Sunday, June 29, 2025, IBEW Local 364, Rockford, IL
Every few months or so, I forget to set my alarm clock or set it at the wrong time on the night before a show. I forgot to set my alarm clock the night before the Rockford show. I normally wake up at 6 a.m. for this show. I randomly woke up Sunday morning and looked at the clock on my nightstand and observed the time at 8 a.m. Still time to make the show but I would be late. I hate being late! Ugh!
How come every time I am late and racing to get somewhere I hear in my head "Mrs Robinson" by Simon and Garfunkel?
Doot to doot to do
I still had to grump, shower and load the car before hitting the road at 8:45 a.m. I think I made it to the show around 9:35 a.m. Luckily, I was able to make it into the venue with just one load.
The place was packed while I was setting up. Promoters Mike and John were cool with me being late but I hate when dealers are late to my show, so I hate doing it to other promoters.
Anyway, I brought out all of my baseball binders and two display cases. I finally finished setting up around 10 a.m. when Paul sat down in front of my binders and told me he was looking for me all morning.
Sorry!
Every few months or so, I forget to set my alarm clock or set it at the wrong time on the night before a show. I forgot to set my alarm clock the night before the Rockford show. I normally wake up at 6 a.m. for this show. I randomly woke up Sunday morning and looked at the clock on my nightstand and observed the time at 8 a.m. Still time to make the show but I would be late. I hate being late! Ugh!
How come every time I am late and racing to get somewhere I hear in my head "Mrs Robinson" by Simon and Garfunkel?
Doot to doot to do
I still had to grump, shower and load the car before hitting the road at 8:45 a.m. I think I made it to the show around 9:35 a.m. Luckily, I was able to make it into the venue with just one load.
The place was packed while I was setting up. Promoters Mike and John were cool with me being late but I hate when dealers are late to my show, so I hate doing it to other promoters.
Anyway, I brought out all of my baseball binders and two display cases. I finally finished setting up around 10 a.m. when Paul sat down in front of my binders and told me he was looking for me all morning.
Sorry!
Pictured above is Paul, who came down from Madison to go through my binders. Paul is an interesting character. While chatting with him at the Rockford show, I learned that he is a published author and writes books about family lineage. He said he is going to bring me a book at the next show.
Early on at the Rockford show, I was a little out of sorts and stressed by being so late. I felt much better upon hearing some 1970's disco music coming from an Alexa supplied by the dealers behind me. I explained to them that I grew up in the disco era and really like the Bee Gees. The guys programmed some Bee Gees for me. Thank you!
I was next to Kurt today. Tom was on the other side of Kurt. Big Mark was in the back of the room.
Much better sales this time in Rockford than my last show here. Paul spent a good hour pulling cards from my binders. Thanks Paul. Gary G. purchased some cards. Thanks Gary! My Janesville guys came out and purchased some cards. Thanks guys! I sold a few odds and ends and was pleased at the improved sales.
On the buying front, nothing walked up other than young guys and kids trying to sell me their modern cards of which I have no interest. When things died down at the end of the day, I took a walk around the show. Brad G., who my wife likes to call "Brad Pitt," offered me a few vintage cards including a 1959 Topps Baseball Thrills Willie Mays, a 1959 Topps Ernie Banks All Star and a 1969 Topps Willie Mays. Brad gave me a nice deal and I purchased the cards. Thanks Brad!
What started out as a hectic day turned out well in the end. I enjoyed myself. A big thank you to Mike and John who always run excellent shows.
My next Rockford show will be on August 24. Mike and John have a new location for that one, it will be held at the Rockford Christian Performing Art Center, 1401 N. Bell School Road, in Rockford.
Up next is the Oak Creek show on July 12. As usual, dealer space is sold out and my waiting list is just out of hand. I honestly wish people would stop requesting to be added to the list. The wait for space is around two years.
New problem with the waiting list is that guys keep asking me where they are on the list. I don't have time for this and am going to stop responding. I'll let them know when space will be available but it won't be any time soon.
On a sad note, I am sorry to report that Debbie Lewis passed away on July 4. I met Debbie shortly after meeting her husband Mark around 7 years ago. Mark is in charge of events at the Salvation Army and we have become great friends. Debbie was such a kind person and I was lucky to know her. My condolences to Debbie and Mark's family and friends.
A Celebration of Life for Debbie will be held Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, Oak Creek, WI. Visitation at 9 a.m., service at 10 a.m. There will be a graveside service at 2 p.m. at Glen Oak Cemetery, 5401 Roosevelt Road, Hillside, IL.
Early on at the Rockford show, I was a little out of sorts and stressed by being so late. I felt much better upon hearing some 1970's disco music coming from an Alexa supplied by the dealers behind me. I explained to them that I grew up in the disco era and really like the Bee Gees. The guys programmed some Bee Gees for me. Thank you!
I was next to Kurt today. Tom was on the other side of Kurt. Big Mark was in the back of the room.
Much better sales this time in Rockford than my last show here. Paul spent a good hour pulling cards from my binders. Thanks Paul. Gary G. purchased some cards. Thanks Gary! My Janesville guys came out and purchased some cards. Thanks guys! I sold a few odds and ends and was pleased at the improved sales.
On the buying front, nothing walked up other than young guys and kids trying to sell me their modern cards of which I have no interest. When things died down at the end of the day, I took a walk around the show. Brad G., who my wife likes to call "Brad Pitt," offered me a few vintage cards including a 1959 Topps Baseball Thrills Willie Mays, a 1959 Topps Ernie Banks All Star and a 1969 Topps Willie Mays. Brad gave me a nice deal and I purchased the cards. Thanks Brad!
What started out as a hectic day turned out well in the end. I enjoyed myself. A big thank you to Mike and John who always run excellent shows.
My next Rockford show will be on August 24. Mike and John have a new location for that one, it will be held at the Rockford Christian Performing Art Center, 1401 N. Bell School Road, in Rockford.
Up next is the Oak Creek show on July 12. As usual, dealer space is sold out and my waiting list is just out of hand. I honestly wish people would stop requesting to be added to the list. The wait for space is around two years.
New problem with the waiting list is that guys keep asking me where they are on the list. I don't have time for this and am going to stop responding. I'll let them know when space will be available but it won't be any time soon.
On a sad note, I am sorry to report that Debbie Lewis passed away on July 4. I met Debbie shortly after meeting her husband Mark around 7 years ago. Mark is in charge of events at the Salvation Army and we have become great friends. Debbie was such a kind person and I was lucky to know her. My condolences to Debbie and Mark's family and friends.
A Celebration of Life for Debbie will be held Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, Oak Creek, WI. Visitation at 9 a.m., service at 10 a.m. There will be a graveside service at 2 p.m. at Glen Oak Cemetery, 5401 Roosevelt Road, Hillside, IL.
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