Puzzle Parley (AGPC meeting devoted to jigsaw puzzles)

November 7-9, 2008

Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, MA

A “specialty” meeting of the American Game & Puzzle Collectors (called a “Puzzle Parley”) devoted entirely to jigsaw puzzles will be held at the Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, MA the weekend of November 7-9, 2008. This will be the ninth jigsaw puzzle parley since 1994, which Bob Armstrong, Melinda Shebell, Pagey Elliott, Joe Seymour and others have helped organize. The meeting will be an opportunity to bring together people interested in making, collecting, displaying, discussing, buying, selling and assembling puzzles. Anyone interested in jigsaw puzzles (whether members of the AGPC or not) is invited to attend and participate. While Saturday, November 8 will be the focus of the meeting, we have scheduled events on Friday and Sunday as well. For attendees who can stay an extra day, we also recommend the Sturbridge, MA area for Old Sturbridge Village, an early 19^th century New England village reincarnated, and lots of antique shops (puzzles?)

Proposed Program for Puzzle Parley November 7-9, 2008

Friday p.m.

1:00-5:00 Open House at Melinda Shebell, 76 Circuit Drive, Stow, MA, well-known puzzle designer and cutter of new puzzles as well as collector of old puzzles

5:30-7:00 Cocktails and registration in Hotel lounge

7:00-9:00 Buffet dinner at Hotel ($35 charge). Bob Armstrong on history of puzzle parleys

9:00-12:00 Puzzling in Heritage Room

Saturday a.m.

8:30-9:00 Register, meet other attendees, set up your puzzles to be displayed

9:00-11:15. Round Table discussion of puzzle cutting issues led by Mark Cappitella, John Stokes and Melinda Shebell, including discussion of copyright laws and setting up “mega-website” for pictures, descriptions of old & new puzzles. Experts will be present to answer your questions. .

11:15-Noon Author, historian, lecturer, collector Anne Williams will talk about personalization in puzzles.

Saturday p.m.

Noon-1:15 Buffet lunch (part of registration fee). Cutting demonstrations. Cut your own puzzle!

1:15-2:00 Demonstration by Bob Armstrong on repair of Pastime puzzle boxes.

2:00-3:00 Discussion by Melinda Shebell on design and construction of the incredible multi-faceted puzzles presented to Pagey Elliott, Anne Williams and Bob Armstrong the last two parleys.

3:00-4:00 Display and discussion of Showcase puzzles by makers followed by Show & Tell from participants. Talk about your favorite puzzle or show us your new work.

4:00-5:00 Table sales of jigsaw puzzles (outside sellers and buyers welcome). Cutting demo continues.

5:30-7:00 Cocktails in Hotel lounge

7:00-9:00 Dinner at Hotel ($40 charge). Carter Johnson on how to do a presentation about your puzzles.

9:00-12:00 Puzzling in Heritage Room

Sunday a.m.

10:00-1:00 Open House at Bob Armstrong, 15 Monadnock Road, Worcester, MA, well-known collector and restorer of old puzzles. Bob will show his collection and workshop and answer questions re restoration of old puzzles and puzzle boxes.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Sturbridge Host Hotel until October 17, 2008 at $129/night (single or double). Call 1-508-347-7393 for reservations and tell them you are “attending the puzzle parley”. Room reservations must be made directly with the hotel. Charge for the puzzle meeting will be $45/person. Registration fee includes admission to all events, Saturday lunch, tables for displaying and/or selling puzzles. There is also an option on the Reservation Form if you just want to come at 4 pm to buy or sell puzzles at Table Sales. Further information is available from:

Bob Armstrong Tel: 508-799-0644 Melinda Shebell Tel: 978-897-3499

Email: raahna@oldpuzzles.com Email: Melinda@jardinpuzzles.com

Important: RSVP with Registration Form and Check by October 17, 2008