iPuntyRod - March 2001

Club News

February Meeting by Pam Sroka

The meeting was brief but not as brief as it should have been with a guest speaker scheduled. There were a couple of guests, Karen Audet and her son, Marshall. They would like to become members and will attend a few more meetings before they decide to do so. The speaker for the evening, Bill Ladd, did become a member. He said he used to come to the meetings with his father and recognized a few faces, particularly Josie and Pearl.

One of the issues discussed was the fact that someone came into the show as a dealer's helper, we're not sure who okay'd it, bought some items and promptly left. That was hardly fair to the others waiting to get in who were told there was no early admission. The reason we do not have early admission is because the majority of our club members don't want it. I suppose there are a few people who feel that the show would be picked over and don't want to pay the extra cost of early admission, so they just don't come to the show because all of the "good" stuff would be gone. I know if I can't get to a yard sale that advertises bottles early enough, I won't go for the same reasons.

Why not let us know your feelings on this. You can email me at blobtops@aol.com or leave a message on my answering machine 401-647-3585 and let us know how you feel.

Bill Ladd gave an excellent presentation. He brought so much stuff to show that we probably should have booked for a two part session. He had his 15 minutes of fame as you may have seen him on Antiques Roadshow this year. When he was thirteen he used a metal detector in his yard in Charleston, SC and found a couple of slave tags, one from 1800 and the other from around 1851. He has also found indian artifacts, bottles, shark's teeth, and fossils. He must have really good eyesight as some of these things were tiny.

He also found a civil war uniform buckle which was sold to a gentleman who's painting depicted times from the civil war. He wanted his paintings to be accurate, the reason for purchasing the buckle. He also sent Bill one of his paintings depicting a civil war battle.

Bill has a few different interests. He had a video he made of some large balancing rocks. I forget what he called them. Monoliths maybe? The one in his video was the size of a car on top of another huge rock almost the same size. Sandwiched between the two were two or three smaller rocks, roughly grapefruit size. The rocks looked like someone put them there, but rocks the size of cars? Glaciers? Aliens maybe? God sending a message? Bill says these are all theories people have.

Steve Bergquist Voted Into LRBC Hall Of Fame

The following is a letter from Steve Bergquist who was recently inducted into the club's Hall of Fame.

1-19-01

Little Rhody Bottle Club,

I just wanted to thank everyone for the honor of being voted onto the club's Hall of Fame. When I first started collecting beer advertising I met a guy who had some beer bottles, Joe Grenier, a long time club member. He told me about the club and I went to my first meeting at the old bank. There were a couple of other beer collectors in the club at that time. My collecting direction was just beginning. About the same time my cousin Dave Stamp and his friend Dave Andrews dug some bottles on my great aunt's farm in Cranston. They were hooked as well. My first bottles came from a yard sale they had, I remember buying some broken, chipped up crap that I thought looked interesting. I then bought my first Kovels book and began looking for anything I thought looked good. Well, through the years my interests have narrowed down but I still love looking for bottles for myself and others.

I really hated stepping down as President this year but I could not devote the time I wanted to the club. I have tried in the last years to promote the hobby, recruit new members, and build the club and bottle show to the best in New England. As a club we have done a great job with these goals. I wish the new officers the best and will always help in any way. This is a great hobby with great people and I look forward to many more active years with the club. Thanks again for the Hall of Fame nomination.

Steve Bergquist

Membership Dues

A friendly reminder for our members who haven't gotten around to paying their dues yet. You are covered through the end of this month but as of April 1st, your name will be removed from the club roster if you haven't send payment. Dues are still only $10 and a bargain at that. If you would like to renew, please send your payment to: LRBC, P.O. BOX 3411, SO. ATTLEBORO, MA 02703 or come to the meeting.

New "Digging Club" Site

Rob Fahey forwarded this email promoting a new site on the web for diggers and collectors. I took a look and found it to be pretty interesting. Read the following message and if interested just click on the hyperlink to access the site.

