CHARPEX Stamp Show 2022

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My wife, Rhonda, and I attended CHARPEX on Saturday July 30, 2022 at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina (NC). The theme of the show was "The Mariachi". The show was opened with a Dedication Ceremony of the Mariachi stamp. We arrived early, attended the Opening Ceremony and afterward checked out the show vendors and the show exhibits. I found several FDCs and postcards for my collection while visiting the show vendors.

 

The ESPER NC Chapter business meeting / luncheon started at 12 noon. I was one of two special guest for the meeting. The other special guest attending the meeting was Scott English of the American Philatelic Society (APS). He was there to present Beatrice "Bea" Cox the North Carolina ESPER Chapter Director an award. 

 

20 members attended the event. One new member joined the Chapter during the show. I updated the members on current ESPER activities and the 35 Anniversary Celebration. Scott English updated the members on APS activities and presented Bea with the Carter Volunteer Award for Local Service. The Great American Stamp Show (GASS) will be held this year in Sacramento California August 25-28, 2022. Bea would not be able to attend the show, therefore, she received her award early at the CHARPEX show. 

 

Following the business meeting Mary Love did a presentation on "African Americans on US stamps with a Connection to the Carolinas".

The presentation gave detailed information on AA on stamps from North and South Carolina:

   - 7 AA born in North Carolina, 

   - 3 AA who lived or worked in NC

   - 6 AA born in South Carolina

   - 3 AA connected to North or South Carolina 

   - 3 Historical events in the Carolinas with AA on the stamps 

 

I had a great time hanging out at CHARPEX. I spent a couple of hours after the meeting talking with members at the ESPER show table. I attended an APS Town Hall meeting late in the day to finish out my day at CHARPEX.

 

By Howard Ingram