sissydear Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 All of these negative comments about Smitty being worn out, feeling put upon, having to spend his own money for entertaining us instead of on marbles for himself or fun times with his family to the point of breaking down and letting us know his feelings are absolutely absurd. Now that you know what it costs and that he has no help and that it's financially a burden for him, where is the kindness? Where is the understanding? I did notice that some of us volunteered to help. How about helping him organize a club? Give Smitty some lasting help. Form a club that will go on and on. Elect some officers and a board of trustees. Write a consitituion and by laws. Offer a newsletter several times a year. There are a lot of you with a lot of knowledge. Put it in print and pass on what took you years to accumulate by reading books, handling marbles, going to shows, meeting artists, watching marbles be made. I hate to keep saying this but our club has helped other clubs organize themselves. (See, I am a Texan, but I refrained from saying IN TEXAS WE DO blah, blah, blah. ) I know The Nutmeg Club will not mind me mentioning them. They have it all together except for their own club newsletter. We fixed that. They affiliated with the Texas Club and they share our newsletter. They pay us $10 per member each year, they write articles about what their club is doing, marble knowledge they have and are willing to share, and they furnish us addresses of their members. We write, print, and mail out the newsletter to our members and theirs. Some of us Texans even joined their club. Some West Virginians joined their club too. Lest you think we get rich off the Nutmeg Club, figure up the cost of colored ink, paper, stamps, envelopes, labor, etc. and we probably break even. BUT, we have helped to grow a club and our hobby. Now for the complainers, I complain sometimes too. I don't like the negativity I see regularly from some of the members of this board. They think I'm a Pollyanna. I don't like the world they surround themselves with on this board - they don't like my world. I guarantee you my world is more pleasant and a heck of a lot more fun. I may live longer because i don't go around trying to stir up "stink". Sometimes when I've had enough of the stink, I join in and ask them to think. Think about how you come across to others. I keep hearing that people don't act like this at marble shows. They are really nice. Well, in my experience, some of them are just the same and I don't want to know them any better. Now, I've been negative. You can jump on me and give Smitty a rest. Hang in there Smitty. See you in Sistersville. I think you need a hug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sissydear Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 Sistersville is a tiny town, rooted in the traditons of the glass industry. They shut down the major streets of town. They let us sit in their front yards. Jim King sponsors the Festival. I'm sure he foots a big bill. They can't park their cars in front of their homes. Picture that in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Cleveland, even Canton, Tulsa, Los Angeles, Boston, etc. Where I live the weather is not as pleasant as Sistersville. In September, it's cool all day. Try that in Houston at 100 degrees. Get people to come sit outside in the heat. In Sistersville, people are not like the big city. I can imagine the security force that would have to be hired to protect us and our marbles. LOL! They have a unique situation in WV and thank God for it. Step up and help. Instead of being the problem, help to solve it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sissydear Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 Mibs, I don't know where you live, but auditoriums get rent money too. And you have to pay for security. In Sistersville, some people cover their stuff with tarps or table cloths and leave it over night and it's still there the next day. Try that in the big city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m!b$ Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 I hope you're not saying that I'm being part of the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sissydear Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 One of the complaints that show organizers get is "We don't want to move out of our hotel for the show. It's too much trouble to pack up." I don't know if Indiana still does it but when Weldon and I attended the Indiana shows, the show was never in the hotel. You had to pack up and move to something like a convention center. Some people didn't go because of that. Someone will complain no matter what you do. In the south we have a expression for that. Put in the name of the person like "Edna would bitch if she was hung with a new rope." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sissydear Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 No mibs you are not the problem. You just have no idea of what it takes to put on a show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvrons Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 I understand 100% of your feelings Steve. I have been there and done that for several years. The few thank you's or a seldom hand shake will be your only reward at the end. There will always be negative comments,no matter what you do. To your face,behind your back or in print. If someday the marble shows are gone,then the negatives may decide that the good old days was not so bad. From what i know,i am not sure your comments was even directed to Mon but someone else. I have not visited much any of the marble boards for a few months. Seems like anything posted that somone would take it the wrong way or twist it out of its original intended meaning. I also did not pay for a table,i also did not sell out of my room. I have attended maybe all but one or two of the past New Philly shows,all of the Canton shows. I have sold from my rooms and paid for tables. I have found that i enjoy the shows more by not selling or bringing anything. I also have brought large parts of my collection to many different shows for display only. Was the effort worth it,in my opinion,no. I normally attend 12 to 14 shows each year,from Maine,to TX ,the midwest to KS. Most of them are very similiar with good people,north,south,east or west. It only takes a small number of negatives to forget all the positives. I wish now that i had not even attempted this post. My solution is that if you are unhappy with the way a show is operated. Do not attend,help fix the problems,or hold your own show. It is simple,if people want the shows to continue,they will need support. Good luck with your decesion Steve.Thank you for all the past years