ANA WFOM 2024 0

[Zebo]

The ANA WFOM will be in Rosemont (Crook County) again this year. Although rather early, is anyone planning on attending?

Kurt, are you going to attend now that you’ve had a spat with the ANA board? 
 
All of the other numismatic associations and societies as well as clubs issue member medals. Why doesn’t the ANA? They have convention medals. I think it would be a nice touch. They are big enough to even have the member’s number engraved on it, 

[Fenntucky Mike]

Planning on going, not sure which day yet.

[VKurtB]

On 4/7/2024 at 8:45 AM, Zebo said:

The ANA WFOM will be in Rosemont (Crook County) again this year. Although rather early, is anyone planning on attending?

Kurt, are you going to attend now that you’ve had a spat with the ANA board? 
 
All of the other numismatic associations and societies as well as clubs issue member medals. Why doesn’t the ANA? They have convention medals. I think it would be a nice touch. They are big enough to even have the member’s number engraved on it, 

I am still an ANA Life member. I am still on the Membership and Outreach Committee. I am still on the Exhibiting Committee. I recently (at the March show) renewed my membership in the George F. Heath Society ($1,000 contribution per annum). But I am no longer a National Volunteer. That means I am no longer OBLIGATED to be at every show for all days plus two on the front end, and frequently one on the back end. Rosemont simply does not work for me like it did when I could hop on Amtrak and kick back. I MIGHT go again, if there is something adequately compelling to see or do. As of now, this year is NOT looking like one of those shows. Getting to and through Chicagoland from the Deep South is a pain in the backside I’d rather not do again. It needs to be an awesome thing. 
 

I’ll be in Atlanta next February, Okie City in August 2025, and Pittsburgh in August 2026. But as of NOW, not Rosemont this year, nor perhaps any other. I’ll get my “freak on” at Summer FUN instead. 
 

One note: if I survive until Pittsburgh, I will have outlived my mother, and I am having cancer surgery #4 on this coming Wednesday. A melanoma in the middle of my back. Either that, or a gunshot wound I missed. 

Edited April 8 by VKurtB

[Zebo]

Good luck with the surgery. Too bad about Rosemont, 

[zadok]

On 4/7/2024 at 10:39 PM, VKurtB said:

I am still an ANA Life member. I am still on the Membership and Outreach Committee. I am still on the Exhibiting Committee. I recently (at the March show) renewed my membership in the George F. Heath Society ($1,000 contribution per annum). But I am no longer a National Volunteer. That means I am no longer OBLIGATED to be at every show for all days plus two on the front end, and frequently one on the back end. Rosemont simply does not work for me like it did when I could hop on Amtrak and kick back. I MIGHT go again, if there is something adequately compelling to see or do. As of now, this year is NOT looking like one of those shows. Getting to and through Chicagoland from the Deep South is a pain in the backside I’d rather not do again. It needs to be an awesome thing. 
 

I’ll be in Atlanta next February, Okie City in August 2025, and Pittsburgh in August 2026. But as of NOW, not Rosemont this year, nor perhaps any other. I’ll get my “freak on” at Summer FUN instead. 
 

One note: if I survive until Pittsburgh, I will have outlived my mother, and I am having cancer surgery #4 on this coming Wednesday. A melanoma in the middle of my back. Either that, or a gunshot wound I missed. 

...my prayers r with u...u still have much to contribute....

[VKurtB]

On 4/8/2024 at 8:54 AM, zadok said:

...my prayers r with u...u still have much to contribute....

I’m starting to feel a little bulletproof/immortal. This is my fourth cancer event and I keep “winning”. I have to thank the good people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for state government retiree health insurance coverage that makes NOT going to doctors silly. I think about my sister’s situation on “Obamacare” wherein she HAS TO AVOID getting medical care due to obscene deductibles and co-pays. She worked as a private businesswoman her whole life, is now 60, and she literally can’t afford to go to a doctor because she has Obamacare. 
 

The other thing is nobody in Alabama can even CONCEIVE of medical coverage as robust as I have. My policy allows for 100 home health visits per year, paid in full. The specialist who made my wife’s orthotic inserts never had even one patient with coverage for them. I had it due to PA government service. 
 

Even though I was never union, my coverage was mirrored from union negotiated contracts in a union-friendly state for the union-friendly party’s employees. My coverage is, (how do they put it?) fire. 

Edited April 8 by VKurtB

[zadok]

On 4/8/2024 at 12:14 PM, VKurtB said:

I’m starting to feel a little bulletproof/immortal. This is my fourth cancer event and I keep “winning”. I have to thank the good people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for state government retiree health insurance coverage that makes NOT going to doctors silly. I think about my sister’s situation on “Obamacare” wherein she HAS TO AVOID getting medical care due to obscene deductibles and co-pays. She worked as a private businesswoman her whole life, is now 60, and she literally can’t afford to go to a doctor because she has Obamacare. 
 

