cozee
Member
How many here attended the first MPG that will be attending the MPG this April? I will be there and for sentimental reasons, would like to get a group picture. Yeah, I know, Cozee sentimental??!! LOL!!!
Page 4 of PR Princess response has all the pics I remember. Even the round table discussionFirst year was at the Phillips Recreation Center in Urbana. 2007. Reading back through the original thread of the first MPG stirred my heart. I was truly overwhelmed at the attendance and States represented and the growth in the following years. My hat is still off to my son Terrence, my wife Dawn, the rest of my family who pitched in, and Ron Baker who had helped us move the event to the Local #44 building. I am also still grateful for those who stepped up for the demos. I have some pictures somewhere that I will set up for a little display in April. I remember the round table well, I especially remember the looks on a few faces when I asked them at the event to be a part of it!! It was hard for me to make the decision to pass on the reigns but I knew if I didn't, I would be it's downfall because personal issues where leading me in a different direct in life at that time. I knew Rich would take care of it and and here it is today. I want to take everyone who has in any way helped to make it what it is today. y'all are awesome!
That first meeting was wicked awesome!! It's amazing how many people are still around after all these years.
Not sure what year I was there either, but do remember it being in a smaller building than the Carpenter's Hall... My wife's daughters both lived in Champagne/Urbana.. one in each city and we stayed with the daughter in Champagne, before she moved to Mohamet. I remember pigging out on the poppers... one of my favorite snacks... remember Ed Brown's demo on turning plastics... improved my turning tremendously... don't remember Ron Mc there, but remember meeting him in Marietta, GA at another gathering... was a long time ago, but was a good time.
I've given up on pens myself, not much market for them here, but still a pretty prolific turner, bowls and pepper mills.