2025 Spring Gathering
April 25 – 27
As we celebrate the guild’s 40th year, let’s embrace the joy of sharing techniques, stories, and inspirations. Each basket we weave holds not just materials, but memories of collaboration and connection. We look forward to a weekend filled with laughter, learning, and lasting friendships. Here’s to weaving together not just fibers, but unforgettable experiences!
Thompson Hall
Enfield, CT
4 Alden Ave, Enfield, CT 06082
Hello NBG member!
We are excited to get together in person with you for the 2025 Gathering! We would like to provide you with an overview of some of the events and happenings for the 2025 Gathering.
Class Times:
- Friday: Noon to 6 pm
- Saturday: 8 am to noon, break for lunch, 1 pm to 5 pm
- Sunday: 8 am to noon
Meals
- Dinner is included on Saturday night only. (Please note this change from previous years)
- You have the option to buy lunch on Friday and Saturday.
- Please feel free to bring snacks!
- Alcohol is not allowed at the event.
Choosing your classes:
Carefully consider your level of experience, the measurements of the baskets, and any options provided by the teacher. We suggest that you measure out your basket selection on a table for a better understanding of the size of the basket.
What you can expect to see at the 2025 Gathering – in addition to great teachers, wonderful baskets, and fun weaving companions both new and old are:
- Members’ Exhibits
- Raffle
- Marketplace
- Buddy Plan
- NBG’s Annual Meeting
We’re committed to providing our members a fun, fulfilling, and memorable event each spring. If you have any questions, ideas or comments, please contact us at SpringGathering@northeastbasketmakers.org .
Amanda Thompson & Sue Muldoon
2025 Gathering Committee
Index
Click here to see the classes
The Venue
Thompson Hall, located in Enfield, Connecticut, is a historic building known for its architectural significance and community role. Built in the early 1900s, it features a blend of classic design elements, showcasing the craftsmanship of the era. Originally serving as a school, the hall has since been repurposed for various community events and gatherings.
Please note that the classes will be held on the second floor of the building. There is a chair lift in the back of the building for those that need it.
Accommodations
Join us at the Hampton Inn Springfield South Enfield for the NBG Spring Gathering! Enjoy a comfortable stay with modern amenities, complimentary breakfast, and connect with fellow attendees in a welcoming atmosphere.
Guests may book reservations by:
- One-Click-URL group web page.
- Calling Hampton Inn by Hilton for Central Reservations 1-800-426-7866 or the Hotel Main Line 860-741-3111.
- Visiting the hotel website www.hamptoninnenfield.com with the Group Code.
Group Name: Northeast Basket Makers Guild – Spring Gathering
Group Code: NEB
Hotel Address:
20 Phoenix Avenue
Enfield, Connecticut 06095
Meals
There is the option to purchase Friday lunch which will be from a local deli. Friday night dinner is on your own. We will provide a list of restaurants in the area. There are many to choose from.
Saturday lunch will also be available for registrants to purchase. Saturday dinner will be catered and is included in the registration fee.
We will have a variety of snacks available throughout the conference in our hospitality room. Also, teas,
coffee, and water. Feel free to bring your own snacks. Due to the insurance premium no alcoholic beverages are allowed.
Registration
Registration is open to current members of NBG on October 20, 2024; nonmember registration begins November 2, 2024. Remember that the Membership Year now begins July 1 and ends June 30.
All registrations must be completed online or by phone and enrollment in all classes is first come, first served. Payment must be made in full at the time of registration. You can submit your order online and pay either (a) with PayPal (Credit or Debit) or (b) by check, made out to “NBG” sent to Stephanie Gage, 93 Lakewood Drive, Belmont NH 03220. Alternatively, you can place your order by phone with Gail Hanlon (email your name and phone number to membership@northeastbasketmakers.org and she will call you) and send a check made out to “NBG” in the mail.
| NBG Member Price | Non-Member Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Friday to Sunday with Saturday lunch & dinner | $210 | $240 |
| Friday ONLY | $65 | $75 |
| Saturday ONLY with Saturday lunch & dinner | $135 | $145 |
| Sunday ONLY | $55 | $65 |
| Friday and Saturday with Saturday lunch & dinner | $185 | $205 |
| Friday and Sunday | $105 | $125 |
| Saturday and Sunday with Saturday lunch & dinner | $175 | $195 |
| Friday Lunch (Not Included) | $18 | $18 |
| Saturday Dinner (included with Saturday Registrations. Dinner may be purchased for guests) | $40 | $40 |
- Nonmembers may register for classes after November 2, 2025.
