Charmy's 2018 Portland PNNA/Baltimore Show Reports and Special Tribute to my Dad
ThePennyLady
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I realize there are a lot of terrible things going on in the world right now, but my own little world was recently shattered and my heart broken because my hero, the man I looked up to most in my entire life, the man who taught me integrity, hard work and respect, the last link to my childhood - my amazing dad - has died. (Ok, my hubby comes in a close second.) My dad who was 97 and one of the last few Pearl Harbor Survivors passed away just a few days before I left for the Portland PNNA show. I tried really hard to keep it together during the show, but at times it was hard because every time some kind person would come up to me to offer condolences, I would get choked up and couldn't speak. But I got through it and even managed to take a few photos for a short report. Wine helped.
Then I went straight from Portland to Baltimore and had to do it all over again. Although being at these coin shows was a good distraction, it was still hard to keep from tearing up every time someone offered their sweet and heartfelt condolences. Again, wine helped. So although I was preoccupied and really wasn't into taking photos for a show report, I managed to take some pictures, admittedly the photos were mostly of the social aspects after the show.
So, if you don't mind, at the end of this show report, I'd like to do a special tribute to my dad. I've been participating in this forum for so many years that I feel you are all a part of my "community." And although it's hard, I've found it has been cathartic and comforting to talk/write about him.
But first, the "show" reports.
As I was going through the photos I took, I realized that most of them are from our dinner outings after the show with not many taken during the show. I apologize for these reports not being very coin comprehensive - I think this was because I found it easier to just work behind my table rather than take the chance of breaking down in front of more people around the show.
So I left beautiful sunny Orange County for Portland on Friday morning. I was actually looking forward to seeing some rain, but when I arrived in Portland, the weather there was about the same as what I left in Southern California - it was gorgeous! Since set up wasn't until 3:00pm in my same time zone, it was nice to be able to fly in on the same day the show started.
I believe this is Mount Shasta
I checked into my room at the Doubletree where the show was held.
The room where the show is actually held is across from the entrance to the registration.
After I set up my booth, I opened a nice bottle of Columbia Valley wine.
After the show was over on Friday, West Coast Coins and The Portland Mint hosted dinner for members of the Facebook group Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers (CDHCD) at Stanford's Restaurant right behind the Doubletree. It was a great evening of camaraderie among the dealers and a nice way to meet and chat with new dealers you might not have previously known. A big thanks to Revick Galstoun (West Coast Coins) and Adam Young (The Portland Mint)!
They had a nice menu to choose from, including these delicious ribs!
The next day, Friday, was quite busy with a good amount of public attending this show. Since I had sold quite a bit of raw Lincolns at a prior show, one of my goals was to replenish my raw Lincoln cent inventory which I was able to do at this show. I also found a complete Lincoln cent set, as well as a few certified coins to add to inventory.
I also bound a couple of pieces for my exonumia collection, including this really nice encased 1908 Indian cent from Niagara Falls
I received a surprise visit from this young couple who recently moved to Portland from Orange County. They are my sons' childhood friends. Max and my sons have known each other since they were five years old.
After the show on Saturday, we went to our favorite Portland spot, Jake's Crawfish, which I believe is the oldest restaurant in Portland. They have amazing food and we absolutely love it!
On Sunday, there was still a fair amount of traffic at the show and it was busy all the way through early afternoon. I took a couple pictures around the bourse floor including the collector exhibits.
While I was walking around taking photos, my bff Cindi had brought a birthday cake and set it out on my table which caught me by complete surprise! (fyi, my birthday wasn't until the next week during the Baltimore show but we wouldn't be seeing each other then so she celebrated my birthday a little early.)
Since I was leaving for the Baltimore show directly from Portland, I stayed one more night at the Doubletree in Portland. And Cindi and Steve were also not leaving Portland until the next day so we got together for dinner at the hotel. She again surprised me at dinner with a birthday cheesecake which we shared with the other patrons at the restaurant!
And the bar was having a special on "Fruit Loop Martinis" so of course we just had to try one! They even had crushed Fruit Loops on the rim of the glass!
Overall, the Portland PNNA show was pretty busy, and I was fortunate to find some nice coins to buy as well. Let me just add that it has been my experience that the dealers at this show are particularly friendly. And Scott Loos and the rest of the staff who put it all together and make it run as smoothly as it does are extremely nice and helpful. I really enjoy attending this show, and look forward to next year's show!
Monday I spent most of the day flying from the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast! It was a long day! I left beautiful sunny Portland late Monday morning.
