thinking about the weekend show in cleveland. BIG CROWD on saterday but a little slow. bought 2 gun's model 35-1 NIB and a un-real mint 1917 s&w. thats the good news, everything at the IX center was so expensive. coffee,bottle water and food could not believe the prices and $8 parking. stayed at the crown plaza, $6 drafts. the sink and tube where stopped up asked to have them fixed saterday morning, that didn't happen same thing next morning, got alot for $79 a night.

other than that had great time. got to meet many forum friends and talked to alot of the regulars. thanks goes out to the ix center for having us and the ogca for putting on another great show. see you all in january....

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George Jamison

The crowd was good on Saturday, but mostly tire kickers, or so it seemed. Sunday was not good with a much smaller crowd.

They are talking about having two shows at the IX next year. Hope it happens.

didn't hear that, the 4 hour drive is nice.....

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George Jamison

Longer drive x 2, lousy food vendors next time I would pack a lunch. Plenty of room to walk around not sure it was due to smaller crowds or larger space.

Did I mention the food court really sucked.

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Len

I thought it was a real nice layout. Lots of space between aisles and between tables. Not like Wilmington. Concrete floor hard on the legs though. No food vendors open on Friday night for set-up! The food was extremely expensive, however, I thought the hamburger I got was exceptionally good. Enjoyed seeing old friends from the past meetings at OGCA. There was "chatter" that OGCA may lose $ on this one. So it was uncertain about future meetings there. That is what I heard. Also heard a "rumor" that OGCA may be having a meeting at Kalahari in Sandusky, Ohio! Hope that's true! From some of the "past" members I talked to,they felt they may "re-join" if OGCA would have 2 or 3 meetings in Northern Ohio again. I hope they take that into consideration. All in all, I really enjoyed myself there.

it's true that ogca officials figured that the show would end up in the red. no doubt that alot of former members would re-join if they keep a show or shows up north which over a period of time would add to the club's coffers, afterall they did lose thousands of northern members when they moved south. i also heard talk of possibility having a show at the kahalari. i would be happy with either venue, the club needs to have a show somewhere in the northern part of the state!

yes 8 dollar parking was excessive but it was great to once again have a show up north!

I let my membership lapse when OGCA was chased out of Columbus. Hopefully we'll see a show a Vets again.

Should have gone to the lone food stand by the back row of tables. There were Nathan's hot dogs and they were delicious. Cooked just right. Didn't have any chopped onions for them though.

Sandusky would be a great place for a show. only add another hour to the drive. works for me......

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George Jamison

Great to see a show up north again.
I usually attend only one meeting a year since they moved them down south.Attended many more when they were up north.
The food prices were way too high.$3.00 for a cup of coffee....give me a break!!!!!!

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U.S. Army Viet Nam Vet '68-69'

I dropped out when they went south. I had a real good time on Sat. Saw some smiths that weren't too bad of a deal. Just wasn't lookin for those models. Met a lot of people that I haven't seen in a while. Also met Gjamison and Pharman, glad to finally put a face to a name. Both very good people, hope you both will join us at the next bunch in April. I only live 15 minuets from the IX so I didn't have to buy food there. Hope they have more meetings up north and I'll re-join. I was very tired after walking for so long. Larry

Same with me. We went to all the shows in Columbus. It wasn't too far to drive. When they moved nawth, like nearly to the Arctic Circle, we said goodbye. It just wasn't worth it. I remember going to the Cbus shows in the early 1970s, carrying my then infant son (he's now 40) along with the ever present diaper bag. My buddy who loved the shows agreed to carry either the kid or the bag! We alternated.

I'm guessing anytime they move a show they'll lose some members and gain others. Wilmington isn't really southern Ohio. At least not as far south as Cleveland is north. If C'bus wasn't communist territory, it would be a good compromise. But they don't want nasty old guns in their crime free city.

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Dick Burg

I was hoping to meet Gjamison and Pharman also, but I didn't get to do that. Hopefully next time.
Bill

All in all, it was nice to be close to home, it was "cheap" for us, slept with my bride of 45 years,AT HOME each night...packed a lunch BOTH days ( we remember 10 years ago, how costly it was ,even then.....) yes, the show is very costly to rent ,use the I-X...I know, I was on the 'board' back in the early 90's..........
as for the attendance, nice crowd on Saturday, ,lots of room with the wider aisles, nice to drive in for set up ,but we wheeled our stuff out on Sunday was, out and GONE while the cars were trying to 'enter' to load up....guess we learned something.......
saw LOTS of 'stuff' come in the door, as well as all the really nice stuff on the tables,as Bill said, seemed more like tire kickers,,,,I used the term, more of a "social event" or a reunion?? good old homecoming, meet lots of the guys we have NOT seen since we left 10 years ago, mixed reviews as to who is or is not going to 'rejoin' many did ,but a lot did NOT.want more of commitment to return and stay NORTH at least twice a year...can't blame them...I prefer to "get away", gone for 3 days down south,BUT on the same token, the cost for some of us 'retired' folks is killing us.....Wilmington cost me OVER $500 just to go and set up,stay there and eat..........hhhmmmmm things go up, but my retirement income does NOT.............
Good to see you guys that made it there, both in showing as well as visiting..I did NOT get a chance to "walk" the show, saw maybe 'half' in 3 days ,Friday setting up,then Sat., on jaunts here and there (potty breaks) and Sunday morning..............the crowd was very slim...........
on the down side, that being part of the Old storage area of the I-X, the room was quite dank/dusty, stuffy??, the lighting left a lot to be desired...would hate to try and buy any 'high dollar' guns with out really being able to "see it".................
just glad to be close to home, we enjoyed it.........

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dan
NRA Benefactor,PMA

Hey Bill...I guess I didn't "officially" get to meet you, but I was the guy set up with JCElect (Joe) aka "Mr. Presentation Case!" That was a nice K32 you had! You briefly told me about the revolver. Next time I will formally introduce myself...If you get down to Wilmington, Joe and I are at Table P-22.

I had pleasure of meeting Mr. Richard Nahas at the meeting. He is co-author of the 3rd Edition of Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson. He is a true Gentleman and was kind enough to autograph my copy of the SCSW. Thanks again Richard.

wish i would have seen him. would have been nice to
have him sign my copy, theres always next time......

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George Jamison

Okay, I vaguely remember you now. We will introduce ourselves next time. I'm not sure I will make it to Wilmington, but if I do, I will look you guys up.
Bill

Another vote for a show in Sandusky.