EDITORS REPORT:
SUMMER SLUMP AN ANNUAL EVENT...
Had a concerned e-mail from one of our new Canadian readers last month asking if 12 pages was the shortest issue we had ever done. Well, no, the very first issue, a collectors item now, in its third grade format was only 9 pages but set the stage for the next 225 issues to come including this one. I pointed out to him that although only 12 pages it had an amazing 46 ads in it. We have come to expect a mild slump at the beginning of summer and again around Xmas. But one thing is for sure, if you send them, I will run them... Looking forward to a busy fall and winter with you folks.
COVER STORY...
One of the great events that happens here at TNS six times a week is mail call. This week, while pondering where I would get a cover shot for the paper and having the trip photos with me to screen for TNS, I stopped by the Post Office first. There waiting for me was a surprise. One of our Life Members, Michael Montgomery TAGS'n'STUFF #1359-L had sent me a photo taken on the First Day of Issue for the new U. S. Forces in Germany license plate. His daughter, Lara on the right, and her friend Verena were asked to hold it for photos, and while they hesitated to be photographed, according to Michael, they make lovely cover girls. The new Forces plate was issued first on July 3rd, 2000 so many of you are seeing this for the first time. Color is black on white with the left end blue where it says USA. Thanks ladies for the nice cover shot. Note the plates on the garage doors behind them, no doubt Michael is thought to be a bit odd in Heidelberg. Thanks to you too Michael for sharing.
CONVENTION TRIP SIMPLY THE BEST & THANKS
Just when you wonder how can they get any better, here comes another convention that just blew me away. I was running low on funds by the time I got there, but readily the plates started moving off my table, I replentished my trip fund, bought plates like a Xmas shopping spree and still came home with a nice balance of funds after all the expenses were paid.
Congratulations to my friend and long time TNS Reader Barney Schukraft for his election to the Presidency of ALPCA. And thank you too, readers and members of ALPCA for allowing me the opportunity to serve you another two years as Director. Adding another new face to the board, Mike Naughton fills the slot left vacant by Barney moving to the top, and Eric Tanner also goes to work as a Director again. It is my pleasure to work with all the ALPCA Officers in this hobby.
There is a tongue in cheek story on pages 15 and 16 about the trip and the truck that took us to Denver. Next month you will get the treat of reading the wit and humor of Mike Duff as he gives us a full report on Denver and the meet that drew nearly 500 people despite the Gas Sham...
SEPTEMBER DEADLINE IS AUGUST 19th
IN CLOSING:
With only three ads showing up in the free section it is obvious that many folks are just too busy to get an ad together for the summer months. Next month we will run at least two full pages of business cards if they come in, send yours and let's have a good turn out. I'll run the over-flow if we need filler or in the coming months, so your effort to send it won't be wasted. Meanwhile, don't overlook the benefits of the F.Y.I. program to keep your name in front of readers. Just $7.00 Monthly or $a year for $70, save $14 and you can change it as often as you like.
NEWS FLASH!!! SUPREME WEB-MASTER/ COMMANDER DENNY, has installed a chat room on our TNS web site, go to the bottom of the home page and get signed on to AOL and look for us to start gathering on Sunday Nights around 9:PM Carolina time, you're all welcome let's have some fun with this. Just go to www.tagsnstuff.com More next month...