2007 Dearborn Highlights

The much heralded 29th ISASC convention was held May 17th through May 21st at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, Michigan.  We gather annually to meet with fellow scale collectors to exchange information and foster friendships to enhance the pleasures of our own collecting.  This convention fulfilled every promise and upheld these grand traditions providing a delightful and memorable weekend for all in attendance.

The convention got off to a splendid start with a gracious dinner at Fair Lane, the residential estate of Henry and Clara Ford.  Upon arrival the members were welcomed to Dearborn with an animated conversation between Aunt Shirley aka Shirley Schmidt and her niece Bev aka Bev Moss.  Dressed in period fashion they introduced us to many wonderful attractions of the Detroit area.  Prior to dinner everyone was treated to a guided tour of the mansion and powerhouse.  The Thursday night dinner is always a pleasant time for getting reacquainted with old friends and meeting new ones.

Friday was an exceptional day, not only for the near perfect weather, but also for the range of activities available.  Attendees were able to choose two out of three options, the Henry Ford Museum, the Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Greenfield Village.  It was a tough choice, but allowed everyone to pursue their individual interests.  As the day ended, most had a far better understanding of the contributions of Henry Ford to the American culture.


President Peter Laycock welcomed all to the official start of the convention Friday night at the Collector’s Get-Together.  It was a relaxing enjoyable evening with plenty of opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet the members who were attending their first convention.  It is the time for members to exchange albums bragging about their new acquisitions while envying the scales of others without guilt.  It is truly a refuge where scale talk is the most acceptable topic of conversation.

The Saturday morning program held everyone spellbound with the Oscar caliber performances of Utz Schmidt and Greg Moss.  For three lively hours the audience was led through a time journey of Michigan scales.  Utz and Greg transformed themselves into characters important to the development of scales in Michigan.  The genius of their program was taking a complex subject with years of research involved and presenting it on a level that was comprehensible, informative and enjoyable for all viewers.


Saturday afternoon was reserved for the perpetual favorites of habitual convention goers, the Silent Auction and “Let’s Make a Deal”.  The crowd of eager participants swarmed the tables amassed with scales, weights and other scale-related goodies ready to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.  Many members use this incredible opportunity to stockpile their collection with scales they can’t find elsewhere.  From the self-satisfied looks of members leaving the auction it can be concluded most were successful in adding to their inventory of scales and weights.

The gala reception and banquet Saturday night is always a convention highlight.  This year was no exception.  It is the time the society recognizes members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.  Ben Smith was honored for his extensive lobbying efforts to bring the convention to Dearborn.   Utz and Shirley Schmidt, Greg and Bev Moss and Bill and Jan Berning were recognized for their extraordinary efforts in making Ben Smith’s vision of a Dearborn convention a reality on an unsurpassed level.   Each was presented with framed front and back covers of the Equilibrium issue dedicated to Michigan scales and their manufacturers in acknowledgment of the appreciation of the entire society.


 

Sunday morning started off with the traditional “Show and Tell” where members share interesting or unusual scales or scale-related items from their own collections.  It is an entertaining and educational program as members often see and learn about scales they are unfamiliar with.

The morning agenda concluded with the business meeting for all members.  The directors of the society brought the members up to date on their individual areas of responsibility.  The floor was then opened for questions, suggestions and comments from the general membership.  This time allows for exchange of ideas and concerns between the members and the directors.  It helps the directors be aware of the pulse of the members and helps the members learn about the direction of their society.  It is an integral part of the well-being and smooth running of the society.  The official convention wrapped up with the farewell luncheon giving everyone a chance to say good-bye to those who were leaving with promises to see them at next year’s convention.
 

Just when you thought this convention couldn’t get any better, the Monday optional trip came along.  Everyone boarded the bus that morning without much clue of what awaited them down the road. We were privileged to view the collection of member Jim Dietrich.  The collection had been hailed as “the rare, the ordinary and the extraordinary”.  That description hardly does it justice.  Long time scale collectors were heard using the word “mind-boggling” and several admitted they were seeing scales they had never seen before.  It was worth the whole time and expense of the convention just to see this truly remarkable collection.  Then it was on to Frankenmuth for lunch at the Bavaria Inn.  This was a chance to revisit the fun and good times of the last few days before we said our good-byes and headed off in our separate directions.  Most leave already looking forward to the next convention.

 

The 2008 convention will be held May 15th through May 19th in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Convention Chairman Phil Wehman has gathered an enthusiastic group to help him plan and implement this convention.  The highlight will be the chance to see two world class collections.  Certainly an opportunity not to be missed!  The camaraderie prevalent at any convention is something that only increases the joy of collecting.  President Peter Laycock and all the board members encourage you to join them in Chattanooga.  They welcome both new and long time convention goers.  Jan Berning summed up the favor of the convention with her invitation “Ya’ll come!”