History of A.C.C.G.C.

The First Meeting

On January 6, 1980, Roland Kuhn and Donald Kime sent a letter and questionnaire to a number of local and surrounding area collectors they had meet at various auctions and the HOACGA conventions. They wanted to see how many would be interested in forming a local club. Many responded and another letter was sent to the interested collectors on February 26, 1980, inviting them to a meeting on March 9, 1980, at the home of Roland and Don to organize a carnival glass club. Ten people attended this first meeting and all joined the club. The first members to join were: Harold and Zona Paul, Steve and Nola Guthrie, Don and Betty Greb, Francis and Wilma Elder, Roland Kuhn and Donald Kime. Of the original ten charter members, only two remain, Nola (Guthrie) Schmoker and Donald Kime.

The Club Name and Logo

The name selected for the club was the “Air Capital Carnival Glass Club” and Roland Kuhn was elected as President. The club needed a logo so Donald Kime sketched three patterns for the Clubs’ consideration. The “Wreath Cherry” pattern was selected as the Club Logo. The Logo seen at the top of the page is a photograph of a Wreath Cherry tumbler. The background was edited out and the letters A.C.C.G.C.added.

The First Convention

After the first year as a club, Roland and Donald presented the idea of having their own convention at one of the meetings. Many of the members were skeptical since they only had $30.00 for a bank balance. With a little coaxing by Roland and Donald and some faith, they agreed to give it a try. The first convention was called a “Mini-convention”.

In order to raise money for the convention, they had garage sales, bake sales and sold miniature sets made by the Mosser Glass Company. Some of the garage sales were held in the summer when it was 105 degrees. These efforts resulted in adding some money to the treasure and everyone feel better about having a convention.

The Club chose a hotel close to the airport thinking some would come by air. At that time the name of the hotel was the Shearton Inn, but was changed to the Heritage Inn and finally to the Holiday Inn Airport. The Cub has continued to hold conventions at the same hotel even though there have been many changes in mangers, employees and even hotel owners.

The first banquet had 97 in attendance. At the conclusion of the convention and with all bills were paid, the club was able to purchase a Certificate of Deposit in the Clubs name. The Club still maintains that CD to this date. All the hard work, effort, and discomfort of having garage sales at 105 degree temperature paid off for the club.

The First Convention Speaker

The Club needed a speaker for the convention banquet so the called upon Don and Connie Moore to come to Kansas and be the first convention speaker. Don and Connie loaded their little car with their expensive glass and headed for Kansas. Don made the comment that the glass was worth more than the car. Since that first convention, we have had many excellent speakers who started their speaking and presentation tour at Air Capital as some were quickly asked by other clubs to be their speakers at their convention.

The Tradition of the Early Bird Meal

Don and Connie Moore and John and Lucille Britt came to the convention a day early. Roland and Donald invited them to their home for supper and that became a tradition for several years. Each year early bird arrivals went to Roland and Donald’s home for the evening meal until the number grew to 68 and the basement could hold no more. The next year Nola and Keith Schmoker invited everyone to their house for an outside yard picnic. The food and hospitality was excellent but the weather was awful and everyone nearly froze as the Kansas wind showed up with a vengeance. It was also a custom for Roland to make homemade ice cream for the early bird meal and that did not help to warm up anyone. The Club hired a bus to take everyone to the Schmoker’s home but after that the early bird meal has been held at the hotel. The Early Bird meal is still a tradition with Club to this day.

One year during the convention the Club hired two school buses to take members to tour collections of some of the local members.

The Hospitality Room

The Air Capital Club hosts a hospitality room that will stand up to any. The Club has a number or great people that prepare some fantastic food for the convention visitors. We also have out of town members that donate food and money toward the hospitality room and they are greatly appreciated.

The Auction

Air Capital has always had a auction on Saturday which is the highlight of any convention. Quality of the glass is also an important part of the convention. Thought out the years auctions have been provided by well known carnival glass auctioneers such as: Tom Burns, John Woody, Jim Seeck and Mickey Reichel.

History and the Archives of Air Capital

From the first day the Club has kept scrap books, pictures, meeting minutes, and newsletters. A Historian is elected each year not only to be the caretaker of this material but also to keep it up to date. Those attending the conventions are able to look at all of the scrapbooks. Many memories are contained in these books because many of our friends and members are no longer with us.

The club has had the good fortune of being invited to hold their regular meetings away from the Wichita area. Meetings have been held is area homes of Marion Hartung, Helen (James) Ward, Sadie and Herb Treff, Dorothy and R.D. Kavannaugh, Alnora and Dan Sell, Judy and Will Schutz, Jennie and Dick Hostetler, Anna Belle and Charles Vaughn, and Lucille and John Britt.

Note: This history is a paraphrase of the History written by Don Kime in 2002.