Mr. Wonka
08-22-2010, 03:32 PM
I really have to give a special thank you to the following people:
Adam V (The Flow Magazine) - My “Villar Pal” who helped out so much during the event in so many ways… digging holes for the fountain project, moving stones in the hot sun, and making glass items for guests according to their skills, nicknames, and personalities.
Andrew Moch- Thank you for coming here early and helping out with… well, just about everything. I appreciate your help before, during, and after the show, as well as your help throughout the year : )
Bandhu- Thank you for all of the contributions you have made to the lampworking community through your work and your books. It was truly an honor to dedicate a building to you which will be here forever as a standing “lifetime achievement award” for all of your efforts. Elaine and I are still blown away by having a complete chapter on AGI in your newest book, “Contemporary Lampworking Vol. III”. All of our guests that were fortunate enough to be included in it are just as grateful.
Bear- You’re the man, and it’s awesome to have you as a neighbor : )
Charlotte- I am flattered that this was your first time in the United States, and you chose to come to a remote area of Pennsylvania to advance your knowledge and skills. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope you can pass on some of what you learned to others in the UK.
Doug(e)- Thanks for all of your help during the show, and for facilitating the liquid nitrogen ice cream project, as well as the kick ass special effects by pouring and throwing it all over the place… it was an awesome spectacle for everyone… including periodically dousing the camp fire with liquid O2.
GA- What can I say that hasn’t been said before. You guys rock, and keep on keep doing what you’re doing… We love you so much!!!
Jared- You’re awesome dude. I appreciate the time and effort you put in to make the show happen, and thanks in advance for volunteering to stop by next week to finish off some of the final clean up and organization.
Julz- I really appreciate the walker, and I have been using it to get around from building to building due to my limited mobility… it will be used for years to come, and another big thank you for your donation to AGI.
Kevin and Ivan- Thank you for keeping everyone’s belly full with an awesome and diverse menu for all of our guests… we’ve heard nothing but compliments about the food that you provided.
Kristian- Thanks to you, the GLDG was created 10 years ago, and this forum is what inspired me to create a venue for all of us to get together and make friends across the country, as well as all over the world. Thank you for starting this community, and I am honored that you passed the proverbial torch to me to keep it running. I also thank you for your participation of our event, and providing our guests with great deals before, during, and after the show.
Lewis C. Wilson- You are my hero and role model, and Wonka World / AGI would not exist if you did not produce the videos that taught me how to work with glass. You are a true friend, and I appreciate all that you have done for not only us throughout the years, but your contribution to the community as a whole by promoting the free exchange of information. Thank you for shattering the “Glass Curtain” with the biggest sledgehammer of all time : )
Misha- Although you weren’t here this year, I thank you for your leadership qualities in keeping the community alive, as well as providing the AGI sub forum in which we can all keep in touch with each other. You will be here next year so mark your calendar full for mid to late August of 2011 (exact dates will be coming soon). I would like to thank the administrators and moderators for keeping this place running smooth : )
Paul Stephan- Tanks for providing everyone with “AGI 2010” milli chips. The pieces you left here will be on permanent display, along with your signed drawing of the process.
RAM- It is an honor and a pleasure to call you my friend, and I admire the determination you have to constantly reinvent yourself all the time… even if the galleries don’t appreciate the ground breaking work you do.
Roger Parramore- I hope to have you as my neighbor in the near future, and thank you for keeping classic styles alive and passing them on to the younger generation. I have seen many lampworkers emulate your style and incorporate your techniques in their work.
Salt- Over the past two years, you have influenced a change in how others work glass. Pat yourself on the back for being a driving force in the contemporary glass movement : )
Sevin Dummerville- I mean, Devin Summerville, for taking the time, effort, and forethought to bring a mobility scooter for me to use during the event. It saved me a lot of fatigue and pain, not to mention the pimp ass vehicle I got to use for the week : )
Shelbo (Glass Alchemy)- The life of the party. This dude shows up, and kicks things up a notch… Thanks a bunch “Rocket Man” LOL!
Steve Selchow- It was great to see you again my brotha, and I enjoyed having that beer with you… it was way overdue!
Ubatuba- Thank you for your donation of the glory hole, and I’m looking forward to seeing you real soon… you have an open invitation any time : )
Wil Menzies (The Flow Magazine) - Dude, there were times we both wanted to quit, but we have leaned on each others shoulders which encouraged us to keep doing what we’re doing for the greater good of the glass community. I love you bro!
Whale Boner (Alex) - You got your hair cut in a pretty effed up way, and donated a portion of the proceeds to Elaine and I. We wanted to put it into the “Wonka Scholarship Fund”, but the stipulation was that we use it for a night out. Our asses are still kicked, and we will use it next week to enjoy a night out sometime next week (I can’t remember the last time we went out together).
Last, but certainly not least, is the open sharing of information from all of the demonstrators and guests that keep the tradition of AGI by sharing information openly. I thank you all for the beautiful demo pieces that you donated to The Glass Blowing Center, which will remain on permanent display as, “Not for sale” items : )
Well, I can type all night thanking everyone individually, but my finger is tired (I’m a one fingered typist), and I hope that I have expressed my gratitude to each of you individually while you were here as well as here on the forum. Everyone was so helpful and respectful, and I wish you were still here… I feel a bit lonely without all of my friends hanging out in my back yard!
Have a great night, and I hope all of you put your new skills to good use, as well as staying in contact with all of your new friends and your extended AGI family. I look forward to seeing you again next year!!!!
