January 12, 2020, Gonzaga Hall, West Allis, WI
All week long, prior to the show, the weather reports called for a major weather event with high winds, rain then up to eight inches of snow ending in the wee hours before the show. I was sort of spooked, thinking I would not be able to make the drive from Illinois to Wisconsin. I even thought of calling in and cancelling. But I knew better. I have yet to see an accurate weather report ever. Also, the temperature in my neck of the woods reached 50 degrees on Friday and I could not see how it would possibly snow on Saturday.
So Friday night the wind and the rain came. I walked my dog in my backyard and it was a swamp. Though, it still was not very cold out. The temperature did drop on Saturday and the winds continued but no snow until very late at night. I figured I could make it to the show without a hitch.
When I woke up early Sunday morning, there was maybe an inch or two of snow. I heard the plows go by in the middle of the night. I loaded up my car and set out on a very clear road, just a little wet but not covered in snow or ice.
The big test is usually the main road outside of my neighborhood. All clear. I hopped on the I294 Tollway heading north, all clear, light traffic. Twenty minutes or so later, I passed the Wisconsin border, all clear, light traffic. In fact, the roads were clear the whole way, about an hour and 15-minute drive.
Great, I thought, we're going to have a nice crowd because the alleged terrible storm was not so terrible and the roads could not have been better. Also the Packers-Seahawks playoff game did not start until after 5 p.m. This was a recipe for a great card show!
Wrong! Unusually light attendance. Where was everybody? The folks that did show up were happy and surprised to see me. I told everyone the roads were great, no issues whatsoever. With the light road traffic and much of the road construction seemingly completed, I had a really pleasant drive.
Thankfully, the folks that did attend the show, were serious collectors and my sales were better than expected. Thank you for showing up and buying some cards!!! Mark purchased a bunch of football cards from 1961 to 1963. Tim purchased my T206 Frank Chance. Robin picked up a bunch of 1967s.
George found some cards. A regular customer purchased my 1957 Topps Gil Hodges. Eric purchased a bunch of 1958's and said he is getting closer to completing his set. Another regular purchased my 1962 Post Roger Maris. A bunch more regulars dinked around my binders. Then old friend Jason made an appearance. Jason used to be a regular at the show with his son Bart but cut back once Bart and his sister entered college, needing to spend his money on tuition rather than cards. I may be heading the same way as my daughter enters college shortly. Anyway, I was happy to see Jason and he purchased a bunch of cards from 1959 and 1960. He warned me that Bart is in grad school now so it may be awhile before he returns to another show. It was nice to catch up. Thanks for the purchases Jason! It turned out to be a decent day when it could have been trouble.
On the buying front, I purchased a pile of Bowman football, 1951 to 1953, from Jerry. No big stars but I have a real tough time finding 1952 and 1953 Bowmans, so I was happy with the purchase. Jerry reiterated that he is planning to retire from card shows but he will at least be around through June. I told him I now have five months to convince him to forego retirement.
I also purchased a box of 1970 Topps. I was offered a large collection of 1971 Topps but turned it down, I just have so much of it and do not need any more.
All in all, a pretty good day. I had a doughnut in the morning but did not make it back to the concession stand in time for a hot dog. The auction ended around 10 a.m. and by noon the show was cooked. While I was loading my car, Jim called because Mark told him I had brought him some Goudeys. He said he did not come to the show because his driveway was icy.
The drive home was unusually easy. I made it in about an hour.
Next up for me is the Orland show on January 19th. I had '52 Bowman baseball and 1977 Topps baseball reloaded for Gonzaga. I'm working on '78 baseball and hope to have it done by Sunday. Joe has asked for 1980 Topps baseball. Let me know if there are any more requests. I'm probably going to leave the hockey at home and will bring out three or four display cases. See you in Orland!
All week long, prior to the show, the weather reports called for a major weather event with high winds, rain then up to eight inches of snow ending in the wee hours before the show. I was sort of spooked, thinking I would not be able to make the drive from Illinois to Wisconsin. I even thought of calling in and cancelling. But I knew better. I have yet to see an accurate weather report ever. Also, the temperature in my neck of the woods reached 50 degrees on Friday and I could not see how it would possibly snow on Saturday.
So Friday night the wind and the rain came. I walked my dog in my backyard and it was a swamp. Though, it still was not very cold out. The temperature did drop on Saturday and the winds continued but no snow until very late at night. I figured I could make it to the show without a hitch.
When I woke up early Sunday morning, there was maybe an inch or two of snow. I heard the plows go by in the middle of the night. I loaded up my car and set out on a very clear road, just a little wet but not covered in snow or ice.
The big test is usually the main road outside of my neighborhood. All clear. I hopped on the I294 Tollway heading north, all clear, light traffic. Twenty minutes or so later, I passed the Wisconsin border, all clear, light traffic. In fact, the roads were clear the whole way, about an hour and 15-minute drive.
Great, I thought, we're going to have a nice crowd because the alleged terrible storm was not so terrible and the roads could not have been better. Also the Packers-Seahawks playoff game did not start until after 5 p.m. This was a recipe for a great card show!
Wrong! Unusually light attendance. Where was everybody? The folks that did show up were happy and surprised to see me. I told everyone the roads were great, no issues whatsoever. With the light road traffic and much of the road construction seemingly completed, I had a really pleasant drive.
Thankfully, the folks that did attend the show, were serious collectors and my sales were better than expected. Thank you for showing up and buying some cards!!! Mark purchased a bunch of football cards from 1961 to 1963. Tim purchased my T206 Frank Chance. Robin picked up a bunch of 1967s.
George found some cards. A regular customer purchased my 1957 Topps Gil Hodges. Eric purchased a bunch of 1958's and said he is getting closer to completing his set. Another regular purchased my 1962 Post Roger Maris. A bunch more regulars dinked around my binders. Then old friend Jason made an appearance. Jason used to be a regular at the show with his son Bart but cut back once Bart and his sister entered college, needing to spend his money on tuition rather than cards. I may be heading the same way as my daughter enters college shortly. Anyway, I was happy to see Jason and he purchased a bunch of cards from 1959 and 1960. He warned me that Bart is in grad school now so it may be awhile before he returns to another show. It was nice to catch up. Thanks for the purchases Jason! It turned out to be a decent day when it could have been trouble.
On the buying front, I purchased a pile of Bowman football, 1951 to 1953, from Jerry. No big stars but I have a real tough time finding 1952 and 1953 Bowmans, so I was happy with the purchase. Jerry reiterated that he is planning to retire from card shows but he will at least be around through June. I told him I now have five months to convince him to forego retirement.
I also purchased a box of 1970 Topps. I was offered a large collection of 1971 Topps but turned it down, I just have so much of it and do not need any more.
All in all, a pretty good day. I had a doughnut in the morning but did not make it back to the concession stand in time for a hot dog. The auction ended around 10 a.m. and by noon the show was cooked. While I was loading my car, Jim called because Mark told him I had brought him some Goudeys. He said he did not come to the show because his driveway was icy.
The drive home was unusually easy. I made it in about an hour.
Next up for me is the Orland show on January 19th. I had '52 Bowman baseball and 1977 Topps baseball reloaded for Gonzaga. I'm working on '78 baseball and hope to have it done by Sunday. Joe has asked for 1980 Topps baseball. Let me know if there are any more requests. I'm probably going to leave the hockey at home and will bring out three or four display cases. See you in Orland!
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