Gentle Friends,
I have hesitated to post on this thread for fear I would leave out members who deserved to be mentioned. However, I am determined to recognize some of the forum folks who have made significant contributions to my hobby life. I apologize if I miss someone for that is not my intent.
1. Compton Creel: Many of you may not know Compton, but he is a member of the forum. He has not posted for several years, but he is very much alive and well. Compton is the person who encouraged me to return to my childhood hobby of collecting toy soldiers and, for that, I owe him a debt I can never fully repay.
2. Shannon and Pete Reuss: When I retired in 2005, I treated myself to attending my first Chicago Toy Soldier Show. I had never been to such a show and I was unaware of how to appropriately participate in the room trading. Consequently, I wandered around the hotel and slowly began to enter some of the vendors' rooms. Every time I passed the Treefrog room, I noticed there were many people inside and they were all laughing, and talking among themselves. They all seemed to know one another and they were certainly having a good time, so, feeling a bit like an outsider, I would pass the room and continue to look for treasure in other rooms. I had never heard of Treefrog Treasures until that first Chicago show.
By the time I next attended the Chicago show, I had found and joined the Treefrog Forum, so I knew who Shannon and Pete were, but had never met them face to face. Armed with a bit more knowledge regarding Treefrog and its owners, I entered the room and introduced myself to Shannon and Pete. Much to my pleasant surprise, they both seemed to take a sincere interest in me and in my collecting. Little did I know at the time how much our friendship would grow, but I am certainly indebted to them for helping me become increasingly involved in the hobby and for the warm friendship they have extended to me.
3. John Rio (Leadmen) and Konrad Gundlach (Kogu): I probably should also thank the Chicago Toy Soldier show as well as individual people because it was at the show that I met John and Konrad. Both of these folks know more about toy soldiers than I can ever know and, for some reason completely unknown to me, they became two of my closest personal and toy soldier friends. I believe it was last year, Brad (Jasseum) said to me at the show, "I never see you without the John and Konrad being present." John has described us as "the Three Musketeers." Konrad has labeled us "the Three Amigos." I simply refer to us as "Larry, Curley, and Moe." I leave it to you to determine which label best describes our friendship.
4. Dave Namiot: Dave is one of those incredible people who have the capacity to be instant friends with others. Early in my participation in the forum, Dave contacted me and introduced me to the wonderful world of the Delhi Durbar. And, we all know where that lead! You are correct! It lead to total financial ruin! ^&grin Until Dave was called to his present home in Poland, we would talk on the phone at least weekly. I miss those calls, but I am proud that we still stay in close touch. He is a special friend.
5. Brad Lewin (Jazzeum): Brad was the first moderator on the forum and he was the moderator when I joined the forum. As a new member, I watched his supervision of the forum with great interest. He was always fair and he did not let his personal collecting preferences enter into his duties as the moderator. Little did I know at the time, that one day I would be engaging in the same role he performed so well. He set a high standard as a moderator and he served as an excellent role model for me.
6. Tommy Allison: Many years ago, I used to make annual trips to Texas to visit family. And, on one of those trips, I learned of Tommy and his magnificent collection. During one of those annual trips, I contacted Tommy and asked if he might be willing to show me his collection. As you would expect, Tommy was more than happy to accommodate me and we spent an entire afternoon viewing his expansive collection. It was a delightful, if not overwhelming, experience and Tommy and I have remained friends since that time. Occasionally, we talk on the telephone and compare hobby notes. And, he is always interested in the treasures I find at the Chicago Show.
7. Damian Clark: Damian and I have never met face to face, though I wish we could. Damian's tastes and interests in toy soldiers largely parallel my own. He is a great source of information and a very special friend. He is also a very accepting man as he willingly puts up with some of the nonsense I send him via e-mail.
8. Rob, Simon (Wraith), and Michael Steinrock (the Kilted Vampire): The humor these fellows present on the forum has kept me endlessly entertained. Their frequent tongue in cheek comments adds a flavor and a touch that is unmatched on the forum and I thank them for the laughs.
Doubtless, there are many other folks I should mention, but those listed above come readily to mind. And, at my age, remembering anyone's name, much less their wonderful contributions to my life, can be a significant challenge! ^&grin
Warmest personal regards,
Pat