Much love,
Tom Doner / Mr. Wonka
Adam V (The Flow Magazine) - My “Villar Pal” who helped out so much during the event in so many ways… digging holes for the fountain project, moving stones in the hot sun, and making glass items for guests according to their skills, nicknames, and personalities.
Andrew Moch- Thank you for coming here early and helping out with… well, just about everything. I appreciate your help before, during, and after the show, as well as your help throughout the year : )
Bandhu- Thank you for all of the contributions you have made to the lampworking community through your work and your books. It was truly an honor to dedicate a building to you which will be here forever as a standing “lifetime achievement award” for all of your efforts. Elaine and I are still blown away by having a complete chapter on AGI in your newest book, “Contemporary Lampworking Vol. III”. All of our guests that were fortunate enough to be included in it are just as grateful.
Bear- You’re the man, and it’s awesome to have you as a neighbor : )
Charlotte- I am flattered that this was your first time in the United States, and you chose to come to a remote area of Pennsylvania to advance your knowledge and skills. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope you can pass on some of what you learned to others in the UK.
Doug(e)- Thanks for all of your help during the show, and for facilitating the liquid nitrogen ice cream project, as well as the kick ass special effects by pouring and throwing it all over the place… it was an awesome spectacle for everyone… including periodically dousing the camp fire with liquid O2.
GA- What can I say that hasn’t been said before. You guys rock, and keep on keep doing what you’re doing… We love you so much!!!
Jared- You’re awesome dude. I appreciate the time and effort you put in to make the show happen, and thanks in advance for volunteering to stop by next week to finish off some of the final clean up and organization.
Julz- I really appreciate the walker, and I have been using it to get around from building to building due to my limited mobility… it will be used for years to come, and another big thank you for your donation to AGI.
Kevin and Ivan- Thank you for keeping everyone’s belly full with an awesome and diverse menu for all of our guests… we’ve heard nothing but compliments about the food that you provided.
Kristian- Thanks to you, the GLDG was created 10 years ago, and this forum is what inspired me to create a venue for all of us to get together and make friends across the country, as well as all over the world. Thank you for starting this community, and I am honored that you passed the proverbial torch to me to keep it running. I also thank you for your participation of our event, and providing our guests with great deals before, during, and after the show.
Lewis C. Wilson- You are my hero and role model, and Wonka World / AGI would not exist if you did not produce the videos that taught me how to work with glass. You are a true friend, and I appreciate all that you have done for not only us throughout the years, but your contribution to the community as a whole by promoting the free exchange of information. Thank you for shattering the “Glass Curtain” with the biggest sledgehammer of all time : )
Misha- Although you weren’t here this year, I thank you for your leadership qualities in keeping the community alive, as well as providing the AGI sub forum in which we can all keep in touch with each other. You will be here next year so mark your calendar full for mid to late August of 2011 (exact dates will be coming soon). I would like to thank the administrators and moderators for keeping this place running smooth : )
Paul Stephan- Tanks for providing everyone with “AGI 2010” milli chips. The pieces you left here will be on permanent display, along with your signed drawing of the process.
RAM- It is an honor and a pleasure to call you my friend, and I admire the determination you have to constantly reinvent yourself all the time… even if the galleries don’t appreciate the ground breaking work you do.
Roger Parramore- I hope to have you as my neighbor in the near future, and thank you for keeping classic styles alive and passing them on to the younger generation. I have seen many lampworkers emulate your style and incorporate your techniques in their work.
Salt- Over the past two years, you have influenced a change in how others work glass. Pat yourself on the back for being a driving force in the contemporary glass movement : )
Sevin Dummerville- I mean, Devin Summerville, for taking the time, effort, and forethought to bring a mobility scooter for me to use during the event. It saved me a lot of fatigue and pain, not to mention the pimp ass vehicle I got to use for the week : )
Shelbo (Glass Alchemy)- The life of the party. This dude shows up, and kicks things up a notch… Thanks a bunch “Rocket Man” LOL!
Steve Selchow- It was great to see you again my brotha, and I enjoyed having that beer with you… it was way overdue!
Ubatuba- Thank you for your donation of the glory hole, and I’m looking forward to seeing you real soon… you have an open invitation any time : )
Wil Menzies (The Flow Magazine) - Dude, there were times we both wanted to quit, but we have leaned on each others shoulders which encouraged us to keep doing what we’re doing for the greater good of the glass community. I love you bro!
Whale Boner (Alex) - You got your hair cut in a pretty effed up way, and donated a portion of the proceeds to Elaine and I. We wanted to put it into the “Wonka Scholarship Fund”, but the stipulation was that we use it for a night out. Our asses are still kicked, and we will use it next week to enjoy a night out sometime next week (I can’t remember the last time we went out together).
Last, but certainly not least, is the open sharing of information from all of the demonstrators and guests that keep the tradition of AGI by sharing information openly. I thank you all for the beautiful demo pieces that you donated to The Glass Blowing Center, which will remain on permanent display as, “Not for sale” items : )
Well, I can type all night thanking everyone individually, but my finger is tired (I’m a one fingered typist), and I hope that I have expressed my gratitude to each of you individually while you were here as well as here on the forum. Everyone was so helpful and respectful, and I wish you were still here… I feel a bit lonely without all of my friends hanging out in my back yard!
Have a great night, and I hope all of you put your new skills to good use, as well as staying in contact with all of your new friends and your extended AGI family. I look forward to seeing you again next year!!!!
Much love,
Tom Doner / Mr. Wonka