My how PennLUG has Grown

When Cale and I met at the Bob Evans in York who knew it would have progressed to this?

For those who don't know me, I'm Mike Gibney and an AFOL (why else would I be here?) (Cale will have a witty comment for that) I currently leave in Montana, but lived in PA for 25 years.

When I emerged from my dark ages I was thrilled to find sites like BL and BS and learned that Brickfest was soon happening. I immediately signed up and it was just like the AFOL comic (It's all so beautiful!) but without the tears. I still remember the guy who wore the Mega Blok T-shirt, that,,,was funny.

I was amazed at the idea of a lego club and learned that Jim foulds had tried to do it, but it had fell apart. He was now with DelVaLUG, and while some guys were from PA, it wasn't really a PA centered club. I emailed back and forth with Jim a few times and set out at the next Brickfest with a handful of contact cards. I looked at every name badge , looking for people from PA but only found three. Cale, Mike Tighe and his son Ben. Mike and Ben were busy in Harrisburg at the time with FLL, Cale agreed to meet and see if we couldn't pull this together.

Our first offical event was an open house with a bunch of displays. We didn't see any big response but continued on and new members found out about our little group via Lugnet and such. The Logo above is actually a design by Matt Krotzer, one of the first to join on (is he still alive?) and came along Matt, Chris, Dave and others.

I was sad to leave what I had started but am very proud of what it has become. Left in Cales hands it not only has managed to stay on track, but is moving ahead with a full head of steam (Cale should love the "train" reference there)

I admit I get a little jealous as people look at me odd when they learn my hobby and you guys are attending events, going to Enfield, but I'm also glad to see the club is flourishing.

I don't know when I'll be back on the East Coast. Heck I don't really have time to do much building but I do look in from time to time to see how you guys are doing and I'm always amazed.

I still have one of those little gift bags I made for PennLUGs first Anniversary unopened. Maybe I'll be able to present it at PennLUGs 10th Anniversary. tings look great here (although the colors are a little tough on the eyes) and I wish the club continued success!

Mike
Supreme Overlord in Exile
(if you don't know the supreme overlord joke, see cale)

Gald to see you on the forum. Colors are because of christmas. If you get the chance come one chat.

Welcome to the new forums, Mike. PennLUG really has grown exponentially in the past year. I think the opening of the Lego store gave us a big boost, but without a foundation we likely wouldn't be where we are today. Thanks to you and Cale for providing that foundation.

Hi Mike G
Shame on you for up and abandoning us. LOL What could Montanna possibly have that is better than here? Hope you do manage to make it back east sometime... maybe for one of the conventions?!

You guys have chat now too? where is that on here?

Supreme Overlord in Exile wrote:When Cale and I met at the Bob Evans in York who knew it would have progressed to this?

For those who don't know me, I'm Mike Gibney and an AFOL (why else would I be here?) (Cale will have a witty comment for that) I currently leave in Montana, but lived in PA for 25 years.

You're here because Montana is a cold, dark, lonely place where LEGO is spoken of only in legends along with things like television and the automobile and civilization.

Supreme Overlord in Exile wrote:When I emerged from my dark ages I was thrilled to find sites like BL and BS and learned that Brickfest was soon happening. I immediately signed up and it was just like the AFOL comic (It's all so beautiful!) but without the tears. I still remember the guy who wore the Mega Blok T-shirt, that,,,was funny.

Little known fact. After that Brickfest ended the crapy clone bricks of doom t-shirt guy was quietly eliminated by LEGO's crack team of Ninja Assassins.

Supreme Overlord in Exile wrote:I was amazed at the idea of a lego club and learned that Jim foulds had tried to do it, but it had fell apart. He was now with DelVaLUG, and while some guys were from PA, it wasn't really a PA centered club. I emailed back and forth with Jim a few times and set out at the next Brickfest with a handful of contact cards. I looked at every name badge , looking for people from PA but only found three. Cale, Mike Tighe and his son Ben. Mike and Ben were busy in Harrisburg at the time with FLL, Cale agreed to meet and see if we couldn't pull this together.

He chased me down at Brickfest 05 and cornered me while he fed me his sad tale of trying to get a club going in PA. I took pity on him and agreed to help. Thus began PennLUG. A group who's name would eventually command great respect, and strike fear in the hearts of it's enemies.

Supreme Overlord in Exile wrote:Our first offical event was an open house with a bunch of displays. We didn't see any big response but continued on and new members found out about our little group via Lugnet and such. The Logo above is actually a design by Matt Krotzer, one of the first to join on (is he still alive?) and came along Matt, Chris, Dave and others.

