Day Three—Saturday evening, the 24th
Much of the day is spent writing and cleaning pictures. Saturday's big event for Janet and me is the TSR Dinner. Margaret Weis and I put together this event, hoping to bring together more than fifty former TSR employees, many of whom who haven't seen each other for nearly two decades. Tension mounts all day. I'm not entirely certain how well this will go.
At last, Janet and I get in the car. It's late in the afternoon. Her badge is ready at the registration desk, and Jeff Hammerlund kindly makes TSR pins available. Nice touch. I give Janet a quick tour. Hallways and game rooms are packed. People are lining up to bid for the silent auction. I wish that I had more time. The dealer's room is already closed, of course. We'll come back tomorrow just for that.
We head off to the auction. It is for the benefit of Jim Ward who's run into medical troubles since last year. We're glad he's still among us. The auction is going well thanks to efforts of many. Live long, old friend. Janet and I head off to the bar and immediately connect with old friends and acquaintances already there. It isn't long before everyone shows up and fills the area.
The Auction |
F. Mentzer, Auction Meister |
J. Ward, Mrs. Gygax, Heidi Gygax, & Luke Gygax |
The maître d’hôtel comes by, waving menus. “Order now if you want your dinner served on time!” It will be a bit of a logistical headache for the kitchen to get fifty or so individual orders ready for us when we all migrate to the dining room. I mentally cross my fingers. Use the Force, Bruce... Use the Force! Janet and I dutifully fill out ours, but by the time we look up, the busy fellow's waltzed out of the room already. Yeah, okay. Nothing a quick manhunt can't solve. Now back at the bar, I pick up a glass of Chard and a copious serving of the local Spotted Cow brew, which I never got around to finish. Too much running around, recognizing familiar faces, and chit-chatting for that. Things are looking good.
Allen Hammack & Diesel |
Jonathan Coke & Sue Weinlein |
Greetings from all of us! |
Patty Martin & Doug Blume |
Debbie Conrad & James Ward |
Janet's on my left, Doug Niles on my right and, one seat farther, Margaret Weis. Liz Baldwin, Mike Car, Sully, Doug Blume, and Jim Ward are across from me. Kifflie Scott, Debbie Conrad (Debbie Poutsch) and her husband sit near Janet, and Jean Black heads the table.
Liz Baldwin & Jean Blashfield Black |
Margaret Weis & Doug Niles |
Janet Deaver-Pack & Mr. Conrad |
Bill Hoyer, Allen Hammack, Jon Pickens |
Harold Johnson, Tim Cahoon, Mr. & Mrs. Megarry |
Tracey Isler , Charles Kohl, Barb Nish |
You bet!
Jean Blashfield Black
Douglas Blume
Tim Cahoon
Jonathan Coke
Dave Conant
Karen Conlin
Debbie Conrad (Poutsch)
Peggy Cooper
Cindy Donovan
Dale Donovan
Jeff Easley
Allen Hammack
Bruce Heard
Tracey Isler (Zamagne)
Harold Johnson
Charles Kohl
Lisa LaForce (De Leon)
James Lowder
Kathy Lynch
Patty Martin
Anne McCready
David Megarry
Frank Mentzer
Jeanine Mielecki
Douglas Niles
Barb Nish
Jon Pickens
Lester Smith
Stephen Sullivan
Marlene Vail
Margaret Weis
Penny Williams
Janet Winters
I bid you all a good night,
--------------------------------------------------------
Our Illustrious Guests
their spouses & children
Lisa and David LaForce |
Andrew Conn, Ken Whitman, Lester Smith |
Elizabeth Baldwin
Jean Blashfield Black
Douglas Blume
Tim Cahoon
Jonathan Coke
Dave Conant
Karen Conlin
Debbie Conrad (Poutsch)
Peggy Cooper
Cindy Donovan
Dale Donovan
Jeff Easley
Allen Hammack
Bruce Heard
Tracey Isler (Zamagne)
Harold Johnson
Charles Kohl
Lisa LaForce (De Leon)
James Lowder
Kathy Lynch
Patty Martin
The Donovan Family & Karen Conlin |
Anne McCready
David Megarry
Frank Mentzer
Jeanine Mielecki
Lori Nevin (Cooper)
Marlene Vail |
Douglas Niles
Barb Nish
Jon Pickens
Lester Smith
Stephen Sullivan
Marlene Vail
Charles Kohl, Barb Nish, Kevin Vail |
James Ward
Sue Weinlein
Margaret Weis
Tom Wham
Dave Conant |
Ken Whitman
Penny Williams
Janet Winters
and last, but not least, my good friend
David Wise
Doug Blume & Steve Sullivan |
If I missed anyone or got any names wrong, please do let me know. I suspect I may have. I'll make changes asap. My apologies to Janet Winters, Lori Nevin, and Peggy Cooper whose table I missed.
Mea culpa!
Janet Deaver-Pack, Kifflie Scott, Mr. Conrad |
I'll endeavor to post pictures taken by Gary Con's photographer, and the "group shot" as soon as I can get my hands on them. All my pictures will be available on Facebook and on Media Fire for our non-Facebook friends.
I bid you all a good night,
Now breathing with relief! |
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