y.) for his outstanding service as FOHBC club Historian, his work in writing articles about the National Bottle Museum and The Bininger Man – Jack Pelletier and Michael Anderson – A Man with Everything Figural’d Out and his work with Bob Strickhart in securing a location for our 2017 National Antique Bottle Convention in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Jim Bender picking up the President’s Award

Ferdinand Meyer V receiving a Special Recognition Award from the FOHBC Board Members.

A special award was given to yours truly from the FOHBC board for outstanding service or something like that. This was a surprise as usually the president presides and lets all the great supporters do the work. Anyway, I was honored. Thank you. I told the crowd that my wife, grandkids and dogs were my bosses at home and that I reported to the membership and board of directors in my position. A lot of work but a lot of help. When you love what you do, it makes it so much easier.

Liz Maxbauer (left) winner of the Choo Choo Hat Contest. Alicia Booth was the judge awarding a Success to the Railroad historical flask in honor of her late husband Tom Booth. John Pastor on right.

Janet Finch, winner of a special drawing.

A special Success to the Railroad flask was given to the hat contest winner by Alicia Booth from Houston, Texas who donated the flask in honor of her late husband Tom Booth. Liz Maxbauer from New Hudson, Michigan won the award with what looked like a spur-of-the-moment concoction. Lastly, a $100 gift certificate was announced to be spent at the show and the “See Rock City” table centerpieces that were filled with sweets, were awarded to each table group with an “X” marked in tape on their chair leg. Pretty cool. A great evening that went too fast. Now we all pretty much scurried over to the Chattanooga Convention Center for the Battle of Chattanooga bottle competition.