C.O.C.A. Times
Issue: 2011-November - Vol 10 Num 3 - Page 5
Saturday morning, we awoke to what looked like
rain clouds - a welcome site to all, considering the
drought conditions that have affected a large part of
Texas for the past several months. Our first stop was to
a nondescript industrial warehouse on the northwest
outskirts of Houston. As we drove up, we weren't sure
what to expect when we got inside. But once the door
opened, we found ourselves in a virtual wonderland
of neon, flashing lights and porcelain as we stared at
the largest collection of antique and vintage automo-
bile dealership signs and other advertising that any of
us had ever experienced. The signs belonged to our
host, Ralph White, owner of Ralph White Merchan-
dising, Inc. Ralph's dedication to his collection was
clearly demonstrated as we looked at one of the tall-
est neon signs we have ever seen indoors - so tall that
Ralph had to build an extension onto the warehouse
roof to make room for it.
Fogo De Chao restaurant was the location of our
Saturday dinner, which consisted of a fantastic Bra-
zilian style meal that we would all need for the next
event. Then it was on to Craig and Doreen Bierman's
home again to see it "in action''. We arrived to find
literally everything in the home going full blast - all
the displays, the antique fans, machines, bar, games ...
you name it and it was working. Even the life size dis-
play of Marilyn Monroe from the movie "Seven Year
Itch" had its skirt blowing up. Midway through the
evening, the crowd was amazed by a wonderful show-
man - Dennis Rogers- Pound for Pound, The World's
Strongest Man. After an hour or so of bending diam-
eter nails, rolling up frying pans small enough to fit
through a wristwatch and driving nails barehanded
through more frying pans and wood blocks, the party
really got rolling in the disco room and lasted into the
wee hours with everyone having a great time.
Lunch on Saturday was another round of fabulous
Texas barbeque at Goode Company restaurant. While
we were enjoying our meal, the rain finally arrived.
You could hear the local residents cheer as the clouds
opened and it began to rain in sheets. We were very
happy to see the wonderful residents of Texas get the
rain they have waited so long for.
Our schedule for Sunday morning began with a
10:00 a.m. visit to the home of Russell and Joann Beas-
ley. The Beasleys live in a beautifully remodeled home
that has a dedicated game room over the garage. The
room incorporates some of the most beautifully re-
stored coin operated machines that I have ever seen.
A large part of the display flanks both sides of a large
flat screen television, giving the viewer the option of
looking at the collection while they watch TV - a
well thought out arrangement.
Rain doesn't affect our interest in coin op, so after
lunch we immediately left for the home of Craig and
Doreen Bierman to view their collection. It is difficult
to describe their home and collection in a short ar-
ticle like this. Suffice it to say, it was a mixture of coin
op, advertising, cars, Korean war helicopters, games,
real Super Bowl rings and wax figures - all coordi-
nated quite well by the very talented Biermans.
The final stop on the Sunday convention tour was
the residence ofJ amey and Cynthia Fleck. The Flecks
work from home and are both collectors with an ex-
cellent taste for the unique and unusual. Jamey's coin
op collection contains fabulous original, unrestored
machines and related advertising. It occupies a dedi-
After a short stay at the Bierman residence, we left cated display room upstairs, a TV room downstairs
for a visit to the incredible Victorian mansion and and his home office, while Cynthia is still working on
music collection of Alan Bies and Steve Boehck. I plans to display her very large collection of antique
have been in quite a few antique houses in my time, and unusual ladies compacts.
but this mansion literally felt like walking into a time
machine from 1890. The decor was right on point and
This will be my final convention as COCA presi-
the overall condition was immaculate. It didn't hurt dent and I want to personally thank everyone who
that the first thing we saw coming in the front door made this one of the best ever for our club. We found
was a beautiful original Madam Zita fortune telling that everything is bigger in Texas - especially hospi-
machine from 1903. After listening to several of Alan tality and friendship.
and Steve's antique machines, we departed for the
hotel and a little rest before our dinner and party Sat-
urday night.