After spending a couple hours in Dallas, I finally arrived in Baltimore about 1am and checked into my hotel room.
On Tuesday morning, I went to one of the dealers who were set up in their hotel room showing coins and bought a great group of coins. I then went back to my room and began working up all the raw coins I had bought in Portland so I could have them ready during the Baltimore show. Later I grabbed a bite to eat at the hotel restaurant, then called it an early night!
On Wednesday, I dropped off my coins at security, then headed to the Horseshoe casino for a few hours since it was only a couple miles away from the convention center. They had a new type of poker game out in the blackjack area called "CrissCross." It was interesting and I ended up doing pretty well.
Set up day began Thursday at 8am. Set up day was surprisingly not busy, although I did manage to buy some more coins. These are all the coins I bought during the Baltimore show:
Including these two scarce beauties:
1873 Double Liberty PCGS MS64 BN
1916 MPL PCGS PF66 RB
When I was leaving the show on Thursday, I looked around and saw all the chairs on top of the tables and was reminded of the joke "how to you tell when a coin dealer is on vacation?" "From all the chairs on top of his house!" ha ha ha!
Thursday night we went to one of our favorite Baltimore restaurants, Da Mimmos, in Little Italy. I had an amazing lobster on linguine along with same even more amazing wine!
After dinner, we walked across the street to world famous Vaccaros for a "little" dessert. I can't even describe how many desserts they have on display when you walk in, and when you order one off the menu, they give you enough for four people!
Little Italy is a fun area of Baltimore, with some great restaurants. Here are a few photos I took around Little Italy
On Friday, there was a big storm in the northeast and the show started out a little slow but soon it picked up. I was honored to have the Bressetts stop by my table to say hi. It happened to be Ken's 90th birthday!
It was also Dave Bowers' 80th birthday. Both of their birthdays were celebrated at Morton's Steakhouse (I was not there so I borrowed these photos from Jeff Garrett.)
I did manage to get around the bourse and take a few photos of some of the usual hard working suspects!
PCGS
NGC
And that's Todd Pollock/BlueCC Photos in the background!
Friday happened to be my actual birthday and, even though it was a pre-planned event, I was really looking forward to spending my birthday at our usual Friday night restaurant at the Black Olive restaurant in Fells Point, with my "dark side" friends. This is the restaurant where we get to dine at the one table in the wine cellar surrounded by hundreds of bottles of amazing wine!
Unfortunately, I only remembered to take a picture of the white wine we had upstairs before we went down to the cellar, where we usually have several different types of red wine, followed by a wonderful dessert wine.
I did remember, however, to take pictures of some of the dishes from their new menu, including an entire fish - ugh!
This is one of everyone's favorite dish at the Black Olive, the octopus!
Saturday was still raining and the show was excruciatingly slow but I did manage to have a few decent sales before it was time to pack up and head home. By Saturday, I had been on the road over a week and was very tired and emotionally exhausted. I was very much looking forward to getting home especially because my dad's memorial service was set for Sunday afternoon in my home town. This year I have had several flight mishaps and with the rain storm in Baltimore, I was getting a little nervous about making it home in time. But all went smoothly and I arrived home late Friday night, exhausted, but with no flight issues whatsoever. Someone was smiling down on me!
It was wonderful to be home with my hubby and of course, my chubby little Penny!
Again, I apologize for the weak and sparse show report, my heart just wasn't in it this time. But now, I hope you will bear with me as I post this tribute to my Dad.....
My heart broke the day my Dad died. He was 97 and lived a very full life. He was a Pearl Harbor survivor, a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather - but most of all he was my Dad. I loved him so very much. He was a strong, caring man and so kind with a big open heart. He was always there when I needed him, he was my hero. My Dad loved camping, hunting, and road trips around the country with his family. He showed me the beauty of nature and the majesty of National Parks. He taught me how to shoot a rifle, reload bullets, change the tire, oil, and radiator water on my car. He taught me to have integrity, be honest, work hard, and to always do the right thing. My Dad told me he loved me often and always made me feel loved.
My Dad grew up on a farm in Michigan. His parents were humble and poor Polish immigrants. In order to help out his family, he tried to enlist in the Navy when he was 17 but the Navy found out and sent him home. He returned when he was 18, and at 20 he found himself stationed on Pearl Harbor as a Naval fireman.
