PIN March 1998!

The PIN march was finally here! We had been anxiously awaiting and planning for this day for a very long time. The PIN board, Stefan Winkler, Ulli Ratz, Ilene Martinez, Udo Goedden and Patrick Muesse had put in a lot of long hours to make this day as successful as it was. Here is the lo-down of the whole Pin march.

Several PIN members decided to take the pre-arranged bus from Germany to Copenhagen arranged so graciously by Betty Ratz and Klaus Hatzenbuehler. The bus left Duesseldorf at 8:30am. It was already pretty filled up when we boarded. We took our seats as several people greeted each other. Some were old friends, some had never met before and thanks to the computer, some where old friends who had never met before!! About 30 minutes later, everyone on the bus had become best friends and our "breakfast" was being served. (Thanks to Thomas Schmidt who was the bartender!) We feasted on Koenigs Pilsner and Jack 'n Coke! By 9:30am we were all feeling great!

"Some new friends, Philip Norton, Thomas Schmidt and "the SliceMeister", Michael Kramer"

The bus arrived in Copenhagen around 7:30 p.m. After a long bus ride, we all checked into our hotel, The Cosmopole and headed straight to the Hard Rock Cafe. By the time we got there, the whole back room was filled with traders from all over the world! Some people had already started to trade, but most were enjoying seeing friends, meeting new people and eating.

The next morning, the PIN board arrived at the Hard Rock Cafe early to set up, with the help of several people. (Special thanks to AntjeWaeldrich, Marie-Luise Pross, Sonja Veith, Peter Vetter)

"Marie-Luise Pross"

"Club President, Stefan Winkler, preparing the raffle table"

All of the raffle items were numbered and laid out on a table. The PIN board had name badges ready for all of the guests as well as a special membership pin and a limited edition guitar made just for this event for all of the club members.

Despite of the snow, traders began to arrive around 11:30am and by noon the place was rocking! Tables filled up quickly and no time was wasted making trades.

"Traders filling the back room of the Hard Rock Cafe, Copenhagen."

"Kay Freyer and Dennis Van Koutrick trading"

"Peggy Fitzgerald, Janice Owen, Carol Feuerborn and Nancy Warman talking with Daniel"

Several winners came up to the raffle tables to receive their prizes while others traded and had a great time.

"Patrick Muesse and Ilene Martinez helping Marc Bucholtz find his winning prize."

By 3:30 p.m., the Nimbus motorcycle club arrived to show off their bikes! It was wonderful to be able to actually see the model for the newest pin the Hard Rock in Copenhagen issued. Several people braved the snow and went outside for a peek.

"The Nimbus motorcycles"

Finally, it was auction time! Daniel, one of the Hard Rock Copenhagen staff members acted as our auctioneer for the day. He did an outstanding job! Many items were auctioned off at great prices, with all of the monies, nearly $10,000 US, going to the Borns Voksenvenner charity and the Kid's Cancer charity.

"Patrick Muesse displaying one of the pins being auctioned off, Daniel, the auctioneer and Stefan Winkler, overseeing"

Part of the day's fun was when a special award was presented to Nancy Warman, as the European Non-Collector of the Year. She was totally taken by surprise.

"Nancy Warman being congratulated by Dave "Daver" Zopfi"

Trading continued way into the evening. The last few die hard traders left around 11 p.m.

The next morning we all met back at the Hard Rock for breakfast and good byes. The bus left Copenhagen at noon but first we made a stop at the famous "Little Mermaid" statue. Trader bags came back out and more trading took place while in transit! We arrived back in Duesseldorf just before midnight, tired and very happy with the PIN march.

We are already planning PIN March 1999 in a city yet to be disclosed. Look for upcoming hints as to where in the world is PIN March 1999!!!!!

"A hug between Vice President, Ulli Ratz and Secretary, Ilene Martinez"

"Cheers between 2 old friends and fellow officers of PIN, Vice President Ulli Ratz and Pin Warden, Patrick Muesse"

"New friends, Mrs. Udo, Sonja Veith and Philip Norton"

Finally, a special thanks to Johnny Knisch and Patrick Muesse for taking the pictures on this website.

"Johnny Knisch and "Uncle" Dan Schmider"