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It’s summer and that means Convention time! And for NABA, it’s membership growth time.
I couldn’t be happier to report that NABA continues to grow our membership, and rapidly. I’d like to extend a special welcome to more than 30 new members in this quarter alone!
Some of the most significant growth has happened through the addition of 7 new chapters over the past 6 months. In this quarter we are proud to announce our new, official association with The Rusty Bunch, 49er, and Jersey Shore chapters. It is for the good of the hobby that NABA works to strengthen and affiliate the local chapters. That is where much of what’s special in this hobby gets started and we pledge to promote all of our chapters in this magazine, on our popular Facebook page, and on our newly revamped website: nababrew.com.
 The Rusty Bunch have always been one of the leading organizations in our hobby in promoting knowledge, camaraderie, and of course, the thrill of the find. As they say on their Facebook page, they pursue “Old cans, trays, signs, neons, labels, bottles, foam scrapers, brewery history, dump digging...peeking into the cellars and attics of abandoned structures to reveal the treasures left behind...if you can dream it, we’ve seen it.”
 The Northern California based 49er Chapter has also joined our ranks. Established in 1974, their membership extends throughout CA and NV. This group has had some famed collectors among its membership, and today boasts many of our hobby’s West Coast leaders.
 Last but not least, we are honored to have the Jersey Shore chapter join NABA as our 31st chapter. If you’ve ever been to one of their annual costumed theme parties at a BCCA Canvention, then you know these folks know how to have a great time. They also know breweriana and are serious, dedicated, and educated collectors of artifacts created by the legendary New Jersey breweries (Ballantine, Krueger, Feigenspan, Hensler, Breidt, etc.).
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New Membership Committee
Under NABA Board Member Mike Michalik’s leadership, we have assembled a Membership Committee of six geographically-dispersed breweriana collectors who are experienced and active in the hobby—perfect ambassadors for NABA. They are:
- Dave Doxie – Central PA
- Clayton Emery – Michigan
- John Huff – Ohio
- Robert Keasey – South Carolina
- Stevan Miner – Minnesota
- Matthew Olszewski – Upstate NY
See you in Cincinnati!
I hope by now you’ve made your reservations for our annual Convention in Cincinnati. This is going to be a blockbuster and reservations are way ahead of even last year’s record-setting pace. In fact, we had so much interest in the Bus Tour we had to add a second 55-person coach. As of this writing (mid-May) there are only 25 spaces left on the second bus. The tour includes lunch, libations, and one of the most fascinating tours of old breweries and long-forgotten lagering caves that you will ever experience. The Cincinnati Convention team, led by Beer Dave Gausepohl, has really outdone itself and the Brewmaster’s dinner on Wednesday night will also feature special treats.
Finally, we hope you continue to enjoy your first-rate magazine, newly-expanded to 64 pages. Many thanks to all the volunteers who put the time in to make it so special. In addition to the fantastic Cincinnati articles assembled by Lee Chichester, Ken Quaas, Mike Bartels, Rob Musson, and the Convention team, we have first-time writers Brent Laswell & Charlie Staats who present a terrific look at Pearl Brewery of San Antonio, and Tom Curran & Scott Butterfield exploring Walter’s of Pueblo, CO.
Zee you in Zincy!
John Ferguson, President
Fergkate@comcast.net
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