Trustees
EAPGS Past Presidents List
Steven Skeim
Central Region
President
I was destined to be a collector of early American pattern glass. At home, I saw my mother’s collection of Beaded Loop. My aunt collected Barley, and my grandmother had toothpick holders, green/gold Croesus, and other miscellaneous pieces. What really sealed my fate was when my grandmother divided up her toothpick collection. My dad remodeled some built-in cabinets and Mom and I would unwrap each one and look it up in books before arranging them. I was hooked.
I started buying while still in high school, and before I was done with college, I started reselling. I have seen our hobby change over the years, but I am still learning and still passionate about it. I treasure some pieces that belonged to my grandmother, as well as her copy of Ruth Webb Lee’s foundational book.
I have been a member of the Society for years. I have attended national and regional meetings, written articles for the NewsJournal. and regularly participate in the Facebook group. In addition, I serve on the pattern profile committee. It is an honor for me to be considered as a candidate for the Board. If elected, I will do my best to uphold the mission of the Society and the dignity of its members.
Term expires in April of 2024.
Roger Haworth
Pacific Region
Vice-President
I live in the southern central valley of California, an EAPG desert, but my love of pattern glass began long before moving here in 2003. Originally from east of Los Angeles, I've spent most of my life in California with the exception of a twenty-two year exile in Houston and New Orleans. I'm a semi-retired petroleum geologist, which explains my residence history.
My collecting history started early, roped into the glass world by a relative's collection of Greentown glass. I bought my first piece (a chocolate dolphin) when I was a freshman in college over 50 years ago and I'm still at it. I remained a Greentown specialist for maybe twenty years, but like many of you, things have a way of expanding with knowledge and appreciation, and I currently collect a fairly well defined assortment of Greentown, Northwood, Hobbs, and Riverside patterns, with Gillinder's Classic and a few other things mixed in. Many of you know me from my active presence on the EAPGS Facebook group, from which I have learned so much from the real experts who contribute their time and knowledge so freely.
Term expires in April of 2024.
Diane Hanson
Central Region
Secretary
Until the winter of 2011 I had no interest in antique stores as I was not interested in anything specific. Then I discovered EAPG. Linda Eppelheimer introduced me to EAGP with a purchase she made in Duluth, MN. I purchased a couple of books and studied glass on the internet so I could recognize EAPG when I went shopping. The fun began for collections of the state patterns, pedestal creamers, goblets, wines, handled triangular nappies and square plates. Hopefully part of my collection will be preserved by my two children and five grandchildren.
In June of 2016 my husband, Roger and I, decided to attend the Central States meeting in Springfield, IL. Now it was not just the glass that was intriguing, but we met all these nice people who liked it too. At this time, I got my first iPhone and I was able to start participating and enjoying all the glass on the EAPGS Facebook site. I was thrilled when EAPGS changed the format of the database to its present form as it really was cumbersome before the switch. I really appreciated the Trustees at that time that had made that move possible.
Term expires in April of 2023.
Carol Williams
Pacific Region
Treasurer
My glass collecting saga started when I was given some Depression Glass as a wedding present. One day I picked up a gorgeous blue bowl at a garage sale. The pattern was one I had never seen before, better color than any Depression, and with wonderful mold work. I was driven to find out more about it.
Once I found the EAPG Facebook page, my obsession only grew! I realized many of the beautiful pieces I had collected over the years were actually EAPG! That blue bowl turned out to be Three Panel by Richards & Hartley, my garlic compote in the kitchen is by Bryce, Higbee, and my favorite candlestick is Portland by US Glass!
I find it hard not to adopt every piece of EAPG I see! My work experience includes over 50 years in accounting, the last fourteen for a nonprofit. Now retired, I enjoy learning more about EAPG, and have a space at a local Antique Mall to share my finds with others. I am currently a moderator on the EAPG Facebook page, helping with ID’s and adding images to the Pattern Index.