Matt K is still alive but forever lost to the World of Warcraft I think.

Supreme Overlord in Exile wrote:I was sad to leave what I had started but am very proud of what it has become. Left in Cales hands it not only has managed to stay on track, but is moving ahead with a full head of steam (Cale should love the "train" reference there)/quote]

Oh you sleigh me sir. Get it sleigh. That is what you use for transportation in that frozen wasteland called Montana right?

Supreme Overlord in Exile wrote:I admit I get a little jealous as people look at me odd when they learn my hobby and you guys are attending events, going to Enfield, but I'm also glad to see the club is flourishing.

They look at you weird because you're civilized and can speak with out grunting. OK, I'll stop with the Montana jokes.

Supreme Overlord in Exile wrote:I don't know when I'll be back on the East Coast. Heck I don't really have time to do much building but I do look in from time to time to see how you guys are doing and I'm always amazed.

I still have one of those little gift bags I made for PennLUGs first Anniversary unopened. Maybe I'll be able to present it at PennLUGs 10th Anniversary. tings look great here (although the colors are a little tough on the eyes) and I wish the club continued success!

Mike
Supreme Overlord in Exile
(if you don't know the supreme overlord joke, see cale)

Great to here from you again Mike. I hope you eventually find some LEGO fans in the fine state of Montana to play with. And don't be a stranger.

Cale

Supreme Overlord in Exile wrote:You guys have chat now too? where is that on here?

Look on the Front Page silly.

Cale

You guys are so crazy.

(OMG I exist!)

Matt wrote:You guys are so crazy.

(OMG I exist!)

Hey, it's Mr. "medium blue."

i'm still alive too! though i always seem to forget my passwords and have little time between diapers, i have been happily growing/sorting/cleaning/storing my collection in anticipation of my return (to be determined, probably once the kids leave for college) as for the cute little birthday bags of the aforemention 'overlord' i too still possess one of these rare items as the birthday party was held at my dwelling (though never again have the pennluggers graced my home) perhaps as the west philly freeholders unite and compare gas prices to brick prices, we can revisit that! elsewise, i believe matt k is just adjusting to married life and secretly wishes he never laid his eyes on medium blue in lieu of the more highly prized 'maersk blue' [rant is over, chaos may resume, don't know when you'll hear from me again] call me! think of me often!
chris f-n (formerly the conductor of chaos now the changer of diapers{not my own}) play well

legolover530 wrote: i'm still alive too! though i always seem to forget my passwords and have little time between diapers, i have been happily growing/sorting/cleaning/storing my collection in anticipation of my return (to be determined, probably once the kids leave for college) as for the cute little birthday bags of the aforemention 'overlord' i too still possess one of these rare items as the birthday party was held at my dwelling (though never again have the pennluggers graced my home) perhaps as the west philly freeholders unite and compare gas prices to brick prices, we can revisit that! elsewise, i believe matt k is just adjusting to married life and secretly wishes he never laid his eyes on medium blue in lieu of the more highly prized 'maersk blue' [rant is over, chaos may resume, don't know when you'll hear from me again] call me! think of me often!
chris f-n (formerly the conductor of chaos now the changer of diapers{not my own}) play well

Yes we have come a long way. Who would have thought 5 years ago when it was just 5 crazy guys with delusions of grander trying to put together a small train layout for the NMRA show that we would be here where we're at today. It's good to here from you again Chris. Don't be such a stranger.

Cale

legolover530 wrote: i'm still alive too! though i always seem to forget my passwords and have little time between diapers, i have been happily growing/sorting/cleaning/storing my collection in anticipation of my return (to be determined, probably once the kids leave for college) as for the cute little birthday bags of the aforemention 'overlord' i too still possess one of these rare items as the birthday party was held at my dwelling (though never again have the pennluggers graced my home) perhaps as the west philly freeholders unite and compare gas prices to brick prices, we can revisit that! elsewise, i believe matt k is just adjusting to married life and secretly wishes he never laid his eyes on medium blue in lieu of the more highly prized 'maersk blue' [rant is over, chaos may resume, don't know when you'll hear from me again] call me! think of me often!
chris f-n (formerly the conductor of chaos now the changer of diapers{not my own}) play well

On the subject of "don't be a stranger" your location info would suggest we live in the same neighborhood!

42nd and ludlow! where are you?

42ns and Walnut. So very, very close.