From the Editor's Desk ---

Reprinted from "Crown Jewels of the Wire", July 2002, page 3

The process began in February with my announcement that it was time for this "Type A" person/editor to seek a successor. I had absolutely no idea, or any preconceived appointment, as to who might be interested in becoming the third editor of Crown Jewels of the Wire magazine. So, we just cast an invitation! 

Within a month's time, eleven individuals expressed interest in obtaining the financial statements and information regarding editorship and publishing. I was encouraged that the "right" person for the job would be among those eleven.

Lots of questions were asked and answered and each of the candidates spent hours looking at their local printing market to see what pricing would be available should they become editor.

By early May some of the candidates decided that editing was not in the cards for them at this time due to family and work commitments. Four fantastic candidates remained and worked with us in an extensive telephone interview process.

On May 28th, we had selected our "candidate." We placed the call to see if they were interested. Amongst whoops and hollars, your new editor and family accepted the challenge. Then, the other three candidates were informed that an editor had been appointed. Those were the hardest calls I have had to make in 17 years as editor, for I knew what terrific contributions each could and would make if the editorship was theirs.

In the coming months, I will lend my support in passing along everything I can to make the new editor's transition one of tranquility and success. 

As you read this issue, the announcement of the new editor is being made at the Saturday night banquet in Fort Collins, Colorado. It will be my distinct pleasure to share with those in attendance the application (a mock up of a CJOW issue) prepared by the new editor and their passion for the hobby and commitment to bringing a better-then-ever Crown Jewels of the Wire to you. Please meet. . .

. . . the Howard Banks family of Merlin, OR.

Excitement! Anticipation! And a down-to-earth realization of the hard work that lies ahead! Those are the emotions I feel as I apply to be the new owner/editor of Crown Jewels of the Wire. 

My name is Howard Banks. I am 50 years old. My wife is Linda. We've been married for 23 years. Our son, David, is 18. Christa, our daughter, is 15. Linda is a nurse. I work as a corrections deputy for the local sheriff, holding the rank of sergeant.

Prior to law enforcement, I was a journalist working in radio and television news. My television experience includes producing over 1,000 newscasts as Assistant News Director. I earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Oregon.

In the mid-1960's, while still in high school, I began collecting bottles. It was on a bottle hunting trip to Utah in 1967 that a friend and I happened upon an abandoned power line in the Bonneville Salt flats. As far as we could see in both directions, lying beside each pole stump (for the poles were long gone) were three CD 321 Knowles insulators. The 115 undamaged insulators we picked up provided the basis for a decent collection.

In 1969, I helped publish a booklet called, Directory of Bottle and Insulator Collectors and Dealers. Dora Harned founded Crown Jewels of the Wire the same year. When she decided to publish an annual directory, the need for our publication ceased.

Other collecting highlights for me in those early days include: attending the first-ever insulator swap meet (at Greg Bickford's home); participating in the first national insulator show in New Castle, Indiana in 1970; and serving as the executive director of the N.I.A. when Ernie Rostock was president in the mid-1970's. My greatest insulator find was locating 25 CD 317 Chambers lightning rod insulators still in use!

By the late 1970's, insulator collecting was placed on the back burner while I got married and raised a family. I began actively collecting again in 1997. My interests today include brightly colored CD 162 signals, CD 123 EC&M'S and relics from the historic Collins' Overland Telegraph Line, constructed through Oregon in 1864.

My goal as editor of Crown Jewels of the Wire will be to continue the quality of this publication as developed by Carol McDougald. It will be a tough challenge, one I pledge to pursue wholeheartedly. Pet projects will include supporting local, regional and national insulator club activities; and promoting the hobby to children.