Hi there privy diggers! Many of you have already joined the Yahoo Club, "Privy Digger Pit," and thanks! We've got 28 members already. If you haven't done so yet, c'mon aboard! Just copy and paste the following URL into your browser: http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/privydiggerpit If you're a first-time visitor, take a look at what we've been talking about. People are starting to network and hook up for digs with each other. To check out the links, pics, and post a message, click "Join" and follow the steps. Within the next few weeks we will be holding the First Official Privy Digger Summit/Online Chat. Should be extremely interesting. Hope to visit with you soon! Bottlehog

In Memoriam

It is most unfortunate that I must report the passing of one of our charter club members. Walter Babcock passed away at Kent County Hospital on January 4th. Walter and his wife Grace were active in the club until health issues prevented them from attending the meetings.

Our deepest sympathy is extended to Grace and the rest of the Babcock family.

Upcoming Events

April 1 - Portland, ME: New England Antique Bottle Club's 35th Annual Show & Sale; 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM; Italian Heritage Center, 40 Westland Ave.; INFO: Herb Boothby, 267 Day Rd., Lyman, ME 94992, PH: (207) 499-2263 or Jack Pelletier, PH: (207) 839-4389.

April 22 - Rochester, NY: Genessee Valley Bottle Collectors Association's 32nd Annual Show & Sale; 9 AM to 3 PM; Monroe County Fairgrounds Minett Hall, Route 15A & Calkins Road; INFO: Terry Woodhams, PH: (716) 436-5893 or Mike Nolan, PH: (716) 352-5519

May 20 - Sturbridge, MA: Sturbridge Bottle Show & Sale; 10 AM to 2 PM, early buyers $10.00 from 9 AM until 10 AM; Hamilton Rod & Gun Club, Hamilton Rd.; INFO: David Graci, PH: (413) 594-8655 or email at stonebotle@aol.com

Classified Ads

Wanted:

Do you have RI bottles which are not listed in Antique Bottles Of Rhode Island? Or maybe you have a bottle in a color or size that is not listed? If so, please send the information to me for inclusion. Proper credit will be given and all information is greatly appreciated. Send by email to: oaklawn@earthlink.net or write to: David Andrews, 192 Wilbur Ave., Cranston, RI 02921 (Don't forget to check out the book online at http://www.littlerhodybottleclub.com/bottlebook/abofri )
Bottle collections. Always buying pre-1900 bottles and jars as well as painted sodas, milks, crocks, fruit jars, etc. Call Arthur: 401-647-3585
New England utility bottles. Call Rob Fahey: 508-520-4632
Toy marbles. Will pay cash. Call Jerry Biern: 401-826-3933
Bitters, Peppersauce, and Demi-Johns. Call Jan Boyer: 401-539-2051
1/2 gallon spring water bottles with arched slugplate. Preferably with bail and closure. Please call Art: 401-647-3585 or email: blobtops@aol.com
Seltzer water bottles. Wanted in various colors such as red, cobalt, pink, and yellow. Please call Angelo: 401-421-3782
Woonsocket milk bottle - Carl Hendrickson Dairy. Wanted by his granddaughter Donna. Please email her at: dhendrickson@wallace.com.
Pontil Providence bottles. Looking for quality pontilled bottles from RI especially from Providence. Also looking for nice squat sodas i.e. Harvey, Marlor, etc. Please call Gary: 401-862-4200 or email at VMAXwarior@aol.com

For Sale:

Scarce RI fire related bottle!! I have several of these scarce bottles for sale. Click here to see a representative photo. All are in excellent condition with some very light cloudiness inside. Bottles are 5-3/4" tall, clear, cylindrical with an eight paneled mug base and are embossed COMBINATION / LADDER CO. The company was in business beginning in the late 1800's in Providence. Price is $15.00 each (plus $3.95 for shipping). Email inquiries to: oaklawn@earthlink.net.

Please direct comments or corrections to:
dandrews@littlerhodybottleclub.com

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