Thanks to everyone at the OTSN for a great weekend! (1 Viewer)

[Louis Badolato]

I just want to take this opportunity to thank all my friends, old and new, for the terrific weekend I just enjoyed at the OTSN. The good fellowship, generosity and humor of my fellow hobbyists is truly the best aspect of collecting toy soldiers. Hans, Clive Gande, Steven Chong, Brad (Jazzeum), Tim Tyler, Brian Waeyert and Tom Dubel, my long time compatriots at the OTSN started my weekend out right. Then Mark (Beaufighter) and Steven (from San Antonio) jumped right in and kept the fun going. Our honored guests from the land of Oz, Howard and new friend Paul kept me in stitches. It was fun to spend time with Joe Remsen and marvel at the amazing little works of art made by Metalshed. As always Andy, Gordon, Helen, Patrick, Laura McAllister, Rick, Patrick, Ken and Erika made the weekend exciting with new releases and magnificent dioramas. Engaging in friendly banter with Richard Walker is always a pleasure, as is being regaled with hysterically funny stories of the adventures of George (Warrior) and Matt Murphy at this and other shows. Making friends with Robert, a retired bobby from England, was one of the high points of the weekend, as was meeting serving Lt.Col Steven Ryan of the 82nd Airborne and having a chance to chat with gentlemen like Pat Wade and John (Leadman). A special mention has to be made for the unlimited generosity of Ed Curiel, who wouldn't let any of us pick up a check all weekend, and who spent as much time trying to talk people out of Heco Tinplate for me as he did pursuing his own hobby needs. Our hosts here at Treefrog, Pete and Shannon, were as always friendly and accomodating. As usual, this weekend was one of the two high points of the collecting year for me. To anyone I spent time with, met, chatted with, broke bread with but inadvertantly did not mention in this post, I appologize. I can only say that I loved every minute of my time in Chicago, so I obviously loved the time I spent with each and every one there, and plead exhaustion and brian fry as an excuse for failing to mention you individually. Finally, I just wanted to say that we missed Larry Lo and Carlos Codina, who could not make it for family health reasons. Their absence was the only imperfection in an otherwise perfect weekend.