These are photos taken of my Dad before the attack on Pearl Harbor
He was on duty, driving a firetruck to the dock where the oil tanker USS Neosho was pumping gasoline and other fuel into Ford Island fuel tanks when the attack began. He was interviewed for the book "Day of Infamy" by Walter Lord, here are excerpts from that book:
My Dad's local newspaper also interviewed him two years ago on the 75th anniversary about what he was doing during that fateful day. Here's a link to that story
This is my Dad, me, my son, and my son's son.
These are my siblings, and my Mom and Dad (my Mom passed away 5 years ago)
So Sunday we headed to the home in Oxnard, California, where my parents lived since 1959 and where I grew up. We decided to hold the memorial service there, including the military honors.
A video of the 21-gun salute and taps portion of the ceremony
https://facebook.com/1103900460/videos/pcb.10213171372134594/10213171339773785/?type=3&theater
This is a photo of our family and friends taken on Sunday at the memorial.
The local newspaper was present at my Dad's memorial on Sunday. The story appeared on the front page of the Ventura County Star today.
A link to the online story of his memorial
After the service, all of his children, grand children, and great-grand children gathered and reminisced about my Dad. One of the central things we all remembered and talked about was growing up with my Dad's jeep. He bought this military jeep right after the Korean war. He modified it to meet his needs, including adding a 440 Dodge motor, a heavy duty winch welded onto the front, a metal top and sides that he welded onto the jeep himself along with postal truck-type sliding doors, sliding tool drawers under the front seat on both sides, and small water tanks in the back on each side with outside spigots so we could get water or wash up. Then he threw in a featherbed on the floor in the back for us to sit on! He would pack us all up in that jeep, including our big dog, hitch up the trailer, and take us camping at least once a month throughout our lives. That jeep could go anywhere, and it did. I can't even tell you how many different colors that jeep has been painted over the years. This is the jeep now, along with my grandson who loves anything with wheels!
This picture was taken of us in front of the jeep when we were kids
So a couple years ago, we recreated that same photo
We were all pleased and grateful when my sister's daughter and her husband agreed to take custody of the family jeep so we wouldn't have to sell it off or scrap it.
My Dad was born in May and my brother recently came across this song that made him think of our Dad. It is called "the King of May." So during our reminiscing, we played this beautiful Natalie Merchant song for everyone to hear - it brought tears to everyone's eyes. Here's a link to the song
https://youtube.com/watch?v=8kZ0vhee8j4
These are the lyrics
"King Of May"
Farewell today
Travel on now
Be on your way
Go safely there
Never worry
Never care
Beyond this day
Farewell tonight
To all joy and to all delight
Go well and go peacefully
We can't keep your majesty
Be on your way
Make ready for the last King of May
Make a cardboard crown for him
Make your voices one
Praise a crazy mother's son
Who loved his life
Who loved his life
Farewell today
Travel on now
Be on your way
Can't bear the very thought
That we could keep your majesty
Be on your way
Make ready for the last King of May
Make a hole in the crowd for him
Raise your voices up
Lift your loving cups
To his long life
To his long life
Make ready for the last King of May
Make a hole in the sky for him
Raise your voices up
Drink your loving cups
To his long life
To his long life
Thank you for bearing with me and allowing me to write this tribute to him. I know my Dad lived a long full life and how lucky I am to have had him with me for more years than most people get with their parents. I will miss him every day for the rest of my life.
Comments
Charmy, I lost my dad last week too. Even though it was somewhat expected, it's a tremendous blow and still something I haven't totally processed yet. Your tribute is heartfelt, and the sort of stuff that reminds us all of the good and important things in life. My hat is off to him, and to you for remembering him in such a sweet way. Part of him will live on forever in his children and grandchildren. 97 is a great run. What a life to have been present for such a disastrous and historic day at Pearl. I wish for you the ability to cherish always the fondest memories you have of him. I love the last black & white of the two of you.
Another great report and pics! Thank you Charmy! My condolences for your Dad and wow what a cool history and run he had and he must have been very proud of you...
Condolences on your dad’s passing. Nice tribute! My GPA passed this year at 95, also a WWII Vet, and the life he lived was amazing.
Fitting tribute to a vet that truly captures American hearts. My condolences.
Not a vet but been to Pearl Harbor and sobbed with the narrative history.
BTW - Charmy you look like a fun time in both coins and party-time! Not in that league yet but ...
Very touching tribute to your dad Charmy.
My condolences to you and your family on losing that great guy.
May he rest in peace as he does in honor.
Very touching, Charmy. I loved the tribute. Your dad was a hero to more than just you and your family.
Lance.
