Union??

[Jerry B.]

I'm going so that makes me part of the "Nobody Club." I have seven stops before Union to either pick up or drop off items. At Union I'm exchanging things with four collectors that have things either going east or going west. I think that illustrates the need for a mid-country show. On my way back to Oregon I stop to drop off several pre-sold machines.

If I didn't think I could do this safely I wouldn't go. I'm going solo armed with Lysol, disinfectant wipes, and gloves. I plan to use KOA campgrounds whenever possible and stay in my trailer. When I make a stop to pick up something I'll call fifteen minutes before arrival so they can set it out to avoid human contact. I've got enough food and drink for the trip with an occasional drive thru. Motels are a scary place so I'll disinfect the bathroom and glove back the bedspread and blanket. Fuel stops will be by credit card only with plenty of wipes. I am going to travel as safely as possible.

I don't expect Union to be much at all. The Nobody Club is a small and exclusive group. I expect about 25% of the dealers we've had for the last two years and perhaps fewer. I'll take a couple of fold up tables and may set up in the parking lot if that's an option. I almost forgot, there's another club. It's the "Invisible Club." Those are the collectors that are waiting on Saturday morning for the doors to open.

It's time for Union to end. Neighborhoods are being built closer and closer to Union and the Wild West Town. It's no longer the great day excursion out in the middle of a corn field. In its heyday Union was the focal point of collecting perhaps in the world. The two large rooms were stuffed with vendors with more selling out of trailers and pickup outside. The quality of merchandise offered was the best of any show. This was true until just a few years ago. But things change. I imagine revenue from the park shrunk. The restaurant became seasonal and eventually closed. The Donley's focus shifted towards their more profitable auctions. I'll always have great memories of Union. I'd like the thank the Donley's for many years of a great show. But it's time to end and say thanks. I just wish more of us could be there.

Best Wishes,
Jerry Blais

[gramophone-georg]

Jerry, while you are definitely a "special case", you're hardly a "nobody", so I don't think you're accepted into that "nobody club". "Special Case" is because I know that the trip out and back is always a treasure hunt for you and the show is basically the pivot point. All these years I heard about and wanted to attend Union, from when I was still living in the Cleveland area in the '70s. I made a commitment to myself that in a few years as I start gearing towards "retirement" (whatever that is) I'd buy some protective hockey gear and maybe ride along with you and Stan and Dan if you could tolerate it.

While it's a bummer to see long running traditions like Union end, it's always (well, usually) exciting to see what comes next.

Have a safe trip Jerry- please don't die! If you'll send me your personal info I'm taking out a life insurance policy on you as we type. Thanks in advance.

[Phono-Phan]

I too am a "Nobody Club" member. We plan on going to the show. It will be sparsely attended but I plan on going and setting up.

[phonogal]

I am so glad I got to attend Union. The visit to Jasper"s was worth the trip. Very sad to see it end. Maybe a better, larger show will come of it though. Here's hoping.
We have a very large antique show in Texas twice a year. It runs for about 2 weeks at the end of March-April and then Sept-Oct. They have built many new areas in recent years and some of the older venues have been all but vacated. There is one large building with a large covered area attached that would be perfect for a phonograph show location in Roundtop. This show draws large crowds from all over. Wouldn't having a phonograph show in conjunction with an already established Antique show something to consider. It seems it would draw more buyers who would normally not attend just a phonograph show. Something to think about anyway.

[edisonphonoworks]

It is sad to see the show end, and I am not sure if I am going. I wanted to say my farewells to everyone. The show I have in mind is right off interstate 80, 50 miles from the Quad Cities (Bix childhood home) and 100 miles west of Chicago. It is exit 56. We have Starved Rock in Ottawa IL, Utica, has a museum and shops, Princeton, has museums and shops, lots of Lincoln related history. Dixon and Tampico IL President Regan sites, the I and M Canal, The https://iandmcanal.org/, two covered bridges, an old time sealing wax company.

[Hailey]

For what it’s worth, I know a great venue with camper hookups, full food facilities, indoor/outdoor spaces, and so on.
But it sounds like the field has already been chosen.

[Marty Bufalini]

gramophone george:

Thanks for asking. I'm fine. Quarantined with my wife and grandkids (their Mom is a hospital worker).

Looks like I'm not going to Union -- if there is one. My ride and companion isn't going. Anyway, gotta watch and home school the grandkids.

How are you?

Marty

[Cooljjay]

I really want to go, specially with this being the last but I just can do the trip. It is super long for me and hard to sit in a car that long. I never went to one and when I read this was the last I was like OMG!

It is 6/7hrs from me and going there...shopping, taking in the machines and driving home there is no way. I am not fearing this virus like a lot but I do get paranoid about it. I have no immune system, shoot up with 15k in biologics to kill my immune system every month. I got strep throat so bad once, that it migrated into my ears and I couldn't hear for a month. Just right now, I fear going to the ER for any type of minor injury lol

Another stab for the trip is there are no restaurants open, no theaters, no nothing! Its sucks and a motel/hotel...yea I wouldn't want to try it!

One more thing, people should know! If your driving over a tank a gas there, remember gas stations close early now! I had to run out of town last night, at 11pm I was at a ½ tank luckily I had the truck with a 33gal tank so I got pretty far but at 1/2tank and a gas guzzler I was worried! Luckily I found a MFA in the middle of no where that are self serve 24hr stations...Only truck stops are allowed to be open 24hrs at the moment.

[Hammer]

Newbie here. It’s still on as far as I can see from the website and the fact that they had an auction last weekend and. There was no mention of it being cancelled. Also they had some stuff left over so I suspect they will try to sell then. They are also having an auction in June. So they ain’t closed.
Let’s hope they have it cause it may be the last as Larry is selling his collection and I assume getting out of it. Not sure if his children are going to carry on.

[beaumonde]

I live in Chicago, and have been to all but 2 of the shows since 2001 (once I missed it when I broke my leg the month before!). But I won't be going this year, for the obvious reasons. Like others I was hoping that the Donleys would postpone it, but I guess that's not the case. What a way to go out with a whimper.