Third Annual C.O.C.A.
Summer Convention
by Bill Petrochuk, COCA President
Say Cheese! More than 13 5 happy COCA members were all smiles the weekend of July 21-
23 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Our third annual convention was our biggest ever with more than
135 members and guests in attendance. Those that arrived early were treated to receptions at
the homes of Marcy and Mark Ernster on Wednesday night, and Marsha and David Blau on
Thursday night.
We kicked off the first official day of the convention on Friday at 2:00 p.m. and never stopped
until Sunday evening. Friday's room-to-room selling lasted approximately three hours with
quite a few fine pieces changing hands. Though there weren't many sellers, there were plenty
of eager buyers available to snatch up bargains as well as a few seldom seen pieces of coin-
op. Machines sold included a 19th century Malley Penny Drop, a Mills Bell Boy, Whirlwind
Trade Stimulator, and a nice Little Duke. There were plenty of vending machines as well as
a supply of old original coin-op literature for sale. A social hour, all you can eat banquet, and
auction followed at 5:00 p.m. This was our biggest convention auction to date with all types of
coin-op being offered and the vast majority being sold. The bids were called by professional
auctioneer and member Jeff Scott. Auction assistants included Shelia Scott, Paul Hindin, Dan
Davids, Denny Green, and many other helpful COCA members.
Saturday and Sunday we were welcomed into the homes of Frank Zygmunt, Jim Welytok,
Paul Hindin, Jack Freund, Alan Sax, Fred Weigel, as well as Tom Taylor's warehouse full of
pinball machines. Sincere thanks to all of you for the warm hospitality, refreshments, and great
collection tours. Buses took us on Saturday night from the host hotel to historic Lake Geneva,
where we enjoyed a fabulous dinner cruise complete with a Dixieland jazz band for dancing on
the deck. Many of us also attended a Milwaukee Brewers baseball game and tailgate party on
Monday, or were able to work in some time at the Italian Festival on the Lakeshore.
The weather could not have been better for such a perfect weekend. On behalf of all the
members present, a heartfelt thank you to convention coordinators Paul Hindin and Marsha
Blau and everyone on the committee that worked so hard to make this convention a success.
See follo wing pages fo r photos
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