Vol.13 Issue No. 1 December 2011
MADA Sampler
What’s in this issue?

President’s letter
Welcome to new members
Face book page
The Flower Show
Officers and Board members Directory

Dear MADA members,
The Antiques at the Arena show is progressing very well and we expect to have the contracts in the mail before the New Year. We are planning a preview party to benefit the Hospital Auxiliary on the evening of May 18th. I know that some of you dislike preview parties, but with a new show in a new venue, I think it is important to include as many local organizations as we can accommodate. On Sunday, May 20th we are planning an appraisal morning from 9 to noon. Sunday is usually a slow day so maybe this will perk things up. The general manager of the arena is on the board of the Biddeford Chamber of Commerce and is planning to help us get the message out. I think this show is what you have been hoping for and I know you will support it. We have the cost down to where it is viable for us all. The Board joins me in wishing all of you a happy holiday. Nancy Prince

We wish to welcome these new members that have joined since March 1 2011
Malcolm McFarland Antiques, Chagrin Falls, OH
Latcham House Antiques, Waterville, OH
Spruce Hill Farm Antiques, Damariscotta, ME
Mother Goose Antiques, Augusta, ME
Maritime Gallery, Searsport, ME
Mood Gold Antiques, Marblehead, MA
Pottery Nuts, Bingham, ME
Julian Katz Antiques, Waterville, ME
Brennan & Mouilleseaux,Antiques, Northfield, CT
Chimney Corner Antiques, Newburyport, MA
SB Adams Antiques, Marblehead, MA
Richard Fuller, South Royalton, VT
Interiors with Provenance, Bidderford, ME
Royka’s Fine Art & Antiques, Lunenburg, MA


Face Book Page by Sandy Gnidziejko
We are excited to announce the launching of our Maine Antiques Dealer Association (MADA) Facebook Page. We hope to keep our members and those interested in MADA activities better informed about our events and upcoming antique shows by posting this information on our Facebook Page. Our MADA Facebook Page is also a place where antique dealers can share news and insights about antiques and antiquing, shop owners can share their new arrivals to their shops’ inventory, and other organizations that are naturally inclined to buy and sell antiques, historical societies for example, can link with us. We look forward to you utilizing our new MADA Facebook page. To find us on Facebook, just type in MADA or Maine Antiques Dealers Association in your “Search” area on your Facebook Home Page. “Like Us” and receive automatic updates about MADA activities and sponsored antique shows. See you there!
We are researching several web-based communication programs will enable us to communicate more regularly with our members and those folks interested in MADA events and antique shows. These informational emails can serve to inform and educate our readers about antiques and antiquing. It can be a source to highlight MADA members and to recognize individuals for their efforts in the world of antiques. This ongoing contact can help bring a greater awareness of and appreciation for antiques into those homes where buying and collecting antiques might be a foreign and perhaps misunderstood concept.

Flower Show, by Elizabeth DeSimone
Recently, The Board has been discussing ways that MADA can broaden its members exposure to a larger segment of the public. An aging population, the downturn in the economy, and changes in lifestyle are all factors that have contributed to a shrinking pool of antique buyers. Today, there are large numbers of people who are unfamiliar with antiques and, thus, have no interest in them and do not frequent antique shops and shows. Our hope is to widen the appeal of our antiques by participating in some trade shows that attract a large and diverse audience in the hopes of gaining converts who will appreciate the beauty, form, function, craftsmanship, and durability of antiques.
We have taken the first step in highlighting and growing our business by signing up for a booth at The Portland Flower Show. The show which runs from Mar 7 to Mar 11 is extremely popular and presents an ideal opportunity for us. We will be able to feature a wide array of items all related to the garden ( such as garden ornaments, urns, books, garden furniture, gardening tools, botanical prints & fine paintings). It is our hope that the several thousand show attendees will begin to develop an appreciation of antiques by discovering them in an unexpected setting: a setting in which the antiques blend in harmoniously and that this exposure may get people to view them in a new light as everyday objects one can live with and that will last and endure.
To make our booth a success, we need volunteers to help set up, to man the booth, and to contribute antiques which we will sell on the dealer's behalf. We are hopeful to have an abundance of merchandise. All items must be clearly marked and identified, and, of course, be authentic antiques. Any MADA member wishing to participate in this venture or who has questions is asked to please contact Elizabeth DeSimone at 207-284-8657 or by email at edesimone@goosefareantiques.com.

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