One of the most common questions I get is, “Why can’t we have the annual meeting in (insert name of your hometown here)? As Bruck aptly pointed out, it’s mostly a matter of convenience for those of us who do all the work to have the event here in PA. In addition, my memorabilia collection (which is part of the draw) is not portable. Since the fan club meeting is a money-losing proposition, holding additional events in other locales isn’t really an option (reminds me of the old business school joke….we’re losing money on each sale, but maybe we can make it up in volume!)
Because we realize that some people have to travel quite a bit to attend, we’ve tried to make the event as attractive as we possibly can. We bring in Stooge relatives and supporting players that fans would never get a chance to meet otherwise. In addition, there’s no charge for members to attend the event, view the memorabilia, get autographs or pose for photos with the special guests.
Is it worth the trip? M-J and others who have attended would have to answer that one. I can tell you that back in the 80s, a fan came in from New Zealand, which is about as far from Philly as you can get. When he passed away a few years ago, his obituary stated that his trip to the Stooges meeting was one of the highlights of his life. There are regulars who come in every year from California, Canada, Florida and all points in between. So the really hardcore fans are willing to make the trip.
In the highly unlikely event that we would ever hold a meeting elsewhere, it would probably be in Southern California, only because that’s where most of the retired supporting players live. But traveling 3,000 miles to Philly hasn’t deterred many of them. Our prior guest list over the past 20 years is a who’s who of Stooges supporting players: Harold Brauer, Lorna Gray, Suzanne Kaaren, Ethelreda Leopold, Mousie Garner, Diana Darrin, Lucille Lund, Lola Jensen, Lindsay/Laverne/Betty, Beverly Warren, Dani Sue Nolan, Samson Burke and others.
Gary
