My collection has come a long way! Last year this time I was the guy that would pick up a $1 chip when on vacation. When friends were going anywhere they would do the same for me. Heard about the Club from the "FUN SHOW" in Orlando in January of this year and became a member in February. Nothing but fun ever since! Now family, friends, and co-workers know that if they are going anywhere near a Casino, they have to stop and get "Big Ed" a chip. I now have 3 full chip binders and beginning to branch out from just house chips. And (to my wife's dismay ) have started a $5 chip collection! Have fallen in love with the Desert Inn and Hard Rock chips. Those collections continue to grow. One of the big parts of missing the Convention was that I didn't get a chance to personally thank the people that have played a huge roll in this hobby for me. SO, I will do that now. AS A GROUP, thank you for educating, protecting, and passing on knowledge that I could not have found anywhere else. The knowledge and information is invaluable! Thanks for the chip trades which have... and continue to be, IMO, one of the best ways to acquire chips. To the people that have taken the time out to answer my questions, to explain "molds", to help in cataloging, to point in the right direction, to ensure the Rookie doesn't get scammed, etc....I THANK YOU!Now, there is a group of you out there I owe more then just a thank you. And a posting on the board will not do it justice...but it will have to do until 2002. FOR FEAR of leaving anyone out I will not call you by name, BUT you know who you are.....I extend my hand, smile and give an extremely warm heart felled "THANK YOU" from the bottom of my heart. You, and your help are very much appreciated! (sniff) Now I am going to go DOUBLE BOOK for next years Convention! P.S. The missing chip in the page is for the ever elusive $1 DI Wilbur Clark.....who I vow to catch up with someday soon!