By Bruce Hansen and Claude Butt. Photos by Beth Grobmyer.
Our National ACGHS convention was held in Huntsville, Alabama on July 7, 8 and 9, 2017. Our gracious hosts were Joe and Beth Grobmyer. The Huntsville Marriott on Tranquility Base proved to be an excellent location; where else in the world can you step outside and see a 363-foot-tall Saturn V rocket! For those of you who missed the show, this one was really two in one: ACGHS convention and a chance to tour the U.S. Space & Rocket Center next door to the hotel. The convention theme “From Toys to the Moon” was an obvious choice!
Members were able to enjoy an early setup on Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. This convenience meant we were able to enjoy an essentially two-day show. Many members expressed their joy over this arrangement as it’s hard to see everything and talk to everyone where there are 45+ members and 90+ tables of Gilbert treasures to experience in just one day.
After a half-day of hot and heavy trading on Friday, our group had the opportunity to tour the North Alabama Railroad Museum. Many ACGHS members and friends gathered for a catered picnic and train ride in old Pullman cars pulled by a classic diesel locomotive. During the meal and on the train, ACGHS members had a wonderful time enjoying conversation, stories, and looking over the railroad equipment. This was the first of several great events planned and hosted by Beth and Joe.
One nice feature for set-up and take-down was a group of young men and women who I will refer to as “Grobmyer’s Minions”. None of us are getting any younger; it was sure nice to have a dozen 20-something strong backs to help move our loads in and out of the show.
Members were anxiously awaiting the countdown to 7:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, July 8 for the convention to officially open. There were a total of 48 members in attendance and over 90 tables of items for display and for sale. It was nice to see so many models on display including ones from Pat Meagher, Doug Allen, John Clark, Bill Streenz, Bob Asleson, Randy Ramsey, Norm Jonkman, and Randy Sauder. The model that caught everyone’s eye was Russell Williams’ enormous crane model. I’d hate to think how many hours went into this one. Russell’s engineering talents were obvious; no details were missed, including the custom crate to move this 150+ pound model.
A number of members brought excellent examples of Gilbert products for display. Those included the Huntsville Erector Club, Stephen Hopkins, Lang Smoak, William McMahon, and Don Hora. Members with items for sale included Gary Knight, Randy Ramsey, Joe Swiatek, Ron Ford, Dan Yett, John Goins, Bill Tanis, Tom Lindsey, Chuck Bisek, Bruce Hansen, John Wickland, Dan Gills, Andy Jugle, Paul Thole, Bob O’Neill, Ken Schuman, Claude Butt, Eric Butt, Mike Wagner, and Joe Grobmyer.
Many of us “old-timers” were familiar with (future ACGHS Lifetime Achievement Award winner?) Elmer Wagner and Wagner and Sons Toys. Elmer was the “Wal-mart” for Erector set shoppers with thousands of parts and sets for sale at reasonable prices.
Mike and Sandy Wagner continued Elmer’s legacy with 10 tables of items for sale at very reasonable prices. I remember spending over $500 for a 1940 No. 10 ½ Electric Train set back in the day. Mike had a nice example with original cardboard for $200. I hated to pass on the set as I really don’t need two.
Others attending the show included Bob Harms, Tim Horton, Terry Keeler, Sev Marsted, Larry Melgary, Mark Pearson, Jeff Schredder, Vern Skripsky, Kent Troughton, Ken Weinig, Jim Wheeler, and John Wohlwend. It was nice to meet a lot of members from the Southeast who don’t make the trip to the usual Midwest convention sites.
The “gang” enjoyed our customary auction at the conclusion of the show. Joe Grobmyer was dressed in 1915-period garb and did a fine job as our auctioneer. Frankly, this is the part of the show where the deals are smokin’ hot as sellers are trying to unload stuff they don’t want to take home. Where else can you find three sets of White Truck hoods and fenders for $20?
The Saturday evening banquet was held at the Marriott. Our guest speaker was John Chapman, a retired NASA engineer. John led the team who designed and produced the Space Shuttle’s external booster rockets, Shuttle main engines, and the external fuel tank. John gave an informative overview of Huntsville, the Apollo program, and Space Shuttle programs. He was a treat for us “rocket nerds”.
Dinner was an excellent buffet followed by a unique dessert of a 1950s No. 10 ½ Erector set cake. That day’s contest winners were announced, with Lang Smoak winning for Erector Display, Randy Sauder for Gilbert Display, William McMahon for Chemistry Sets, Don Hora for Kaster Kits, and Andy Jugle for Gilbert Paper. The big winner of the night was Russell Williams, who hauled in the awards for Model Builder, Peoples’ Choice, and Best of Show. The program concluded with Claude Butt giving an emotional speech about his two-year term as our club President. Claude handed the gavel over to new ACGHS President, Dennis Ducharme.
The 2017 ACGHS National Convention concluded with an Open House Celebration on Sunday morning at the home of the Grobmyers in Huntsville. They had a fine spread of breakfast items, sweet desserts, and other tempting treats. Their lovely, spacious home is also the site of Joe’s Erector and Gilbert collection in dedicated attic space. His pristine collection has many rare, authentic Gilbert items, usual and unusual Erector sets, and many Space items.
On behalf of the ACGHS membership, I want to give the Grobmyers and their “staff” a great big THANK YOU for one of the best, well-organized ACGHS National Conventions.
Reprinted from the September 2017 issue of the A.C. Gilbert Heritage Society Newsletter.