11tha Annual CC>CC Convention · Watch for more details in future issues of the Chip & Token News. CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | July · August · September 2003 29 ... Peter Van Der

26 CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | July · August · September 2003

11th Annual CC&GTCCConvention Highlights

Well, are you homeand unpacked? A longweek that went by toofast. So many friends thatI haven’t seen since lastJune, and unfortunatelywon’t see again for anotheryear. Las Vegas is such agreat city, all the happypeople, always smilingbecause they are on vaca-tion or like me remember-ing the cold and rain backin Ohio. There are thosewho say “Hello” in theelevators and carry on aconversation as if they’ve known youfor years, and of course the manyclub members beaming from ear toear when they saw all the great chips,tokens, and other collectibles as theyentered the show floor. They’re likekids in a candy shop. Ahhhh what afun time in a fun city.

The 15th Anniversary and 11thAnnual convention are now history,and many are already counting thedays till June 2004. The fun filled

by Jim SteffnerPhotography by John Yee

days of festivities started out with aBlackjack Tournament hosted by thePalms Casino with the help of BobPardue and Gene Trimble. Ninetythree members joined in to “hit” or“stay” for the afternoon. This turnedout to be a very popular event andwill be repeated again next year.

The excellent Early Bird Banquet,arranged by Wayne Thompson wasoverstuffed with 370 hungry partici-pants. The Tropicana Hotel staff effi-

ciently and quickly had themall thru the buffet line andback to their seats in less than30 minutes. And a specialthanks to Jim Kruse whopersuaded one of the mostwonderful and down to earthladies you could ever want tomeet, to be our speaker. MissClaudine Williams, owner ofthe Silver Slipper and theHoliday Casino in Las Vegasand presently on the Board ofDirectors at Harrahs enter-tained the audience with herstories of the old days of

operating a casino in Las Vegas aswell as tales about Howard Hughes.

Volunteer Directors andChairpersons were recognized withan award presentation. Numerousother members who volunteered tohelp in one way or another anddeserve our gratitude for their efforts.Their names are listed elsewhere inthis issue of the magazine. A tributeto Bruce Landau was read and apresentation plaque was shown that

Claudine Williams Claudine Williams receiving her plaque from Jim Kruse

Opening day ribbon cutting. Mike Quinlivan, Ralph Myers, SandiSteffner, Nate Pincus, John Zoesch, Tyrus Mulkey and Jim Steffner


Blackjack Tournament

The annual convention activitiesstarted early this year, with the 1stannual Blackjack Tournament onWednesday afternoon. Hosted at thePalms Resort-Casino, 93 clubmember entrants vied for a piece ofthe $4185 prize pool. The top twowinners at each preliminary-roundtable advanced to the semi-finals, andthe top winner from each semi-finaltable advanced to the final round. Therunners-up from each semi-final tablealso received a cash award, as well asone winner from a random draw ofnon-finalists.

First place winner DavidLazarcheck received a framed set oftournament chips and $1465 prizemoney. Other final table winners (2ndthrough 6th place) were: JohnZoesch, Brett Patin, Joe Fiore, JohnSchwartz and Diane Myers. The runners-up prizes went to: Greg

Blackjack & Poker Tournaments a Hitduring the 2003 ConventionDavid Lazarcheck wins Blackjack; Patti Norris wins Poker

by Robert Pardue

Bob Pardue awarding the fisrt place plaque inthe blackjack tournament to David Lazarcheck

Susong, George Gloria,Chuck Linsey, BobWeingarten, BobFeeney and MikeQuinlivan. The ran-dom draw winner wasLloyd Tereno.

Thanks to Roy Brennanand Terri Abshire of thePalms, and all the dealers forrunning a smooth tournamentfor the club.

Poker Tournament

A record 160 players entered the5th annual Poker Tournament onThursday evening, competing for aprize pool of $7170. Also hosted atthe Palms Resort-Casino, GeneTrimble and his crew of poker dealersmanaged the 5-hour tournament with-out a hitch.

The tournament was structured topay the final 10 places. Firstplace winner Patti Norris takeshome the travelling trophy, aframed set of tournament chipsand cash. Norris and 2nd placewinner, Chuck Mades, eachreceived $1887 when they elect-ed to split the money for the toptwo spots. The remaining finaltable winners (3rd through 10thplace) were: Dave Shron, BrianWatts, Fred Lamb, Jim Blanchard,Charlie Sill / George Davis (tiedfor 7th & 8th), Will Knight and

Poker tournament winner Patti Norris

Terry Lazarus / Christine Smith (tiedfor 10th).

Tournament Chips

Club member Kevin Norris pro-vided the design idea for the 5-pieceset of chips, which included tourna-ment information on one side and thePalms logo on the reverse. Thetournament chips were used in bothtournaments. Chips are still availablethrough Club Promotions at $15 perset, plus mailing.

CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | July · August · September 2003 79

Pictures courtesy Dick Covingtonand Dr. Anatole Karmen

Images from thePoker Tournament

will be given to Eileen Landua. Hallof Fame inductee, Phil Jensen waspresented with his prestigious awardand a standing ovation recognized hispast efforts and contributions to ourhobby. Jim Follis, “OTY” chairman,presented the “best of” awards in sev-eral categories to casino representa-tives accompanied by a slide presen-tation of each of the ballot nominees.An energetic trading session followedthe banquet with many chips andtokens changing hands.

Several hundred members attend-ed the educational seminars onThursday, Friday, and Saturday morn-ings organized by Dick Covington.Dick lined up a bevy of excellentspeakers and panel members. Dickwas also responsible for the graphicPower Point display of auction lotsshown on the big 10 x 10 foot screenFriday evening at the Bruce LandauMemorial Auction. For the first time,bidders were able to view each lot infull living color. Great job Dick!

Thursday morning the showopened to a multitude of eager collec-tors swarming onto the show floorabout to devour 108 tables of everyimaginable casino collectible. Thanksgo to Paul Bender and Barb Jones


the Thursday evening business meet-ing. Following the business meeting,the Fifth Annual Poker Challenge,staged by Bob Pardue, was held at thePalms. More than 160 eager, ener-getic, playful, but fiercely competitiveand winning spirited players joined infor an evening of battle.

On Friday the Bruce LandauMemorial Auction brought out severalnew bidders securing some excellentlots. The auction totaled over $77000.Thanks to Barry Weintraub and themany auction assistants for makingthis event one of which Bruce wouldhave been very proud! Many timesduring the evening I had the feelinghe was looking over my shoulder, ashe usually did, checking on the bidtotal. We missed you Bruce!

Several Chaptersheld meeting andmanned tables atthe show and the

Building Fund hada table to accept

donations for the fund orfor their auction and raffle onSaturday evening in conjunction withthe Last Dance Trade Session whichincidentally raised over $9000 for theBuilding Fund.

Hall of Fame, Phil JensenBruce Landau presentation plaque

Jim Steffner

and their hard working crew whomade sure everything was in place onthe show floor, all the tables, chairs,table covers, signholders, signs, anddisplay cases.Business wasbrisk and thethrongs kept com-ing in all day long.Many dealers reported anexcellent day of selling, buying, andtrading.

The new Board of Directors wassworn in and assumed their duties at

Auctioneer, Jim Kruse

As an insert in thisissue of the Chip & TokenNews, you will find a surveyform. Please fill it out andreturn by September 30,2003. This form gives youan opportunity to let usknow what you liked, or dis-liked about your convention.You can also make sugges-tions for next year if youhave some changes in mind.Five names will be drawn atrandom from the returnedforms and those 5 memberswill receive a paid pre-regis-tration for the 2004Convention.

If you would rathernot give yourname, I’d still liketo hear what youhave to say, butwithout a name youcan not be included in the drawing.Either way, please send in the formand help make the next conventionanother great event.

The Megabucks is still at almost12 million, and for now, it’s back toreality (work), but I can start daydreaming and planning for 2004.

Jim SteffnerSandi SteffnerConvention Chairman


Over the four days ofthe convention 3690people came through thedoors, what a greatturnout. Thepre-registration and dailyregistration went smoothlythanks to the well organ-ized efforts of Brenda andArchie Black, plus Art andMuriel Sanderson,Registration Co-Chairsand their hard workingcrew. Four alphabeticallines kept everyone mov-ing quickly,

Thanks go to the manydealers who donated items for theclub raffle that raised over$700 and produced alot of happy win-ners. Thanks alsoto the Riviera forputting out a spe-cial commemora-tive chip for the con-vention and to theStardust for the raffle Grand Prize ofa three night room package includingdinner and show tickets, and for theircoupon for the nice bronze paper-weight/ coaster which was offered toall club members. Also thanks to clubmember Don Totoian, Californiaraisin farmer who donateda multitude of sampleraisin packets for ourmembers to taste. Greatraisins Don, wish wecould get the same goodtaste in the stores.

Next year we head tothe Riviera, our host forthe 12th AnnualConvention, June 17th toJune 19th, 2004. Lookforward to a larger showfloor, bigger meetingrooms, expanded activities,

The New Board of DirectorsRalph Myers, Mike Quinlivan, Mike Skelton, Wayne Thompson,

Belinda Hixon

New board members. We just wanna have fun.Newly elected Wayne, Belinda and Mike

and a beautiful banquet facility at theTop of the Riv which will

hold close to 560while providing aspectacularpanoramic view ofthe city and the

strip. The mid striplocation puts collec-

tors in the midst of casi-no country. The Riviera offers closeparking, easy loading for dealers andquick access to the show floor. Watchfor more details in future issues of theChip & Token News.


