Mild temperatures and spring blooms welcomed PCA TX members to the Annual
Meeting in Nacogdoches. The weekend festivities began on Friday, March 9,
when 29 members gathered for dinner at The Liberty Bell.
Saturday morning, 34 members and 11 guests convened in the meeting room at the Comfort
Suites. At 10 AM, the meeting was called to order welcoming Guest Dealers Susie and
Scott Jacobson, their son Jake Jacobson, and Guest Artist Melissa Ayotte.
Our retiring Treasurer Bob White reported that we are currently at 66 members representing 36
cities and 11 states. Charter Member Bob White recently retired from his official duties as PCA
TX Treasurer and Membership Recorder, positions he held for 25 years. In recognition of his
dedication and service, President Boyd presented him with a David Graeber paperweight
composed of poppies in Bob’s favorite color—red.
President Boyd presented the nominees for the 2018 Election of Officers and the slate was elected unanimously.
As a tribute to recently deceased Ed Poore, 3 members spoke of their friendship with him and
their admiration of his “magic touch” in cutting glass and restoring paperweights. They
displayed weights which Ed had intricately cut or restored.
Our newest member drew the winning names for the donated door prizes.
After the lunch break, an auction for the Scholarship Fund was held for three items: an
Engraved Fall Bouquet paperweight made and donated (as a thank you for her PCA TX 2017
scholarship award) by paperweight artist Cathy Richardson; a St.Louis paperweight donated by
Leo Kaplan Ltd.; a Hermès paperweight scarf donated by a member. Many thanks to all who bid
on these wonderful items.
Melissa Ayotte began her afternoon presentation by expressing gratitude for having been
“planted in a glass house” by her parents Claire and Rick Ayotte. She called nature “the
perfect form of expression” and the inspiration for her art. She spoke about working the
elements of design, color, placement and number into the small area of a paperweight. Her
goal is to bring feeling and texture into glass art.
Scott Jacobson presented a program about the 68 foot boat, named Lampreia, that he and
Susie will live on when its construction is completed in 2019. The boat has four levels and
is built for ocean travel. Adventures ahead!
Susie Kaplan Jacobson presented excerpts from an earlier “All in the Family” program at
Paperweight Fest. She spoke about growing up in the business and how she and her brother
Alan Kaplan developed expertise in specialized areas—18th century pottery, glass,
paperweights and Russian enamels. She has especially enjoyed building relationships with
collectors. She promised that there will always be a small collection of paperweights
displayed on the boat.
Saturday evening, President Allen Boyd and his wife Gaye hosted an Open House and Barbecue
at their home. Their warm hospitality, delicious dinner and interesting collections, including
an automobile he is restoring, all earned a “wow!”
