Westlake 2012 A Cultural Treasure

[John Lawrence]

On Saturday afternoon Dr. Jeff Cross, my good friend conducted a seminar on Antique Erie Pennsylvania decoys centered on the Buchner clan. I thought that the seminar was very well attended.

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Here is Jeff holding the first Buchner decoy that he discovered in the early 90's in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Look at how unusually wide the hips are in that bird and notice all of the designs carved into the back. This was typical of Frank Buchner's carving style. These decoys were hunted on Presque Isle Bay aroung the begining of the 20th century.

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[John Lawrence]

When I went back to Room 158 after the Saturday night Auction an old friend Vince Pagliori was there. The first thing he said to me was "Are you judging tomorrow?" and I told him no because I had judged on Saturday morning. He then said "Good then I can show you this". This was a canvas over slat sleeping black duck that Vince told me he thought was his best work ever. I've known him a long time and this is his best work. Somebody said it looked like a Stealth Jet and it does so we called it the Stealth Jet Black Duck. If you've ever met Vince you know he gets absolutely giddy at Westlake. There are lots of good reasons to do that.

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Now this photo embodies what I think about Westlake. Beyond all of the decoy stuff are the relationships that are forged over the years.

Left to right are Vince, Jeff, Dr. Norm Kaneiski and Jeff's son Derek. I'm going to take a minute to tell you about Norm, someone that I'm very proud to call my friend. Norm is a retired Navy helicopter pilot. He flew rescue missions off of the USS Forestal during the Viet Nam war when John McCain's plane blew up. He's personal friends with Senator McCain by the way. He was shot down twice over Viet Nam and retired after 34 years in the Navy and then became a college Art professor at Cleveland State University. Two years ago he completed his Phd on the Red Tailed Hawk and is now an Ornithologist at the University of Missouri. He will serve as the Ornithologist for the Ward World Championships next month in Ocean City. I've had the pleasure of judging with Norm over the years and I can't recall ever hearing say something negative to a competitor. Norm is a real American hero.

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[John Lawrence]

Sunday morning at Westlake starts early with the registration for the famous pool contests. The volunteers get the six bird rigs strung and into the water first.

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More rigs waiting their turn in the pool.

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[John Lawrence]

At the same time the Wildfowler singles are being entered and organized.

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All of the categories had increased entries over the past few years but to me it was the most noticeable in the pool categories. I didn't catch the youth numbers but I'm pretty sure I heard the announcement as 421 singles and 19 rigs. That is a lot of decoys.

 

[D Dominski]

John:
Thank you again for the great information & photos. Great reading, would have loved to have attended the show.

 

[John Lawrence]

I've been to decoy shows all over this country and Westlake is the only place where the kids are involved at every turn. The tradition of having kids swim in the pool and herd the decoys goes back a long time. My son swam in the pool with the birds when he was younger as did many of our kids I would wager.

Over the last few years Brian Ballard has become the "Voice" of the Westlake show. This year he took over the duties of announcing the items for the Saturday night auction and I heard quite a few positive comments.
But what I'm convinced Brian does best is work with children. He coordinates the the pool boys and girls while announcing the winners on Sunday. Here he is giving this year's pool crew the low down before the judging. Once again we revisit that theme of giving to the future. Of all the things that go on during this weekend every year this flat out is the most special in my opinion.

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[John Lawrence]

And this is my last post for tonight. One of my themes today has been the continuous giving back of our decoy community. Willy and the Duck Blind sponsors the Youth Wildfowlers awards. Here is Willy presenting the winner with his ribbon and plaque. Do you think this young fellow will remember this for the rest of his life?

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In conclusion Westlake happens in the middle of March every year. As I've stated before this is the best Decoy Show in the country. You've got a year to make plans to attend. Get moving and come and join us in 2013!

 

[Mike Frechette]

Great pictures John. The show was a first for me and will not be the last. I was a pleasure meeting everyone and if you have never seen one of John's birds in hand you must make a point to beautiful craftmanship.

 

[David Robinson]

John,

This post is a home-run summary of a great weekend. You covered everything! When I came home on Sunday, even though I'd drove 4 hours after standing on my feet all day, I painted for 3 hours that night because my head was swimming with information and inspiration. The show was that good! I even made a special trip to Home Depot on Monday for some extra special painting supplies to improve my Horner-style mallard. It was an amazing 2 days for me and I know I'm x10 smarter than I was when I left Michigan (no jokes Chuck. The knowledge base of artists, waterfowlers, painters, biologists, boaters, and collectors is amazing. If you didn't go this year, I'll see you next time.

 

[R T Brinn]

John, thanks for posting your pics and the very instructive commentary -- a great public service on behalf of the community. I will put Westlake on my bucket list -- thanks again!

 

[Dave Church]

Thanks John, exceptionally well written, I look forward to making plans to attend next year.

dc

 

[Chuck J]

I know I'm x10 smarter than I was when I left Michigan (no jokes Chuck.

Dave, I realize you are just a science teacher, but if you consult with your colleagues in the math department, I'm sure they wil confirm my theory that anything times zero is still zero...

 

[Dave Sikorski]

That black duck of Vince's was one of my favorites from the pool. Great lines and a simple and functional canvas decoy.

Great pics thanks for sharing.

-D

 

[Hitch]

Here are a few of my photos from the show. They are only a teaser, but the dogs needed some love when I got back to Florida this afternoon...more later...

The show was one of the most well balanced venues of the half dozen years I have attended. With all that has transpired; I thought the show was still a treat for all interests in the decoy world. It still had a little of everything, and not too much of one thing, IMO.

Very old decoys...

two that went home with me...

Not so new. Pete Peterson Green-winged teal.

..and then the new that you could still smell the paint. Russel Owen Blue-winged Teal...

Brad Falkenburg Teal...

 

[Hitch]

A few early arrivals to the show (including myself) got a private tour of Winous Point Friday morning thanks to Duane Ganser...

 

[Hitch]

Not just decoys were to be found among the treasures at the show...

..even the duckboats.net traveling decoy got in on the action...

More photos soon.

Hitch

 

[Roy Weatherby]

Awsome photos and write up! Thanks for sharing with us that could only dream of being at that show.

 

[bballard]

HIIIITCH! That as a private moment between consenting adults!

B =:OP

 

[Chuck J]

..even the duckboats.net traveling decoy got in on the action...

YUCK!!! Now I'm glad I left that dirty duck in the garage...oh, wait, she's out there with all my decoys corrupting them....

 

[Chuck J]

Here are a few of my pictures...

My room with a view:

Poolside Sunday AM:

Diver Shooting Stool division: