By way of introducing you to St. Charles, Illinois, I'd like to quote from a pamphlet sent to us with the show packet. "Nestled in the heart of the Fox Valley, 45 miles due west of Chicago, the sleepy town of St. Charles has awakened interest in tourists, conventioneers, art lovers, antique buffs and gourmets, with a collection of architecture creatively restored and adapted to vital use as fine shops and restaurants." I couldn’t have said it better myself, except to mention that the beautiful Fox River runs right through town. And there's a restaurant there where you can sit almost right out over the water and eat. Coming from an area of practically no rivers (southern California), this was a novelty for us. 

Naturally, the fox is the symbol of St. Charles, and in 1969 the Chamber of Commerce sponsored a contest to name him. The winning sobriquet was “Charlemagne", or "Charlie" for short. (That's strange; I thought just squirrels were named...). In any event, St. Charles is a beautiful, rustic, charming, and friendly town. We thoroughly enjoyed their Pride of the Fox Festival and huge flea market the weekend before the national.

Before I get to the National, I must mention our visit to Kansas City (MO) to and from St. Charles. We had two wild and crazy visits with Charlie Allmon and Chris Hedges, saw their super collections, and we just want to say "thanx, guys", for some fun times and delicious BBQ and Mexican dinners. By the way, you didn't have to arrange that horrible electric storm just for our benefit! (When a storm makes the lead story on the KC news, that’s a storm!) I thought I was a goner about six dozen times. I, who can ride out the strongest earthquake and never lose the place in my book, was only a few blocks from a TORNADO. That's too close for comfort, boys. Give me the earthquake any day (if I have to choose, that is). 

The national actually started for me on the Wednesday before the show, at a beautiful county park about 11 miles southwest of St. Charles. Several show delegates found each other camped there. We spent the evening around a roaring campfire, our spirits high as we anticipated the three glorious days ahead of us. Those "roughing it" were Rex and Carol Vaughn, Ruth Kidder, Don and Evelyn Gaylord, and "usuns". Don sat in the smokey direction to keep the mosquitoes off. 

Another highlight of pre-national days was our visit with Mike and Eileen Sovereign in their lovely home. Not only are they gracious hosts, but their collections of insulators, lightning rod balls, pendants, signs, arrows, and other things are gorgeous. I never saw so many LRB's in one place. Thank you both for a delightful afternoon.

Thursday night a few of us met at Molly Malone’s in St. Charles for fun and games. (Poor Molly will never be the same. In fact, rumor has it our waitress resigned and moved to Phoenix the next day!) Anyway, Mickey and Ellis Dutcher, Chris Hedges, Charlie Allmon, “Flash” Gordon and I went over for a little relaxation before the big weekend. (With Charlie around, who can relax?) But we had a good time in spite of him and listened to Ellie's jokes, some of which were totally incomprehensible to me (at first). What a time we had though, and that evening set the mood for what was to be a fun weekend. Sometime early in the morning I dragged my bruised and battered body back to the trailer for about 1 1/2 hours of sleep until show time. (A CERTAIN PERSON reading this will know why I say "bruised"). 

They say everything comes to him who waits, and I’d been waiting since Tacoma for this. And it FINALLY arrived. In just a few short hours a stark, bare, lifeless room was transformed into a glittering palace full of glass and mud (listening, Chris?) treasures. It was as though a fairy princess had touched the room with a magic wand (in rather slow motion). Here was a feast for the eyes, the like of which insulator collectors often dream they are seeing. Fridays are always "hyper” - it’s the first day and we still have two more ahead of us. I "scoped out" several goodies and lightened my wallet somewhat, but that's what I was there for. Wow! What super things were there to see.

Friday also saw a very special occasion. I usually leave mention of the awards to the official show report, but this one I have to relate. Dora Harned's principal writers honored her with an orchid corsage, card, and gift. What a special lady she is, and has always been to this hobby! The entire room joined Marilyn Albers, Ray Klingensmith, Elton Gish, Grant Salzman and me in singing "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow." Dora, although we could never really thank you enough, we hope you know how much we appreciate your years of work in our behalf.

Dora Harned, retiring editor of "Crown Jewels of the Wire," 
wearing a smile and an orchid presented to her
by her principle writers.

Speaking of Crown Jewels, my congrats and good wishes go to our new editor, Carol McDougald. She was at the show with hubby, John, and loving Crown Jewels as I do (as we all do), I’m happy to see such enthusiastic and dedicated people take over the helm. Its lookin’ good, Carol! You have this little bee’s love, support, and good wishes!