- Packages that include a Saturday class include dinner. You may purchase lunch on Friday and Saturday, as well as purchase meals for others in your party.
- You will receive email notifications when you submit your registration and when your payment has been received.
- Payment of teachers’ fees are included with your class selections at the time of registration.
- Phone orders may be made with Gail Hanlon (email your name and phone number to Membership@northeastbasketmakers.org and she will call you)
- If you have any questions or comments, please contact Amanda Thompson, NBG 2025 Gathering Coordinator at SpringGathering@northeastbasketmakers.org.
- You may cancel your registration at any time up to 5:00 pm, March 22, 2025 to receive a partial refund (90%). No refunds are available after this date. If you wish to receive your basket materials in kit form from the teacher, contact the Gathering Coordinator to arrange pickup or fee for shipping. Teachers are preparing kits in advance.
Buddy Plan
Anyone who is new to NBG or is attending the Gathering for the first time will be paired up with another “more experienced” member. This Buddy Plan will provide new attendees with a partner who will introduce them to other members, provide information about the Guild and details of the Gathering, and, most importantly, the Buddy can be a “friend.” Buddies will be connecting by email before the Gathering. If you have any questions or would be interested in being the “more experienced buddy,” please contact Tina Pearsall.
Weekend Schedule
April 25 – 27, 2025
| Registration | Starts Friday at 11:15 am |
|---|---|
| Exhibits basket drop-off | Starts Friday at 11:15 am |
| Friday classes | Friday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm |
| Exhibit voting | Saturday 8 am – 4 pm |
| Saturday classes | Saturday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Saturday lunch | Saturday 12 to 1 pm |
| Annual meeting | Saturday 12:15 to 12:45 pm |
| Basket raffle and Exhibit awards | Saturday 5:15 pm |
| Saturday Dinner | Begins at +/- 6 pm |
| Marketplace | Following dinner |
| Sunday classes | Sunday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Timeline
| Registration opens for NBG Members | 11/5/2025 |
| Non-member registration begins | 12/1/2025 |
| Last day to make hotel reservations to be eligible for the special NBG room rate | 3/23/2026 |
| Registration closes | 3/19/2026 |
| No refund of registration fee and teachers’ material fee | After March 23, 2026 |
Annual Meeting
Our Annual Meeting is held during lunch on Saturday. Find out what is happening in the Guild.
Exhibits
Lynn Goldberg is coordinating the NBG Exhibits during the 2025 Gathering. We encourage all NBG members to display their work in the Exhibit Area. One entry per member. Drop off of baskets begins Friday at noon and is available anytime the area is open. Baskets should be picked up during Marketplace (7:30 pm). Members may vote on Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm. Ballots will be included in the Welcome Packet at the registration area. No ballots will be available in the Exhibit room. Winners will be announced on Saturday night. More information on categories, awards, and entering your baskets will be in future newsletters. See the pictures of last year’s entries and winners.
Raffle
The raffle is always a great event! Teachers and attendees are invited to donate a basket or basket-related item for the raffle. A fun-filled, robust, highly anticipated drawing of the winners is part of the evening events on Saturday. If you have any questions, please reach out to Carol Welch at raffle@northeastbasketmakers.org.
Marketplace
This event is a great way to end Saturday during the Gathering weekend. Gathering teachers are invited to participate as vendors. Nonbusiness NBG members may purchase a table for $25 and sell basketry-related items. Contact Gail Hanlon with any questions or to reserve a table.
Volunteers
“Many hands make light work” is definitely how the Gathering weekend functions. In addition to all the people listed in this gathering web page who are coordinating tasks and projects, we need additional volunteers during the weekend. There will be a sign-up list of tasks posted in the lobby beginning on Friday. Please look over the list and volunteer. Event coordinators may also be contacting you to assist with an activity. We all thank you—this is another important aspect of a great, fun, and organized Gathering. We always need early-arrival attendees to assist teachers and welcome other attendees.
Grants
NBG has grants to award yearly. The application process begins in January 2025. The Bill Pope Grant is available to an NBG member to attend the Gathering. Now is the time to look at the grants and the criteria, and to make your plans. More information will be provided in upcoming newsletters. Take a look at the information on grants. Contact Kimberley Harding, Vice President, for more information.