January 1995 - Greater Ohio Showmen`s Association

January 1995
Volume II, Issue 1
A Note from our President
Dear Members,
As we prepare for the 1995 Ohio
Fair Managers Convention I would
like to emphasize once again the five
Seminars the G.O.S.A. will be spon­
SOring. Many of the topics we will be
discussing have a critical bearing on
our industry. One seminar in par­
ticular has a bearing on our own
organization. The seminar is called
G.O.S.A. REORGANIZATION. It will
be on Wednesday, January 4th at
2:00 p.m. in the Delaware A room. If
you have interest in the future of
your organization, you should
attend this seminar. We would like
your input. You can help dictate the
direction the G.O.S.A. will be taking
in the future.
In response to a great many
inquiries and comments from our
membership about Team Manage­
ment, your board has reviewed TMI's
contract to the G.O.S.A. with close
scrutiny. It has been decided that we
do not need an executive secretary
per se. It was felt that we do many
things well and that we do not need
a complete overhaul. However, it
was also felt that we needed exten­
sive help in a few critical areas. The
discussions in these areas prompted
us and TMI to adopt a new agree­
ment.
This new agreement will be at
LESS COST to us and our member­
ship. Because of this, it was
determined that a dues increase was
not needed at this time. This new
agreement with TMI was accepted
with unanimous approval with one
abstention.
TMI has agreed to help us in five
defined areas. These include 1)
Administration and Accounting
around $15,OOO/year. If these
(Providing benefits for members and duties are accomplished to our sat­
assisting us with membership drives) isfaction, we feel this is a tremen­
3) Newsletter Services (acting as dous bargain. It would be duficult to
publisher, editor and distributor of find a firm will to perform these
the newsletter incorporating our help objectives at the twice the cost!
Please attempt to attend our
with the newsletter committee), 4)
Public Relations (providing press Seminars, especially the G.O.S.A.
releases and other important infor­ Reorganization Seminar. Our future
mation to news media. government is in your hands. Also, we will be
agencies and Fair Boards relevant to manning a booth at the Ohio Fair
G.O.S.A.'s position and image to the Managers Trade Show to answer
public), and 5) Government and your questions and prOVide you with
Legislative Monitoring (monitoring membership applications, Gala tick­
legislative action in government that ets, and carousel horse raille tickets.
may affect G.O.S.A. and the outdoor
Sincerely,
amusement industry).
M. Dean Otterbacher
TMI will be employed by us to per­
PreSident G.O.S.A.
form these duties at a cost of only
Services, 2) Membership Services
The 1995 OFMA Convention has Arrived!
The OFMA Convention will be
held January 3-6, 1995 at the
Greater Columbus Convention
Center in Columbus. Through the
collaborative efforts of G.O.S.A. and
the OFMA, G.O.S.A. is proudly spon­
soring five seminars for attendees
during the convention this year.
They are:
MIDWAY CONTRACT INTEGRITY
Fair Managers, grade yourself with
G.O.S.A.'s 10 point system.
Wednesday, January 4
11 :00 a.m.-12 p.m.
Delaware Room C
G.O.S.A. REORGANIZATION
Is an Executive Secretary
the answer?
Wednesday, January 4
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Delaware Room A
DRASTIC CHANGES IN FOOD
SERVICE LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Will you be ready?
Thursday, January 5
10:00-11 :00 a.m.
Fairfield Room
MIDWAY POTPOURRI
Contract policing, deposit structure,
lagging attendance, overbooking,
balance in placement.
Thursday. January 5
1:30-3:00 p.m.
Knox Room
THE STATE LEGISLATURE
AND YOU
How G.O.S.A. and OFMAcan
influence the process.
Thursday. January 5
3:00-4:00 p.m.
Knox Room
continued on page 3
Focus on Membership
In the 1930's there weren't many
jobs available, so Roger L. Duncan
was fortunate to be working for
J.C.Penney. After being with the
clothing company from 1934 to
1936, Duncan had managed to
reach the going wage of that time ­
$0.20 per hour! In 1936, at about
the same time he was graduating
from high school, Roger decided to
Announcements
Volunteer Requested
The Ways & Means Committee is
in need of a volunteer to host the
Reverse Raffle. Interested parties
can contact Gary Duncan at 419­
586-5027.
Junior Member Outing
The
Junior
Membership
Committee needs a minimum of 20
people (Junior Members, guests,
parents) to hold a winter event - a
ski outing on January 16. 1995 at
Snow Trails Ski Resort in Mansfield.
Ohio. G.O.S.A. will pay $20 toward
each Junior Member's ticket, The
cost ranges according to the options
available. For details, contact Brad
Gentille at 419-884-2151.
Help!