efforts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNYD Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 Ron, Wow, do you think if I begged you a little bit you would bring your Alley collection to Sistersville, or maybe I could come to your place to view?????????? I still need some good training about them and I would like to take some pictures for in my book (homemade notebook folks, not professional stuff here). On my way to Sistersville, I am stopping at Morgantown, I know way out of the way, but I have seen the mib you know i am after and the guy has two of them with some other Alley's. He wants to keep them all for family reasons (they are in a box his great - great grandfather made and put the mibs in. He is willing to sell me one of the mibs, the prize jewel I have been after ( I think) you know from the Canton show I can be way off, thinking that cork was it I will bring my Alley collection for you to see, not that it would be that big ! ! ! ! ! I would also like to ask you to show me the old marble factory if you could. I want to add some pictures in my book. PS Everyone! I am trying to end this thread on a good note - friends talking mibs and moving on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvrons Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 We will work something out. Call or email me,if you can catch me. That cork also had me scratching my head. But as we saw,when put side by side,they were not the same colors. Don't let the Morgantown one get away,as you know they are not easy to locate. Some of the Alleys are under valued with how difficult some are to find. Some which are more plain and some that do not look like typical Alley marbles. Your notebook is great,it is a good tool. When you open it,people start to gather around. Some of a recent Alley find. Well actually 50% of it is mine. There were over 25 five gallon buckets of Alleys,plus a few display cases,tubs of cullet etc. Someday i will find time to clean some dirt away. I know a few people who may disagree with that statement. I have had a few dirty ones now for about 8-10 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mon Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 didn't have a camera to take pics. I wish someone else would step up and take over the show, I'm really getting burned out from doing everything myself and have lost the motivation to promote it like it should be. understandable! As soon as I pulled into the parking lot on tuesday I was approached by someone who was highly upset because he arrived at 10:30 a.m. and his room wasn't going to be ready until 2:00 so I had to go talk to management and put a rush on cleaning his room. He sold all week long and I never saw him out of his room, yet on Saturday he didn't rent a table to support the show, tightass! wvron:There will always be negative comments,no matter what you do. To your face,behind your back or in print. If someday the marble shows are gone,then the negatives may decide that the good old days was not so bad. And smitty's statement above is your proof! This stuff goes on all week, I can't count the times I had to go to the front desk because someone wasn't happy with their room location, isn't much I can do about it but show fake concern. There are quite a few people now who take advantage of the expensive advertising and sell during room trading but don't kick anything back by renting a table. wvron: From what i know,i am not sure your comments was even directed to Mon but someone else. This is where all (not just me) become associated to the tightass statement if guilty of the same offense. I care about this hobby enough to state how I feel. Just because the big marble names come here like a parrot repeating the same stance that smiity's the best and all who post against his negative comments are the problem, does not make it so! I NEVER KNEW THAT RENTING A TABLE WAS REQUIRED OR EXPECTED.....NEVER ENTERED MY MIND! i don't price marbles well and not in it for the money making. I drove 5 hours to the wv show this year after having back surgery just 2 days before thinking I was a positive by being a part of it. Oh well....live and learn! So, if anyone is interested, just contact me, the Feb. show is scheduled for Feb. 9th, It doesn't pay anything, but you'll get a few "thank yous" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNYD Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 Ron, What is with all that sweat.............you were digging way to hard or too fast. Hey, your counter part looks clean, I think she out smarted you You got me drooling for sure. Anytime you need help cleaning give me a call. We need to hook up at Sistersville so you can confirm or not if I am on the right track. If so, I may (not promising) may be able to talk him out of the other one. He was not going to sell but he said since I was from northern Pa, not WV he would sell it. Not sure why he feels that way, but bonus for me. But hey, you know me, it's more than likely not it! But it sure is funner that slapping a snapping turtle. I am coming down Tursday and staying until Sunday. PS Your pictures are now in the offical Alley notebook for all to see.......................If it is okay ith you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNYD Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 MON Go away, your bleeding ass is getting old and you need to move on. Get over it ! Okay, I made comments about my room too, does it bother me what Smitty said, NO! I understand that maybe Smitty wanted to visit old friends and enjoy hunting mibs too, not baby-sitting adults. You should see someone for your anger management. Maybe you need to change your hobby! Why don't you try dried turkey turd collecting or frogs hair, something that you would enjoy by yourself. See, your bad vibes are now collecting even me, kind hearted, soft spoken, tightass, cheapass, and yes even dumbass. Please as a gentleman I say this - Go Away ! If you can not post without bringing up that same old Boo Hoo Hoo stuff, don't reply. ThankYou. