Red Wing, MN – On Saturday, September 12, the RWCS donated a portion of the sales of its Anti-Coronavirus Jug sales to Goodhue County Public Health and the “COVID Aware Because We Care” program.

This spring, in addition to the RWCS annual commemorative, the RWCS Board of Directors decided to produce and sell a limited edition, modern-day version of the 1918 Anti-Flu League Jug made by Red Wing Stoneware in response to the outbreak of the Spanish Flu pandemic.

From left to Right Stacy Wegner, Executive Director, Red Wing Collectors Society, Jessica Seide, HHS Health Educator from Goodhue County Public Health, Megan Tsui, Red Wing Downtown Main Street, accepted for COVID Aware Because We Care, and Paul Wichert, President, Red Wing Collectors Society.

RWCS President Paul Wichert and Executive Director Stacy Wegner presented the checks to Jessica Seide, HHS Health Educator from Goodhue County Public Health and Megan Tsui, Red Wing Downtown Mainstreet, accepted for COVID Aware Because We Care.

“Thank you to the Collector’s Society for their generous donation to Red Wing Downtown Main Street. It feels like the history of their organization, our historical downtown, and the historical nature of the pandemic all collide at this moment. Their gift will help us continue to support downtown businesses during this most challenging time.” Megan Tsui, Director, Red Wing Downtown Main Street on behalf of the COVID Aware Because We Care program.

“We truly appreciate this thoughtful project that recognizes the many efforts taking place in our communities to slow the spread of COVID-19. The idea of Red Wing Collectors Society commissioning an anti-coronavirus league jug is inspirational and it provides a meaningful connection with our past. The funds that have been donated to Goodhue County Health and Human Services will help alleviate the impacts that COVID-19 has had on our communities. Thank you so much for this most thoughtful and inspirational project.” Nina Arneson, Goodhue County Health and Human Services Director.

Jessica Seide, HHS Health Educator from Goodhue County Public Health, and Megan Tsui, Red Wing Downtown Main Street, accepted for COVID Aware Because We Care.

The Anti-Coronavirus Jug was a limited-edition replica of the Anti-Flu League Jug that Red Wing Stoneware made in response to the outbreak of the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918. To learn more about the history of this jug, check out the recent article that was in the RWCS Newsletter written by RWCS member and Red Wing resident Todd Avery. Here is the link:

https://www.redwingcollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/1918-Flu-article-for-web.pdf

“Like the original, the RWCS wanted to support Red Wing and Goodhue County organizations whose direct efforts are slowing the spread of the virus,” said Paul Wichert, RWCS President.

“The Red Wing business community and Goodhue County have been long-time supporters of the RWCS Convention in July. The businesses have been sponsors and donors to the convention and all of Goodhue County has welcomed our members for decades. I felt it was important to support the community that has supported the organization,” said Stacy Wegner, Executive Director, RWCS.

The Anti-Coronavirus Jug was available to RWCS members and 600 were sold. Both Goodhue County Public Health and the COVID Aware Because We Care will receive a jug along with their donation.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

RWCS  is sponsoring an ONLINE AUCTION with Houghtons Auction Service!
September 28-October 5, 2020
RWCS Member Submission deadline September 21, 2020!

2020 Red Wing Collectors Society  Auction Submission Form

The RWCS Auction is open to the entire membership. Every member may submit item(s) for the auction. All entries are a FIRST COME, FIRST ACCEPTED.

COMMISSION STRUCTURE IN 2020
Items selling up to $100 will be assessed a $20 minimum commission, all other items will have a 12% commission.

RESERVE OPTION for submissions minimum value of $1,000 conditions:

• $1,000 minimum price on reserve items
• 12% commission on those items that sell. If Items does not hit reserve, the seller fee is $100 to the RWCS.
• The Auction Manager can reject the reserve option if the item has a value greatly less than $1,000.

Each auction lot submission: 

• Must submit using the ONLINE or PAPER FORM.
• Each additional lot MUST have its own online or paper form. DO NOT PUT two lots on the same paper or online form.
• The Auction Manager will randomly choose from ALL submissions until the auction is filled.

A limited number of RWCS Commemoratives will be allowed from 1977 to 2019, no 2020 Commemoratives will be allowed. Chapter Commemoratives can only be submitted by Chapter Presidents for the most recent year.

You have two options regarding your items.

1. For those close to Red Wing, you may contact Stacy Wegner at the RWCS office (Tuesday – Thursday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm), via her email, to deliver items directly to Red Wing.
2. You may keep your items in your possession after you send the submission form. If you choose this option, you must give a detailed description and numerous photos, for the auction catalog. If you choose to keep your items, you will be notified who the buyer is after the end of the auction. You will then need to make arrangements to either deliver or ship items to the buyer, at the buyer’s expense.

Once your item(s) is accepted, no substitutions, altered or otherwise not in their original form will be allowed. Multiple item lots allowed includes RWCS Commemoratives or Dinnerware Sets.

Acceptable items are American Pottery including Red Wing art pottery, stoneware, dinnerware, or Red Wing memorabilia. Modern-day reproductions are not allowed. Example: New Water Cooler Lids, etc.

