Convention photos are © 2012 Rick Tucker. All Rights Reserved. See all of Rick Tucker’s 2012 convention photos.

Registration Form

The AGPC Mid-Atlantic Chapter is hosting our Thirteenth Annual Event in Reading, Pennsylvania on Saturday, November 3, 2012. This year’s theme will be Modes of Transportation and will feature party games, show and tell, and lots of prizes. We’ll again have a buffet dinner with beverages and dessert, live and silent auctions, table selling of games and puzzles and, as always, a few surprises. Registration and the activities will begin at 5:00 pm; dinner will be served at 6:00 pm.

This year’s event will return to the Hampton Inn in Reading. The Saturday date works well for those attending the nearby Allentown Toy Show, which is held from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm that day plus the great Sunday antiquing in Adamstown just down the road.

A block of rooms has been set aside at the Hampton Inn for the nights of November 2 and 3 at the special rate of $89.00, including breakfast. Reservations must be made by October 15 to get this special rate. Space is limited so call the Inn at 610-374-8100 and ask for the AGPC block.

The fee to attend will be $25.00 per person which includes the buffet dinner. Please return the Registration Form with your check to Margie Epstein, 11706 Stonington Place, Silver Spring, MD 20902 by October 20.  Should you have any questions or need further info, please call us at 301-593-2157 or email us at sygames@aol.com.

Richard M. Ketchum’s Saratoga: Turning Point of America’s Revolutionary War, published in 1977, presents a very detailed accounting of not only the two Saratoga battles, but also the July confrontation at Fort Ticonderoga, and the August Battle of Bennington, both of which led up to the September happenings in Saratoga County.  The key players in this series of conflicts were Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne, Benedict Arnold, General Arthur St. Clair, and General Horatio Gates.  Of course we have the benefit of knowing the outcome.  When you come to the convention, you will be able to view the gentle hills and far stretching fields adjacent to the Hudson River where these battles played themselves out.

Perhaps when you think of Saratoga, you imagine it in the era of Edna Ferber’s Saratoga Trunk.  Penned in 1941, it is the story of Clint and Clio Maroon. Hollywood transformed it into a movie in 1943 with Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman in the starring roles; in 1959, it became a Broadway Musical with Howard Keel and Carol Lawrence.

Samantha at Saratoga by Marietta Haley (1836-1926) is one in a series of fiction that visits various historical locations in the U.S. in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

In 1956, Ian Fleming offered his Diamonds are Forever, in the James Bond series with Saratoga playing a role in this espionage classic.

More recently, Stephen Dobyns has executed a series of mysteries centered around fictional characters in the Saratoga Springs region.  His hero, Charlie Bradshaw, resides on Saratoga Lake and sometimes, reluctantly, becomes involved with mishaps and misdeeds in that city.  One of my favorites focuses upon “Uncommon Grounds”, a coffee shop on Broadway which you will be able to visit when you attend the April 2012 Convention.  See you there!

We are finalizing the contracts for pre-convention activities.  As soon as they are confirmed we will update the convention registration packet and directly contact anyone who has already registered for the convention.

 The pre-convention activities being considered for Thursday, April 19^th and Friday, April 20^th are:

• Tour the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame located in Saratoga Springs, and Saratoga National Battlefield
• Tour various Saratoga Springs sites in the morning with open time in the afternoon to experience Saratoga Springs

AGPC members’ interests encompass all types of games, jigsaw puzzles, and mechanical puzzles, from all eras and from all around the world. Some of our members specialize in other pastimes and collect related playthings, from toys to tops, and from marbles to architectural blocks. Our membership includes a broad spectrum of individuals and expertise, from interested enthusiasts to novice collectors to some of the world’s most renowned historians, authors, and designers of game & puzzles. Many companies and institutions hold membership in the organization.

Originally known as the American Game Collectors Association (AGCA), the organization’s name was changed to the Association of Game & Puzzle Collectors in 1999 to reflect the broadened scope of its mission and its international nature.

 The theme will be A Day at the Races as described in this flyer prepared by Jim and Lisa.

The dinner is being catered by Lisa and Alan Bloom and promises to be a scrumptious meal. There will be a charge of $15.00 per person for the dinner and beverages served that evening.

