NATIONAL - Insulators Of North America -and- Show Highlights

Reprinted from "Crown Jewels of the Wire", September 2000, (Insert) page 31

Dean Lommen, East Grand Forks, Minnesota

Dean says: I started collecting in 1969. It was the sparkle of the glass and the lure of a great hobby that attracted me. My high school science teacher asked me one day if I would like to go with him to get some insulators. That is all it took and I was hooked. 

I have a lot of favorites in the display; however, the CD 145 yellow olive Star was a difficult one to get. I was up a bare pole with the pole climbers, and just as I grabbed that one my spikes slipped and down I came about 15 feet! I was young then, and jumped up from the ground and was ready for the next pole.

I traded for the CD 151 NATCo. in peacock blue and the CD 145 H. G. Co. in honey amber with John McDougald. They are my favorite color insulators. 

A year ago I decided to narrow my collection down to a couple of CD favorites -- CD 152, CD 151 and CD 145. I am looking to add colorful examples to these shapes.

Steve and Linda Viola, Bob Stahr, Melanie and Steve Marks, Bill Rohde, Ginny Way and Marco Schmitz-Lehanne prepare for the start of the Sunday a.m. treasure hunt orchestrated by Mike Bliss. Winning in about 20 minutes were Rick Soller and Bob Stahr. Their prize was a two piece transposition in purple. Each gets a half.

Author and CJ's PIN editor, Elton Gish, proudly debuted his latest book, Multipart Porcelain Insulators, Second Edition. Order your copy for $30 ppd from Elton, P.O. Box 1317, Buna, TX 77612

The best insulator "walkin" arrived with Pat Shay of Waterton, Minnesota. She carries her purchased CD 126 Brookfield in purple ... MINT... from a midwest antique store less than two months ago!

Ray Klingensmith holds three different signals. He and Merilee just became the proud parents of three children, Katerina (15 mos.), Maria (4 in Nov.) and Dmitry (5 in Nov.). The siblings were adopted in Russia this summer. Handing out cigars would have been less expensive, Ray!