Last year I heard a lot about Rosemont on the Bears and Buddies Board (BnB). Not having any idea of what people were talking about, I read the BnB board and enjoyed the posts and pictures that the Bnbers sent about their experiences at Rosemont 1999. At that time I thought, next year Rosemont, Here I Come!

As the time approached, it didn’t seem like Rosemont was an option. Three weeks before the convention date, a wonderful lady (Cheryl) posted that she had free tickets for Rosemont. I quickly emailed that I would like them. She responded and told me she would send them to me. A quick call to AAA, I was booked on a plane and had a room at the new Doubletree hotel, opposite the Rosemont Convention Center.

I felt so lucky that I was going to International Collectible Exposition to see the all the exhibits, especially Boyds’ and Judith G’s. To be more honest, I was going to meet the wonderful women and men who posted on the BnB board and who supported me through a year that had it’s hard times. I wanted to meet the people who have help educate me on the Boyds’ line, posted their YaYa’s (something special), shared their worries, but most of all supported me through my empty nest syndrome, my daughter Dani’s leaving to join the United State Air Force.

As the time came closer, some wonderful people offered me tickets for the signing and chat (thanks Kay and Lynn) and a special lady Sally and her dear husband Lou offered to show me around the area and take me to dinner. With all my ducks in a row, I left for Rosemont on Thursday, June 22^nd. I arrived at the Doubletree and started posting from my computer to my friends on the BnB. I wanted to share the experience with those who could not attend. Encouraged by the Bnbers’ responses, I decided to dedicate myself to meeting as many of the Bnbers’ at Rosemont that I could.

Friday morning I heard a knock on the door. The first of the Bnbers arrived, Brigitte from Florida. She came in and we chatted about our excitement of meeting the other Bnbers, seeing the Boyds’ exhibit, having a piece signed, and the dinner organized by Harry and Millie Croft, where we would meet the top brass at Boyds. Within hours, Tara, Beth, Jenny, Carol, Jenni and her mom, Virginia were all at the Doubletree. We went to the swimming area, and Bnbers constructed their pages in Char’s album, while others talked and laughed the afternoon away. We met later that night for supper in the Gibson Restaurant within the Doubletree. There were 12 of us in the first group – Carol, Char, Rick, Lou, Sally, Judy, Chris, Brigitte, Tara, Ilona, Karen and myself. Later, Dianna and Sandy came down to eat and even later, the Bnbers who went Boyding joined the group at another table. Good food, good conversation and good friends, what else could you want – well maybe except for some funny photo opportunities that some of us were able to capture.

Off to the room hopping! All of us headed for the 2^nd floor of the Doubletree to look and most to buy some of our favorite plush and resin. Most sellers had old, Premier Editions, or 1^st edition resin and retired and rare plush. We left as a group, but soon separated, as some of us took longer to find, or found more to buy than others. Lois, from NY, Janice from PA, Sally, Lou (dedicated Boyds’ husband) from IL. and I took a little longer. Lois and I of course had the same Boyds taste, except she was a little faster at picking them up and I was a little bit whineier, as Lois handed over pieces I was asking for. Thanks Lois! It didn’t end up all bad, as we hit more rooms we found the two variations of Fall 1994 Bailey. One cape is deeper burgundy (the older and rarer) and the later cape is more cranberry color. We also found two "Unconfused Edmunds" (Spring 1994), to go along with the "Confused Edmund" I had at home. We ended up in Kristy’s and Ron’s room from the Michigan 7. Along with purchasing some older Boyds from Kristy and Ron - Auntie Alice (retired 1996), Curly Lapin (retired 1995), and Gordon B. Bean (1985, retired 1998), Kristy spoke about the Boyds’ line and shared her knowledge of the line. Kristy spoke with such love for them and with humor. I am sorry I missed her Clarion talk.

It was getting late and of course the party in my room was off because I wasn’t there – well I thought! After Lois, Janice, and I got in the room, a door knock was heard, in came Tara, then Florence, Kristy and Ron (Michigan 11, Michigan 7 plus 4 others that came to Rosemont). Soon laughter and conversation filled the room. As they were leaving, in came Sally and Lou and more talk about Boyds, but mostly about the wonderful Bnbers that were at Rosemont 2000.

Saturday had finally arrived and off to the Convention. We had some time before our signings so all headed off to the Boyds’ exhibit. A large green flag with Boyds’ logo guided our way to the booth. The booth was manned by Boyds staff, some of the Michigan 7, and of course Dianna and Sandy from the BnB board. The booth was beautifully decorated with the Fall and Winter line. The booth was crowded with collectors impressed by the new items. Some pieces that I thought looked much better in person were – Dorothy and Company, the new Dream Bubbles (a must have), Twila, Margot & Giselle (New Limited Edition Wee Folkstone), and the new Village pieces. Some of the new resins are done in mixed media. The Haunted house has spider webs, for example and Twila, Margot & Giselle …Dance of the Sugar Plum Faeries has tulle skirts, special sparkling glass sugar plums and special luminescent wings.