We need your help. If you have
any news items that you feel would
be of interest to the membership, or
know of someone that should be
considered
for
Focus
on
Membership. please let us know!
Call the G.O.S.A. office today.
G.O.SA. Officers and Trustees
M. Dean Otterbacher. President
Geary Bates. 1st Vice President
Gary Duncan, 2nd Vice President
Ed Ebert, Secretary
John F. Richards. Treasurer
Ray Prowant
Dick Pilati
Pat Bush
Ken Weber
Fred Poeppelman
David F. Gallapoo
Brad Gentille
Jay Clements
William P. Bush
Doug Guinsler
Jack R. Woods. II
sell food at the Celina Fair in Mercer
County. The fair and carnival busi­
ness seemed to offer a brighter
future for the ambitious youth. so
he left J.C. Penney and began what
has become Duncan Concessions.
Roger has been and continues to
be a very active showmen. He is a
Charter Member of the Ohio
Concessionaires Association which
later became the G.O.S.A., holding
the offices of Trustee for 14 years.
Chaplin for 6 years and Vice
President for 2 years. In 1972. Roger
received the Showmen of the Year
Award for his outstanding service to
the industry. The Canfield Fair
bestowed on him the Meruterious
Contribution Award in 1979, and in
1991. the Ohio State Fair Board
inducted him into their Hall of
Fame. But Roger's contributions
were not fully recognized yet. In
1991. he received the Ohio House of
Representatives Award for outstand­
ing achievement. and in 1993. he
was given an Appreciation Award
from G.O.S.A. Having served th-e
outdoor amusement business for
nearly 60 years, he humbly accept­
ed each award.
When asked what his favorite
story was, Roger wrote of his trip to
the National Fair Convention held at
the Sherman House in Chicago. He
and 3 others from the Ohio
Concessionaires Association ­
including Nate Cohen and Johnny
Mears. had been elected to attend
the national event. Over one thou­
sand people were in attendance, and
Nate had agreed to speak at a meet­
ing on behalf of the association.
Though it took quite a bit of prod­
ding. a nervous Nate took the stage.
As he explained how the Ohio Fairs
were organized and structured. and
how the Ohio Department of
Agriculture was responsible for
licensing them. many questions
arose from the crowd. It was the
first time that other states had
heard of such an arrangement. The
meeting turned out to be very suc­
cessful for the association. The most
memorable thing about the trip for
Roger was that neither he nor
Roger L. Duncan of Duncan Concessions
receiving plaque from Ohio State Fair Board
Johnny had hotel reservations at
the Sherman House for the night.
They wound up spending the night
at a nearby hotel for qUite a bit
more money!
Roger and wife Dorothy Jean, live
in Montezuma, and enjoy their
grOWing family. There are 8 chil­
dren. 18 grandchildren. and 12
great-grandchildren in the Duncan
clan. Their oldest grandchild is 33.
and their oldest great-grandchild is
10. Son Gary. daughter Carol, and
grandson Todd manage the conces­
sion operations of Duncan
Concessions. Carol also manages
the miniature golf business owned
by Duncan Concessions. Gary is an
active member of G.O.S.A.. and cur­
rently serves as 2nd Vice-President.
Though we will never know how
far Roger L. Duncan could have
gone in the J.C.Penney hierarchy.
G.O.S.A. is proud and thankful that
he chose the outdoor amusement
business to display his talents. He
has been a leader and inspiration to
both his family and the industry.
Board Meeting Minutes
The G.O.S.A. Board met on
Wednesday, December 7 in
Circleville giving the following
summary:
- Awards presenters were select­
ed: Showman of the Year - Jack
Woods; Rides - Dean Otterbacher;
Food - Brad Gentille;Straight Sales ­
Dave Gallapoo; Games - Ray
Prowant; Lifetime Achievements ­
Dave Gallapoo; Appreciation - Geary
Bates.
- Committee Reports were heard
regarding the Convention, Seminars,
Ways & Means, Jr. Membership,
Membership, Yearbook, Nomina­
tions, Games, Scholarships, and
Ride Safety.
- TMI presented a new proposal
based on services, rather than total
management. The proposal passed.
- Next meeting will be Tuesday,
January 3, with time to be deter­
mined. Thanks to visitors Sonny
Kissel and Vic Pariano for attending
December 7. For a complete copy of
the minutes, contact the G.O.S.A.
office.
Dates to Remember
CLASSIFIEDS
January 3-6, 1995.
Ohio Fair
Managers Association Convention,
Columbus
January 4, 1995.
Annual Meeting
G.O.S.A.
January 5, 1995.
Gala Dance and Drawing
G.O.S.A.
February 7-9, 1995.