Jim Kruse and Jim Follis

Chris and Alicia Collangelo

Barbara Wright and R. C. Smith

Alex Cilento, Marc Shapiro, andSunday Silverman

Sandi and Jim Steffner, Cheri Pierce

Al Poluyanskis

Linda and Dennis Finn

Promotions Table

Derek Cowan, Dale Seymour

Jodi Sones and Marci Herz

Bob Weingardt, Mike Quinlivan andAllan Anderson


Paul Bender

Rhona and Ralph Myers

Bud Meyer

Jeff Veres

Mark Bufton, John Johannes

Mr “D”, Walter Dirzulatis

George Dmitrevsky, Jill Bitner andPatrick Fleming

Gale and Tom Pleau

Peter Van Der Kaar, Lloyd Melani

Jim Sarra, Marc Shapiro


D.J., Sabrina and Tami Mills

Mark Freitag, Randy Pisane,James Campiglia, Tammy Kongfrud

Rich Burgel

Dennis Foltz

John and Sue Rauzy

Alexi Harber

Jay Sands, Barry Weintraub

Pam Focazio, Casey Focazio-Follis andJim Follis

Mike Spinetti Sarah Bedo, Sarah Kongrud


Doug Saito, Jr. and Doug Saito

Bill Eichorn, Joe Benon

Dick and Candy Allard

Nate Pincus, Charlene Brach, Helen Riggins

C.T. Rodgers, Tom Hartel

Wayne Murphy, Katie Smith

Scott Hartman, Charles Crate Terry LazarusDebbie and Alexi Harber


David Sarles, Jim Blanchard

Jack Haddock

Chips, chips and more chips

Tegan, Drew and Steve Passalaqua

Eric Rosenblum

David Johnston, Jim Munding

Larry Hollibaugh, Steve McClendon

Robert McColum Mike and Anne Spinetti


Bruce Karli

Jim Rauzy

Ralph Strandwold

Janice and Gerald O’Neal

Bill Judge

Bill O’Day

Greg Susong

Kregg and Howard HerzJim and Barbara Episale


4 PresidentsMike Skelton, Nate Pincus, David Sarles, Archie Black

4 SecretariesBarry Weintraub, Michael Knapp, Belinda Hixon, Tyrus Mulkey

Jim and Susan Cassidy Michael Gersie The Auction

Third placeWilliam K. Brooks

A Striking Tribute to the Pentagon.


11th Annual CC&GTCC ConventionExhibitor Awards

Second placeJack Haddock

Patriotic Silver Strikes of Nevada

Robert Feeney, Jim Steffner and Joe Shaw

by Joe Shaw

First placeRobert Feeney

Snappers of the World.The exhibit took up 12 display cases.

Other exhibitors includedCharles P. D'Ambrogi

Harvey's Tahoe

Doug ConleyLas Vegas Casinos Show Their

Patriotic Colors

Paul DonohuTriple Crown

Charles KaplanNevada $1 Chips - Town by Town

Robert PardueThe Monte-Carlo Casino of Monaco

Robert ChaffinIn Memory of 9/11/01

Douglas JacobDiamondfield Jack

Henry GarrettI’ll see your bet and raise 500


Volunteers – a BIG Thank You from the Convention Chairman and Club Members

by Jim Steffner

Below are listed other volunteers who helped make this past convention a great success. Without all your help, itwould not be possible. You all played a big part. Thank you!

Steve Passalacqua Bob Feeney

Ross Poppel George Dimitrevsky

Georgia Feeney Chuck Tomarchio

Jack Weingarten Glenda Blake

Robert Eisenstadt Jim Reilly

Edward Hoffman Charles Davis

Martin Thaw Carol Davis

Myrna Lighterman John Berube

Alex Cilanto Joanna Berube

Sunday Silverman Cindy Zoesch

Marc Shapiro Sue McHargue

Rich Klabacha Rick Miner

Tony Tricoli Fred Bergman

Tyrus Mulkey Mike Pasternack

Carey Burke Charlie Turner

Pat Burke Casey Focazio-Follis

Jay Sands Bob Bickford

Steve Zacchi Brien Bellous

Kent Hedberg Jill Bellous

Andy Hughes Bernie Choma

Marci Herz Ed Bigley

J.J. Engle George Buckner

Marion Engle Stu Lovett

Gordon Ellison Edward Hoffman

Fran Ellison Kevin Norris

Documents

11tha Annual CC>CC Convention · Watch for more details in future issues of the Chip & Token News. CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | July · August · September 2003 29 ... Peter Van Der