Dateline Dayton — Six months goes by so quickly.

Last Thursday, Pauline and I were on our way to St. Charles, IL, for the spring meeting and swap meet of the Cash Register Collectors Club.

We left very early and made excellent time. No traffic problems or delays. Although we arrived prior to the published starting time, the swap meet was already underway, which is usual. It starts early and ends early. I don’t mind the early start. However, they should run until the published closing time, since it has been advertised.

Pauline checked in to the hotel, and I made my way to the rear parking lot, the site of the swap meet. I had things organized. It did not take long to set up. Since I am making changes to my cash register collection, I had interesting items for sale, and they were well received by fellow collectors.

The weather not only was cold, it snowed and there was sleet. But the weather really didn’t cause problems even though we were outside. Since it was so cold, Pauline didn’t spend much time with me at the swap meet, which was good. My time to look at what others had for sale was limited, although I didn’t see anything I couldn’t live without or really wanted during my quick walk-through of the parking lot.

After the swap meet, we had our club meeting. This was the first time we tried meeting right after the swap meet, hoping for better attendance. Possibly we had a couple members who wouldn’t have been there otherwise. But I would not call the strategy a success.

Because of ongoing problems with the club’s website, the meeting was devoted to that problem. Although serious discussions have taken place at previous meetings, no concrete decision was ever made. This time, the decision was made to purchase a new program.

Collecting Our Thoughts

Another longstanding issue has been incorporating the club, and we decided to incorporate as a non-profit 501c3 Corporation. After the meeting, we were treated to Kringles from Racine, WI, and soda.

In the evening, Pauline and I joined four other collectors for supper. It was fun visiting, listening to their stories and enjoying good food, with friends.

Friday morning, we visited the Chicagoland Coin-op Show at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles to see all the unusual items that are for sale. If you are looking for a jukebox, slot machine, cash register, scales, anything coin-operated, this is the place.

At 11 o’clock, we left the show to drive to our daughter’s home in Michigan. We have been trying to visit her and her family in Niles since Christmas. Two of the reasons we never made it were snow and the threat of snow.

On Friday, we had supper at their home and visited. Emily, their youngest, presented me with a toolbox, which she made in woodworking class. It’s a great box with “G-r-a-n-d-p-a” engraved on the side. It is too nice to use. So I will display it in my building.

We drove to the community of Schoolcraft on Saturday morning to visit a discount store. This has become a tradition for us when we are in the area. Upon returning to Niles, we took Ryan home and Emily to a birthday party at the bowling alley. Darlene, Pauline and I visited a hobby store, where I found a small replica of my first cash register. It was a bank. I had to have it even if it was the only item in the store not on sale. For $20, it was worth it.

Saturday evening, after attending church, we went out to eat. We had to attend church on Saturday evening, as Darlene’s husband, Mike, had to be at work early Sunday morning.

Sunday morning, after breakfast with Darlene and the children, we were on our way home, a very pleasant drive with little traffic.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net