by Grant Hamilton, Publisher
With this issue you may notice that our advertising representative is new to the masthead. Sharon Holtz has decided it’s time for her retirement from the monthly task of coordinating the advertising portion of the Collector. She has spent the last weeks working with Ashleigh Curry, who assumes that role with this issue.
This is the second “retirement” for Sharon. She retired from our Neighbor-to-Neighbor News organization a while back, but continues to represent our twice-annual Genesee Vacation Guides publications. Sharon joined the Collector (well, was drafted) after we purchased the then-defunct publication and began to revive it. Though she didn’t know much about antiques, she knew advertising and customer service and was willing to take on the task. It’s safe to say we “couldn’t have done it without her.” Over the last decade or so she made many friends in the antiques world and visited with many dealers at local shows in Western New York. We know her long-standing customers will miss her; however, we are glad to have Ashleigh following in her footsteps.
For Western New York (and beyond) collectors and dealers the name Curry might ring a bell. Ashleigh literally grew up in the antiques business as the daughter of Wilson and Karen Curry of Williston Auctions. After studies abroad and a stint at Christie’s in New York, Ashleigh returned to her hometown of East Aurora, where she operates “East Aurora’s Social Media Maven,” an advertising and digital media marketing firm. Ashleigh is of the age group antique dealers hope to attract and she notes that when her friends visit they often comment favorably on the antiques she and her husband have in their home.
Speaking of media, Stephanie Widmer, our graphic artist and production manager, has been working on our website, www.nypa-collector.com. There are still things to accomplish, but she’s done a great job reviving the site. Take a look. We’re also contemplating creating a “marketplace” on the site for dealers. Stay tuned.
