I had a great convention this year and have decided it is much nicer to attend as a collector than a dealer. I had forgot how much fun it was to wander the floor and not have to worry about spending the day behind a table. Watching everyone haul thier stuff out to a car on Saturday confirmed my opinion.

It was wonderful finally meeting some of the people I have been watching on the board for some time now. Mark Englebretson, Steve Bedo, Hawk Bennett, Mike Christenson, Doug Boyd, Brian Watts and a host of others I had never met before, It was a pleasure meeting you all.

Mark, Mitch, and Howard, thanks for the Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

To Me attending the convention is like no other experience. Surrounded with friends and fellow chippers, it has to be as close to heaven as you can get here on earth.

For those of you who have never attended, it is well worth the trip, whatever it takes to get there.

Take care my friends, and see you all next year..... hopefully at the final table.

Doug "Cigarman" Smith