Antiquarians Welcome Roadshow Regular

Lee Beck, Gale Main, Sarah Spratling and Suzy Stevenson served as hostesses for the morning coffee gathering. They arranged for more than 60 members -- old and new -- to enjoy some social time in the museum's rotunda before adjourning to hear the collecting tips their guest often takes to the road to offer.
As they moved to the Wilson Auditorium, the group's president, Catherine Wood-
son, introduced historian and past president Susan Samuel. Susan took the opportunity to read excerpts from a 1961 letter written by Louise Sizemore, the first president of the society in Montgomery. As she marked the end of her term as the society's leader, she had included an acknowledgement that Antiquarians was established in part to cultivate 'an appreciation for art and objects of art.'
The Antiquarian Society was formed to create and support interest in antique furniture, decorative arts, architecture and landscape design. Society members demonstrate the desire to learn more about the subjects, rotate to serve as meeting hostesses throughout the year, and entertain a variety of guests
who enlighten them on the areas of focus.
Antiques on the road

Jean Belt, the group's vice-president and program chairman, introduced the guest speaker, J. Michael Flanigan. Flanigan, who is regularly featured on 'Antiques Roadshow,' is an appraiser for the popular PBS show.
Following up on a recommendation from another Antiquarian group, Jean made contact with Flanigan, who graciously consented to fly from his home in Baltimore to treat members to a lively and informative presentation entitled, 'Tales from the Road: The Changing Face of Collecting in America.'
Flanigan, a private dealer in Baltimore, has been a collector for 28 years, and has done extensive conservator work for museums and historical societies. As the administrator of the Kaufman Americana Foundation, he oversaw the exhibition and wrote the catalogue for the only private collection of American decorative arts that the National Gallery of Art in Washington has ever exhibited.
In Montgomery, he used a presentation of slides to provide the Antiquarians with tips on collecting, and guidelines on trying to predict what the market will want 20 years from now if one is interested in investing in items for the future. He also discussed what is and is not collectable and why, using the dress worn by Marilyn Monroe the night she sang 'Happy Birthday Mr. President' to JFK, and why it sold for a very high amount, as an example.
Flanigan, who has been with 'Antiques Roadshow' since its inception, also shared several interesting stories about his experiences. He gave a brief history of how the show came to the U.S. after its great success in Britain.
His appearance in Montgomery was especially important to Antiquarian Nan Rosa who had appeared on the show. As guests are selected by lottery since nearly 50,000 people regularly request tickets, Nan was fortunate to have one of her antique chairs reviewed during the taping of a show in Mobile.
The episode, which was rerun on PBS two weeks ago, was mentioned at the museum gathering as Nan's daughter, Mary Nelms Parsons, was welcomed as a new member of the Antiquarian Society along with Catherine Davis, Elizabeth Hunter, Camilla Prince, Gloria Rawlings, Katherine Rees, Jenny Simpson, Emelyn Sullivan, Anne Tidmore, Winston Wilson and Cissy Worrell.
A seasonal gathering

Prior to the meeting, they wore special urn-shaped nametags accented with hydrangea sprigs as they were greeted in the Rotunda to enjoy morning beverages and a scrumptious assortment of goodies amid a special fall ambiance.
Sarah Spratling created a large centerpiece for the event that served as a beautiful autumnal focal point for the area. She selected a knarled twig pedestal that was filled with natural fall branches, pyracanthea, coffee beans, millet, beauty berry, and leaves -- many of which were gathered from the farm grounds of hostess Suzy Stevenson.
It stood on the food table where hostesses' quilts served as overlays, and where pumpkins were positioned amid cups and saucers. Members selected red pepper pimento cheese sandwiches, brownies, cheese straws, open-faced cucumber and tomato sandwiches, almonds and miniature carrot cupcakes, all displayed on the hostesses' collection of fall-motif ceramic trays.
Congratulating the new members and enjoying the special occasion were past Antiquarian presidents Bettie Scott, Elizabeth Mazyck, Marguerite Wood, Joan Loeb, Bette Cole, Kita Culpepper, Dot Dickson, Jane McFadden, Sandra Patrick, Winnie Stakely and Jean Goodwyn.
Among those also enjoying the social time and presentation were Ilouise Hill and her daughters, Nancy Bradford and Lee Beck; Kitty Marks and her daughters, Lucy Luquire and Catherine Woodson; Ann Blackmon and her daughter, Lang Cardinal; Priscilla Thornton, Laura Harmon, Ginny Cumbus, Linda Benkwith, Minnie Lee Gill, Fairlie Herron, Nicky Armstrong, Maureen Brittain, Elizabeth Byram; Kappy Doe, Sister and Liz Englehardt; Diane Henig, Elizabeth Hill Lucie Lee Lanoux, Palmer Smith, Sheila Starling; Polly Williamson and her mother, Nancy Williamson; Elizabeth Thetford, Lulie Grant and May Ethel Gross.
The organization's special events chairwoman, Nancy Seale, was also among those there. As a travel agent, Nancy has organized several 'road trips' for the Antiquarians and other individuals and groups. This year, the interested collectors are planning an April sojourn to Asheville, N.C., to continue a tradition of a spring travel experience.
Red Hats tailgate

Though not actually at the sidelines of an Alabama vs. Auburn football game, the Fountain City Red Hat Belles were ready to cheer up a storm on a recent Saturday morning. Dressed in the colors of their favorite teams, they demonstrated lots of school spirit during a special tailgate party hosted at the Pratt Park Pavilion, their make-shift stadium for the day.
Members of the Red Hat Society group had received ticket-style invitations to the gathering, and they arrived ready to chow-down and party for the day in Prattville. Event hostesses Gail Johnson, Fran Olson and Iris Peters welcomed their friends, while a DJ played fight songs and other selections to pump up the excitement.
Though there was no actual game in play that morning, you would have never known it by the group's hours of fun. Gail, Fran and Iris had adorned the pavilion in the colors of red, white, blue and orange, and accented it with tigers and elephants of all shapes and sizes. Pom poms and footballs were everywhere as friends sat in a circle, sipped lemonade coolers and prom dress patterns enjoyed baked olives, Tex Mex dip and a sing along with the DJ.
Their game-day meal was served tailgate-style from the backs of two vans. Beef kabobs had been cooked on-site by Frank Johnson, Bob Olson and spanish dress Bill Dean, and were enjoyed with a variety of salads, fruits and rolls. To top it all off, cupcakes were offered that had been decorated in Alabama and cinderella dress up games Auburn colors.
Red Hat members enjoying the event included Joanne Anderson, Odette Johnson, Diana Minter, Joyce Smith, Martha Smith, Rhonda SummerlinJody Welling, the group's Queen Mom.
Deborah Hayes Moore writes about society news for the Montgomery Advertiser. She may be reached by voicemail at 956-0254, by fax at 288-6404, or by e-mail at dmouginsaol.com.


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