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The holidays are over and now its time to get the wheels rolling for the 2008 Pottery Festival!

The first fund raiser for 2008 is the annual Fish Fry scheduled for February 8th, in the basement of the Church of Atonement from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Fish, fries, slaw, hushpuppies, green beans and dessert for $7.00 for adults and $4.00 for children 10-under. Since this runs through lunch and dinner, call 697-7552, 982-2261 or 704-0431 if you’d like to order for your work place.

The next meeting of the Festival Committee will be on Thursday, February 21st, at 7:00 p.m. in Heritage Hall.

Why We Do It – Hartstone Pottery

The members of the Pottery Festival Committee have full time jobs, families, and homes to maintain. There are plenty of ways to spend their free time aside from meetings, fund raisers or tramping through the state’s other festival’s in search of Ohio’s best potters and crafters. The Festival’s Ambassadors, The Pottery Festival Queen and her Attendant, are high school girls accompanied by a court of Junior High and Elementary school girls. We’re quite sure they have better things to do on the weekends from July to December and May through June than broil or freeze on their float. So why? Why in the world do these people jump happily and with enthusiam into the huddle in support of an annual festival celebrating pottery?

Aside from the fact that the manufacture of first quality pottery is part of our heritage and the crown jewel of our community, the people that make this ware are our friends, neighbors, brothers, sisters, and parents. We’re proud of who they are and what they’re doing.

People like the owners and staff of Hartstone Pottery. The Harts founded their business in New Jersey in 1976 on a stoneware cookie mold and built their reputation by making hand painted, top quality kitchen ware. They moved the business to Zanesville in 1983 because of our area’s reputation for pottery and continued to grow despite the influence of cheaper foreign imports. In the mid-1990’s the Harts sold the business to Carlisle Home Products and by spring of 2005 Carlisle had closed the doors on this once flourishing business leaving most of the factories employees without jobs.

A group of investors heard the story and stepped in to negotiate with Carlisle for purchase of the business. By June of 2005 The Original Hartstone Pottery Inc. was once again up and running with a new surge of life and creativity. Drawing on the knowledge and talent of craftsmen with years of experience, they established their mission which includes this from their mission statement:

We, the employees of Hartstone, are the current stewards of an ancient craft, perfecting and making beautiful the combination of earth, water, and fire. This tradition, born of necessity, continues to be important to the vitality of the region and its people, many of whom carry on the tradition of several generations of potters. The master craftsmanship that is too often lost in today’s fast paced world and economy is alive in this place. Our pottery heritage is as much a part of the local tapestry as is the Appalachian countryside that surrounds us. The passion of our craftspeople and partnership with our customers sustains us.

Hartstone is making microwave, oven and dishwasher safe, lead free, handcrafted ware perfect for any home. Visit their website at www.hartstonepottery.com for information on touring their factory, or ordering on-line. Come and see them now at 1719 Dearborn Street in Zanesville, then don’t forget to come and see them again at the Pottery Festival in July 2008.

Meeting Notes September 20, 2007

Members of the Pottery Festival Committee met to discuss preparations for the 2008 festival.

Contract deadlines for Arts, Crafts and Pottery vendors have been changed to February 1st so that information on each of these participants can be included in our advertising. Neil and/or Tanya have spoken with over 50 new potters and crafters through the Backwoods Festival and Yankee Peddler Festival, contracts are out. All the local potteries have been contacted regarding the changes in next year’s format. Heritage Stoneware, Burley Clay, and Hartstone have agreed to the retail style display. CERCO and Petro Ware will be providing informational booths. Ohio Stoneware and Beaumont Pottery are undecided.

Neil has been contacted by Keith DeGarmo from the ride company regarding the $200 payment he is sending to settle up 2007’s accounts.

No word on negotiations with the Poverty Neck Hillbillies. David Joseph and Kenny Wayne are confirmed for Thursday night in a solo performance as well as the music for the Queen’s pagent.

FUND RAISERS: October 6th, All You Can Eat Breakfast at the Church of Atonement on Winter Street in Crooksville. 6 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Fish Fry and Pottery Pitch at the Crooksville Fall Fest, October 13th, Village Park.

