More than a Little High

[Bruce W Sims]

Hi, Folks: I am putting this in this forum in the hopes that I might let some folks here get a sense of what they are missing if they have not reached out to their nearest Chapter.

Sunday I took the plunge and attended my first meeting of Chapter Three here in the Chicago Area. Things could not have gone better but I want to share Why they could not have gone better. And if you old guys want to move on to something else, I get it.
1.) The location could not have been more convenient. Its not just that it was held at a Marriot location, but that location was right off a main artery. It took me an hour to get there, but that was because it was an hour away and not because it was held at some obscure location, justy behind a neighborhood gas station. Had I wanted to I would have driven down the night before but that would have just been a "Plan B" Chicago winters being what they are.
2.) People inside the door were incredibly accomodating. Some bumps in family life had interfered with taking a pre-registration and getting my membership, but it went wonderfully smooth and I was checking out the tables in no time.
3.) Sellers were a mixed lot but were unfailing helpful. Checks are as good as cash as everyone seems to be pretty much on the honors system. The prices were, I suspect about 20-30% higher, but the items were a cut above as well. Just sayin.....
4.) Two things I was in search of were watch materials and tools and most of what I saw were less about PW and more focused on post WW II wrist watches. A shining exception was a recent widow who had come to let go of her late husbands' inventory. I passed on the watchmakers lathe for a cabinet of springs for the top 5 American PW makers. Far from complete the inventory had more than a few bits I will be putting to use in time.
5.) Lastly, there was not a talk or class as was the case with the lasty meeting, but it leaves me with something to look forward to at the next meet. As it is, I have my eyes set on whats happening in Wisconsin now.

Many thanks to Wayne P and his crew for making it a stellar experience.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

 

[Dave Coatsworth]

5.) Lastly, there was not a talk or class as was the case with the lasty meeting, but it leaves me with something to look forward to at the next meet. As it is, I have my eyes set on whats happening in Wisconsin now.

Glad you had a good time! Chapter meetings can indeed be most enjoyable. I look forward to ours every month.

I am the presentation manager for Chapter 190 (Ventura County in California). Sometimes we have trouble lining up presentations for every meeting. This was the case in February. Instead of having no presentation, we simply had a "bring in your favorite watch or clock to share" presentation. Everyone who brought something took 3-5 minutes to talk about what they brought. It was very successful as members brought in some very interesting items. You might suggest this to your chapter if they are stuck without a presentation.

 

[Alan Walker]

I am affiliated with Chapter 113-Southern Arizona and enjoy our chapter meetings. However, I’ll probably be spending the summer months attending the Chapter 112 meetings as Southern Arizona goes on hiatus from June to September (or something like that). Traditionally, many activities go on summer hiatus in Southern Arizona.

Summer in Southern Arizona is best enjoyed from inside a nice, air conditioned building. Only the workers and the insane dare venture outside for any length of time during daylight hours. This is also (in my personal opinion) why we do not observe Daylight Saving Time. We don’t want more daylight hours-we want less! Those who can restrict their outdoor daylight activities to sunrise and sunset.

Chapter 113 has a nice meeting facility at the Fountain Hills community center. Unfortunately, Fountain Hills is at the extreme eastern side of the Phoenix Metro Area and not easily accessed from the main interstate and Central Phoenix. That said, they’re great folks and they always put on a great regional.

When we do meet in the Southern Arizona chapter, we usually have a presentation in addition to show and tell. My item for the next show and tell will be a Self Winding Clock Company of New York railroad Standard Clock that I’m buying from another member.

 

[Bruce W Sims]

Thanks, Guys...... and I am stealing your suggestion, Dave. Show-and-tell in a pinch.....

Best Wishes,

Bruce