Very sorry for your loss Charmy.. I lost my dad at 69 last year. I hope youre holding up. The show report was very excellent
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Thank you for sharing your story. My heartfelt condolences to you and your love ones. I'm from Hawaii, so I have a special place in my heart to those who served at Pearl Harbor !!!
Mahalo (Thank you) and Aloha from Hawaii !!!
I’m so very, very sorry, Charmy. It’s always so tough to lose your Dad, whether he’s 47 or 97. It hurts your heart so deeply. From your previous posts over they years, it was clear to me that you two were ultra close, just as a father and daughter should be. That says a lot about both of you.
Your Dad was clearly your hero, but he was also an American hero. What a incredible, honorable life.
God bless his heart. My best to you and your family. Stay strong.
Dave
While I was reading your tribute to your incredible father, I had to wipe away tears several times. You have an amazing dad and he has an amazing family! What a beautiful sendoff you gave him.
He was and always will be a HERO.
Later, Paul.
Sorry to hear about your loss.
My condolences to you and your family. I am grateful
for his courage and service.
Oh Charmy, our sincerest sympathies. Typing thru tears. Thank you for another outstanding show reports.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Thanks for the wonderful report, bless you and your family. My deepest sympathy goes out to you.
Dear Lady Penny,
May he Rest in Peace Forever
Please accept my deepest sympathy and Gratitude for your Father's service for our country.
They were in front of the Royal Hawaiian, the Pink building ...... still standing today.
Much ALOHA for your patriotic DAD
My condolences, Charmy. You wrote a very nice tribute for your father, and I enjoyed reading it. God bless him and your family.
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Charmy thank you for telling us about your pop, he sounded amazing, sorry for your loss.
Sorry to hear of your loss.
He lived a wonderful life and made it to 97!!
We should all be as fortunate as your Dad.
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
I am proud to be a free American because of people like Ed Waszkiewicz who served our country like true patriots. Godspeed sir!
Sorry for your loss, Charmy. "Honor your father and your mother", one of the foundational principles of many civilizations. My father was the same generation, when smoking a pack or two a day was not uncommon, but definitely shortened his life. Those days are long gone but maybe the coins and the study of history brings them back a little.
Fantastic tribute! What a great life he lived and wonderful that he was able and willing to share all those memories from Pearl Harbor.
I know this is a tough time - I've been through it as well. Your dad sounds like the kind of guy that I would love to meet and get to know. But you got to enjoy him for a very long time and have all those great memories. Great tribute to a hero.
Back to shows for a second. I hope while you were at Jake's that you saved some room for that chocolate box on the dessert tray. Those things are awesome - my wife and I would share one.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
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I'm very sorry to hear about your dad.
He was a great man who lived a full life and he loved you.
He still loves you. He is your angel in Heaven.
Take comfort in knowing that.
God bless you and your family.
“I may not believe in myself but I believe in what I’m doing” ~Jimmy Page~
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Truly sorry for your loss. That was an amazing tribute....I'm at a loss for words.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
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your dad has left your side.....he now resides in your heart...best to you and all your family
Thank you for that report and the marvelous tribute to your father. What a great person he was.... Condolences to you and your family. RickO
Aw, I'm sorry to hear you lost your father. I always liked seeing your photos of him. You seem to have a close knit family, and that will make your loss difficult. Having other close family members to help each other through will make it bittersweet ("such sweet sorrow"). A great tribute to a great man. Stay strong!
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
What a great report and tribute! Thanks for taking the time to post it all.
So sorry about your Dad. Your tribute and words made me cry. His example as a father certainly set the bar high and one all of us fathers can strive to achieve. Thanks for sharing this.
For some reason this thread has stalled.
Perhaps it is because we are reflecting on the passing of our parents and we don't want to relive it yet again. I get that. I must admit that I shed a tear or ten reading the tribute. My father passed away too young at age 64 about 25 years ago. I lost my mother two years ago at age 89 and I still think about both parents nearly every day. It hurts to revisit the pain, but I am always consoled by all the positive things my parents did for me (too numerous to enumerate here). I usually can compose myself after a tear or two, but it never seems to get "easy" even after all this time. I still have the memories, nobody can take those away, they were all positive. I have to admit it is hard to write this post.
Anyway, remember when Brett Favre tore up the NFL field when his father Irvin passed away a few days before a Monday Night Football game against the Raiders in Oakland? He could have easily passed on playing but knew his father would insist on him giving his best. Those that watched the game on 12/22/2003 remember a Hall of Fame performance as the Packers beat the Raiders 41-7. Brett even got the applause and admiration of Raider Nation that day - a class act. It was inspiring.