Christmas Tea Pot sales begin October 6th and will continue until December 1st.

OTHER BUSINESS: Final rules for the Pig Decorating Contest and the Raffle Wagon need to be compiled.

Next Meeting: October 18th, 2007, 7 p.m., Heritage Hall, Main Street Crooksville.

New Arts and Crafts

The Pottery Festival welcomes Ken Beckett and Ann Nutter to their Arts and Crafts Family!

Ken is the owner & artist behind Visions in Glass & Metal, art glass and metal sculpture.  Located in Columbus, he can be contacted at xaviermetalart@gmail.com 

More complete contact information for Ken can also be found on our “crafts” page. 

 

There is nothing as beautiful, practical and hardworking as a handmade rug so we are pleased to introduce Ann’s Rags, the work of Ann Nutter from Bremen.  If you can’t wait for the festival to snatch up one of these warm cozy rugs, you can also find Ann on our Crafts page.

 

 

Meeting Notes – August 16, 2007

Members of the Pottery Festival Committee met to discuss updates to preparations for 2008 and to discuss upcoming fund raisers.

Chairman asked the membership to be on the look out for quality crafters.  He will need a business card to contact them.  Anyone who needs copies of the festival’s business card should see Neil, Kathy, or Tanya.  A group did attend the Salt Fork Arts and Craft Fair, numbers were down but five potters were contacted.  Neil will be going to Art on Fair in Lancaster this weekend, anyone who wants to go let him know.

Steve and Neil are working on booking The Poverty Neck Hillbillies as Saturday night’s headline band.  In addition to having recently performed at the Muskingum County and Morgan County Fairs, this group has a large and loyal following.  They also have an original song at number 80 on the country charts and do a fun and professional show.  The Community Bank has agreed to help sponsor the band.  VIP tables will be sold and Chairman will seek permission to have a PNH mug created once the contract with the band is confirmed.

Chairman advised that the vendor who operated the quarter machine at the 2007 Festival has volunteered to bring fireworks for 2008.  More information will be provided once this is confirmed. 

Food concessions:  Perky Dog and the Pizza Trailer are the only food vendors who haven’t confirmed they will be returning in 2008.  We are seeking ice cream and Italian Sausage. 

Road Sign:  Chairman will pick up the new numbers soon and the web address will be added.  Danielle suggested leaving business cards at all the pottery gift shops.

Finance Report:  Treasurer advised that until the CDs mature, the balance will be close to zero with all bills paid.  North Valley Bank sent a $100 donation.  Chairman will make appointment to see People’s and Waterford.  Angie advised she’d work on getting a Walmart donation. 

UPCOMING FUND RAISERS:  October 6th and November 3rd, All U Can Eat Breakfast, Church of Atonement, 6a.m-11a.m.,  October 13th, Crooksville Fall Fest, we will do a fish fry and pottery pitch. 

Queen’s Chairman asked if they could do a car wash and candle sale.  Both were approved.  Also asked if the Festival would be doing Breakfast with Santa in November.  Chairman will speak to “Santa”.  Danielle also advised that the Queen and her court were selling pins.  The girls have attended seven events so far, they are scheduled for 12-14 between now and the end of September.  Kathy asked Queen Jade to send pictures and a paragraph or two of her early impressions.  Advised that the float was looking bad and asked if they could put some money into it, no one had any objections. 

Tanya is getting Raffle Wagon donation letters ready. 

Next Meeting:  September 20th, 7 p.m., Heritage Hall.

In attendance:  Queen Jade, Angie, Danielle, Scott, Karen, Ernie, Tanya, Katie, Neil, Larry, Kathy, Wilma, Mary. 

Leave Us A Message

One of the nicest things about our new internet home is that you can quickly and easily leave us a message.  Do you have an idea about something you’d like to see at the festival in 2008?  Do you have a question about how things work?  Do you need to speak to one of the committee chairmen and aren’t able to locate their number?  Just click on the comment box and let us know, somebody will get back to you quickly. 