Lot Numbers: The lot numbers will be assigned as items are entered. An EMAIL will notify you of the status of your submission including the lot number.

Please remember, you are sending a registration form far in advance of the Auction. Be prepared to hold your piece until you are notified that it has or has not been selected. BE CAREFUL! If your item has been confirmed for the Auction but does not show up, you will forfeit your Auction privileges for 2021.

We strive to prevent NO-SHOWS. If you are in doubt about whether or not your piece has been selected, please call the Auction Manager at 916-996-3584 or email auction@redwingcollectors.org We would rather have phone calls than no-shows.

PLEASE NOTE. Any items sent to Red Wing for the auction, WILL NOT BE INSURED for damage or theft. If you feel, that an item needs to be insured, please do so before delivering it to Red Wing.

Dave Huisman
Auction Manager
916-996-3584 PDT
Auction@redwingcollectors.org
Click here to access the form

As soon as we have a date when we will begin packing and mailing we will update members who ordered 2020 Commemoratives and 2020 Buttons. We want to extend a big thank you to RWCS members who have volunteered to help.

The RWCS election closed at midnight on June 30, 2020.
 
The election was uncontested and 242 electronic ballots and 3 paper ballots were cast.
 
The following officers were elected to the RWCS Board of Directors each for a 4-year term.
 
President Paul Wichert
Treasurer Dan Beck
Secretary Angela Shefveland
Education Manager David Hoffman
Commemorative Manager Bob Morawski
Auction Manager Dave Huisman
 
Congratulations to these board members.
 
The RWCS Board of Directors extends its sincere thanks to outgoing Board Member Bruce Selfridge for his tenure as Auction Manager.

The June issue of the RWCS Newsletter is now available on the RWCS website along with the classifieds!

The paper copy is mailing today, so watch your mailboxes!

Newsletter
https://www.redwingcollectors.org/category/members-only/newsletters-members-only

Classifieds

https://www.redwingcollectors.org/classifieds

In an effort to reduce costs due to convention cancellation, beginning Monday, June 22nd through Friday, July 26^th, the RWCS office will only be open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. The office will continue to operate remotely during this time.

Due to reduced hours, we prefer that you contact us via email or text.  Our email address is director@redwingcollectors.org and our text number is 651-388-4004.   We will respond during our new business hours. We realize that sometimes phone calls are necessary, so the RWCS phone will be manned on Tuesdays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. 

Members may renew their memberships and order commemoratives, coronavirus jugs, and buttons via our website. Log in with your membership number and password:

https://www.redwingcollectors.org/members/shop/review

Passwords:

When logging into the RWCS website, you do not need to use the leading 0’s on your membership number. If you don’t know your membership number and/or password please email or text the office. Members can reset their passwords on the RWCS website, but you must provide the email address we have on record.

Commemorative, Jug, and Button Order reminder:

The commemorative will be unveiled via our website, social media, and emailed to members on Thursday, July 9^th.

Members will have until Midnight on Saturday, July 11^th to order their commemoratives, coronavirus jugs, and buttons.

2020 Convention Button – $8

Members may now order the 2020 Convention Button on the RWCS website. Cost is $8.00 each, includes mailing, and members may order as many as they wish.

Thank you to the RWCS Gopher Chapter for providing the button and donating all the proceeds to the RWCS!
 
Get your button today!

RED WING COLLECTORS SOCIETY CANCELS 2020 SUMMER CONVENTION

RED WING, MN – Last night, the RWCS Board of Directors made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 RWCS Annual Convention scheduled for July 9-11 in Red Wing, MN.

The top priority of our organization is to ensure the safety and health of our membership and the Red Wing community that our members love so dearly. While this is difficult, the RWCS Board and membership are already looking forward to coming back strong for the 44^th RWCS Convention, July 8-10, 2021.

“We really hoped that we would be able to hold Convention, but unfortunately the timing is not in our favor, and a decision had to be made,” said RWCS President Paul Wichert. “There is too much to overcome from a logistical standpoint to adhere to social distancing guidelines and keep our members safe.”

The RWCS wishes to thank all of its sponsors that committed early this year including Xcel Energy, Red Wing Brewery, Red Wing Shoes, First State Bank Red Wing, Musty Barnhart Services, Stockholm Pie Plate Café’ & General Store, Red Wing Framing & Fine Art Printing, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Red Wing, Larry’s Jugs Antique, Hanisch Bakery & Coffee Shop, Siouxland Chapter and Rowe Pottery.  Together with all the businesses that have donated door prizes and supported the RWCS, we look forward to joining together to have an extra special  Convention in 2021.

The RWCS also appreciates the strong support of its membership. Thank you to all the members who are renewing their memberships, purchasing Commemoratives and Anti-Coronavirus League mini jugs, and making cash donations to help support the RWCS.

The 2020 Convention Commemoratives are still in production at Rowe Pottery. It has long been the tradition of the RWCS that the Commemorative is unveiled on the first day of the Convention. In keeping with this tradition, we will share the Commemorative on Thursday, July 9. Please watch our website, social media, and e-mail! RWCS Members and anyone who joins the club in the coming weeks can continue to order Commemoratives and Anti-Coronavirus League mini jugs until Saturday, July 11.