The other thing is nobody in Alabama can even CONCEIVE of medical coverage as robust as I have. My policy allows for 100 home health visits per year, paid in full. The specialist who made my wife’s orthotic inserts never had even one patient with coverage for them. I had it due to PA government service. 
 

Even though I was never union, my coverage was mirrored from union negotiated contracts in a union-friendly state for the union-friendly party’s employees. My coverage is, (how do they put it?) fire. 

...u r very fortunate n u need it as well...obamacare is neither care nor cure more of oscrewucare...i am equally fortunate n have no premiums nor co-pays n covered head to toe, eliminates a lot of stress that other folks who worked all their lives n cant afford nor receive adequate care have to deal with, i reflect on that often when buying something i dont need (read coins) n think bout others trying buy food or medicine for their families, not a fair world, but i earned what i have...Godspeed on ur surgery....

[Teddy R]

After attending Pittsburgh last year which was the most enjoyable show I've ever been to, I put Chicago on my calendar.

I've decided to pass. Way to much going on in the Chicago area that I choose not to experience. I'll show patience and wait for 2026.

[VKurtB]

On 4/16/2024 at 6:47 PM, Teddy R said:

After attending Pittsburgh last year which was the most enjoyable show I've ever been to, I put Chicago on my calendar.

I've decided to pass. Way to much going on in the Chicago area that I choose not to experience. I'll show patience and wait for 2026.

The safety in the Rosemont area is fine. It is practically a mafia-run private/public partnership. The population is roughly 4,000 folks, and the ANA show will more than double it. Oddly enough, most of its Mayors have spoken fluent Italian. The worst part of it is getting to Rosemont by ground from the south. From the north (Wisconsin) or west, it’s a breeze. The Chicago Transit Authority is a great service, but with the recent “issues”, I’d be more wary. 
If you fly into O’Hare, it’s ONE CTA Blue Line stop from the airport. ONE! Think of that!

I’d put the likelihood that I go to Rosemont this year at 5%. It would take a serious draw to get me there. Yes, now having a car whose air conditioning works is a help. 

Edited April 17 by VKurtB

[Zebo]

On 4/16/2024 at 10:34 PM, VKurtB said:

The safety in the Rosemont area is fine. It is practically a mafia-run private/public partnership. The population is roughly 4,000 folks, and the ANA show will more than double it. Oddly enough, most of its Mayors have spoken fluent Italian. The worst part of it is getting to Rosemont by ground from the south. From the north (Wisconsin) or west, it’s a breeze. The Chicago Transit Authority is a great service, but with the recent “issues”, I’d be more wary. 
If you fly into O’Hare, it’s ONE CTA Blue Line stop from the airport. ONE! Think of that!

I’d put the likelihood that I go to Rosemont this year at 5%. It would take a serious draw to get me there. Yes, now having a car whose air conditioning works is a help. 

I-65 to I#80 to the Tristate (294). Lots of traffic, but doable.

[VKurtB]

On 4/17/2024 at 5:59 AM, Zebo said:

I-65 to I#80 to the Tristate (294). Lots of traffic, but doable.

11 hours on I-65, just to get to Gary, IN.

[Henri Charriere]

On 4/8/2024 at 12:14 PM, VKurtB said:

I’m starting to feel a little bulletproof/immortal....

That's dangerous thinking! Sounds a little like O.J. when a reporter caught up with him behind the wheel of his car, and he allowed, in substance:  "What, me worry?"

Too much to cover in your commentary.  I am going to leave you with a few lines from a stanza of S.T. Coleridge's 18th C epic:  "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner."

"Like one, that on a lonesome road  Doth walk in fear and dread,  And having once turned round walks on,  And turns no more his head;  Because he knows a frightful fiend. Doth close behind him tread."

I am indebted to you for your counsel which, judging from your many followers, others found to be of value as well.  You are retired!  Are all these things you're doing what you wished you had time for but didn't because you were working? Relax. Take it easy! We all must come to the realization that none of us are indispensable. I'm okay with that. If I read GF1969 correctly (upthread) I am not a collector.  I was one once, but by his well-reasoned argument, he's right. I no longer am. Hate to have to admit it, but if you left the airwaves, there would be no point in my lurking about. There will be an audible sigh of relief and the unmistakable sound of great rejoicing. Who can blame them?  On the West coast, the # 2 guy will reclaim the top spot again; the guys at # 11 here, and "there," will move up a notch into the ranks of the Top Ten. Everybody will be happy. Even the guys who left when they learn I'm gone, will filter back.  Good News travels fast. The point is, Life will go on with or without us. I would strongly advise you to take it easy. You're lucky.  You've been to the top; you're not obligated to prove you can do it again, again, and again.