Friday night arrived very suddenly, and we found ourselves at the NIA meeting - an occasion I truly enjoy and never miss. The next national location was announced, and Saratoga Springs, New York, will have the honor. The dates will be July 11 - 13, 1986, and the show hosts are Kevin (Eleven) Lawless, John de Sousa, and Doug MacGillvary (the best-lookin' guy on the East Coast, right, Ginny?) Not that I'm anxious for the show or anything, but as of this writing there are 355 days to go, gang! 

Here comes Saturday morning. More goodies to scan and more friends to greet. (Incidentally, to all of you who brought my ego out of its cave with your wonderful gifts and good wishes, I want to take this opportunity to thank you, each and every one. But special mention must be made of my "gator" hat, a gift sent to me via the Squirrel Express by a very special lady, Barbara Allmon. What a gas we all had with that hat! Even the lounge singer at the Dunham Inn took time out from his singing to compliment me on my hat. It is impressive. Thanks, Barbara!

Along with all of the good insulators, deals, laughter, fun, and "living up to your maximum party potential" (to quote Chris), a huge whirlwind came across the lot near the show building Saturday. There were a few moments of dust-laden semi-anxiety, but soon all was calm again and the big deals resumed.

Saturday also marked a special occasion. It was the very first time the "DIBS" were all together at one time. Who are the DIBS? You will be hearing more about them in a future issue of Crown Jewels, but for now, I'll tell you this much. The "Dedicated Insulator Buffs Society", or DIBS, consist of four collectors; a gator, a squirrel, a transplanted Texan, and a cop. Watch future issues for more information.

Either in a move to economize, stay thin, or because he was so busy buying, trading, and being a general nuisance, Mike Guthrie made one medium Pizza Hut pizza last three days. Having no ‘fridge in that toy truck of his, we kept the pizza in our trailer. It was served to him (twice) in the manner in which he demanded it, complete with private table, pure linen (?) table cloth, solid silver (?) knife and fork, napkin and Haviland china(?) plate. He even had his own waiter ("Flash” Gordon). And with all of this special service, would you believe he groused that there were no candles or flowers on his table? Some people would complain if they were hung with a new rope.

Saturday was capped off by the banquet and the ever-popular Hemingray 42 Awards, with the incomparable roastmaster, Jerry Turner. Jerry, nobody does it better! It has to be a tremendous job to think up all of those insults (I mean ideas), and gather up all of those "Awards". But on top of that, you truly have a gift - the talent to present them all in such a professional, smooth way. What a very special treasure you and Marilyn are to our hobby. Your awards are the highlight of my year (which should give you some clue as to how the rest of my year goes). 

Say, who was that handsome guy dressed up in a suit resembling an Italian smorgasbord table cloth? Was he one of us? All seriousness aside, Charlie, you did a beautiful job of presenting the display awards. Mentioning the key items in each display is a neat idea and was well received. (Sunday morning I had to look up a doctor and get a rabies shot - I got bit by a squirrel at the banquet.)

 Well, just as a dentist appointment finally comes to an end, so did the Saturday night festivities. (Just kidding, Jerry). I took my railroad engineer and my "genuine Harley Parts and Accessories" to the bar where I enjoyed the dubious benefits provided by the ingredients in several margaritas. (Translation - I had a few belts). Bruised, bitten, and abused, I once again dragged myself back "home" for a few hours of much-needed sleep.

Oh, oh... here comes Sunday. Sunday is nice, but it has the dishonor of being the FINAL DAY of the show. As I felt "Post - National Depression Syndrome" creep into my bones, several last-minute deals were made, and those bright treasures that were still left were packed away for a while. We said our goodbyes to those collectors we love, as well as to those we “hate” for beating us to that special goodie. The one thing that kept me from indulging in the ancient Japanese ritual of hara-kiri was the anticipation of next year's show.

The only good thing about Sunday evening was dinner with some very special people in that restaurant overlooking the Fox River. Don and Dora Harned (our recently - retired sweet Crown Jewels lady), the inimitable Mike Guthrie, “Flash" Gordon and I all enjoyed a relaxing few hours over a delicious dinner. What a nice way to end a nice weekend.

Before I go, I want to give a great big "THANK YOU" to Larry Veneziano, Mike Sovereign, Jim Crandall, and their families for an outstanding national! It was just terrific, and the hobby is indebted to all of you for a splendid show and happy memories. (But why did it have to go so fast?)

Show Hosts Jim Crandall, Mike Sovereign 
and Larry Veneziano with Eileen Sovereign
and Mary Beth Veneziano in the foreground.

We arrived in St. Charles on May 29 and the corn in the fields nearly were ankle-high. The day the show ended, it had grown to about knee-high. Being a city dweller all my life, I had no idea corm grew that fast. So I guess many good things like corn and nationals just go ZOOM! But Saratoga Springs will be here before we know it (I keep telling myself), and I hope to see you all there.