Odds Ends Surviving Troubled Times, as everyone knows we are dealing with a problem we have never gone through in our lifetimes. We will look at how it has affected our life. Also, BMC has announced new items for June including reissues of the MPC Germans. Finally, we have some sad news from Rich Fisher
Odds Ends Surviving Troubled Times
As I said in the introduction, we are in troubling times. Due to the Coronavirus, shows are canceling or moving their dates. I lost two shows for this month. Panic buying is going through our supermarkets. I got the last pack of toilet paper at one supermarket. Due to orders from the state government, several counties south of me have had to close nonessential businesses.
I am only going to certain places and being careful in contact. I will keep the web site going as it is a source of information. Also, I will be doing Ebay and will be putting up items for those who looking for something as they bunker down.
One final note, for now, a certain blogger, who has a grudge against me has stated he is stopping blogging for various reasons. He feels I will be chiding him for being late with various reports. That is farther from the truth, I understand why he is stopping. So I will see blogging him again once this problem is settled.
BMC June Offerings
The Ideal bulldozer is coming with the Marx exploding building. As the spring device is no longer valid, Jeff decided to merge two together to get a nice little set.
Rich Fisher’s Wife.
We have to report that Rich fisher’s wife Carol Fisher has passed away. Carol Fisher was 72. Rich and Carol had been married since 1972.
If you want to send a word of condolences you can reach him at richfisher@zoominternet.net As I said to Rich earlier my condolences, I am sure you would want to do too.
So far it is not that bad near me. The stores are being restocked with everything. Nothing has changed at work, they are just cleaning the buses and building more often.
I am sorry to hear about Rich’s Wife. My thoughts & prayers are with him and his family.
Also the Midwest Toy Soldier Show is still on. I still plan on attending. I hope this virus does not get out of hand and things return back to normal.
I still waiting for more figures to arrive. It looks like I will just have a display of the Anglo Saxons on display and won’t be selling any sets yet. I only have a few complete sets at this moment.
Mike keeps a check with the promoter as everything is changing daily. right now the Delaware Toy Show which is the same weekend as Midwest has to cancel. They looking at another date.
My condolences to Rich about his wife. Please pass them on if he doesn’t read them here.
BMC’s releases are great news – hopefully, the hobby continues.
We had our first case of Coronavirus in Alabama yesterday. We stopped by the local Walmart and saw some of the panic. I’ve seen people more calm with a Cat V hurricane headed our way. One woman was coming out of the store in a surgical mask with about a dozen gallon jugs of drinking water. We sent our son and his family, stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA a CARE package last week of sterilizing wipes and hand sanitizer; the shelves were stripped out there last week. Crazy.
I remember the insanity at the schools after Columbine when my principal made me cancel our school production of “The Mouse that Roared” because it had a bomb in it. Then 9/11 when we started strip searching grandmas.
I figure we can live in fear or live. My wife came down with fever and chills last night. I’ve been “nursing” her all day. So far it’s no picnic but we’re not going to panic and she seems to be feeling better. We decided if we went in half-cocked to the ER we’d tie up some poor doc who’s needed by someone who’s really sick or might even get exposed to the real deal ourselves. So we’ll “self-quarantine…”
But if she’s not better by tomorrow I figure we’ll call our GP. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
We wish your wife well. It was crazy about how the stores were empty of so many things. I will go tomorrow and see what is available.
Thanks Paul; she’s back up and around – I had my turn yesterday – still kind of out from it, but it will pass.
I might add a caveat – take reasonable precautions, but live.
Hi Wayne, Sorry to hear your wife is unwell.
Hope it’s just a minor flu and not this Coronovirus.
Watch your own health.
Good luck
Alan
Just got an Email from the Marriott in Lafayette, says they are taking precautions and have a new cancellation/reservation policy and the safety of their guests is paramount. They are open for business and looking forward to all those that have a reservation. No mention of closing. So far, so good for the show…
Mike
Keep a check on what the governor the head of the county and mayor of the show where the show will be held. Ohio is closing bars and restuarants.
Well there goes the Indy show. I was really excited for that show and now it is being ‘postponed’ indefinitely. I certainly understand the reason for this but it is just such a shame. I was really looking forward to checking out Mike Prendergast’s new Saxons and hopefully picking up both some new production and out of production items. I was very much looking forward to the show. How disappointing.