Meeting Notes July 19, 2007

 Members of the festival committee met to discuss the results of the 2007 event and to begin planning for 2008.

Chairman, Neil Campbell, thanked the committee for a job well done at the 2007 Pottery Festival and announced that the next meeting would be held at 7:00 p.m., on August 16 in Heritage Hall.

The Theme for the 2008 Pottery Festival will be “Rock Around the Crock”  43 Years with the Pottery Festival.  The Festival will be held from July 10th-13th.

Food vendors were discussed.  It was unanimously agreed that Cheddar Burger, KK’s Crazy Tators, The Big Onion, Deb’s Cheese & Dog, Perky Dog, Wendi’s Wagon, Bolomo’s Concessions, and the Pizza Trailer be asked to return in 2008.  Chairman will talk to the Italian Sausage vendor before asking him to return due to complaints of poor product.  There was discussion of restricting sales of bottled water to the festival only.

More crafters are needed for 2008.  Katie, Kathy and Tanya will be attending the Lakewood Craft Festival on August 4th to help with this.

Parade – Chairman announced that the parade would be moved back to 5:00 to avoid the heat.  Line-up will be at 4:00.  The winners of the 2007 Parade Awards were: Best Float-Goebel Funeral Home, Best Queen’s Float-Baltimore Canal Lock Days, Most Unusual – Hill Billy Shriners, Chairman’s Choice – The Community Bank, Mayor’s Choice-Vinton County 4th of July, Farthest Traveled Emergency Vehicle – Roseville, Best Emergency Vehicle – Crooksville, Best Band – Crooksville High School.  Committee was asked to promote the parade this year.  Bands will be contacted earlier. 

Entertainment evaluation:  It was decided unanimously not to invite back the Kountry Kousins Kareoke group.  The group was divided over Reelin In The Years, some members declaring they were too expensive, loud and nobody sat and watched them, others commenting on the size of the crowd on the grounds that were listening and enjoying their music.  The group unanimously agreed that Lacy and Her Attitude Band, Dave Joseph & Kenny Wayne, Bob Adams and the Pole Cats and Midnight Fire along with the dance groups Dance Explosion, the Kountry Kickers and the Teays Valley Cloggers were all good enough to be invited back.  This discussion will be continued at the next meeting.  Tanya advised she’d picked up a newspaper at OU that had several bands listed.  Passed it on to the Chairman.

Queen’s Committee Update:  Danielle distributed the contact list of the current Queen and court.  The girls were in West Lafayette today and have a full scheduled on August 4th including Gnadenhutten Pioneer Days and the Chili Pepper Festival.  Treasurer asked if it was really necessary to spend $600 on the luncheon, Danielle said it was.  She didn’t want to look worse than all the other festivals.

Discussion was held on linking the Pottery Festival website: www.potteryfestival.org to the blog.  Larry will pass Kathy’s number on to Donny to get this done. 

Pie Contest – Low entries this year (only 2).  Karen was asked if she kept entry forms from previous years and she said she didn’t.  Chairman suggested having a commemorative pie plate made for the first 25 entrants as well as the first, second and third place winners.  Committee suggested something handpainted with the 2008 theme.  Advertising will begin earlier.

Chairman advised that the fish fry by the Catholic Church and Peerless Lodge was a success and both groups want to come back next year. 

Karen asked about getting a Cope Gallery crock made since we didn’t have a commemorative crock this year.  Chairman will check into it.  Discussed the leftover crocks from previous years, Tanya will put on ebay. 

Debbie will be bringing the Painted Pig Contest back in 2008 by popular demand.  The Talent Show and Photography Contest will also be brought back. 

All present were encouraged to recruit community groups.  With no further business, the meeting adjourned.

Present: Neil, Larry, Wilma, Kathy, Katie, Tanya, Ernie, Danielle, Scott, Georganna, Mary, Karen, and Steve.

Everything You Need To Know

This is the new home for news of the Crooksville-Roseville Pottery Festival. The dust hasn’t yet settled from the 2007 festival, but plans for 2008 will soon be underway.