The following appeared in the August, 1995 issue of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society Observer.   After acting as host for the 1995 Mid-States Region of the Astronomical League annual convention I felt compelled to give the following thanks:

Convention Thanks...

By John Reed

I just wanted to let you all know how much I appreciate your hard work on the convention.  I was told over and over how great the convention was, how it was one of the best ever, how well organized it was.

Well I'm not fool enough to feel that was because of me alone.  I know how much you all did at the property and at Conway.  A convention like this is not a one man job and would not have been possible if not for a lot of hard work.  I don't think I'll try to list names as I will probably leave someone out, so many worked so hard.  There are a lot of clubs where members stay on the side lines and don't get involved.  Not this club, I have never seen a group of folks work so hard on something and not get paid.

Bill, I don't know how to thank you.  I guess you know you upstaged the whole convention!  All I heard over and over again was how great the fish was.  Well it was great and we were lucky to have you in charge of that event!

I would also like to thank my speakers.  I have been to a lot of Mid-States and I have never seen such a great line-up of speakers.  Your talks were nothing less than professional, entertaining, and informative.  I just wish I had time to see more of them, what with running around with my head cut off!

Finally, thanks for putting up with me.  I know I was about to drive people crazy.  I don't deal with stress well and I'm sure it rub's off on other people.  I can't help who I am, you will just have to love me as I am.  However, I think that because I worry a lot is partly what makes me a good planner -- I don't want anything to go wrong.

Speaking of things going wrong: very little did.  For a bunch of amateurs we did very well, things went quite smoothly.  Of course there were a few minor problems, but nothing that couldn't get ironed out with the help of such great people.

Well, I am at a loss for words to express my true feelings.  I know that a lot of you have not had a great deal to do with the League.  I know that a lot of you have never even attended a conven-tion.  However, you trusted me and dove in head first.  I will never forget that.  I only hope that you have the same feeling of accom-plishment as I do.  I only hope that you will look back upon the experience with fondness instead of regret.  I only hope that now that you have been exposed to a convention that you will attend more (usually you don't have to run them, just enjoy).

Well, I don't know what else to say except to keep saying thanks, thanks, thanks.  I promise not to commit us to any more conventions...  at least for a good while!