Lyn sold me my first big "haul" of collectibles at an Arcadia show years ago. He had several old Vegas Matchbooks in these rectangular cardboard and clear plastic displays. The held 9 or 12 matchbooks each. He sold me all of them, including the cases, at a fair price. We spoke for about an hour. He was very kind and patient with a new collector, while I hemmed and hawwed about whether I should make such a "big" purchase. I learned he was a teacher in Hawthorne, where we lived at the time, and we chatted about the area. I was so happy with my eventual "score" and everything I learned that day. I saw him occasionally at shows a few times after that and we would chat a bit. I have fond memories of him.

That was the same show where I met Janice O"Neill for the first time and she kept saying if I liked the arcadia show I had to join "the club" and attend the "big show" in Las Vegas one day. I had no idea what the club or the "big show" meant at the time, and didn't get to one until the Riviera 2 or 3 years later. She was right. It definitely was a big show! I became a life member of the club a few years ago.

I love casino chip collecting and hope we can get past these troubled times we are experiencing by remembering the joy of collecting and the memories of our first experiences in the Hobby. I feel sorry for new collectors who are seeing us collectively at our worst in this forum, and not seeing the numerous acts of kindness and generosity I have witnessed repeatedly from members that truly represent the heart and soul of this little Hobby of ours.

Thanks Mike for triggering my positive first memories in the Hobby, and the memory of Lyn and Janice.