Monthly Archives: May 2013

Buttons: World’s Smallest Antiques

Around Town, Dance and the other arts, , ,

Buttons like these will be on display at the New Jersey State Button Show and Sale on Saturday, May 11, 9 to 4 p.m. at the Union Firehouse in Titusville. Here is the article in U.S. 1 Newspaper. It’s fun to see all the different kinds of buttons — and you might just find some you “have to have.”

One of the categories for this show is enamel buttons, as on the left. Below, a card of buttons that are are actually in the shape of what they depict: bird, rooster, crab, bear, elephant, flower, thimble, etc.

The NJSBS show is held twice a year for New Jersey and tri-state button enthusiasts who enjoy the artwork and history of buttons, including their manufacture and design. “Our shows attract quilters, crafters, antique collectors, reenactors, and those seeking special buttons to wear,” says Lillian Buirkle, president of the 71-year-old organization.

The fire hall is at 1396 River Road (Route 29), at the intersection of Route 29 and Park Lake Avenue in Titusville, opposite the Delaware River and D&R; Canal State Park (within easy access to the canal park), a half mile north of Washington Crossing State Park in Hopewell Township, and some five miles south of Lambertville and New Hope, PA. Admission is $2 for adults at the door, free for juniors to age 17. Also that day is the New Jersey History fair across the road in the Washington Crossing State Park. 

Johnson Frazier, a button historian and dealer, will present a 1:30 p.m. program, “Banners on Buttons,” showcasing buttons that display ribbons and flags in their designs, some as early as the 18th century, along with a brief history about the buttons pictured. Throughout the day there will be a variety of activities, including the judging of button trays entered into competition, an educational display of buttons worn on gloves, and a button raffle.
The fall show will be Saturday, September 7, at the same location. Contact Lillian Buirkle, (732-691-1776), email: buttonlady@optonline.netor visit http://newjerseystatebuttonsociety.org/

Balmy Business After Business at ETS

Business,

Yesterday,  on the first really SPRINGy spring afternoon, about 100 people gathered for networking and sumptuous food at the Chauncey Hotel and Conference Center, on Educational Testing Service’s vast Rosedale Campus, part of the Princeton Regional Chamber’s Business After Business series. Sumptuous meaning — I have never seen a piece of beef as big as the “Steamhouse Beef” I think Brenda Savidge, Chauncey center’s conference planning manager, called it. (I took a picture of it but am not posting it, out of courtesy to  my vegetarian friends).

In addition to showing off its renovations, the Chauncey showed off its varied and tasty menu. This was one cocktail party where you really didn’t need to eat dinner later.

Mary Harris of Mary Harris Events (left) took a tour with Gary Abramson, catering sales manager. A longtime friend (Abu Ibrahim) and I met and made new friends, including Maurice Galimidi of Allegra, Joanna Filipek of Kistler’s Minuteman Press, Ronald Granberg of Clearwater Investment Management, attorney Ralph Gerstein,two instructors from the Raritan Valley Flying School, Neil Vaneerde of Reidsound, Sarah Dale of One Simple Wish, Michael Felici and Kyle O’Gorman of Nelligan Sports Marketing Inc.,Robert Formisano of Morgan Stanley, and Rodney Warner of Szaferman Lakind. We also talked to “old” friends, including James Salter II of Business Writing that Works, John Thurber of Thomas Edison State College, and Edie Kelly of Edward Jones.

All this under a white tent overlooking the lake — a beautiful setting for a wedding, and indeed one is scheduled for the weekend. Enjoy the weekend — I’ll be at the button show!

Both Ends Burning: Entrepreneurial and Parental Dedication

Faith and Social Justice, Technology & Innovation

Entrepreneur Craig Juntunen adopted his three children from Haiti seven years ago, and realized how dysfunctional the adoption process was. He formed Both Ends Burning, a nonprofit dedicated to reforming the system, and produced a documentary, “STUCK,” designed to educate the American public about the 10 million children around the globe victimized through disinterest and unnecessary bureaucracy. 


Juntunen will speak about his cause tonight, Friday, May 10, in the computer science building, Room 104. A reception follows. He will premiere the film on Saturday, May 11, at the Montgomery Cinema, at 7 p.m. For tickets, click here. Juntunen is wrapping up a national tour for the film, and his appearance at the university is sponsored by the Keller Center.