ME
3712 W. SCENIC AVE. , MEQUON, WISCONSIN 53092
Phone: (262) 242-31 31 OR E-mail: Bedvibr8or@aol.com
We elected new officers at our fall meeting to serve
in 2008 and 2009. Congratulations to new V.P. Marsha
Blau of Wisconsin, new Treasurer Doug Cain of Ohio,
and new Recording Secretary Les Aaron of Califor-
nia. I will continue to have the honor of serving you
as President.
My goal when I took office two years ago was to im-
prove member benefits. Our great magazine continues
to be our best asset. The annual convention continues
on its successful path with our fifth one scheduled for
September 11-14 in New York City. We are also mak-
ing plans for conventions in 2009 and 2010 and hope to
announce details soon.
One new benefit that has begun to grow roots in vari-
ous parts of the country is the local gatherings. We have
four scheduled for spring of 2008 in California, North
Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin. These mini conventions
started in 2006 and have provided a great place to meet
with fellow collectors. If you can't find a gathering
near you, perhaps it is time for you to step up and host
one. Please call me.
Our website continues to improve. Our log-on issues
seem to be resolved so if you have not visited the site
for a while give it a try. The classified ad section is
growing, which gives you the chance to buy and sell
your goods with no fees. Our discussion forum is open
to members only and, while it is getting good read-
ership, it needs more input. This is a great place to
communicate with other members. We all have lots of
information to share and questions that need answers.
There are many other articles waiting for you (coinop-
club.org).
With your help, I hope to continue making COCA a
better value.
Thanks to Jackie Durham for serving the last two
years as V.P., and for her very successful efforts to "spice
up" our meetings. We are also grateful to Dan Davids
for his many, many years as Treasurer of our club. Let
your past and present officers know how much you ap-
preciate their service when you see them.
Paul Hindin, along with Randy and Sue Razzoog,
will continue with the publication duties of the COCA
Times Magazine. Ken Durham will continue as chair-
man of our website committee. This great group of
vol un teers and everyone that steps up when asked sure
makes my job easy.
We also unveiled our new COCA booth at the Chi-
cago show in November. Our updated look and vis-
ibility should make it easier for you to offer input about
our club and to find the information you need. Thanks
to Ken Durham and Rich Wolfin for their donations of
display materials for our booth and to Alan Sax for stor-
ing things between shows.
In conjunction with the upcoming Chicagoland
show, our next meeting will be on Friday evening, April
4, 2008, at the Hilton Garden Inn. Our guest speaker
will be Marshall Fey. This will be a dinner meeting;
the cash bar will open at 5:30 and an Italian buffet din-
ner will be served from 6:00 until 6:30. This optional
dinner will only cost $10 and includes either meat or
veggie lasagna, salad, bread and dessert. All members
and their guests are welcome for both the dinner and/or
meeting. Any donations for raffle door prizes would
be greatly appreciated and should be directed to Mar-
sha Blau. We hope to start the meeting at 6:30 and ad-
journ around 8:00. We have again negotiated a special
COCA room rate for those that are interested in staying
at the Hilton for both the spring and fall shows of $95
single and $98 double. Suites are available for $159.
Members should call the hotel directly at 630-584-0700
to make reservations as there are a limited number of
rooms available at this rate.
We are starting a new column in this issue called
restoration and display tips. Hopefully some of you
will feel inspired to send in your tips for publication.
Our magazine relies entirely on your submissions for
its editorial content. We need your help to keep a good
thing going.
Call me at 919-304-4455 if you have any questions
about our club or see me at the COCA booth in Chica-
goland.
Bill Petrochuk, COCA President
3