Sunday, February 18, 2024, Civic Center, Orland Park, IL
Today, I brought out all the stuff I had in Woodstock yesterday then added all of my football binders, two different dollar boxes and four boxes of publications because I have more space to fill at this show.
I arrived around 8:15 a.m. By 8:30 a.m. there were customers in the room. None stopped by my table while I was setting up. As you know, I love when customers are at my table while I am setting up. I completed set up around 8:45 a.m.
I think Carl, who sets up across from me, gets a kick out of watching me set up. He is usually already set up by the time I get there. He saw all the binders today and commented how much faster my set up is with the binders as opposed to display cases. Next to Carl and still across from me is Casey and next to him is Tom. We’re together every single month in Orland and have been for years. I love these guys. They are so nice and pleasant, you could not find a better group of guys.
I was able to set for a spell before customers started to arrive at my tables. As usual, the vintage crowd was over at Record Store Steve’s table across the room. They eventually all made it over to me. A few guys like Mike, Andy, and Tony, will start their day with me which is much appreciated.
I also really appreciate all the concern about my health. I was in a real bad way at the last several Orland shows. Mike said I ignored him when he asked me for a price on something which is unusual for me. Sorry Mike. There was one show where I spent a lot of time in the bathroom — that must have been the show I ignored Mike.
I am feeling soooo much better. New meds have really helped my prostate issues and I got one of those glucose meters they inbed in your arm, making it very simple to check my blood sugar so I can do a better job of controlling it. I haven’t felt this good at the Orland show in a long time. It is good to be back!
My pals Will, Joe and Charlie arrived around 9:30 a.m. with desperately needed coffee. My Sausage McMuffin had cheese residue on it, if I even get a whiff of cheese it is instant diarrhea so I just ate the egg.
By 10 a.m., I had a nice crowd at my tables. Quite a few guys seemingly spent hours at my discount boxes. My guy who has been asking for 1969 Topps baseball for the longest time was happy to see my new ‘69 binder. I got so busy that I had guys flipping through binders on both sides of the tables.
Tony commented that the aisle space at this show is too tight and observed that the large square of tables across from me could easily be reduced to widen the aisles. I agreed.
For some reason we got to talking about my ethnicity. Everyone thought I was Italian because of my name. Nope. My mom just liked the name Tony. My family is from Eastern Europe. They all came to Chicago in the late 1800’s and settled on the near West Side. My dad’s family is from Poland and Russia while my mom’s family is from Romania and the Ukraine.
Any traces of these European cultures were long lost as I think immigrants at the time wanted to adapt to America and dropped their old cultural identity. Years ago I really wanted to learn about my cultural heritage and pinned down my grandmother, who was born in Chicago in 1907. I was surprised that she knew nothing about her parents Polish heritage and was confused as to why I had any interest in it. I am so jealous of people who can trace their family history back to the Middle Ages. My family, on the other hand, magically appeared in Chicago in the 1880’s and are still here in 2024, about 145 years. I suspect we will never leave. It is home.
We always have great conversations at the Orland show. For the last 25 years, the Orland show has been much more than a card show for me, it is a great, great, social event. I thoroughly enjoy myself at this show.
One of the things I really enjoy at this show is buying cards. I buy a ton of cards at this show. Though, I think I turned down more than I purchased today. Unless the sellers are practically giving them away, I can’t take in any more cards from the 1970’s. I currently possess several lifetimes of cards from that era. Then there are the ubiquitous sellers of cards from the 1980’s and 1990’s. Younger sellers are always shocked when I turn down their 1983 Wade Boggs and Tony Gwynn rookies. I have them and don’t need any more.
I did peruse Walt’s vintage box and found a stack of stuff in there. Jim had his usual box of cards and I found some stuff in there I could use. Thanks guys! It is always a pleasure buying cards from Jim and Walt, both are superstars.
Will and Joe left early because they had to get young Charlie home, so we didn’t do the sub shop today. Will texted and said the sub shop was closed. Weird! The sub shop never closes! When I drove by I saw a large dumpster in front. I am concerned. We have been eating at this place after the show for the past 25 years. It would be tragic if the sub shop is no more.
Anyway, another great day in Orland. I saw many old friends today like Gil and Chuck. What a great time we had! Next Orland show is March 10. I can’t wait to be back!! In the meantime I have an all Wisconsin weekend coming up with Madison on Saturday, February 24 at the Sheraton Hotel on John Nolan Drive. This will be the largest Madison show to date with 175 tables. I’ll be in my usual spot upstairs. I am bringing out all binders. I am not sure when I will bring out the discount boxes again. They were battered this past weekend and I need to spend some time reloading them.
Also, I am setting up Sunday, February 25, at the Roma Lodge show in Racine. I can’t remember the last time I was at Roma, as it regularly conflicts with Orland. Unfortunately, no more Italian sausage bombers but there will be a breakfast buffet.
Oak Creek is scheduled for March 2. I am still working on confirming with all the dealers from last month. If you haven’t confirmed your spot yet, please do. My wait list is getting out of hand. I hope to get some new dealers some space for the March show.
I hope to see you soon! As always, thank you for following my little blog. I always enjoy the comments I receive about it at each show. Also, a big thank you to Rich, Karen and crew for another great show in Orland.