Toilet paper seems to be the new coin of the realm. My son and I go grocery shopping every Thursday . I stay in the van and people watch and he goes in and gets the stuff. It was a mad house in the store a few days ago. We were there about 5PM and they told my son they ran out of toilet paper at 2PM. Going to a toy soldier show might not be a good idea as they are full of 55-85 year old geezers who have a much higher death rate than younger people if the catch Covid-19. The midwest dealers could get wiped out. Don’t listen to what any politician says but do listen to the CDC
retail Stores become mad run places ,some people are getting hysterical out control.Stores and supermarket will reduce hours to avoid congestion and amount people to be more concentrated in daylight hours .While this may help ,this will in the other side increase the amount people per hours in certain ours creating faster possibilities to become contagious.
I use and suggest order delivery that many stores does and wipe clean products delivery to you rather go stores now if possible with substitution option on order placed.Most stores/ and main supermarket does or have delivery to parking lot in wait orders as well .So you do not walk inside stores.
Going out in general congested areas enclosed is not good idea.I agree with Kent about toy shows with the third generation high population become too expose and too fragile x this .Not fun but more risky.These type event should be postponed x now in my opinion .
my thoughts.
Best
I agree toy shows are off the map for the duration. stay safe
On another site, there was a report that a guy at a strip club tried to steal the hand sanitizer. LOL
Someone is stuck with 18,000 bottles of sanitizer.
From Target DC main operation staff point view .
My last update after meeting yesterday with all OM and CEO
Target DC are all mandatory open and all employees report at all building 24/7 all shift
We have nurse station through each building with extra staff working checking every employee .All safety precaution such mask ,gloves else of course taking place and enforced at all time as we handle first hand all products coming from port/factories else .
The DC will operate regardless any person become ill .Any person withing any DC sick will be sent home in quarantine and all near him will require Dr check before continue working
It only happen at one Kentucky warehouse DC so far till now .
Because the huge demand in store in all main house supply such cleaning ,health and food dept products. DC-Warehouse are operating 24/7 to restock stores that are become empty in many dept inside .This took by surprise too quickly the main retailer such Walmart and Target and because this , officially implemented restriction in limited purchase per customer had been put place effective friday in all Target stores nationwide .
Also stores my limit time open for some time soon .
Also extra security guard third party contractor had been temporarily hired to prevent incident at stores among anxious customers becoming off control as had happen in several stores already because the new restriction laws .
Ebay and Amazon had put almost 100% ban in any increase rise prices-selling first aid and health sanitizers product to avoid abuse price gauges .
or suspend temporary sale of these.
Target had try avoid import any these products and working with nation manufacturer to increase production at faster rate to supply our DC-Warehouses.
That is my small report from my work .
thank you m,stay safe and calm .
best regards
My daughter in law works in a pharmacy. You could say on the front line.
In the last week she’s seen business treble and has had her hours extended.
Yep..lot of people buying flu, cough medicine etc..
Our Woolworths, starting tomorrow Tuesday, is opening an hour earlier for us oldies. Present your pension card etc for entry.
Get your toilet rolls ??
Also my state, Victoria/Australia, has just declared a State of Emergency .
That begins shortly at mid day..
Gather in large numbers and disagree with the authorities and you could end up with a $20,000 fine..
So I expect the advice above, for us oldies, to avoid shows, gatherings etc. is true.
What a sad world…
I’m glad though I stocked up on paints..
At the least I can still play with my little fellas.
Be safe everyone..
It will pass..
Alan
Glad to hear that Woolworths are still around in Australia. If I ever get to Australia, I will go to one. My favorite aunt worked for them and I have visted ones in U.S., Canada, Mexico,and UK.
Stay save
Wow! You still have Woolworths there. I haven’t seen one up here (Massachusetts, Boston area) in years; I thought they all closed down to be replaced by some of the other chains the holding company owned.
I, am very sorry to hear the passing of Rich’s wife. My prayers are with Her and you Rich.
Unfortunately Paul not the Woolworths of our youth where we could walk in and buy figures like the large Mark 6 inch.
More food stuffs…
Oh I loved these days. School in the morning and rushing down to see what was new during the lunch break.
It was exciting and the memories remain.
Even now sixty years later I have a thing for large Marx.
Used to rush down and spend my lunch money..
Trays full of figures..
Even have US Cavalry, Cowboys, Indians and Man from UNCLE in my collection.
Great figures.
Those were the days.
Alan
Alan
Yes, I know those days are gone and only memories.