5
rain clouds - a welcome site to all, considering the
drought conditions that have affected a large part of
Texas for the past several months. Our first stop was to
a nondescript industrial warehouse on the northwest
outskirts of Houston. As we drove up, we weren't sure
what to expect when we got inside. But once the door
opened, we found ourselves in a virtual wonderland
of neon, flashing lights and porcelain as we stared at
the largest collection of antique and vintage automo-
bile dealership signs and other advertising that any of
us had ever experienced. The signs belonged to our
host, Ralph White, owner of Ralph White Merchan-
dising, Inc. Ralph's dedication to his collection was
clearly demonstrated as we looked at one of the tall-
est neon signs we have ever seen indoors - so tall that
Ralph had to build an extension onto the warehouse
roof to make room for it.
Fogo De Chao restaurant was the location of our
Saturday dinner, which consisted of a fantastic Bra-
zilian style meal that we would all need for the next
event. Then it was on to Craig and Doreen Bierman's
home again to see it "in action''. We arrived to find
literally everything in the home going full blast - all
the displays, the antique fans, machines, bar, games ...
you name it and it was working. Even the life size dis-
play of Marilyn Monroe from the movie "Seven Year
Itch" had its skirt blowing up. Midway through the
evening, the crowd was amazed by a wonderful show-
man - Dennis Rogers- Pound for Pound, The World's
Strongest Man. After an hour or so of bending diam-
eter nails, rolling up frying pans small enough to fit
through a wristwatch and driving nails barehanded
through more frying pans and wood blocks, the party
really got rolling in the disco room and lasted into the
wee hours with everyone having a great time.
Lunch on Saturday was another round of fabulous
Texas barbeque at Goode Company restaurant. While
we were enjoying our meal, the rain finally arrived.
You could hear the local residents cheer as the clouds
opened and it began to rain in sheets. We were very
happy to see the wonderful residents of Texas get the
rain they have waited so long for.
Our schedule for Sunday morning began with a
10:00 a.m. visit to the home of Russell and Joann Beas-
ley. The Beasleys live in a beautifully remodeled home
that has a dedicated game room over the garage. The
room incorporates some of the most beautifully re-
stored coin operated machines that I have ever seen.
A large part of the display flanks both sides of a large
flat screen television, giving the viewer the option of
looking at the collection while they watch TV - a
well thought out arrangement.
Rain doesn't affect our interest in coin op, so after
lunch we immediately left for the home of Craig and
Doreen Bierman to view their collection. It is difficult
to describe their home and collection in a short ar-
ticle like this. Suffice it to say, it was a mixture of coin
op, advertising, cars, Korean war helicopters, games,
real Super Bowl rings and wax figures - all coordi-
nated quite well by the very talented Biermans.
The final stop on the Sunday convention tour was
the residence ofJ amey and Cynthia Fleck. The Flecks
work from home and are both collectors with an ex-
cellent taste for the unique and unusual. Jamey's coin
op collection contains fabulous original, unrestored
machines and related advertising. It occupies a dedi-
After a short stay at the Bierman residence, we left cated display room upstairs, a TV room downstairs
for a visit to the incredible Victorian mansion and and his home office, while Cynthia is still working on
music collection of Alan Bies and Steve Boehck. I plans to display her very large collection of antique
have been in quite a few antique houses in my time, and unusual ladies compacts.
but this mansion literally felt like walking into a time
machine from 1890. The decor was right on point and
This will be my final convention as COCA presi-
the overall condition was immaculate. It didn't hurt dent and I want to personally thank everyone who
that the first thing we saw coming in the front door made this one of the best ever for our club. We found
was a beautiful original Madam Zita fortune telling that everything is bigger in Texas - especially hospi-
machine from 1903. After listening to several of Alan tality and friendship.
and Steve's antique machines, we departed for the
hotel and a little rest before our dinner and party Sat-
urday night.
5
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).