There were so many new items and items other than plush and resin that I can see that Boyds is expanding the line to give the collectors options. Though I don’t have the names of all the new items, I have enclosed some pictures for you to view. As we went through the line to view the items, we received the new catalogs, a Boyds newspaper, and pin. Jenni Cook was had one of the earliest signing times. Here she is talking with Gary and having her resin piece signed.

When it was my time for the signing I got into line and quickly got near enough to hear Gary speak. He was talking about how he needed the crowd say "terrific", he needed some energy. So I asked Gary to make muscles and say "Terrific" in which he did. He was in a great mood, kidding with all, and taking the time for pictures with the assignees. I had Bailey Fall 1992 signed, and as asked Gary signed her on her bottom so it would be easy to read. Gary was great taking time to interact with the crowd that was gathered in front of the signing table.

After finding more BnBer’s, Judy M., Linda N., and Nancy from Indiana, we all went into the Swap and Sell. There was more selling then swapping, most collectible lines were represented and of course, I found some things I wanted and that Fran wanted. From Millie and Harry Croft’s table, I found Lydia Fitzbruin (retired 1996) and Katie O’Pigg (a 1997 Dillard’s exclusive) and at another table I found for Fran, Neville… The Bedtime Bear in 1E and Bailey & Emily…Forever Friends in 3 E. There were lots to buy, some really rare Boyds, but the wallet was getting smaller and so was the room in the suitcases!

Next came The Chat. We were welcomed by Harry Croft who shared his 39^th Wedding Anniversary with us. Next to him was his loving wife, Millie. They introduced the Michigan 7, who led us in a cheer for Gary. In he came dressed in a Ringmaster’s outfit (any hints to what the next year’s FOB theme will be). Gary, his usual self, asked us to open our packages that where on the table. Included in the package was a big red nose, which we were asked to put on our nose (did you get it yet). Then after some warm up cheers to get the collectors going, Gary introduced the theme for next years FOB Collector’s Club. Okay, you’ve got it by now – right! If you don’t I will give you a hint. We were all clowns and Gary was the ringmaster of the Circus. So next years theme will be will be a Circus theme. I piece from each classification will be in that theme, example one Bearstone, Dollstone, Critters & Co. (moose & penguins), Shoebox Bears, Wee Folkstones and Purrstones. I am not sure about how many of the plush line will have that theme.

It is difficult to convey all that went on in the chat but I will share with you what I have in notes. Gary, Liz and Jean Andre wanted us to know that not everything is written in stone, but they wanted our opinions on what we wanted. So here it goes.