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobBlock Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 According to the Buckeye Marble Collectors Club website, the August show is their annual show. And the February show is run by them as well. So why isn't the work and responsibility being spread out among more of the club members? I get that someone has to take the lead, but it should be a group effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvrons Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 A large percentage of a marble shows outcome is up to the people who attend the show. The people who host a show do not have a magic wand to make everyone 100% happy pleased and a profit. All the effort possible may be put into it,but it will not be perfect for everyone. The largest key factor,is the people. The host may be able to pick the area or location and the hotel. Even this alone has limits and problems. They can do the advertisment,publicity,sign the contracts,pay the bills,etc. . Put six plus months of planning,phone calls,gasoline,emails,printing,postage,into it. The list can be long,it is easy,give it a try. Then cross thier fingers and hope that enough people show up to cover the expense. One thing is for sure,that some people will not be pleased and things will not suit their own agenda or individual needs. Most hotels need at least six months advance contract. The suitable hotels near myself need almost a year notice ahead. I regret that some people travel two hours,five hours and more and are not happy. I have traveled three and four times that long and found that everything at the show did not fit my own needs. Not many humans have the same exact needs. People attend shows with different goals in mind. From my point,the heartbeat of any show is the people at the show. The location could be many different places and the host should not be expected to solve every problem,for the next three to five days. I have been asked and did repair cars in the hotel parking lot. I have got refunds or free dinners for people who were unhappy with resturants. I have drove people to places that they had trouble getting to. Myself and others have made monthly payments paying off a show bill,when the show never made the expense cost. On and on,the heartbeat of a show is the people. The show host cannot be a heart specialist for everyone there,24hrs. a day for 3 to 5 days. Being positive or negative is up to each individual. What is taken away from a show is up to each individual. Even at disappointing shows,i have always left with something good. Maybe not marbles but information or new friends,etc. I am not going to believe that any show host does not put lots of effort into hosting a show. I am not going to believe that any show host does not go a long way above what should be required. I have seen many instances of above expected in many states and for many years. If you look for negatives hard enough they will find you. If they do find you,then do something to help them. I want to believe that most things around any marble show can be positive,and that they have a future ahead. This is why i attend several and continue to help host one. I am done,hope to see you at a show !!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sissydear Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 And Ron Shepherd's post needs an AMEN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mon Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 I've never bitched to anyone or had a bad time at any show, period. Good god, what are you folks reading? As far as putting on a show, I'm sure it's lots of hard work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IowaMarble Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 Has anyone considered that it may be time to lock and possibly even remove this thread? Those who have chosen to respond (albeit positively or negatively) have done so now and we are now left with this very lengthy thread that provides no real value to the passion of marble collecting. Just my two cents. "You stay classy San Diego" - Ron Burgundy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNYD Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 Mon and all of you, Let me apologize for my previous post, just tired of Boo Hoo crap. I see why it has been a year since I was in this forum. Mon, Sorry to say, but I will not PM you for anything. The reason, my mother taught me very well...............Don't mistreat or hit girls! Sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m!b$ Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 Mon, you were validated by at least two posters (QtheMib and me, maybe others). You didn't know you were expected to rent a table after you did in-room trading, and you didn't like being called a tightass for something you never knew was expected of you. I know I'm not an important marble person, but I don't think you're going to get any of them to have much sympathy for you. Time to let it go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mibcapper Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 And Ron Shepherd's post needs an AMEN! i would edna ... but i'm busy guarding them .. buckets ..... bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg11 Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 can we move the show back to Columbus please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mon Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 yes! thanks mibs$! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
green gazer Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Sorry Ya'll! I was not going to post anymore but, I would like to ask you to consider the question of young people (kids) getting into marble collecting. PLEASE read the post "Jabo hits one out of the park" and then ask yourself if kids should or would even want to be associated with what goes on in the reality show "As the Marble Turns" Mine, mine,mine, thief, thief, thief, and here we go agaln MONEY, MONEY, MONEY and more MONEY! Bye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
santa12345 Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 It is sad to hear that The Honorable Steve Smith is feeling frustrated and used. I pray that everyone who has benefitted from "Smitys" expert help would feel obligated to express thanks for all "Smittys" selfless work to promote the wonderful hobby of marble collecting. Send him a thank you card Make a phone call say thank you in person Show "Smitty" that the complainers are in the minority For the marble collectors that think it is easy to host a marble show Pick a date Negotiate with the hotel Do the publicity Pay for the showroom Hope the turnout will cover the expenses you have incured Listen to the dealers complain about everything and nothing For the posters who want a show in Columbus HERE NOW SHOW YOURE METTLE STEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE Publicize the details of the show you are going to host Otherwise Say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to "Smitty" in everyway possible Thank You "Smitty" for all the work you have done over the years May the outpouring of thanks you deserve overwhelm you and allow you to reconsider coming back and joining the the community that loves Marbles God Bless You Terry Lundeen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstmmrbls Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 Thanks Smitty!!!!!!! Let me know if I can do anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now