The 2012 New York Symposium is Dedicated to the Memory of Chuck Harris (1 Viewer)

[Louis Badolato]

I woke this morning to the news posted on the forum that my good friend Chuck Harris had passed away. Despite his physical limitations preventing him from attending in person, Chuck has been a part of all 7 previous symposia, as we always called him and gave him the opportunity to chat with the attendees so he could be a part of it. This year will be different only in that instead of calling him, we will be dedicating the Symposium to his memory. Friday night, at the opening dinner, and again Saturday afternoon at the luncheon at my home, Chuck will be toasted, feted and remembered. While the Friday night and Saturday nights are fully booked, anyone who would like to attend the Saturday luncheon, manufacturer's presentation and tour of my collection, or Sunday outing to the American Airpower museum are welcome to join us, and help celebrate Chuck's life. Here is the schedule of events this year:

Opening Dinner: Friday, March 16th, 7:00 p.m., at Tiro A Segno.

Luncheon and Tour of My Collection: Saturday, March 17th, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 450 Bryant Avenue, Roslyn Harbor, New York 11576 (this is when the manufacturers will make their presentations: Ken and Erika Osen regarding Hudson & Allen and Britians as well as Joe Remson about Metal Shed).

Dinner: Saturday, March 17th, 7:00 p.m., at Sushi-ann

Museum Tour: Sunday, March 18th, 11:30 a.m., at The American Airpower Museum, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735 (followed by a farewell luncheon at a local WWII Pilot themed restaurant).

For those of you already coming, I look forward to seeing you there, for those interested in joining us Saturday and Sunday afternoon, I look forward to seeing you as well.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Re: The 1012 New York Sympsoium is Dedicated to the Memory of Chuck Harris

We had the unofficial opening of the Symposium yesterday, with early arrivals Tom Dubel, Clive Gande, and Hans Hedrich. Lawrence Lo and myself being treated to dinner at the Harvard Club by first time attendee Ed Curiel.

Today we are having a private tour of the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier Museum (my cousin in law works there) before meeting up with the folks coming for the opening dinner this evening.:smile2:

 

[theBaron]

Re: The 1012 New York Sympsoium is Dedicated to the Memory of Chuck Harris

"The 1012 New York Sympsoium..."

So, you're focusing on toy soldiers the Anglo-Saxons used?

^&grin

Seriously, much success and lots of fun to everyone, and thanks, Louis, for staging the symposium every year!

Prost!
Brad

 

[Northgate Woods]

Re: The 1012 New York Sympsoium is Dedicated to the Memory of Chuck Harris

Louis mate,
I hope you have a great Symposium and I wish I was there. With the quality of that crew at the first dinner it sounds magnificent. Please past on a big G'day to Big Ed and that "Too and From" Clive but watch out for young Hans and Lawrence because those two together are trouble.^&grin^&grin
Once again all the best for a fantastic weekend.:smile2:
Cheers Howard

 

[GICOP]

Re: The 1012 New York Sympsoium is Dedicated to the Memory of Chuck Harris

Have a great time Louis and please remind Clive I will see him at the London Show, I may have 1 or 2 of those animals he has a soft spot for ^&grin :salute::

Cheers

Martyn

 

[Louis Badolato]

Re: The 1012 New York Sympsoium is Dedicated to the Memory of Chuck Harris

Well, its early Sunday morning, I am running on fumes after getting 2-1/2 hours sleep last night, but I thought I would give you an update before we get started on the morning's activities. Friday morning Tom, Clive and I met up and headed over to the Intrepid, where we met cousin Gerri. She took up behind the ropes, right up to the magnificent planes and helicoptors on the deck. Clive took some photos, and hopefully will post them when he gets home.

Then we met up with Ed Curiel, Hans and Tim Tyler and went over to view Larry's collection. After being thoroughly convinced of Larry's madness while viewing his nine (!!!) storage lockers full of toy soldiers in addition to one of the finest and most extensive displays of early K&C out there, we left to change for dinner and meet at the club.

At the club, we were joined by Rich Schuster and his lovely wife Madeline, Morgan Hoffman, Chuck Karen, and the spirit of Chuck Harris. We toasted Chuck's memory, ate, shot targets, ate some more and talked a blue streak.

Saturday morning I met Larry, Hans, Clive, Tom, Tim and Ed at the train, and Hans, Clive and I went to pick up the food. By the time we arrived back at my home, Joe Roy, Rich Schuster, Ken and Erika Osen and a few other guests had arrived. Brad Lewin came later, as did 5 other friends, and we enjoyed a very interesting chat about the state of the hobby led by Ken Osen with imput by Clive. Ken installed my Eastern Front windmill diorama in the Figarti Room, Ed Curiel got a close look at many of the early K&C items he had never seen, and took a few home with him. Brad did the photography, and hopefully will post some shots on the forum today.