• The FOB Club’s theme is - Circus Parade
• GM’s Choice for Dolls – Lindsey with Laurie
• More use of Plexiglas in frames
• There is going to be a mini series on QVC with a TSV, which will be the first of the Christmas series. I believe there will be 8 pieces.
• In 2001 or 2002, Boyds will open a Boyds museum and shop in Gettysburg, PA. I believe he said it will be close to his farm. We were each given a bag of dirt in our goodie bag.
• They will be donating 100% of the monies made from the sale of special resin pieces (in the Fall) and plush pieces (in the Spring) to the Starlight Foundation, which helps children who are ill. The Starlight Foundation donates video games and other types of entertainment to hospitals for children to play with while they are in the hospital. These pieces will come out every season, one in the Spring and one in the Fall. Gary asked us if we wanted them numbered or not and we said no, so I believe they will not have editions. I believe the first piece will be something like "Cherish the Children" under it there will be a quote from a child.
• The Fall Event will be help October 14^th. The first of the Wishkabibble family (hope the spelling is right) will be Lizzie. She is a plush with a plastic skeleton. She will come with a book telling the story. Her family – Mother, Father, and Sister will be introduced in the Spring.
• Boyds will be making more tree toppers with as Gary said more "fru, fru". They will be part of the Christmas Collection. Some of the plush coming out is HJ Blitzen, Nicholas T. Jodibear, and a bear in a reindeer suit.
• Liz designed a musical resin that is a train that goes through a tunnel and plays "Whistle While You Work". There was another resin piece named "Spare That Tree", with a little boy and a bird trying to protect a Christmas tree, as a Woodsman is holding his axe.
• Boyds will reinstate a 1989 bean bag bear. The first piece will come out on QVC and the other two, another bear and a hare will come out 6 months later.
• There are two more boxes. QVC will have the Premier Editions and then in Spring The Hat Box and I believe the other has to do with a garden will be sold by your MFRs.
• There will be a 12" doll that has to do with friends, old and dear. The doll’s name will be Meghan (Gary wasn’t sure on the spelling of Meghan or Megan but her thought it was Meghan).
• Critters and Co., which will consist of moose and penguins will have a gold key on them to recognize them as Boyds.
• In the Spring they will come out with a "swirly" ewe, which is a new material that is soft and curly. The ewe we saw on the slide was a gray color with a black nose. The material is different than any I have seen. It then will appear on other plush.
• They will also be experimenting with the very soft terrycloth for the Baby Boyds.
• In August on QVC, there will be a 10" mohair bear, named Mary Louise Bearington, for $38.00, yes you heard right only $38.
• There is a line of 16" Boyds that may be made representing events in history, like the Royal courts in Europe. The series would have 3 bears in the Fall and Spring. It would consist of something like a Lady in Waiting, a Handmaiden and Gary as the Jester. It would come with books that tell the story. This series was not as well received as I would have wished (loved the bear they showed). Gary said they may be out, but later Jean-Andre was not sure which would go or if it would be still offered but differently. The costume on the bear was exquisite.
• In the Spring there will be a resin, "Heroes are Close to Home". It will be a fireman. Also in the Spring there will be Little Bo Peep (Classic Beary Tales Series). In August, Yesterday Child will be premiered and it will be gardening dollstone. Boyds will be bringing back the 1890’s look for the faces to the Dollstones.
• Gary asked us if we liked the cartoon faces on the Purrstones or the realistic cat faces. The vote was about even. Next year there will be a Purrstone dressed as a lion.
• Gary also asked us if we would like a series of miniature mice. They would be 1 to 1.5 inches tall. Most people were not in favor of the miniatures resins. I do not know what will be happening with that idea.
• Last but not least, Gary announced that there would be a Boyds reunion in Gettysburg, PA. at Gettysburg College. He is designing it after the Saturn picnics where all the Saturn owners come and enjoy themselves. Next year, due to space and because it is the first reunion, 1000 FOB Collectors and one friend (total of 2000 people) will be going to Gettysburg. There will be a variety of different ways to win a slot to the reunion. Boyds will release the rules in the October newsletter. One thing they said is that they will pick 5 names (and they can bring a friend) in February who will receive the trip for free. I really didn’t understand how that would work but I think it has to do with the different areas of the United States, like the signings have. Boyds also said they would pick 25 names from the chat that would win a slot for themselves and a friend. The 25 names were:

. Yes, next year, June 10-13^th 2001, I will be attending the Boyds Reunion (it coincides with Boyds FOB club’s 5^th Anniversary). The cost is not definite yet, probably around $350 dollars. What happens at the reunion is not written in stone, but some suggestions were - costume party, t-shirts, giveaways, times for friends to chat, barbeque, painting your own resin, making your own teddy bear. Nothing is definite except for the date, so make sure you read your October newsletter.

Saturday night, over 80 Collectors met with the Boyds Staff at a dinner hosted by Harry and Millie Croft. The whole staff walked around the tables talking with us about our likes and dislikes. They were very sincere about wanting our input. I couldn’t believe how much time they spent with us. During the dinner, they gave Millie rose’s and we all sang "Happy Anniversary to You". A cake was brought out and shared with everyone. After the dinner, we all gathered on the steps for a group BnB picture. In between we got some unique pictures, pictures of Bud on the couch and one with his wife and another with BnB females. Room hopping occurred again, late night for some, others were too exhausted and hit the bed early (okay – 11 pm isn’t early). For others, we met in Ilona’s and Karen’s room and talked about Boyds. Kristy (from the Michigan 7) came down and answered questions for the group. Again, she was so knowledgeable.

On Sunday, I worked at the Judith G. Booth. I got to see the Boyds bears in seasonal scenes, from Summer picnics to Christmas fireplace displays, the Judith G. Bears were a big hit. Every two hours they had a raffle, last years retired bears were giving as prizes. Lou, the husband of a fellow BnBer Sally, won a Christmas Bear. Of course, he handed it to Sally.

I left around 3pm for the airport and all the way home I couldn’t believe what a great time I had. All, yes all the collectors, were so kind to each other. There were so many hugs and kisses, great conversations and Boyds talk. My cyberspace family now had faces and personalities. I have many special times to remember that if it wasn’t for my love of my Boyds, I wouldn’t have had. Thanks BnBers for such a wonderful time and thanks Boyds for bringing us together. I am so glad that I got to go to Rosemont, an experience that next year you shouldn’t miss!

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