President's Message
Dear Members of the North Dakota Pottery Collector’s Society,
It is with great enthusiasm and honor that I step into the role of President for this organization. As someone who shares an appreciation for the artistry, history, and craftsmanship of pottery, I am thrilled to lead our efforts in celebrating and preserving this incredible art form.
As a lifelong collector of all things vintage and antique, my pottery collection did not begin until about a decade ago. My time as a member of this organization has given me the opportunity to get to know all of you and I have been inspired by the beauty and stories behind each piece of pottery and the community of collectors, artists, and enthusiasts who share this passion. I am committed to building upon the foundation our society has established. I look forward to working together to enhance our programs, events, and opportunities for learning and connection.
As a member, one thing that I have enjoyed over the past couple of years has been that of being a member of our Facebook page. It is here that I have learned about our mem-bers through their sharing of some of their favorite pottery pieces. My favorite piece happens to be that of the “Home Ec” medallion created by the makers at UND. I have spent my life in public education serving Family & Consumer Sciences Education (formerly Home Economics Education). Imagine my surprise when I discovered this little piece of history!
In the coming months, I look forward to visiting with you, hearing your ideas, andcollaborating to further our mission. Whether through exhibits, educational workshops, conventions, or simply sharing our collections and experiences, I am confident we can continue to grow and enrich our Society for all members.
Thank you for your trust and support. I am excited about the possibilities that lie aheadfor the North Dakota Pottery Collector’s Society and our shared passion for pottery.
Fondly,
Ann Dietchman
Past President's Message
Happy New Year everyone!
I am going to start the New Year right by keeping my final message brief and to the point. Thank you for the privilege of serving as President of NDPCS the past six years. It has been an honor to also have served as Vice President and board member.
Service to NDPCS has provided me an opportunity to interact with an amazing group of people and acquire many special memories. It is in that spirit that I challenge you to get involved. Your attendance at convention and inviting a friend to join, submitting an article for the newsletter, contacting a board member with an idea to promote the organization are just a few ways to get involved. Let’s continue this journey for the next 35 years. Thank you!
Finally, this is where it all began for me: [see picture below]
Happy Hunting,
Michael Kaul
North Dakota Products Vase
By Tara Holt
All Hail the North Dakota Products Vase!
Our 2025 June Convention includes a bus trip to UND to celebrate the North Dakota Products Vase, 6 months before it's 100th birthday. It’s only right that the official Lovers of North Dakota Pottery kick off the 100 year celebration of Margaret Cable’s most unique piece. I contacted my friend, Sue Sorlie, to ask if she could tell me about the vase that was commissioned by her late Grandfather, Governor A. G. Sorlie, for the Chicago World’s Fair in 1926. She tells me that she never met her grandfather because he passed away when her father was just six years old. Nonetheless, I was pleasantly surprised that she had firsthand knowledge of the vase’s journey back to UND!
Apparently Governor Sorlie was a Margaret Cable Pottery admirer, and when North Dakota needed something extraordinary and memorable to bring attention to North Dakota at the World’s Fair, he asked her to come up with a pottery piece to showcase crops, livestock, and beauty of the state. There were 19 items on the vase, and it was something you actually would remember after you saw it.
Sue told me that the vase was at her parent’s home in a cupboard, and that one day in the late 70’s her aunt saw an article in the Bismark Tribune noting programs up at the Heritage Center. One presentation was about ND Pottery, and The Sorlie family had a nice vase they could take to the presentation. Noting the day and time, Sue got out a suitcase, carefully packed the vase between pillows and headed up to the Heritage Center. She carefully opened the suitcase for Don Miller, and when he saw the vase, she said he almost fainted! Becky Quanrud, Con and Sandy Short were apparently there and excited that the vase could have a place of honor at the Alumni Center.
Sue says her mom, Helen Sorlie, and friend Adalade were invited to a lovely luncheon at UND to honor the vase as it was put on display for the world to see after many years sitting in a kitchen cupboard.
We will see it there as we eat a lovely lunch.
