Newsletter cnt'd page 2 December 1977
Hycroft 1977

Potters came from far and near to participate in our 12th Annual
Sale at Hycroft. Gio Heizmann came the farthest 1 think, brought
beautiful wood fired pots and gave generously of her time and nelp.

Uur convenors Barbara Barron and Gene barker had been busy for
months planning ali the details and were on hand for three full
days and Saturday morning to keep everything running smoothly.

Trudi Bergstrom, our social convenor, was on hand for the duration
of the sale, providing delicious refreshments for the many workers.
It certainly helped to keep up our morale, many thanks Trudi.

Sales were down frow last year- ~ly,120.60 as compared to 24,000.
This was due to the inclement weather wuich reduced attendance,
also to the fact that fewer potters entered. However we think sales
were very good- last years increase had been the greatest ever so
we shouldn't really expect that every year. The Guild's portion
of the profits was 4860.00.

Art Polberg, assisted by Andrew Cammidge, Angus Grant, bill Hatley
xen Barron and -Gordon Thorlaksson set up the stands on Wednesday
and took them down saturday morning with the nelp of Neil and
Willie Heesterman and Kon White. Angus trucked tne stands to the
gerage we have rented for storage. Finding safe storage space for
them has been one of oue perennial problems. Our earnest appreciation
goes to all of these folks who helped with this heavy task, I'u sure
' the peace and quiet enjoyed who worked checking, in pots on
Thursday. In. previous years this was done wnile the stands were put
up and it was pretty hectic to say the least. Lona Senior organized
the checking in crew, ably assisted by Johann Polberg who was there ~
all day long. She is so efficient at this job after many years of
participation, and like her husbend Art has become an indispensable
part of Hycroft. Checking in is a very important and sometimes very
tedious and infuriating job. Many tuanks to all who helped handle
all those pots.

Marjorie Johnston, sheila White, Hanna srristmanson, Pat MeCullagh,
and Beverly Weaver set up the display. uwirying to create an attractive
presentation of all tiiose pots is so wean task and we think they did
a great job.

Brenda Davie organized the sales staff in two nour shifts. This
reauires at least sixty people. she first few hours are a great rush
and very exciting. we worked like beavers, listing and wrapping. I
had the most efficient wrapper, out I won't tell you who she is as
I've got her lined up for next year!! Thanks Brenda for looking after
this isuportant part oi tne sale.

vuring the sale Iris smith, Barbara Beach and Judy Burke were checking
off the sales books and Iris was able to tell us tne total sales
wien it was all over. Cory stewart our treasurer, arrived later iu
tue day to help us handle the cash. They had overything sorted out
in a few days and Cory got the cheques in the mail. We certainly
did appreciate Iris coming from Victoria to help us. She has done
this job tor many years and is the last word in efficiency.

On bavurday morning Elsbeth saird and her crew were on hand to
ecueck out the unsold pots. host of the excitement has gone by then
and those tinal chores, like moving all tne furniture back into tne
ballroom, are just plain hard work. Those peo le wno were there every
day are exhausted. What would we do without them?. We are most
graverul tor their aedication. So many people have helped tnat it is
iiipossi .© to mention them all, but we know who tney are aud truly
appreciate their contribution to the sale,

the guiid's share of the vrofits will provide us with the funds
necessary to carry on tne year's activities. We snould ali PeeL very
proud that through our own efforts we are able to provide an annucl
exhibition, workshops, publish tue Wesucsm router, a monthly news
detter and gnerally be independent of outside nelp. In many ways
Hyeroft gives us a snot in the arm. Just seeing all those potters
working togetnes for the common good is very neart warming. And it
is great fun to meet old fricnds again, see the progress they have
made in the past year and just have a good friendly time for a few
daysSe

veorgina Hughes