Back to the 1970’s with Anchor game aprons.  Reminds all of us opening year game operation at Six Flags Over Texas – Doc Snooker’s Magnificent Obsession.

I don’t know why these idiots were shooting at this little orange guy, at the IAAPA Trade Show.  Took a baseball bat to the shooters, rescued Orange Square Child. He’s a little strange, but wouldn’t you be with shooters after you?

Rich Poling and Hardy Haberman are trying to convince me Little Orange Guy should live in their offices for creative inspiration.  Well, I’m the one who rescued him.  I’ll take the creative inspiration, thank you, but of course share him.              And Little Orange Guy is a sweetie.

You never know who you’ll meet and rescue at these IAAPA shows.

Rich Poling, Hardy Haberman and I attended the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions trade show November 12 through 16, 2018.  For years we traveled from city to city, but now and I guess forever – Orlando, FL.

William L. Haralson, renowned Economic Feasibility Guru invited us to share his booth.  Minick Associates and Haralson Associates have collaborated on jobs for years.  He begins the project and we take it through to the end.  A great collaboration for more years than I can remember.  Thank you, Bill and Marsha, for continuing the collaboration.

Minick Associates has an exciting new job in and we are happy to announce Hardy Haberman is joining us on this project.  Rich and Hardy have 30 years of amusement project collaborations.  Bob and I have known and loved Hardy 44 years, so I have a long list of great Hardy Haberman stories.  Rich is happy Hardy has known our clients as long as we have so any inappropriate comments from me will be OK (Rich hopes).

Mum’s the word, but this is an exciting project and our conference calls sparkle with energy and ideas flying.  Our client/friend is a true showman who lives and breathes amusement facilities.  Fun and magic daily.  It really doesn’t get any better than this one.  Bob’s upstairs orchestrating.

Pictures are of two very talented men.  Rich hard at work at his drawing table, Hardy bribing me with a coke so he can get back to work.

Today I received the most incredible gift from dear friend, Gary Slade, owner of  that great newspaper, Amusement Today and The National Roller Coaster Museum. He’s slowly going through boxes of Bob’s memorabilia we’ve loaned to the museum.  Gary found a poem to me by William L. Cobb. 

When Bob opened Minick Associates in 1983 he asked one of his heroes, William L. Cobb, if we could rent out space in his office.  Mr. Cobb, we never called him Bill, welcomed Bob and his guys.  However, Mr. Cobb, being Bill Cobb, considered our office his domain expecting certain professional behavior.  Not my cup of tea.

When we moved in Mr. Cobb was the Grand Old Man of wooden roller coasters.  He was kinda gruff and scary, but a twinkle in his eye.  My goal was to wreak havoc in Mr. Cobb’s world.  Wonderful Margaret Rowe, his longtime secretary, who was so much more, encouraged me.  Bob hid in his office.  It was truly the best of times.

When Mr. Cobb wrote this poem he and Margaret were busy turning one of the bays in his office into a “sanctuary” a little living room/nursery because I was 3 months pregnant with Randall.  Mr. Cobb had no children and decided this child would be raised in the correct environment of roller coasters and amusement parks.  Mornings and afternoons, Mr. Cobb and Randall took their naps back there.  The good times became even sweeter. 

John Pierce and Rich Poling, two most important people in that office, can testify to this Curmudgeon turned Softie welcoming Randall into the world.  My maiden is Guilbeau and I was going to name our son Beau.  That explains the last words of his poem.  Bob nixed Beau and Randall is forever grateful. 

So many understand this is a tough time of year when we remember those Treasures In Our Lives who are no longer with us.  I miss that Old Curmudgeon, our wonderful Miss Margaret and so many more.  Today’s gift of this poem you sent me, Gary Slade, is the best.  Thank you, Dear Heart.

 

To all those who love amusement parks; Minick Associates wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving.

And may you always sit in the front row.

Favorite amusement park clients Arthur Richardson and Henry Porche were the first in our booth at the IAAPA Convention and Trade Show November 13 through 17.  Arthur and Henry discussed the Master Plan for their park Rich is preparing and preliminary talks about a Feasibility Study with Bill Haralson.  South Africa is the new frontier.  Art and Henry will lead the way.  Rich, Bill and I are ready for our new adventure.   Bob loved these two guys as he loved Rich and Bill.  Bob’s name was on all our tongues during the meetings.  Bittersweet perhaps, but I could feel Bob looking down and smiling at all of us.  Minick Associates continues in the Bob Minick tradition.