COCA members meet in Houston for 2011 Convention
They say everything is bigger in Texas and COCA members attending the 4 day convention in Houston this past September found that to be true as they toured huge collections, enjoyed lots of “10 gallon” Houston hospitality and consumed some of the biggest and best Texas barbeque meals one could ever ask for. Our hats are off to COCA 2011 Convention Chairman Craig Bierman and his wonderful wife Doreen and to V.P. Marsha Blau for organizing another memorable event for over 80 of our members.
The Houston convention experience started on Thursday afternoon with an old fashioned Texas barbeque at the country home of Ken and Katherine Rubin. Members were serenaded my a 5 piece Mariachi band and a strolling, singing acoustic guitar player. There wasn’t any coin op to enjoy down on the farm, but Katherine’s eclectic collection of animals including turkeys, chickens, goats, sheep and a beautiful young deer kept everyone amazed and amused until darkness fell.
{image_1}Friday morning arrived quickly and, after a wonderful free breakfast provided by the Hilton Houston Westchase, we embarked on our coin op adventure with a visit to the beautiful home of Bill and Peggy Bain. The Bain collection was one of the largest and best organized combination of coin op, country store, drug store, advertising and automobile collectibles that most of us had ever seen. One had to look closely and carefully to take in the huge array of items and the Bains made the experience even better by providing wonderful refreshments, including ice cold Dr. Pepper bottled by the oldest Dr. Pepper bottling company in the world - and the last one to still use pure cane sugar in their recipe.
Following our return to the Hilton Friday afternoon, COCA officials began organizing the auction for the Friday evening dinner, which kicked off at 6:30 p.m. After a plentiful buffet and dessert spread, everyone took out their wallets and got down to business. The auction proved to be fun for all, with a large number of items available and spirited bidding energized by auctioneer Jeff Scott and his very helpful wife, Shelia.
{image_2}Saturday morning, we awoke to what looked like rain clouds – a welcome site to all, considering the drought conditions that have affected a large part of Texas for the past several months. Our first stop was to a nondescript industrial warehouse on the northwest outskirts of Houston. As we drove up, we weren’t sure what to expect when we got inside. But once the door opened, we found ourselves in a virtual wonderland of neon, flashing lights and porcelain as we stared at the largest collection of antique and vintage automobile dealership signs and other advertising that any of us had ever experienced. The signs belonged to our host, Ralph White, owner of Ralph White Merchandising, Inc. Ralph’s dedication to his collection was clearly demonstrated as we looked at one of the tallest neon signs we have ever seen indoors – so tall that Ralph had to build an extension onto the warehouse roof to make room for it.
Lunch on Saturday was another round of fabulous Texas barbeque at Goode Company restaurant. While we were enjoying our meal, the rain finally arrived. You could hear the local residents cheer as the clouds opened and it began to rain in sheets. We were very happy to see the wonderful residents of Texas get the rain they have waited so long for.
Rain doesn’t affect our interest in coin op, so after lunch we immediately left for the home of Craig and Doreen Bierman to view their collection. It is difficult to describe their home and collection in a short article like this. Suffice it to say, it was a mixture of coin op, advertising, cars, a Korean war helicopter, games, real Super Bowl rings and wax figures – all coordinated quite well by the very talented Biermans.
After a short stay at the Bierman residence, we left for a visit to the incredible Victorian mansion and music collection of Alan Bies and Steve Boehck. I have been in quite a few antique houses in my time, but this mansion literally felt like walking into a time machine from 1890. The décor was right on point and the overall condition was immaculate. It didn’t hurt that the first thing we saw coming in the front door was a beautiful original Madam Zita fortune telling machine from 1903. After listening to several of Alan and Steve’s antique machines, we departed for the hotel and a little rest before our dinner and party Saturday night.
Fogo De Chao restaurant was the location of our Saturday dinner, which consisted of a fantastic Brazilian style meal that we would all need for the next event. Then it was on to Craig and Doreen Bierman’s home again to see it “in action”. We arrived to find literally everything in the home going full blast – all the displays, the antique fans, machines, bar, games… you name it and it was working. Even the life size display of Marilyn Monroe from the movie “Seven Year Itch” with her skirt blowing up. Midway through the evening, the crowd was amazed by a wonderful showman – Dennis Rogers – Pound For Pound, The World’s Strongest Man. After an hour or so of bending ½” diameter nails, rolling up frying pans small enough to fit through a wristwatch and driving nails barehanded through more frying pans and wood blocks, the party really got rolling in the disco room and lasted into the wee hours with everyone having a great time.
Our schedule for Sunday morning began with a 10:00 a.m. visit to the home of Russell and Joann Beasley. The Beasleys live in a beautifully remodeled home that has a dedicated game room over the garage. The room incorporates some of the most beautifully restored coin operated machines that I have ever seen. A large part of the display flanks both sides of a large flat screen television, giving the viewer the option of looking at the collection while they watch TV – a well thought out arrangement.
The final stop on the Sunday convention tour was the residence of Jamey and Cynthia Fleck. The Flecks work from home and are both collectors with an excellent taste for the unique and unusual. Jamey’s coin op collection contains fabulous original, unrestored machines and related advertising. It occupies a dedicated display room upstairs, a TV room downstairs and his home office, while Cynthia is still working on plans to display her very large collection of antique and unusual ladies compacts.
Thanks to everyone who made this one of the best conventions ever for our club. We found that everything is bigger in Texas – especially hospitality and friendship. See you at next year’s convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For ease of viewing the photos, select VIEW AS SLIDESHOW after clicking the link below.
