Convention Corner

The NCC holds a Convention every year over the fourth weekend in June. Don't make the mistake that our venue once did and assume that it is the last weekend. It is definitely the fourth weekend.

Most of the Convention activities are held at the following location:
Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center
7033 Glenn Highway
Cambridge, OH
but there are a few other locations as well, shown on the map of the Cambridge area.

Convention Dates: June 20 – June 23, 2013

The Convention begins with the Picnic (at the Pritchard-Laughlin Center) on THURSDAY June 20. There will be no Wednesday evening picnic as in the past few years.

This year we have a new Convention Chairperson in the person of Diane Gary.

The theme of this year's Convention is "Happy 40th Birthday NCC". The Convention Schedule and Registration form for 2013 is provided here in PDF format, so you can easily print it. We hope that you will be able to make it to Convention this year.

Messages from the Convention Chairperson

As Convention approaches, the Convention Chairperson will be providing us with updates on the happenings that have been planned. Here is the latest communication:

Do you remember the first piece of Cambridge glass you purchased? Did you buy it just because you liked it, or did you buy it primarily to begin a collection? Did it take time for you to realize all of the glass you purchased had become a collection? Finally, how quickly did you realize you needed to join NCC so that you could congregate with other Cambridge glass collectors?

Questions such as these are the ones you will be answering, as well as the questions you will be asking of others, during the 2013 NCC convention. Why? The answer to that question is because we will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the founding of NCC. Ten Cambridge collectors gathered in 1973 to establish NCC for the purpose of preserving the heritage of glass made by the Cambridge Glass Company. Because of the tremendous foresight and wisdom of those ten Cambridge glass pioneers, today’s members of NCC enjoy an annual convention, an annual glass auction, and a truly beautiful museum.

The celebratory color of a 40th anniversary is ruby; therefore, this convention will focus on Cambridge’s ruby-colored glass – Carmen – and all things red. Three educational programs will be presented during convention – a program led by Frank Wollenhaupt will explain the re-firing process required to create the beautiful red colors of Carmen, Rubina and Sunset, another program led by Les Hansen will focus exclusively on the color of Carmen, and a third program led by Lynn and Martha Swearingen will review Candlelight (both etchings and cuttings). In a new sharing-of-information format, four discussion groups will be led by Grant Giesler (Rose Point), Ron and Halla Kotlarz (Caprice), Jim Finley (Swans), and Will and Bev Acord (Flower Frogs).

Furthermore, the convention glass show and sale will open on Friday and will continue on Saturday and Sunday, and the Glass Dash will take place on Saturday morning. All of these activities should keep you busy, entertained, and educated.

The three glass cases in the Galleria of the Pritchard Laughlin Center will contain displays created by NCC members. In concert with the 40th anniversary theme, Mark Nye will display NCC memorabilia in the case next to the main entry doors to the Exhibit Hall. Ken Filippini will display Carmen – both plain and decorated – in the case on the opposite side of the Galleria. In the case toward the back of the Galleria closest to the concession stand, Jack and Elaine Thompson and Ken and Judy Rhoads will display Rubina and Sunset.

Social activities include the Kick-Off Picnic on Thursday evening, an Italian buffet dinner on Friday evening, and the celebratory banquet on Saturday evening. Please remember to bring your favorite Cambridge goblet to the banquet for toasting purposes. We have many things to toast! A special "Birthday Bash" program will follow the banquet meal on Saturday evening to heartedly celebrate the 40 years of Cambridge glass collecting, of NCC conventions, and of deep friendships. Of course, "Bring and Brag", Glass Identification, and the quarterly business meeting will also be part of convention weekend.

Important Convention Reminders

  1. Bring a full wallet because plenty of glass will be for sale.
  2. Make your hotel reservation early. A softball tournament will be held in Cambridge the same weekend as convention and that, combined with the natural gas exploration in the area, will result in high demand for hotel rooms.
  3. Register early to avoid late fees. Also, please contact Diane Gary (dhgary@msn.com) or make a notation on the registration form if a special meal requirement is needed due to dietary restrictions. Arrangements for an alternative meal will be made if ample notice is provided.
  4. We need additional table centerpieces for the banquet. Viewing the table centerpieces always is enjoyable, and it is amazing to see the beautiful and creative ways that Cambridge glass can be used. Because the convention color is ruby, the centerpieces should emphasize red. Please contact Jeannie Moore at (jeannie_moore@ verizon.net) to volunteer a table centerpiece.

So break out your red shoes, your red lipstick, and all other things red to celebrate in Cambridge, Ohio, on the weekend of June 20–23, 2013.

Directions to Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center

The directions to the Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center are quite simple. To get there, take exit 176 off I-70, follow the road to where it comes to a "T" with US 40, turn right for about a quarter of a mile. The Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center will be on your left. Here is a basic map to the Civic Center.

Lodging Information and Special Convention Rates

Here is a list of Cambridge area motels, B&B's and parks with phone numbers. Our Convention Co-Chairmen have done the footwork for you to get the best rates. You need to call the properties directly and ask for the "Cambridge Glass Convention Rate."