L ongtime APS members know we have a pretty busy schedule during the summer, both in Bellefonte and beyond. Although autumn has arrived, I wanted to catch you up on the news from the past season.

Summer Seminar
     This year, we welcomed 87 students to our annual Summer Seminar in Bellefonte, by far the largest group we’ve had in quite a few years. Again this year, we had a large number of first-time students, about a quarter of the attendees, and we welcomed our largest number of female collectors.

     New this year, all of our 2018 class of the Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship attended courses and participated in the social activities. We also welcomed back 2017 Central Atlantic Stamp Dealers Association Fellow Ian Hunter, who was this year’s Gerhard S. Wolff Summer Seminar Youth Scholarship recipient.

     Thanks to our great partners at the U.S. Postal Service, this year’s Summer Seminar program included the first day of issue of the Statue of Freedom stamps issued in $1, $2 and $5 denominations. Keynote speaker for the occasion was Scott Catalog Managing Editor Chad Snee. Author of the monthly “Dollar Sign Philately” column in Linn’s Stamp News, Snee shared stories of his passion for dollar-value U.S. stamps with our packed house.

     During the week, Seminar regulars said farewell to longtime Education Department stalwart Janet Houser, who retired just after the event to spend more time with her grandchildren and her garden. They were also able to meet Ross Jones, our new Education Coordinator who has settled in and is already working on the 2019 Summer Seminar.

     Thank you to all the instructors and students for making the trip to Bellefonte and making the 2018 Summer Seminar one to remember. It’s never too early to think about joining us in 2019. Whether you are interested in attending as a student or an instructor, please contact the Education Department at [email protected].

StampShow/National Topical Stamp Show

     In August, we took our stamp collecting show on the road to Columbus, Ohio. The show was a great success for the dealers, the attendees and the societies. This year, we joined forces with the American Topical Association and the U.S. Postal Service for a more creative event than ever before.

     The USPS introduced their new Dragon stamps on the first day of the show, so we themed the show accordingly. We brought along our very own magical flying reptile — “Perf the Magic Dragon” — who was one of the stars of the show, visiting with members and posing for pictures. Showgoers could get a passport to be stamped at different society booths, learning about the various areas of collecting. Members of each society were cordial and creative in introducing themselves and their services to the attendees, and many reported successful recruiting.

     We congratulate Jim Allen for winning the Benjamin & Naomi Wishnietsky World Series Champion of Champions Award for his exhibit, The First United States 12¢ Stamp Series of 1851-1861. By strange coincidence, Jim had won a raffle earlier in the week to announce the winner on Saturday night in place of APS President Bob Zeigler, who was attending his son’s wedding that weekend. You can only imagine his surprise when he started reading the title of the winning exhibit!

     For more than 75 years, the American Philatelic Society’s highest recognition for living members has been the Luff Award, This year we welcomed Wayne Youngblood, Denise Stotts, and John Barwis into the distinguished Luff Circle for their lifetimes of commitment to the hobby. Ken Lawrence was recognized for his prolific body of philatelic writings with the Charles J. Peterson Philatelic Literature Life Achievement Award. Congratulations to Don Sundman for winning the Dealer of the Year Award. Each of these individual APS members has made tremendous contributions to the hobby we cherish.

Congratulations

     In August, the APS made organizational changes to better focus on some critical areas. Ken Martin was named Chief Membership Officer to lead our efforts to better connect with the grassroots of the hobby and increase recruitment overall. We named Rick Banks the Chief Administrative Officer to lead our operational efforts here in Bellefonte and to manage day-to-day operations. Finally, Martin Miller was named Chief Content Officer, charged with expanding the information and knowledge we deliver, not only in the monthly and quarterly journals, but across all our platforms.

     As I noted in my September column, the APS Board is working on a new strategic plan to make the most of the opportunities we’ve created over the last three years. I will continue to update our members on the progress. I always welcome your thoughts at [email protected].