I am so honored to be asked to represent the Pacific Region on the Board. I will do my best to promote the Society’s mission and the love and history of EAPG.
Term expires in April of 2025.
Rick Ciralli
Eastern Region
I am from Connecticut, and I love early bottles and glass of many types. I started collecting back in the mid 1970s. As an advanced collector and dealer I started a business named RCGLASS, and I admin several pages on Facebook.
In the Fall of 2020, I joined the EAPG page on Facebook and soon became a very active contributor. I then joined the Society. One of the first patterns I chose to collect is the popular No.140 Wildflower by Adams that eventually led to other compotes, pitchers, creamers, bowls, and various stemware all made by some of the iconic makers of EAPG and of course some of the unknowns.
The Pattern Glass Index is the most important useful source of information available, and I can’t stress enough how important it is to all. I went to my first glass shows held in Carlisle this year and met many of the fine folks associated with the Society. I studied and handled so much glass. That is what I enjoy most, besides making new friends and colleagues.
I am truly honored to be asked to represent the Eastern region and join the Board of Trustees.I will do my best to uphold the core values of the Early American Pattern Glass Society and to further expand the database.
Term expires in April of 2025.
Margaret Cote
Pacific Region
Hi All! I'm 65ish, have a long suffering husband, Tim, three grown children and one newly minted grandchild. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. I describe myself as a cross between a crow and a magpie - love sparkly things and tend to bring home all kinds of bits and pieces!
I came late to glass collecting, only starting about fifteen years ago. Had so much fun with glass we started buying and selling for a hobby. We found glass shows were a fun way to meet new people and educate them on glass and collecting. I started with Elegant and Depression glass (Florence), but quickly found I was drawn to the EAPG patterns and pieces. My first piece was a Bassettown creamer. My love blossomed from there.
I was dragged, kicking and screaming, onto Facebook a few years ago; what an eye opening world that opened up! So much knowledge and so many new glass friends! I love to research my pieces and ID them, so the EAPGS database has gotten quite the workout.
I am thrilled to be asked to help represent the West Coast area and honored to keep educating and spreading the word about this marvelous group!
Term expires in April of 2025.
Jim Masterson
Eastern Region
I have been a collector, dealer and trader of EAPG since the early 1980s. I did not start my collecting life with EAPG, but it certainly is a main part of it now. My personal collecting goals align with the mission statement of the Society (… to foster and encourage the collection, appreciation, study, preservation, and documentation of early American pattern glassware, and its place in American life, past and present.) I constantly ask myself how I can do more to help grow and promote the Society. I have some ideas. Let’s grow!
Term expires in April of 2025.
Nancy Miller
Eastern Region
I live in New Jersey and my husband Ken and I started to collect antiques very early in our marriage. When we bought a Na-tional Historic Landmark Victorian house in 1993, I started going to auctions to fur-nish our home. At one of those early auc-tions there was a lot of several pieces of a pretty blue glass. When I got it home and researched it, I found out it was the EAPG Wildflower pattern. A few years later I bought several lots of Bellflower which I wanted to collect too and it included com-potes. Compotes quickly became my fa-vorite form of EAPG.
I was in nursing for 25 years, the last several years as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Ken and I had often talked about starting an antique business, so when I left nursing I started our antique business in 1999. Although I primarily sell glass of all ages, at the antique center, I also sell most types of antiques. I enjoy the face-to-face aspect of selling at shows and at the antique cen-ter. I like to think of antique dealers as the ultimate recyclers.
I have been a member of the Society for many years. I think the EAPG Facebook page is a great recent addition. It is wonderful to see so many new collectors learning and loving their glass. I want to help the Society to continue their mission and nurture new members. I am honored to serve as a Trustee for the Society.
Term expires in April of 2023.
Kathryn Piersma
Eastern Region
My interest in EAPG began, like many other people's, with a few family pieces of pattern glass my mother inherited from my father's mother, Granny Bee. One piece in particular, a Ribbon creamer, launched my mother and I on a fun filled search for more pieces. We shared a interest in history and antiques and, after some initial research, we included pattern glass on our "want lists" traveling to antique markets and shops.