Planning is already underway for the RWCS 2021 Convention which will be July 8-10 in Red Wing, MN. We look forward to seeing all the collectors! For more information contact Stacy Wegner, Executive Director, Red Wing Collectors Society at 651-388-4004 or email director@redwingcollectors.org.

Update on the RWCS 2020 Convention
May 5, 2020, from the RWCS Board of Directors

The Red Wing Collectors Society has heard from both members and non-members on the status of the 2020 RWCS Convention. The RWCS Board met this past week and agreed to continue our plans for our July Convention. 

So there is no change to our plans as detailed in the April newsletter and an email we sent to each current member in April.  Non-members, of course, didn’t receive these.  We invite them to join the RWCS so they will be in the loop rather than passing on rumors that they heard from a ‘friend of a friend’.

Local, state, and federal regulations may cause the convention to get postponed, but until you hear otherwise from this board, we continue to plan for our July convention with the expectation that it will be held.  We know that the format will change to accommodate social distancing and other regulations that may be in place at that time. 

We appreciate all the members who are supporting the RWCS during this time through renewing their memberships, purchasing commemoratives and the coronavirus jug, and continuing to register for Convention.  Special thanks to the many of our members who have made cash donations to help support the RWCS. 

If plans for the convention change, the Board will communicate that with our members via email, our website and Facebook page, and newsletter.

Stay Safe,

Paul Wichert, President
Russa Robinson, Vice President
Angela Shefveland, Secretary
Dan Beck, Treasurer
Nancy Lambert, Historian
Diana Bailey, Rep at Large
Richard Natynski, Rep at Large
Bruce Selfridge, Auction Manager
Bob Morawski, Commemorative Manager
David Hoffman, Education Manager

For Immediate Release

RWCS to Expand 2020 Commemorative Sales before Convention

Red Wing, Minn.: The RWCS Board continues to plan for the 2020 Convention. We also realize that government regulations may prohibit holding the convention – the health and safety of our members are of most importance.

We want each member of the RWCS to have an opportunity to purchase the 2020 Convention Commemorative and also have access to the lottery, so we are expanding commemorative sales! These new items below are in addition to the regular commemorative orders.

NEW FOR  2020!
We are now offering to each member (Primary & Associate) the opportunity to purchase Lottery Pieces plus a Set of ALL THREE VERSIONS! Shipping Included!

Set of all THREE Commemorative Versions A, B, C!   $199 per set
(limit two sets per member primary & associate)

Many members have shared in the past that they would like the opportunity to purchase all three versions (ABC). We are adding this option for the 2020 Commemorative with a limit of 2 sets per member (Primary & Associate).

Lottery Pieces             $67
(limit one per member primary & associate)

For the 2020 RWCS Convention, each member (Primary & Associate) will be able to purchase ONE lottery commemorative before the convention.

2020 Accessory Update
The RWCS was unable to identify an accessory piece to compliment the 2020 Commemorative. Instead of an accessory piece for 2020, we are excited to offer:

NEW! Anti-Coronavirus League Jug^TM   $69
(limit one per member primary and associate)

A portion of our proceeds will go to appropriate health organizations directly fighting COVID 19.

This is available to all Primary and Associate members who purchase a 2020 Commemorative piece or set.

History Behind the Piece! This hand-turned jug is a replica of the 1918 Anti-Flu League Jug made by Red Wing Stoneware in response to the outbreak of the Spanish Flu.  Learn more about the history of this jug via our Flu League Article .

Commemorative Distribution Update
The commemorative order form that was mailed in February only gave the option for one commemorative (pick up or mail) to each primary and associate member. Note that we have since changed the online registration to only allow for mail order. Due to production delays caused by the outbreak, Rowe Pottery may not be able to finish the commemoratives in time for Convention if it’s still held. For that reason, all orders will be fulfilled by mail this year. In addition, an accessory piece will not be produced in 2020. Also, we have added a “donate to the RWCS” bucket on the Convention registration form. Please consider making a donation to the RWCS.

Members who have previously ordered the accessory this year may apply the amount of purchase to:

• These new products
• Donate to the RWCS or receive a refund.
• Please contact the office to update your order.

Thank you to all the members who have already registered for Convention! We are still encouraging members to:

• Register for Convention 
• Submit to the Auction
• Sign up for Display
• Volunteer
• Book your Sellers’ Tables 
• Pre-pay for an Auction Catalog
• Buy your Pottery Museum of Red Wing Wine-ing Tickets

If Convention is canceled, registration, sellers’ tables, auction catalogs, and banquet fees members may choose to donate them to the RWCS or be refunded.  Pottery Museum of Red Wing Wine-ing tickets will also be refunded or members may choose to donate those funds to the museum.

If you have questions or would like to make changes to your current order please contact the Executive Director, Stacy Wegner during office hours Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm CST 651-388-4004 or swegner@redwingcollectors.org