Space is limited and to help us with the planning, please return the form below with your check to Margie Epstein, 11706 Stonington Place, Silver Spring, MD 20902 by October 20.  Should you have any questions or need further info, please call us at 301-593-2157 or email us at sygames@aol.com.  More details will be sent to the attendees prior to the Event.

REGISTRATION FORM

YES I/WE WILL ATTEND THE MID-ATLANTIC CHAPTER ANNUAL EVENT

Name(s) ____________________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________

Phone No. _________________________________   Email ___________________________

Number of Attendees ______

I would like a display table and will have items for sale:  Yes ____   No _____

Please send a check for $15.00 per attendee made out to Margie Epstein by October 20.

2012 AGPC convention registration form

Our 28th Year!

AUCTION • GAME PLAYING • SPEAKERS • WORKSHOP • GAME & PUZZLE SALES • SHOW & TELL • PUZZLE SOLVING • AWARDS

2012 Convention ♦ Saratoga Springs, New York

April 20-22, 2012

Join us at the 28th annual AGPC Convention, being held in Saratoga Springs, New York, from April 20 to 22, 2012.  Saratoga Springs is the birthplace of potato chips and Saratoga Spring water.  The Saratoga Springs region’s activities vary from historical sites, museums, shopping, antiquing, and restaurants.  Its location is close to the Adirondacks and Albany, our state capitol, and is known for:

• Health due to the Spa Resorts and spring mineral water,
• History for the 1777 Battle of Saratoga, and
• Horses for the Saratoga Race Course & Harness Track.

www.townmapsusa.com

www.poshnosh.com

Saratoga Springs, located in Upstate New York, provides access to additional state as well as western Vermont and western Massachusetts activities.  In addition, New York City is 185 miles south.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2012 Saratoga Springs Convention!

Tentative Agenda

• Friday, April 20^th—Dinner with guest speaker Tom Shieber, Senior Curator, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, who will be talking about baseball board games from the museum’s collection.
• Saturday, April 21^st—Breakfast, General Meeting, Convention Presentation & Workshops, Member Sales, and AGPC Auction (lunch on your own).  Reception and dinner with guest speaker, Will Shortz, New York Times Puzzle Editor, who will be the recipient of the AGPC 2012 Sam Loyd Award.  Will will talk about collecting puzzles, puzzle books, and puzzle ephemera, and if there’s time, will conduct audience-participation word games.
• Sunday, April 22^nd —Breakfast, Convention Group Photo and Wrap-Up.

Tom Shieber

Will Shortz (photo by Donald Cristensen)

The Saturday morning presenters will be:

• Nicolas Ricketts, Curator, Strong National Museum of Play, who will give a presentation on All-Fair board games
• Jim Follette, who will talk about mechanical puzzle design, manufacture, and publication
• Chris McCann, who will inform us about how artists were kept busy during the “Jigsaw Puzzle Panic” of 1932-33 and beyond

Nicolas Ricketts

Jim Follette

Chris McCann

Convention Theme

The convention theme will represent the Saratoga Springs spirit of Health, History, and Horses.  Therefore, plan to bring items for Friday night Show & Tell, and to share and play with others.

Convention Award

Will Shortz will be the recipient of the 2012 AGPC Sam Loyd Award.

Pre-convention Activities

We are finalizing arrangements for pre-convention activities.  As soon as they are confirmed we will update the convention registration packet and directly contact anyone who has already registered for the convention.

The pre-convention activities being considered for Thursday, April 19^th and Friday, April 20^th are:

• Tour the Baseball Hall of Fame, individual activities, and/or shopping in Cooperstown (travel by bus).
• Tour the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame located in Saratoga Springs, and Saratoga National Battlefield.
• Tour various Saratoga Springs sites in the morning with open time in the afternoon to experience Saratoga Springs.

A game and puzzle room will be available in the evenings from 8:00pm to 1:00am.