Years later, a move to West Michigan with my job afforded me the opportunity and pleasure of meeting Nancy Smith and my future husband Durk. Nancy's friendship fostered my interest in pattern glass and led to my membership in the EAPG Society in 1996. Durk and I have been married 37 years and he generously provides me with the necessary loving support for my current business called Busy Beadz Antiques. I carry a wide assortment of inventory as an antique dealer with an emphasis on glass, Victorian novelties and match holders. My previous work experience includes 30 years in retail with multi-unit management. Family, friends and pursuing some of my other interests in wine, gardening, golf and our new puppy Zoe (not necessarily in that order) keep me busy. I am also a Quester and have served previously on their International Board.
Term expires in April of 2023.
Liz Roach
Mountain Region
I live in Salt Lake City, Utah, I'm married, have two daughters, five grandchildren, and several closets filled with EAPG. This is the short version of that story:
When I was young and newly discharged from the army, with two small children and a falling down house, my very eccentric, antiques-loving mother-in-law took me to my first antiques mall. Theoretically the shopping trip was to find inexpensive furniture for the ramshackle house. What I saw and loved from the beginning were the beautiful goblets. The first one to come home with me was Boston and Sandwich COMET, which I still have and use. I happily collected pattern glass goblets for years which was a wonderful bond with my mother-in-law. She wanted our daughters to inherit the EAPG that she, her mother, and grandmother before her, had collected. One of my daughters found the EAPGS site as she tried to identify the glass she and her sister had received. At that time I wasn't much of a Facebook person but she led me to the EAPGS page and I was instantly hooked.
I've received so much enjoyment from the Society and that online page that I'm happy to offer some of my time in return. I'm currently helping with the transition of the Photo Albums to a Society-owned web site and expect to continue in that role until our precious educational resource is safe.
Term expires in April of 2024.
Jim Thielen
Eastern Region
Hello my fellow "glassies", many of you know me from the Facebook group and also from Jeffrey S. Evan's September auctions. I have been dealing in all types of glass for over twenty years and I collect a few specific patterns. My late wife and I started our business to enjoy our retirement years. We both enjoyed the "hunt" for beautiful and unique pieces of early glass.
I feel it is imperative that we support the various glass societies and clubs. In this belief I support many of them especially the EAPGS since I use the Society database extensively and feel its only fair I make a contributions that exceeds the minimum required. Our members are aging and there are not many younger members joining, this is true for other glass groups and non-profits across the nation. If we don't educate the younger generation our hobby of collecting glass and dealing in glass will begin to dwindle. We must continue the efforts of documenting glass and educate how glass was made and used during the various time periods.
I am submitting my nomination to help continue the growth of the database and the Society's continued education of the public on early american pattern glass.
Term expires in April of 2024.
Peter Thomas
Eastern Region
In 2010 I retired after twenty years of working in the former Soviet Union. We were proud to have supplied the majority of jet fuel to NATO, French and the U.S. armed forces in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Central Asia.
My first interest in pattern glass was aroused by a small, forty piece, collection of X.L.C.R. (aka Kings Crown, Ruby Thumbprint) that my favorite aunt had in her living room. I was apparently just drawn to the deep ruby color. Of course, being introduced to the patterns in Bill Heacock's Book 7 ignited my desire to have examples of all ruby stained patterns.
Along the way I discovered amber staining and other decorations and so collected those as well. Eventually I had a little over 11,000 pieces and decided I needed to start a true museum in order for the collection to last past my lifetime and be able to be enjoyed by the general public. Hence, I founded the Minnesota Museum of American Pattern Glass to house my collection. It is free to the public and has a website at www.mnmapg.org.
I continue to be very interested in making our Society a venue for new collectors and the public to enjoy the pleasures of having and preserving pattern glass.
Term expires in April of 2023.