I think it is sort of traditional to have someone's name attached to the
awards. I've won the Bernie Thomas and the Tony Perless (sp) awards
with names attached, so maybe because Charlie passed about that same
time the award was started?? We also have or used to have the Seltzer
award, and something called the Stackpoole, and wasn't there a Sudimak
award also--all with names. When either John Armstrong or I leave this
world--you remaining guys can hand out a "goof ball award" and attach
one of our names to it.
I understand why some folks wouldn't mind replacing Charlie's name, but
all the bad things happened to Omnicon after Charlie was gone. I think
Overland not getting the award was unfortunate, however some years the
Academy Awards have many talented people to choose, while the next year
not as many. I don't know how you make up for that except to put them
into the next year's competition.
I've always kinda wondered how these awards are assigned but that's why
we elect our board. In our case the board is sometimes like a
teeter-toter with part of the group having sway and later switching to a
new position--keeps things interesting.
Bob Werre
On 5/23/12 12:27 PM, Ed wrote:
> I know you were active in S at that time, Ed. Have you really forgotten?
> Pieter E. Roos
Pieter....
Yes, I was NASG President when the MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR award was
first established. I helped to create it. Both Overland Models and
Omnicon were neck and neck to be the first recipient. Omnicon won by a
hair and Overland Models never did receive the award -- which I
thought was quite strange.
The concept of renaming the award because Charlie passed away
prematurely and might possibly have done great things if he had lived
longer is a concept that seems rather wierd. Makes no sense to me to
rename an award for that reason, but there are a lot of things that
make no sense.
When Don Thompson passes away, will we rename the award after Don? I
would argue that Don has done a lot more for S than Charlie. Actually,
one could also say that Ron Bashista has done more for S. Not to
mention A.C.Gilbert himself. And maybe Mike Wolf if he does not pass
away too soon. Mike is young and so has a better opportunity for a
total overall lifetime contribution.
So far, nobody has presented a rationale that makes sense (to me) as
to why the award was renamed? What am I missing?
As I read the description of the award on NASG's web site, it is given
for "supporting and promoting S gauge". It would appear that actually
manufacturing something is not necessary. Just support and promo work
alone could win the award. This is a major conceptual revision of the
original intent to honor the firm which actually manufactured the most
significant new product each year.
If "support and promo" is all that is needed, then Don Heimburger
should have won it by now. I would argue that both Don H. and Tom
Marsh at Overland have done more for S than some of the folks who have
actually won the award.
But life goes on......
Confused.....Ed L.
