"During my hippie years it was macrame and sand candles. (Ok, quit laughing, that was a LONG time ago. )"

That was good for a laugh Greg! For the life of me, I can't form a mental image of a young hippie Greg Susong! 30 years ago, the hair on my head was almost long enough to tuck into my pants! I was a rock and roll drummer.

Collecting? I started with stamps when I was about 5, would soak them off every letter that came to the house. As I got a little older, it was records. 45's, 33's and 78's. I'd also stash away the front page of the local newspaper when the top story was of historical significance. I still have the front page that has "Nixon Resigns" in three inch letters. In the early 70's I started collecting programs from auto racing events that I attended. They all say "souvenir" on them, so you are supposed to keep them, right? I still collect racing related stuff. I have a few diecast cars, an event pin from every NHRA National event that I've attended in the last ten years, track logo'd lighters and hats, ticket stubs (actually press credentials), press, VIP and pit parking tags, and programs and entry lists.

I made my first visit to Las Vegas in '76. I didn't have the financial means to bring home chips (a $100 bankroll for a three day weekend was a large bankroll for me at the time). I did take home quite a few match books. I might have kept a few $1 tokens if they were using them back then, but Ike dollars where what you fed the slots at the time. It didn't occur to me to take home $1 chips or fractionals back then. I sure wish I would have! Now I keep any and everything casino related! That's just one of the things that I enjoy about this hobby. There's a lot of stuff that is worth saving that doesn't cost anything, and other stuff that doesn't cost very much...

Bob