Convention Hotel

The convention will take place at the Gideon Putnam Resort, located just outside of downtown Saratoga Springs.  The resort offers an 18-hole championship golf course and a 9-hole executive golf course, 8 tennis courts and serene walking and bike trails throughout the 2,200 acre Saratoga Spa State Park.  And the renowned Roosevelt Spa is open year round for mineral baths, massages, and a variety of spa treatments.  (It is strongly encouraged that you make reservations for Resort activities early, by contacting the Resort directly for availability and bookings.  Gideon Putnam Resort reserves the right to change activities and schedule.)

Images courtesy of The Gideon Putnam Resort

Standard rooms are available at $149 plus tax per night and Suites are available at $209 plus tax per night.  To make your reservations, call the Resort directly at (866) 746-1077 toll-free.  You must refer to

Group Code: 9N29SS

to receive the AGPC Convention rate.

Registration Fee

Early Bird Registration Fee is $195 per person if postmarked on or before March 14, 2012.

Registration after March 14, 2012, will be $225 per person.

Register Early and Win a Suite Upgrade!

For your convenience a link to the 2012 Registration Form is provided below.  Take advantage of the Early Bird Reduced Registration Fee and register before March 14, 2012.  All Early Bird Registrations will be entered for a chance to win a complimentary upgrade to a suite room at the Gideon Putnam Resort!  Registration forms along with payment should be mailed to The KelJoy Group, PO Box 3592, Durham, NC 27702-3592.

2012 AGPC convention registration form

Getting to Saratoga Springs

The Saratoga Convention and Visitors Bureau has put a special web page together for our guests.  Please visit http://discoversaratoga.org/conferences/agpc for information on transportation, dining, tours, schedule of local events and area activities.  Albany International Airport is conveniently located 27 miles from Saratoga Springs.  Saratoga Springs is approximately a 3½ hour drive from both New York City and Boston.  Bus and train transportation is also available into downtown Saratoga Springs.  (The Gideon Putnam offers airport transportation for a fee.  It is suggested you make reservations at least one week in advance.  The Resort also has a free shuttle service to take you into downtown Saratoga Springs.  Contact the Resort for details.)

Tourist Information

In addition to the Saratoga Convention and Visitors Bureau web page, additional New York and adjacent states sites are:

• New York State tourism information at http://www.iloveny.com/
• Vermont and Massachusetts state tourism information at http://vermontvacation.com/ and http://www.massvacation.com

Look at the following regarding the History of Saratoga Springs and Activities and Places to Visit.

Questions

If you have any questions or need additional information (antiquing, etc.), please contact Ron & Grace Dechant at dechantr@aol.com.

Ellie & Dick Moody and Grace & Ron Dechant, convention hosts

Saratoga is best known for the three Hs:

• HEALTH due to the Spa Resorts and spring mineral water,
• HISTORY for the 1777 battle of Saratoga, and
• HORSES for the Saratoga Race Course and Harness Track

Saratoga Springs is also the birthplace of potato chips and Saratoga Spring Water.  There are plenty of places to explore in and around Saratoga Springs: historical sites, museums, shopping, antiques stores, and restaurants.  Saratoga Springs is close to the Adirondacks mountains and Albany, the Empire State’s capital.

The Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa will be our convention venue.  The Gideon is located in the Saratoga Spa State Park and is a long-favored vacation destination. This distinctive Saratoga Springs resort offers guests a wealth of desirable amenities that include newly renovated accommodations, casual upscale dining, Roosevelt Baths & Spa and gracious service.

The convention theme will represent the Saratoga Springs’ spirit of the three Hs: Health, History, and Horses.  Plan to bring items for Show & Tell with these themes and to share and play and solve with your fellow AGPC convention participants.

Renowned word puzzler extraordinaire Will Shortz will be the 2012 recipient of AGPC’s prized Sam Loyd Award. (Photo by Don Christensen.)

Every AGPC convention is absolutely fun and a great escape.  We’re all looking forward to Convention 2012 in Saratoga Springs.

Additional information, including fees and payment options, will be coming in September 2011.  In the meantime, reserve the dates April 20-22, 2012 on your calendar plus a few days before for pre-convention events as well!

Thanks to the 2012 Saratoga Springs convention planning committee:  Ron & Grace Dechant and Dick & Ellie Moody and Kelly Taylor.