The Annual Weekend commenced with table display set-ups on Friday afternoon, Society branches from Hamilton, Mississauga, Norland and Members-at-Large were represented. The meeting room was convivial and the table space was plentiful. With help from members from all the branches the program, and leather pieces for the workshops were stuffed into envelopes and a Welcome Table (of sorts) was established manned by volunteers. The evening workshop was covering steel blocks with leather to be used as pattern weights. The Fellows took to Judging the entries starting at 9:45 PM and continued while the workshop was on.
Saturday’s Business Meeting was completed in time to send groups to visit Tundra Leather on King Street, while the groups were shuttling, lunch was available in the Paparella’s. The afternoon program was a busy one for our 27 attendees with two workshops, a pivoting Card Case and a small Folded Leather Tray. The ticket sales were brisk for the “luna” table (white elephant donations) and the Presidents Table with donations from Life Members, Sustaining Members, Branch Presidents, and Generous Businesses. See list of the Contributors below. The sale of large cutting boards added to the proceeds. While the raffles and projects continued our hard working members were graced by two beautiful North American Kestrels, visiting with their Owner/Handlers, Mark and Sandra. The attendees were able to see the birds at close range and observe them feeding.
The Banquet was an excellent buffet style meal that fed 38 people plus Smokey & the Bandit. The Ribbons for Craftsmanship, Salon and category Prizes were handed out (see the list on the website). When the coffee was pouring, Mark and Sandra shared their experience and leatherwork that comes with Falconry. They then displayed two Harris Hawks, we observed them feeding and preening, the beautiful birds were the highlight of the evening.
On Sunday, the workshops continued with a sewn rotary punch cover w/snap closure. Some members worked on finishing the projects from the other days.
The 67th Annual General Meeting Weekend was a success bringing together our members and contributing a small profit to the Society.