Ed and Brad joined Rich Schuster at his house for a tour of Rich's incredible collection, while the rest of us headed off into the City. My good friend Rick Spinelli showed up after we had left, but stayed over at my house (I was up until 6:00 a.m. B.S.ing with him last night, hence my exhaustion today). Dinner was at Larry's traditional Japanese Restaurant Sushi Ann, and even Ken Osen used chopsticks and ate the raw stuff. We had another terrific discussion of the Toy Soldier industry today. I freely admitted that when it came to Andy and the development of K&C, my predictions and suggestions were usually wrong, and Andy's were usually right (I am sure the video of my admission taken by Erika Osen will end up on u-tube). A great time was had by all.

Because of logistical concerns, particularly with regard to the making flights out, we changed todays activities to a farewell lunch in the City. Me and my buddy Rick, a veteran of two tours in Vietnam and a cancer survivor, are grabbing breakfast, and then meeting the guys in the City for lunch and good buys. More later.

 

[jazzeum]

Re: The 1012 New York Sympsoium is Dedicated to the Memory of Chuck Harris

I have posted shots of the Heco planes in the Heco thread.

I have posted shots of Ken's winter diorama that was shown in Chicago and that Louis purchased in the Hudson & Allen thread.

Here are some shots of Hans, Lawrence and Louis receiving gifts from Erica and Ken and Ken speaking about the hobby (and boy does he know a lot about the hobby; thanks Ken). Erica and Ken are two of the people who make this hobby great.

 

[Louis Badolato]

First of all, a big thank you to Brad for handling the photography!
:smile2:

Well, it is finally over. What a great weekend! Thanks to everybody who came, especially Clive and Ed, who came the farthest, and Ken and Erika, who drove from Michigan!

Sunday we had a final look at Larry's collection, then Tim Tyler, Tom Dubel, Clive Gande, Rick Spinelli, Larry, and I had the traditional farewell lunch at the Wollenski Grill. I dropped Clive at JFK, and went home to catch up on some much needed sleep.

Over the course of the weekend, a plan for future Symposia was worked out: from now on, every other year the Symposium will travel. Next year, we have agreed to hold it in London in the days leading up to and following the June London Show, thereby killing two birds with one stone - I have been pining to come to the London Show for years, and we can finally get Rob, Simon, Martyn, UKReb and the rest of our British friends have not yet attended, to a Symposium! Clive Gande from Grey Goose Collectibles will be handling much of the planning, but I'm hoping the Nevilles and some of the other UK manufacturers, distributors and dealers will also get involved. Anyone who is interested in helping to plan, sponsor or host an event, please let me, Hans, Larry and Clive know!

 

[Ghostrider]

Louis,

A personal thank you for hosting this event yearly. It's a great way for collectors to meet and exchange views and ideas. And of course experiencing that overwhelming feeling seeing your incredible collection, besides always have a good time. To Tim Tyler, one fine Southern Gentleman, and retailer extraordinaire, always available to fill my collector habit, glad you made it. I will speak to you during the week. To Clive, Larry, Hans, Tom, Brad, and Ritchie; it's always a pleasure seeing and chatting with you. Ed Curiel, great meeting you. Ken and Erica, thanks very much for attending and imparting your hobby insights, wonderful dio pieces and great sense of historical knowledge. I will be speaking to you in the future about projects for my collection.

Now, if I can only figure out how to download pics from this camera, I'll post them when I can.

All the best

Joe

 

[HAWKEYE]

first of all, a big thank you to brad for handling the photography!
:smile2:

Well, it is finally over. What a great weekend! Thanks to everybody who came, especially clive and ed, who came the farthest, and ken and erika, who drove from michigan!

Sunday we had a final look at larry's collection, then tim tyler, tom dubel, clive gande, rick spinelli, larry, and i had the traditional farewell lunch at the wollenski grill. I dropped clive at jfk, and went home to catch up on some much needed sleep.

Over the course of the weekend, a plan for future symposia was worked out: From now on, every other year the symposium will travel. Next year, we have agreed to hold it in london in the days leading up to and following the june london show, thereby killing two birds with one stone - i have been pining to come to the london show for years, and we can finally get rob, simon, martyn, ukreb and the rest of our british friends have not yet attended, to a symposium! Clive gande from grey goose collectibles will be handling much of the planning, but i'm hoping the nevilles and some of the other uk manufacturers, distributors and dealers will also get involved. Anyone who is interested in helping to plan, sponsor or host an event, please let me, hans, larry and clive know!

sounds like you guys had a fabulous time, wish i could have been there but had to go to florida with my 2 daughters and visit their big brother whose an air force pilot. Maybe in 2 years i can get to make an appearence. Its great see you all in chicago but i love to see your collections and spend more time talking ts. Take care see you in chicago. Greg

 

[Louis Badolato]

sounds like you guys had a fabulous time, wish i could have been there but had to go to florida with my 2 daughters and visit their big brother whose an air force pilot. Maybe in 2 years i can get to make an appearence. Its great see you all in chicago but i love to see your collections and spend more time talking ts. Take care see you in chicago. Greg

Greg,

You are always welcome. Next year in London, or in two years in New York again, just let me know and we'll hold a place for you.:smile2: