This weekend was for the Dogs....but in a good way. We were back with the Beloved Group at the SPCA in Aiken, SC, and for the second time this year, we coincided with Dog-Wash-Weekend. That means that not only do the basket addicts get to weave baskets at the lovely SPCA facility, but they get to watch a bazillion dogs getting groomed and primped at the same time! We did find out some sad new, however. Our teaching coordinator at the SPCA, Amy, will be leaving before we return in November to move with her family to Ohio. Good luck Amy! We do plan to continue teaching at the SPCA if they will have us.
Joni has been going to Aiken, SC to teach for almost thirteen years now, and has enjoyed quite a following, enough so that we go there between 3 and 4 times a year. The group of weavers there have dubbed themselves the Beloved Group (because for some reason, they think Joni loves them more than any other group, or maybe they just like to brag), and have become quite proficient at weaving (and at making Joni feel beloved too). Kelly Hester joined us for the first time this week, and it appears that she has drunk the Kool-Aid. 'Joni Appleseed' continues to spread the gospel of Nantucket baskets! As with all groups that weave together over a long period of time, competition arises and one weaver influences another's next basket choice. There is a lot of one-upping and and Out-Do-Manship going on.
Joni's history with Aiken goes back a long ways. We both grew up in North Augusta, SC, just 7-8 miles from Aiken. My parents and two siblings have lived in Aiken since the 1980's. We vended at the Odell Weeks Craft show in town for many years, and we think Joni taught a reed basket at the Aiken County Museum (at my Mom's request) back in the late 1990's. Then, Joni was asked by Cathy Rumble, the Education Director at the Aiken Center of the Arts, to teach a class there in 2003. Joni taught there individually and with the Woodland Retreat with Denise Bendelewski for several years. Now, we have been at the Aiken SPCA for a couple of years. There have been many changes, but we continue to enjoy going to Aiken several times a year. With family in the CSRA (Central Savannah River Area), it always feels like home when we go back there. We got to meet our Great Niece, Adeline Grace, for the first time on this trip.
There are between 10-15 regular weavers in the Beloved Group, but there has been one enduring constant: Jane Weidenbacker. Jane has been in EVERY CLASS Joni has EVER TAUGHT in Aiken, SC. Think about that.....Every Class Over 13 years. We cannot thank her enough for the happy smiles and positive attitude that Jane brings to class. She is a constant in a very enjoyable place for us. She has made many beautiful baskets, but more than that, she has enriched our lives in the process. Thanks, Jane.
Quick news: We host the last Woodland Retreat of the year in Summerfield, NC this coming week with Denise. HNCB will then be taking some down time over the next few weeks. Joni will be with Eric Taylor to do some personal weaving, and then we go to Maine for two weeks to build our Northeaster Dory/Sailboat and to tour around. We promise to post pictures of the boat as it is being built!
That's all for now. Remember, it is a Beautiful Day.......Don't let it slip away....
David
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