Sorry to be missing you folks at the convention, once you attend, you're gonna be hooked! Here's one reason why getting to the convention is so worthwhile.

First one I went to was in '01. At that time there was a informal trade session going before we went up to the banquet. I walked in and didn't know a soul. I was just getting started and was a new member. I spotted a fellow whose picture I'd seen online or in the magazine or somewhere but couldn't recall the name to go with the face. Well, I wasn't having too much fun just standing there so I found one of the great things about this hobby... you can just start talking to your fellow chipper. The gentleman was Jim Episale and he had the question everyone has at these things: "What do you collect Mark?" I told him my interest at the moment and a prime example appeared in his hand (at a very nice price )! Anyway the rest of the convention was a blast and I met a bunch of new friends I didn't know I had.

Missed a couple of conventions due to job change but returned in '04. Walking through the borse the first time, I hear "Hey Mtanker!" Turn around and there's Jim at his table holding a piece of paper. Turned out that he had a great piece of Nevada ephemera that he knew I'd be interested in. What was really nice about the whole encounter is that there was a couple of very specific aspects about the piece that he knew would be right up my alley! I gather Jim won't be there this year and I'm gonna miss him. We buy and sell and trade with other chippers at the conventions but as much fun as that is just meeting up and greeting each other is a great pleasure. You just fall into the middle of the conversation you left the last time you saw one another.