Well, I think that the Penny Lady rose to the occasion as well. It would have been simple to shut down her appearances at the shows with a few phone calls and the reason why. All would have accommodated I am certain. Instead, she decided to keep her show schedule and move on with her life. This is no disrespect to her beloved father, this is rising to the occasion as her father would have wanted.
So I tip my hat to you Charmy Harker, for all that you do and all that you did when the chips were down. I am proud of you and I know your father is proud of you as well. It wasn't easy. You have a great family - many would be envious.
Best, and thanks to all for indulging me on a not so coin related post.
Cameonut
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
I'm SO sorry about the passing of your dad. That's an inspiration, Charmy.
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
Charmy,
Thank you so much for sharing. What a touching and caring tribute to your wonderful dad. I know you and your family will treasure his memory always. Now we can join alongside you in honoring him as well.
Warmest regards,
Mike Stair
Wow, I remember not too long a post about your dad and I sent my thanks to him for his service. I wish I could have thanked this true hero in person.
Sorry again for yours and our country’s great loss.
EAC 6024
WOW, I always thought your show reports were great but they're nothing compared to your DAD report. It sounds like you loved each other very much and had a wonderful relationship. There will always be a hole in your heart that was once filled by him but concentrate on the happy thoughts and that hole will get smaller every day.
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Your father lived a full and inspirational life but I am sure that makes it harder to see him go. Great report.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
I’m so sorry to hear this.
This is a great tribute to him!
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sorry to hear about your dad charmy. i miss my dad as well who also served in the navy during ww 2 and went through normandy (Omaha beach). i love the fruit loop martini to
Sorry to hear of this, and may he RIP. Looks like he lived a good, full life. making it to 97 is no small feat!
As time passes, the hurt eases a bit but the memories never fade. It's different for everyone, my dad also passed away this year in August. That last week still plays like a loop in my mind off and on.
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Deepest sympathies.... May he live on forever in your fond memories of him!
Larry L.
All my best to you and your family Charmy. I'm very sorry about your dad.
Being he was stuffing 440's into little Jeeps I know he and I could've been good friends!
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I saw the headline announcing your father's passing, however I had no idea he was your father. My deepest condolences, neighbor (left Simi in 2009 for Camarillo).
What a wonderful show(s) report and tribute. Thank you.
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Thank you for sharing the story of your father. He sounds like a great man and as you said, you were lucky you had him in your life as long as you did. I hope you find comfort in all of the wonderful memories you and your family have of him.
Whatever you are, be a good one. ---- Abraham Lincoln
Thanks for the story Charmy. My Dad passed away this year at 87. He is a Korean War Vet. Your 21 gun salute description for your Dad brought me back to my Dad's ceremony in the Willamette National Cemetery........
Best, SH
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GREAT Show Report and Tribute to your father, Charmy. I am sure that he would be pleased to know of the military honors that you arranged to honor his life.
Great report and a greater tribute. You were blessed to have him so long but the pain is there, I know it too. My Dad would have been 100 last May (passed in 1990), not a vet as he only had eyesight in one eye. But, he moved our family to SF to build troop ships (Liberty ships?) for the war's duration. Those WWII guys did love the hunting, fishing and camping, 'eh? Mine did the same with our family....love those trips in the old woody wagon. It finally rusted away and was sent to the field pasture for it's last days.
Thanks for writing all that Charmy.
Be well,
bob
Although the body has departed,the spirit lives on and on. Condolences to all involved.
Wow is all I can say. You all are amazing and wonderful and so very kind. I read every word each of you wrote at least twice. Your thoughts and sentiments are very comforting, it really does help having the support of family and friends. And though I may not have met each of you in person, I consider you all my friends. Thank you.
There still isn't a day that goes by where I don't get teary-eyed thinking about my Dad being gone, wanting to hear that "I love you more" one more time after I would tell him I loved him. But each day it's slightly less painful missing him.
As trustee and executor, I have just begun the process of settling my parents' estate and have already met with a couple "technical" obstacles that will keep me busy for quite a while. Fortunately, my parents had a Trust and everything was clearly spelled out. And since we all had great respect for our parents and my parents were very fair, I know there will be no issues with my siblings.
Again, thank you all for being so supportive and comforting, it truly helps.
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what a wonderful tribute to your father! I was very fortunate to have a wonderful father also. Only he passed away at age 71, almost 30 years ago, and I miss him to this day. May your father rest in peace.
Arnold
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