Mr. Wonka
08-19-2010, 07:08 PM
Well folks, it was an incredible year… I would say the best AGI to date. Now I have the task of making it better next year (not to worry!). I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the positive attitudes, the openness of sharing information, and for all of the help that you gave. In addition to the staff, everyone chipped in and did what needed to be done, which was greatly appreciated since I can’t do everything myself any longer.
It was so awesome meeting all of you and putting faces and real names to the screen names I see all of the time, and anytime you want to stop by, you’ll be welcomed with open arms. All too often we see each other as just that… screen names / forum handles. It was a pleasure to get to know each one of you on a personal level and be a part of the extended “AGI family”.
I can’t even count how many times people came to me and said that the past week has been a life / career changing experience. Elaine and I are so proud to be a part of that, and there were some ground breaking things that were learned and shared here.
The vibe was so incredible, and every time I walked out the back door I thought, “This is like Woodstock!!! The sense of friendship and camaraderie was unparalleled, and when someone asked how I would describe AGI in one sentence, the first thing that came to mind was, “The ultimate vacation for glass workers”… that pretty much sums it all up in 6 words, and I’m sure that everyone that has been here would agree.
I would like to give a special thank you to our family / friends and sponsor, Glass Alchemy. 10 years ago they opened their doors as a company and we have “grown up” together as Elaine and I started AGI at the same time. I know it was very difficult for them to have Henry, Susan, Thomas, and Jodi here at the same time, and I’m sure that their commitment and dedication to the glass community was quite apparent as all of you have seen.
The furnace design is absolutely amazing, and it is now a permanent part of our facility for all to use. There are several people that will be back in the coming months to use it free of charge (part of The Wonka Scholarship Fund) to help others increase their production and experiment with a new technique within the same medium.
I am looking forward to our “Spinal Tap” anniversary (#11) <watch the movie>, and we are already working on the expansion of infrastructure for next year which I will post photos of as it all happens.
Again, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and we will continue to make this better each year. Also, please keep in mind that Elaine and I consider ourselves the “ground keepers” of the property, when in reality it belongs to YOU… the glass community.
You will be the benefactors of the facility long after we’re gone, and that also includes the generosity of Glass Alchemy and Barry Lafler for believing in our vision by contributing their assets and property holdings to “Wonka World” so it can be enjoyed for generations to come… I already started “step one” by consulting with our attorneys and accountant yesterday to get the ball rolling.
All of our love and all of our respect,
Tom and Elaine Doner
(Mr. and Mrs. Wonka)
P.S. - I’m sorry I missed out on the posts and pictures that all of you have put here on the forum. We have been resting, decompressing, and cleaning up after AGI, as well as getting our lives back in order.
I’ll be in touch real soon, along with information about AGI 2011 : )
It was so awesome meeting all of you and putting faces and real names to the screen names I see all of the time, and anytime you want to stop by, you’ll be welcomed with open arms. All too often we see each other as just that… screen names / forum handles. It was a pleasure to get to know each one of you on a personal level and be a part of the extended “AGI family”.
I can’t even count how many times people came to me and said that the past week has been a life / career changing experience. Elaine and I are so proud to be a part of that, and there were some ground breaking things that were learned and shared here.
The vibe was so incredible, and every time I walked out the back door I thought, “This is like Woodstock!!! The sense of friendship and camaraderie was unparalleled, and when someone asked how I would describe AGI in one sentence, the first thing that came to mind was, “The ultimate vacation for glass workers”… that pretty much sums it all up in 6 words, and I’m sure that everyone that has been here would agree.
I would like to give a special thank you to our family / friends and sponsor, Glass Alchemy. 10 years ago they opened their doors as a company and we have “grown up” together as Elaine and I started AGI at the same time. I know it was very difficult for them to have Henry, Susan, Thomas, and Jodi here at the same time, and I’m sure that their commitment and dedication to the glass community was quite apparent as all of you have seen.
The furnace design is absolutely amazing, and it is now a permanent part of our facility for all to use. There are several people that will be back in the coming months to use it free of charge (part of The Wonka Scholarship Fund) to help others increase their production and experiment with a new technique within the same medium.
I am looking forward to our “Spinal Tap” anniversary (#11) <watch the movie>, and we are already working on the expansion of infrastructure for next year which I will post photos of as it all happens.
Again, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and we will continue to make this better each year. Also, please keep in mind that Elaine and I consider ourselves the “ground keepers” of the property, when in reality it belongs to YOU… the glass community.
You will be the benefactors of the facility long after we’re gone, and that also includes the generosity of Glass Alchemy and Barry Lafler for believing in our vision by contributing their assets and property holdings to “Wonka World” so it can be enjoyed for generations to come… I already started “step one” by consulting with our attorneys and accountant yesterday to get the ball rolling.
All of our love and all of our respect,
Tom and Elaine Doner
(Mr. and Mrs. Wonka)
P.S. - I’m sorry I missed out on the posts and pictures that all of you have put here on the forum. We have been resting, decompressing, and cleaning up after AGI, as well as getting our lives back in order.
I’ll be in touch real soon, along with information about AGI 2011 : )