Welcome to Fargo
The 36th ANNUAL NDPCS CONVENTION - FARGO, ND
Happy 2025 fellow NDPCS members! We have turned over the calendar and now set our sites on days ahead with more daylight, less snow and warmer temps. Set your reminders now for our convention; June 13, 14, 15. Our plans are coming together and Tara and I are hoping you will join us. Another bus trip is scheduled with an outing to Grand Forks. More details to follow.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS @ 701-282-2700
Be sure to mention NDPCS Convention when registering. There will be a block of rooms available. Be sure to specify if you want a room closer to our event rooms when reserving your room. Remember, your membership must be current in order to register and attend our annual convention. As always, we are excited to be planning this year’s convention and hope you will make plans to join us! See you all in June!
Linda Fiedler, Convention Chair
2025 Annual NDPCS Convention Tentative Agenda
Holiday Inn
3803 13th Ave S.
Fargo, ND 58103
Friday: June 13, 2025
4:00pm Room Check-in; Holiday Inn
3:30 - 5:00pm Registration Check-in; Commemorative Pickup
5:30 - 8:00pm Welcome; Hors d'oeuvre Reception
8:00pm Room Visitations
Saturday: June 14, 2025
7:30am Board of Directors Meeting
8:45am Board Bus for Trip to Grand Forks
10:00am Browse the Gallery at UND; Visit the Foundation; Lunch
1:00pm Board Bus for Return Trip to Fargo
2:30pm Auction Set-up; Check In Items
3:00pm Auction Preview
3:30pm Auction Begins
6:00pm Social; Silent Auction; Banquet
8:00pm Program
9:00pm Room Visitations
Sunday: June 15, 2025
8:30am Coffee & Rolls
9:00am NDPCS Annual Member Meeting
2025 NDPCS Commemorative
by Don and Rose Ann Goerger
THE 2025 Commemorative piece pricing will remain the same as last year in spite of postal rate increases. We have been able to trim some expenses to cover the increases we have this year.
This is a sample of the design proposed by our potter here in Fargo. It is a 5” in diameter plate and is from a UND plate produced by several UND pottery people historically. I haven’t been able to get good history on it as a person who is in the know hasn’t responded to my requests. There will be the usual Gold and Silver editions. However I could not pass up the thought of having so many bison plates and not having a white one included. So that will also be made. How it will be made available will be presented at the time of the convention. So, it is time to get your orders in.
2025 Convention Auctions
Annual Auction 3:30 PM June 14th, 2025
Our annual auction brings in funds for members selling items and for our club. Please consider registering some of your items! Keep in mind that all items are sold without reserve. Members may submit up to 10 items. Auction registration deadline is April 30, 2025. Thank you!
Silent Auction 6:00 PM June 14th, 2025
A Silent Auction will be held during the social hour before the banquet program Saturday evening.1. Members who have put at least one item in the Saturday afternoon auction may submit one item for the Silent Auction. Item to be registered with the Auction Catalog Chair on the form (click blue button below for form).2. There will be a limit of 10 items in the Silent Auction. The first 10 items submitted will be accepted.3. Items must meet the same criteria as those in the Saturday afternoon auction. No duplicate items will be accepted.4. The owner may set a reserve which will be kept secret until the end of the auction. Items must have a reserve of at least $100 as bidding will begin at that amount. Bids must be in $10 increments.5. Silent Auction items must be delivered to the banquet room at 4:45 PM for check-in.6. Bidding will begin at 5 PM and close at 6 PM.7. NDPCS members who are registered for the convention may place bids.8. If the reserve is met, the item is sold. If not, the high bidder will be told the reserve and offered the opportunity to meet it. If the item is not sold, the owner may reclaim it at no cost to the owner.9. Winning bids will be announced during the program following dinner.10. The winner will write the check to the NDPCS. 90% of the selling price will be paid to the owner and the NDPCS will retain 10%.
Attention: Spring Auction - April 5th, 2025
Pheasant collection, which includes about 60 pieces of Rosemeade, some of which are rare. Framed beer signs featuring pheasants, and collector pheasant plates. Songbird collector plates. Set of pheasant glasses, pheasant figurines. Hofbauer red crystal bird decanter with 6 goblets. Metal cars and trucks from the ‘40’s and ‘50’s. Many older horse figurines, horsedrawn fire engine, horses with surrey, old metal banks with Mammy and Uncle Ben, buffalo, chicken, train engine. All from a lifetime collection.
Refer to John Villiard Auctions for complete listing in March.
Event to be held at Country Inn & Suites, 3316 13th Avenue S, Fargo, ND
Brad Bird, Owner