Our Grand Opening of Kaleidoscope Shop took place on the weekend of Sept. 22, 23, 24. The kick-off event was a marvelous buffet dinner hosted by the talented couple who make the charming, personality-plus Little People kaleidoscopes, Jim and June Mindrup. A stunning array of delicious dishes was beautifully laid out in their lovely home, and everyone quickly revived body and spirit after the sometimes tiring trips by car or plane. Twenty-seven artists (including four wives of artists), a group of Brewster Society members, assorted members of our immediate family, AND COZY BAKER HERSELF, made up the enthusiastic group of scopies, hailing from fourteen different states! After dinner, all were on hand for the evening reception held in the new shop in Briarcliff Village. The old Wurlitzer player-piano-organ-with-chimes, which had been brought in from its old home in the Veranda, provided rousing music including many versions of "Happy Birthday" played especially for Tom Durden. Early Friday morning, Tom and his wife Judith Paul, accompanied Jan & Bobby (chauffeured by their daughter and son-in-law, Ginger and Doug Jamieson) to the State Capital in downtown Atlanta. They presented to Governor Sonny Perdue a Georgia Peach scope, created by Judith and Tom especially for the Grand Opening. Its oil filled cell contains about two-dozen Georgia/Atlanta landmark-icons in miniature. The Governor was delighted to receive such a special scope. His office will be sending us photographs which we will post here soon. Cozy autographed her books and showed off the Mini-Museum of historic scopes from her own private collection which are now offered for sale here. The rare antique Bush Scope she had brought with her for silent auction was set up and bidding began. Homemade refreshments by the Boals' children and other friends were served with the southern specialty muscadine juice. This festive day at the shop closed at 4 P.M. so that everyone could rest up for the evening's main event: a party hosted by Janice and Ray Chesnik, scope makers extraordinaire. This truly wonderful party in the north Georgia mountains featured tables laden with fabulous food created by Janice, a blue grass band, and a chance to see the Chesniks' workshop as well as the art treasures they have collected in their eventful lives. Janice's latest expressions of her creative genius -- QUILTS -- were on hand to thrill us all! Janice, is there no end to your talents? Everyone was amazed. The final wrap-up of the opening weekend took place on Sunday afternoon. Customers who had never seen kaleidoscopes other than the cardboard kind were introduced to the amazing scopes of today and there were choruses of "WOW!" on every hand. At the close of the day, June and Jim Mindrup were announced as the lucky winners of the Bush Scope auction. The Boals want to thank EVERYONE who helped to make the opening a very special time. |
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