Posted 6/27/2004 4:16:34 PM by Editor
News from Editor viewed 983 times
Sunday, June 27, 2004 - Pigeon Forge, TN
A tip of the hat to Bart Iddins and his committee for a job well done.
The 2004 CFA convention was a real winner. Pigeon Forge offered a number of entertainment options in addition to the convention itself. The meeting facility was excellent and perfect for our size group. The hotel accomodations were outstanding. The seminars were informative and entertaining. The Hometown Edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus exceeded all of our expectations. Very strong program. The closing banquet was a treat and Bill Hall as the dinner speaker was a real winner. A tip of the hat to Bart Iddins and his committee for a job well done. Ed Limbach
....the Pigeon Forge Convention was a REAL WINNER in every respect from the opening gavel to the Sat. evening windup with Magic....it was truly magical throughout. The seminars were all very well presnted with panache and expertise. The extras were outstanding and pretty well attended by all. The Hotel was First class and even the prayers as given by a truly ecumenical host of "men of the cloth" who are our brother Circus Fans...were strong and meaningful....and topped off at the very end by the singing of the "Lord's Prayer" by our outgoing Pres. Bart Iddins.A sawdust highlite....the Hometown Edition of RBB&B in Johnson City which is just plain "full of pizzazz" by talented performers...and the erstwhile knowledgeable sharing of love of the Circus by Bill Hall....all these wonderful events and happenings took place with the guidance of just 5 CFA members...which says something about the Circus Fans of America. For those who were unable to be there for whatever reason...we missed you...but what is sad...you missed " The Greatest Convention on Earth"......................Circusly Dist. 9 Director Paul Pugh
Howdy CFA Members: My pointed cap's off to Bart Iddins and his committee! Bart's ever-present smile & jovial persona were contagious. As for me, my daughter & son-in-law, we had a great time at the convention. From the Dixie Stampede show (drinking soup from a bowl with finger-lickin fixins), the comedy which included our own Ward Hall, informative meetings & seminars to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Hometown Edition Circus who provided us with cake & time for personal visits. We even found time to catch some of the local attractions, like the Veterans Museum. Folks, the convention is our time to meet & greet Fans from near & far. Mark July 13-16, 2005 on you calendar and start making your plans for a trip to Seattle, Washington. Comunicate with others you know if you want to save $'s and strengthen friendships - share your hotel room or driving expenses. See you down the road.
Roberta "Bert" Davis-Sporrer
Congratulations to Bart Iddins, Chuck book and committee members for such a great CFA convention. It is impressive that so few could organize and run such an informative and fun filled meeting in such a short period of time. The accommodations were excellent, seminars interesting and the hospitality shown to the CFA members by the Ringling Gold staff and performers could not have been better. Our sincere thanks to all involved. Other than getting lost in the Tennessee mountains while trying to locate Bart's mason jar supplier, we had a fantastic time.
Don Curtis, Easter V.P. & Ann Bartges
My wife and I went to the CFA Convention in Pigeon Forge and both of us throughly enjoyed ourselves. We brought our dog, Lady, with us, so stayed at the King's Holly Haven with our motorhome, next door to Chuck and Connie Book, who were on the registration committee, and did a wonderful job. Donna and I did the same task at the 2002 Model Builders Convention in Peru, IN., and know for sure all the work that went into that task. The registration for the convention went smoothly and they were great hosts. Both my wife and I have nothing but good things to say about Bart Iddins. He made the convention a"Layed Back" wonderfully relaxing vacation for us.
We tried to take in all the activities that we could, and met many of our old friends, as well as met new friends. We enjoyed the Black Bear Jamborie, Country Tonight, The Comedy Barn, the Dixie Stampede and of course, we attended Ringlings Gold Unit, Hometown Edition. Peggy Williams, as always, did a wonderful job of entertaining our entire group, ending the evening with cake and visits with the entire cast. We had a special treat, in that, Dorothy Kelly ( Paul Kelly Circus, Peru, IN) asked us to say hi to her niece and nephews, Christine, Joe and Nicholas Bruno, who are members of the Circus band. They visited with us and were quite hospitable and friendly. Sara Gordon, daughter of Sheelagh Jones is presently working as a teacher for the unit, and has Nicholas Bruno in her class. On the way to the Gold Unit, we had an opportunity to holler HI, to "Vern", as Harmen Lyzenga had you on the cell phone. Sorry we missed you.
The seminars, as we are sure you have already been told, were fantastic. As Clyde Beatty has been my hero all my life, and certainly has everything to do with the beginnings of my love for the circus, I am a bit prejudiced as to which seminar I liked the most!
Although my wife and I have attended many Model Builders Conventions, we were First of Mays at the CFA Convention, and we were not dissappointed.
Everyone should be giving plenty thanks to Bart Iddins for doing a wonderful job. By the way, he sang The Lords Prayer at the banquet, and it was fantastic. Thanks, Bart.
Wayne & Donna Scheiner
Pigeon Forge Convention "Sleeper Convention of the Century" Still wonder how Bart Iddins and his convention Committee pulled it off. For the Fans that didn't attend you missed a great time...Hats Off to Bart Iddins and his Committee. I'm so glad that they included two full hours for Animal Issues. David P. Orr
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