Trade Show in Tampa, FL
NICA
February 10, 1995.
NICA
Annual Meeting, 2:00 p.m. at the
Sheraton Convention Center.,
Tampa, FL. Nominations for two
board positions will be accepted at
that time.
February 7-12, 1995.
Trade Show, Gibsonton, FL
IISF
Notes from Around the Membership
ILLNESSES
Lois Gallapoo is recovering at
home after undergoing knee surgery.
Thank You:
Dear Ohio Showmen:
I would like to thank all the Ohio
Showmen and the G.O.S.A. who sent
flowers, cards, and donations in
memory of Lewis H. Thompson.
Words cannot express my sincere
gratitude.
Sincerely,
Mildred Thompson
FOR SALE
1982 Alumilite Travel Trailer. 31
foot. Call 513-596-6311.
8-100 lb. Propane Tanks hydro
tested 1994 & are all full for $550.
Call 216-946-9181.
Reminders
1995 G.O.S.A. Membership
Roster and Buyer's Guide
The creation of the 1995 G.O.S.A.
Membership roster and Buyer's
Guide (Yearbook) is underway, and
now is the time to request your ad.
For more information on pricing and
sizes, contact the Association ofTice
in Circleville at 614-474-2062.
Convention has Arrived
continued from front page
The Annual Meeting will be held
on Wednesday, <January 4 from
5:00-7:00 p.m. in Franklin Rooms
C&D. The annual business meeting
will include awards presentations,
elections, and committee reports.
There are 3 Trustee positions, as
well as the Treasurer's position up
for re-election, so plan to attend to
cast your vote, and to give your
input.
The Gala Dance will be held
January 5th, with entertainment
prOVided by the musical groups
Sugar & Spice and Southbound
Band. The Chance Horse and Gala
Drawings will also be held that
evening. The Gala Drawing has a
total of $6,000 in cash awards. The
Grand Prize is $3,000, and the
Carousel Horse, worth over $6,000
will go to a lucky ticket holder. There
will be many door prizes awarded as
well.
For more information on any of
the G.O.S.A. events to be held dur­
ing the OFMA Convention, call the
G.O.S.A. office.
Please remember to pay your
G.O.S.A. membership dues via
mail by January 15, 1995 to help
reduce traffic at the Convention
Office.
Time is getting short - have you
purchased your Annual Gala
Dance and Drawing tickets yet?
Tickets are $10 per person. You
may win of one of the cash awards
or one of our fabulous door prizes.
The tickets for the Carousel Horse
drawing which will be raffled off dur­
ing the Gala, are available for $5.00
each, or a book of 5 for $20. Both
events will be held the evening of
January 5, tickets are available form
any G.O.S.A. Officer or Trustee.
Buchy Food Products wants to
thank you for all your past
business. We extend an
invitation to you to stop by our
booth at the 1995 OFMA
Convention(Trade Show in
Columbus.
Buchy Food Products
North Broadway
P.O. Box 899, Greenville, Ohio 45331
(513) 548-2128
(800) 762-1060
•
BOCHY
THE GREATER OHIO SHOWMENS ASSOCIATION
216 North Court Street
Circleville, Ohio 43 113
New Members
Welcome!
New Member
Phil Davis
Regina Huth Garstka
Amy Boano
Pemberville Free Fair
Brad F. Isch
James E. Barnum
Allison Kristine Prowant..
(Jr. Member)
Sponsor
Office
Rose Marie Mapus
Kurt Otterbacher
Gary Duncan
Frank Isch
Office
Ray Prowant
TMI Update
TMI is looking forward to continuing its relationship with the
G.O.S.A. as a subcontractor. We will be working on several pro­
Jects for you in 1995. We will also be attending the OFMA
Convention the first week in January. and hope to attend some
of the seminars that G.O.S.A. is sponsoring. The seminars
promise to be educational and informative. and we hope that
you will find them beneficial. We hope to see you at the
Convention.
A qUick word on the 800 number. After January I, G.O.SA
members will have a permanent 800 number to call for ques­
tions about the association. The number. 800-756-G.O.S.A.
(4672) will be installed to ring into the offices at TMI. and will be
answered G.O.S.A.
State Legislative Front
Joe & Betty Bailey take a breather during the Pumpkin Show in
Circleville.
The carnival industry may be affected by changes in the
National Electric Code that are being introduced to take affect
by 1996. Federal Hearings are being held regarding sections of
the code that have not affected the industry in the past, but will
trickle down to concessionaires and games people. The issue is
ground fault circuits of 15 & 20 amp services. The changes. if
passed. will require users of these amp services to purchase
type W lead cords for rough service, which have a UV rating.
Your G.O.S.A. legislative committee is monitoring these hear­
ings.