ABA 2026 Convention Highlights
Springfield, Missouri
June 21 – 26, 2026
A few Pictures from our Springfield Convention.
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American Bell Association Banner
Meet and Greet
Queen Monica looking beautiful
King Larry keeping things on track
President Ailene welcoming us to the 80th ABA Convention
Parade of Chapter Banners
Parade of Chapter Banners
a few early birds on the bus ready for our tour
BEHOLD – California Mission Bells
BEHOLD – Wagner Family Collection
BEHOLD – Todd Warner Camelot bells
BEHOLD – Jewelry Bells
BEHOLD – the colorful Ron Hinkle glass bells
BEHOLD – Come and get it (Kitchen and Dining Bells)
BEHOLD – Columbian Exhibition
BEHOLD – Historical Lady Bells
Bruce our Auctioneer
At the auction, thinking about the next one
Just a few of the auction bells
A quilt that went for auction
The Programs
We learned a lot and had some laughs from the programs presented this year.
The Colorful Bells of Ron Hinkle
Historical Lady Bells
Father Serra, Mission Bells and Mrs. Forbes
Sterling Silver Baby Rattles & Teethers – Victorian Era
Come and Get it – Kitchen and Dining Bells
Wagner Family Collection
Good Time & Bad Times – Figural & Figurine
Bells from the 1893 Columbian Exposition
2026 – 2027 Executive Board
President Sue Goebel
First Vice President: Shawn Wagner Second Vice President: Betsy Lincicome Secretary: Carol Jurin Treasurer: Arlene Foreman Immediate Past President: Ailenen Pearce Member at Large: Shirley Russell Past Presidents Representative: TBD Parliamentarian Cathy Darnell Legal Advisor: TBD
PROGRAMS
The Colorful Bells of Ron Hinkle
Historical Lady Bells
Father Serra, Mission Bells and Mrs. Forbes
Sterling Silver Baby Rattles & Teethers, Victorian
Come and Get It
The Wagner Family Collection
Good Times & Bad Times – (Figural and
Figurine Women}
Bells from the 1893 Columbian Exposition
BEHOLD ROOM DISPLAYS
Ron Hinkle Glass Bells
Historical Lady Bells
Mrs. Forbes and Mission Bells
Come and Get It
Wagner Family Collection
Bells from the 1893 Columbian Exposition
Todd Warner Camelot Bells
Jewelry Bells
2026 Convention Bell
Melodia Bell
The Melodia bell was made by artisans in Veneto Italy and was inspiried by stained glass art.
Made with lead-free Italian crystal, it is hand painted and then fired to bake on the beautiful colors. The clapper is a small round crystal ball on a silver chain.
It is inscribed “ABA 2026, Springfield, MO”.
The Tours
Many of us took the tours sponsored by the American Bell Association. We went to Top of the Rock and toured the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum and then the Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail: A 2.5-mile self-guided electric golf cart tour. A brief stop at the Bat Cave gave us a drink to finish our tour.
Lunch was at the Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks. The college charges no tuition for full-time students due to its student work program and donations. It was delightful to talk with some of the students while we enjoyed a wonderful lunch that they had made.
We then saw the Hughes Brothers program in Branson. The Hughes Brothers Family has been performing for more than 30 years.
The next morning we went to the Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium. It was designed by Johnny Morris, owner of Bass Pro Shops. Wonders of Wildlife takes you on a journey through habitats that entertain and educate while and shares the story of America’s most significant conservationists throughout history.
Thursday evening after the auction, we went to Pythian Castle for a Murder Mystery Dinner where many of us played parts of the story. It was interesting to see that some of our members have good thespian skills and added to the fun of the evening.
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a few early birds on the bus ready for our tour
Top of the Rock Museum
The golf carts (maximum speed is 7 mph)
One of the many bridges and waterfalls along the trail
entering the Bat Cave
Getting a drink inside the Bat Cave
another bridge
A great look at the rocks
Table Rock Lake
Top of the Rock Golf Course
College of the Ozarks – Keeter Center
Hughes Brothers Show
Wonder of Wildlife and Aquarium
Wonder of Wildlife Big Horn Sheep Diorama
There are many different ducks
Teddy Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Teddy Bear
Pythian Castle Entrance Hall – where many got their parts
Pythian Castle Murder Mystery Dinner
Pythian Castle – Ailene was quite the thespian
