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Who is coming to Titusville 2012?!!!!

GEC Rendezvous will be held on July 19 – 20 - 21

Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Factory tours will be 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Woohooo....It is that time of year again. As you know this is an annual drive for us from FL to PA. Beautiful country to see on the way there and back but the destination is the highlight of course. This year we will stay just a few miles from Titusville in Oil City. Located at the confluence of the Allegheny River and Oil Creek in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. I have spoken with a few folks in the area and this sounds like a nice little piece of history. A history dating back to the discovery of oil near Titusville, Pa. They have been called the"Valley that changed the world".

I do know they that they are talking about the oil boom, but I see it just a little differently. In this area many knife companies were born, cutlers trained and the history of the knife industry in the US evolved. There is so much knife history here in such a small geographical area, that you can not help but want to take it all in. Of course in Titusville, there is the main attraction GEC!!! There is also Queen Cutlery. Although they only have their open house every two years and this year is not on their rotation, just going to see the famous building is a nice side trip. Case is just a couple hours away in Bradford and this is their year for a show. Great Eastern always tries to be certain that folks that have to travel to get to the Rendevous can make the most of their time and see as much knife history as possible.

Right down the road from Titusville is the wonderful little town of Tidioute. Be sure to stop by the hardware store and talk with the owner. The folks there love to tell about the history in the area and they are some of the nicest folks you would ever hope to meet.

One of the places I have always wanted to go while in the area is

Salamanca Antique Mall: 100 Main Street: Salamanca, New York

The Salamanca Antique Mall is located in Salamanca, New York just South of Buffalo near thePennsylvania line. Salamanca Antique Mall is a huge mall with hundreds of cases containing all manner of smalls.

I can only imagine the wonderful knives you could find if given the time to go through some of those small vendors.

But again the main attraction for us for that weekend is the folks at GEC and the people we meet there. Among those we have met, Johnny Twoshoes and his family, Bob Andrews, Ken Mundhenk, Roger Cunningham, David Anthony and his lovely wife Debra, Knifegirl888, Brent888 and their family.

So join us in PA, meet our favorite knifemakers. See how your knives are made, have a seat at the table, talk about the knives we love (bring your favorite to show off). Dont forget to pet Casey the Dog.

Will we see you there?

Tags: Cutlery, Eastern, Great

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Replies to This Discussion

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on June 28, 2012 at 7:21

Who are those in the picture? Sounds like a wonderful vacation.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on June 28, 2012 at 8:49

Jan, the days are passing without haste and the date soon approaches. I am definitely getting pumped for this occasion and it's time to start planning for our little jaunt to the mountains. Seeing you all will be a blast and getting to meet even more of the GEC crew is my plan. I missed out on actually meeting Pat and I've kicked myself for that.

July is such a busy month that if I blink, I'll be in the little town of Titusville. I will bring my camera and try to get some better pics for my friends online. I brought it last year, but I was too busy with my friends to actually get to use it.

From what I understand, David will not be attending. He is headed to the Case show on account of an invitation, unfortunately Case beat GEC to the punch.

Permalink Reply by Gary Thomas on June 28, 2012 at 10:07

Stuck here in Fort Worth. I have never been to a knife show, can you believe it. What a trip that would be to Titusville . . . it would be like a pilgrimage of sorts. One day perhaps . . .

Permalink Reply by Scott Rauber on June 28, 2012 at 10:37

Man, oh man, I'd love to attend this!

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on June 28, 2012 at 14:53

Go for it Scott, it's worth the trip and I know your a GEC nut like the rest of us.

BTW, great review on that stag beast you got the other day.

Permalink Reply by Scott Rauber on June 29, 2012 at 12:45

Thanks for the props JTS!!!!
Yeah, no way I can attend this year......noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo way.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 29, 2012 at 19:03

Robert,

Pat Vroman is the gentlemen in the white shirt that appears to be giving directions. I looks like he may be speaking with the man in the drak shirt (it may be Russell Lown) Met him last year Fantastic gentleman!!

Robert Burris said:

Who are those in the picture? Sounds like a wonderful vacation.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 29, 2012 at 19:05

Thats a shame Scott, we would love to see you there. Make some plans and join us next year please

Scott Rauber said:

Thanks for the props JTS!!!!
Yeah, no way I can attend this year......noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo way.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 29, 2012 at 19:08

Johnny,

It will be with a sad heart that we miss David and Debra this year. He always puts up such a nice display. Has the best old stuff you never get to see. Last year it was a Beaver Falls Knife

We cant wait to see you and the family. Casey Dog is looking forward to it also

johnny twoshoes said:

Jan, the days are passing without haste and the date soon approaches. I am definitely getting pumped for this occasion and it's time to start planning for our little jaunt to the mountains. Seeing you all will be a blast and getting to meet even more of the GEC crew is my plan. I missed out on actually meeting Pat and I've kicked myself for that.

July is such a busy month that if I blink, I'll be in the little town of Titusville. I will bring my camera and try to get some better pics for my friends online. I brought it last year, but I was too busy with my friends to actually get to use it.

From what I understand, David will not be attending. He is headed to the Case show on account of an invitation, unfortunately Case beat GEC to the punch.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 30, 2012 at 18:41

Another place I want to visit while we are there, Had some friend going last year and would have loved to have joined them but Casey dog was to young to leave at the hotel by himself. Here is what their website says:

Since the early 1970s we (Glenn & Gail) have traveled to Africa, New Zealand, Alaska, Russia, and many other countries bringing back many hunting trophies which are displayed at The Safari. Many families visit us to enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner while the children view and chat about the collection all around them.