2006 Saudi Aramco Annuitants Reunion Sideline Exhibits
- Community
- Aramco Annuitant Reunions
Author: Aramco ExPats
Released 2 June 2006
The Sideline Exhibits have become an integral part of the Annuitants Reunion offering annuitants a venue to share their interests and accomplishments since retirement with other annuitants.
2006 Sideline Exhibits
Photograph by Aramco ExPats
For instance, through his publishing company Selwa Press, Tim Barger has published his father's memoirs, Out in the Blue, and Nimah Ismail Nawaab's book of poems, The Unfurling, bringing the spirit and history of Arabia to readers around the globe as well as providing a unique opportunity to writers of Arabian-related prose.
Annuitant Vicci Thompson and her son, Aramco Brat, Rusty Swayne, co-founders of Aramco ExPats web site, were also present offering information about the community based site and demonstrating the recently released Aramco ExPats Directory. They also offered up for sale a few of their best selling items from the online Aramco ExPats Suq.
Tim Barger and Vicci Thompson
Photograph by Aramco ExPats
Displays from custom-made jewelry inspired by Saudi culture to photographic memoirs of life in Arabia were among the many exhibits at this year's reunion. In addition, the Community Heritage Gallery, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the reunion, used an entire conference room for their traveling exhibit, and Saudi Aramco previewed two DVDs, a Photo Journey of Saudi Arabia featuring photographs by Ellen Knight, Byron and Kay Taylor, and Karen Eaton-Hinz, and a movie, Saudi Aramco Scrap Book - Then and Now.
Owen Oxley was present promoting his soon to be published coffee-table book, The Great Adventure, documenting in photographs life in Arabia from 1950 - 1955. Yvonne Rosenquist also set up shop displaying her beautifully hand-crafted jewelry designed with semi-precious stones and artifacts from Arabia.
Janny Slotboom Displays her Dutch Surprise
Photograph by Aramco ExPats
Published books, greeting cards, quilts, oil paintings, and beautiful collections of artifacts exhibited a wide range of talents and passions. Janny Slotboom brought a little of the Netherlands to the reunion with Dutch surprises like Delft blue plaques and silk tulip arrangements.
Annuitants toured the exhibits viewing crafts and collectibles, purchasing items for sale, gathering educational brochures and give-aways, watching demonstrations, and exchanging information. A favorite hobby of many Aramcons is quilting, and no talent display would be complete without a quilting corner hosted by Norma Klimpke.
It was a delight to see the inspirations of fellow Aramcons and to share in their accomplishments. With such a talented group of individuals, the possibilities proved endless. It was gratifying to offer support and encouragement to peers who had shown so much devotion to a passion, and who had taken the time to forgo many of the social activities and festivities in order to share their passion with other annuitants.
The next reunion is in two years. There's just enough time to brush up on your favorite hobby and participate in the 2008 Sideline Exhibits!
A Collection of Saudi "Artifacts"
Photograph by Aramco ExPats
Paintings by Schenewark
Photograph by Aramco ExPats