We left Park Forest, Illinois early on Friday morning, but an hour later than originally planned. The day was sunny and a crisp chill was in the air. Five hours later, we had reached our destination -- the 36th Annual Mid-Ohio Insulator Show and Sale in Springfield, Ohio. With 127 sales tables and 20 displays, this show was shaping up to rival a National.

This was only our fourth year attending the show. The first show was held shortly after I turned two years old (sorry if that makes anyone feel old!) and Mark and I actually attended our first show only a couple of months after our collecting adventures began.

All three of the show hosts were already at the fairgrounds by the time we arrived -- Steve Blair, Glenn Drummond and Alan Stastny. Playing host to the longest running insulator show in the country is a daunting task. As much as you would like to think that after 36 years that the show would run itself, much work goes into the planning. All of the hosts remain busy during the show by attending to the wants and needs of all of their guests, because when you come to the show that is what you are -- a welcomed guest who feels right at home.

Although dealer set up does not officially begin until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, dealers arrive early to help the hosts with the set up of the show hall, and to visit with old friends. Happily, with help from several people, the hall was ready early, so we were allowed to begin set up prior to 3:00 p.m.

Unloading and dealer setup this year can be summed up with one word - COLD! I know it was November and I know we were in the Midwest and not Miami, but it was unseasonably cold. Between no heat in the building on set up day and the front doors being left open, the hall was freezing cold, and after spending six hours in it, I was miserable! With a nose like Rudolph and frostbitten fingertips, we left just before 8:00 p.m. After a quick dinner, we fell quickly asleep, dreaming of colorful glass.

By the time we arrived at the show hall on Saturday morning, the place was already buzzing with excitement. Dealers and buyers had filled the wide aisles, and the fun had just begun. From my vantage point, sales were brisk. Nearly everyone I saw was carrying a bag or package of some kind. Happy faces were visible everywhere I looked. It was just like Christmas! Glass and porcelain from the United States and many foreign nations were available for sale and viewing. Some of the more exceptional pieces included a very near mint Fisher CD 265.1, a very near mint electric blue Mickey (CD 257), a couple of smooth base CD 134 Patent 1871s in depression green and peacock blue and more than one set of Cochrane bells.

As most of you know, the official commemorative was changed this year from a miniature CD 260 Roman Helmet to a miniature CD 317 Chambers. The color of the piece was a vibrant green, and in addition to the "perfect" pieces available for sale, Steve had several underpours, solid pours, slumpers and pieces with impurities. I think that before the show was over, I had one of each! If you're interested in purchasing one, contact Steve Blair -- I'm sure he has a few left over!

Looking for a go-with? A great combined display of lightning rod equipment by Steve Bobb, Glenn Drummond and Todd Grueninger was something you could look at and enjoy, while several dealers had go-withs available for sale on their tables.

Saturday night's banquet was the largest ever for the Mid-Ohio show. One of the attendees appeared to be upset that some people were eating pie, while he hadn't gotten his main course yet, so Mark and I thought we'd be nice little elves and get him some pie. About 10 pieces. Poor Charlie Irons... 

Each displayer received an award for their participation -- a ribbon and a carnivalized version of the miniature commemorative produced for the show. Once all of the displayers had been brought up to the podium to receive their awards, the winner of the most educational display was announced. The Springfield -- Clark County Chamber of Commerce donated funds for an award to be produced by Wilkerson Glass. This year's winner was Jim White of Indianapolis, Indiana. His display focused on CD 136.4 "Canadian Bostons", and in addition to displaying the pieces he has acquired, he included several comparison photos and information regarding the details found on these pieces. Very educational, and a deserving award! Other displays included a display of salesman sample miniatures, New Lexington High Voltage I porcelain molds, Hemingray CD 1070 spools, an interactive insulator quiz, one display of pieces with underpours, a display of CD 205s, a display dedicated to CD 257 Mickeys, and a display from the National in Austin of pieces from Fred Locke. All of the displays were well done, and I'd like to personally thank all of the displayers for their participation.

After the awards were presented and upcoming shows were announced, the evening's festivities were over. Most retired for the night, dreaming of their new acquisitions, or the one that got away, while others gathered for the annual Viking meeting or a round of poker.

Sunday, as always, was a quieter day. With people packing up to make their way home, dealers began having sales in an attempt to take less sales stock home with them. Everyone wins in this case -- the dealers have less items to pack and haul away, and the new owners have something new to add to their collections.

I was tired after getting to the fairgrounds on Sunday morning and started dozing off in a chair behind our table. While one photo was taken, another collector was waiting in the wings with his camera to snap a quick picture of me while I was just trying to get a little rest. A word to anyone who falls asleep at an insulator show in the future -- if you're going to fall asleep, make sure I'm not around. Because of the photo taken of me, I've since come up with several ideas on how to have fun with a sleeping collector, so now I'm just waiting for my opportunity!

As the day wrapped up, the "regulars" were the last ones to leave. There seems to be a certain group of us who straggle 'til the end -- are we slow, or are we simply sad that the show is over? I'm betting on the latter. After the show was over, a number of us retired to the home of Steve and Lois Blair to talk about what we'd seen at the show, what we'd purchased or traded for, and other happy memories of the past three days.

I'd like to recognize several people who made the trip from out west. While Butch Haltman, Kevin Jacobson and Dwayne Anthony are "Mid Ohio Regulars", Terry Drollinger from Sunnyside, WA, Bill Rohde from Williams, CA and Howard Banks from Merlin, OR made the trip out to cold Ohio to see what all of the fuss was all about. Terry has promised to make this an annual event, and I hope to see Bill and Howard return next year, as well.

Another longtime collector who returned to the show this year was "Marshall" Dick Bowman. Due to health problems, he missed last year's show and was greatly missed. It was wonderful to see him there again, and I even found a piece on his sales table that I simply could not live without!

If you've never been to Springfield, Ohio for this extraordinary show, you don't know what you're missing. Show reports may give you a basic idea, but nothing compares to actually attending -- this show or any other. Get out there and attend a show!! Not only can you find new pieces to add to your collection, you'll have a chance to visit with people who share the same interest as you, and the internet connections we have with other collectors just is not the same!

I would like to apologize to those who thought that this report would have been in last month's issue of Crown Jewels of the Wire. Due to a heavy work schedule and a Thanksgiving illness to remember for many years to come, I was late in wrapping up the report and getting it off to Howard and Linda. My sincerest apologies to all!

Thanks to Glenn Drummond, Steve Blair and Alan Stastny for another great show. But a special thanks to Lois Blair for all of the hard work and effort that she puts into the show, and has put into it for 36 years. And finally, thanks to all who came and made this year's show another great one! See you next year!