Take care everybody! See you soon!
Today, I brought out all the stuff I had in Woodstock yesterday then added all of my football binders, two different dollar boxes and four boxes of publications because I have more space to fill at this show.
I arrived around 8:15 a.m. By 8:30 a.m. there were customers in the room. None stopped by my table while I was setting up. As you know, I love when customers are at my table while I am setting up. I completed set up around 8:45 a.m.
I think Carl, who sets up across from me, gets a kick out of watching me set up. He is usually already set up by the time I get there. He saw all the binders today and commented how much faster my set up is with the binders as opposed to display cases. Next to Carl and still across from me is Casey and next to him is Tom. We’re together every single month in Orland and have been for years. I love these guys. They are so nice and pleasant, you could not find a better group of guys.
I was able to set for a spell before customers started to arrive at my tables. As usual, the vintage crowd was over at Record Store Steve’s table across the room. They eventually all made it over to me. A few guys like Mike, Andy, and Tony, will start their day with me which is much appreciated.
I also really appreciate all the concern about my health. I was in a real bad way at the last several Orland shows. Mike said I ignored him when he asked me for a price on something which is unusual for me. Sorry Mike. There was one show where I spent a lot of time in the bathroom — that must have been the show I ignored Mike.
I am feeling soooo much better. New meds have really helped my prostate issues and I got one of those glucose meters they inbed in your arm, making it very simple to check my blood sugar so I can do a better job of controlling it. I haven’t felt this good at the Orland show in a long time. It is good to be back!
My pals Will, Joe and Charlie arrived around 9:30 a.m. with desperately needed coffee. My Sausage McMuffin had cheese residue on it, if I even get a whiff of cheese it is instant diarrhea so I just ate the egg.
By 10 a.m., I had a nice crowd at my tables. Quite a few guys seemingly spent hours at my discount boxes. My guy who has been asking for 1969 Topps baseball for the longest time was happy to see my new ‘69 binder. I got so busy that I had guys flipping through binders on both sides of the tables.
Tony commented that the aisle space at this show is too tight and observed that the large square of tables across from me could easily be reduced to widen the aisles. I agreed.
For some reason we got to talking about my ethnicity. Everyone thought I was Italian because of my name. Nope. My mom just liked the name Tony. My family is from Eastern Europe. They all came to Chicago in the late 1800’s and settled on the near West Side. My dad’s family is from Poland and Russia while my mom’s family is from Romania and the Ukraine.
Any traces of these European cultures were long lost as I think immigrants at the time wanted to adapt to America and dropped their old cultural identity. Years ago I really wanted to learn about my cultural heritage and pinned down my grandmother, who was born in Chicago in 1907. I was surprised that she knew nothing about her parents Polish heritage and was confused as to why I had any interest in it. I am so jealous of people who can trace their family history back to the Middle Ages. My family, on the other hand, magically appeared in Chicago in the 1880’s and are still here in 2024, about 145 years. I suspect we will never leave. It is home.
We always have great conversations at the Orland show. For the last 25 years, the Orland show has been much more than a card show for me, it is a great, great, social event. I thoroughly enjoy myself at this show.
One of the things I really enjoy at this show is buying cards. I buy a ton of cards at this show. Though, I think I turned down more than I purchased today. Unless the sellers are practically giving them away, I can’t take in any more cards from the 1970’s. I currently possess several lifetimes of cards from that era. Then there are the ubiquitous sellers of cards from the 1980’s and 1990’s. Younger sellers are always shocked when I turn down their 1983 Wade Boggs and Tony Gwynn rookies. I have them and don’t need any more.
I did peruse Walt’s vintage box and found a stack of stuff in there. Jim had his usual box of cards and I found some stuff in there I could use. Thanks guys! It is always a pleasure buying cards from Jim and Walt, both are superstars.
Will and Joe left early because they had to get young Charlie home, so we didn’t do the sub shop today. Will texted and said the sub shop was closed. Weird! The sub shop never closes! When I drove by I saw a large dumpster in front. I am concerned. We have been eating at this place after the show for the past 25 years. It would be tragic if the sub shop is no more.
Anyway, another great day in Orland. I saw many old friends today like Gil and Chuck. What a great time we had! Next Orland show is March 10. I can’t wait to be back!! In the meantime I have an all Wisconsin weekend coming up with Madison on Saturday, February 24 at the Sheraton Hotel on John Nolan Drive. This will be the largest Madison show to date with 175 tables. I’ll be in my usual spot upstairs. I am bringing out all binders. I am not sure when I will bring out the discount boxes again. They were battered this past weekend and I need to spend some time reloading them.
Also, I am setting up Sunday, February 25, at the Roma Lodge show in Racine. I can’t remember the last time I was at Roma, as it regularly conflicts with Orland. Unfortunately, no more Italian sausage bombers but there will be a breakfast buffet.
Oak Creek is scheduled for March 2. I am still working on confirming with all the dealers from last month. If you haven’t confirmed your spot yet, please do. My wait list is getting out of hand. I hope to get some new dealers some space for the March show.
I hope to see you soon! As always, thank you for following my little blog. I always enjoy the comments I receive about it at each show. Also, a big thank you to Rich, Karen and crew for another great show in Orland.
Take care everybody! See you soon!
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