Only 252 shopping days left until the Golden Goose. My 50th anniversary party for SS Billiards. http://ssbilliards.com/

It will be similar to my 40th anniversary party. Pop and hot dogs and cheese pump all day. A round of pizza. 10 slabs of Famous Dave's ribs. All the pinball machines on free play and a pinball tournament. The pool tables will be covered because of all the food.

Travel depending on where we are at with covid. I'm expecting people from around the USA and other countries. I'll be extending an invitation to the manufacturers too. I have a volunteer or two for anyone needing a ride to or from the airport.

As the date gets closer, I'll slow down and stop advertising it. So I don't get over run with people.

It's a Tuesday September 20th, 2022. Mark your calendars now.

LTG : )

Pictured is my old one. Warm it up. Nacho cheese goes in. Push pump handle to squirt it on the hot dog. I like that and a little ketchup.

LTG : )

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How about Hopkins in September ?

LTG : )

Funny thing is it started as joke video game initials about 1975. After I fix a game. Play a game. Get high score because there was no saving high scores then. Easy to put in and let customers back on the game.

It got a life of it's own. And grew and grew.

And even pisses off an occasional person because they think I'm telling them to "Learn To Google", or they somehow think I'm that egotistical.

Thanks to David Gersic it did get another meaning as "Launch Those Geese ! ".

LTG : )

Marriot Southwest Minneapolis
5801 Opus Pkwy
Minnetonka, MN 55343
Phone: 952-935-5500

LTG : )

Bump. Just reminded of this. Hotel info in post #18. 3 or 4 more months and I'll quit advertising the party.

Covid dependent could be a good turnout. Locals, people from across the USA, and maybe even another country or two.

No idea if any of the manufacturers' people will be here. I'll send them invites too.

LTG : )

202 days until.

I hope some of those working for the manufacturers can make it. That would make for a great day for all.

Any of the mod makers. Since the pool tables will be covered. You can show off things you are making for pinball machines.

LTG : )

Very similar to the 40th Anniversary party.

Pop and hot dogs and cheese pump all day. A round of pizza. 10 slabs of Famous Dave's ribs.

With the ice cream shop, China Palace, and Casa Deli in the same strip mall. A food truck could upset my neighbors, who I get along great with.

LTG : )

Again ? Well if you must. Flavored lip balm I hope.

LTG : )

Maybe a reverse kissing booth this time ? People pay $10 to not have to kiss the boob.

You'll make a fortune.

LTG : )

Small update here.

Nearly the same as the 40th anniversary party. Hot dogs, cheese pump, and pop all day. 10 slabs of Famous Dave's ribs later in the day. A round of pizza after that. Pool tables covered because of food. All pinball machines on free play.

I'm not going to do a pinball tournament this time.

Not sure on souvenirs yet. Especially since Excelsior Boulevard near 169 will be closed starting Monday until fall. This has effected my business in the past for people going east to west to get to me easily.

Not sure yet if people or distributors will bring in games to share or sell.

LTG : )

If I can do it. I seriously doubt there will be extras. It would be a very limited production.

LTG : )

So far dismal responses from manufacturers or distributors to attend. Even with a good lead in time.

Since there will be people from the area and other states. I thought it would be a good time to mingle with current and future customers.

LTG : )

122 days to the party on September 20th this year. Noon to midnight.

Anyone wanting to bring in a game to share or sell, start planning now. All pinball machines will be on free play.

People will be coming from all over. So a good chance to meet new customers if you are active in the industry. Manufacturing, distributing, mods, etc.

LTG : )

Broke 100. 98 days to the event of the century.

LTG : )

I should have said I hope.

With people coming from around the country, and maybe even other countries. I thought I'd get better response from manufacturers, distributors, and mod makers.

Oh well.

LTG : )

71 days. The clock is ticking.

Pop, hot dogs, cheese pump during the day. 10 slabs of Famous Dave's Ribs, and a round of pizza around dinner time.

Pool tables will be covered because of food. Window signs will be off, and a closed for private party sign in the door.

No pinball tournament this time. My 22 pinball machines will be on free play. No one has offered to bring in machines for the event or for sale. Right now souvenir mugs isn't looking likely either.

No matter. We'll have a fun time !

LTG : )

Only 66 shopping days left.

LTG : )

58 days and counting.

On the good news front chances are good there might be a very limited number of souvenirs there.

LTG : )

43 days. An extremely limited number of souvenirs will be there. Will you ?

LTG : )

They are probably busy. I was hoping they'd send a machine and a few employees for all the years I helped them. ( or a Stern Pinball Alley sign, I need one of them )

I'm surprised no distributors would bring a machine or two, since there will be people from around the country, it would be a good chance to sell games and meet new customers.

No one else bringing in games for sale or to join the fun either.

Oh well. We'll have a great time anyway.

LTG : )
Disclaimer : This doesn't include PPS/CGC that I help and they have helped me.

Let me know would be nice. So I know it's coming. Event is noon to midnight, so bring it in at noon or later and set it up, have it of free play.

No. Can come and go as needed.

LTG : )

One month from today.

LTG : )

Finally some good news. The souvenirs have been shipped and will be here in plenty of time for the event. You wouldn't believe the battle this turned into.

I didn't have much of a budget. So extremely limited numbers. You'll have to be there to have a chance at one.

LTG : )

If anybody needs a suggestion on what to get me for my 50th anniversary party.

One of those Stern Pinball Alley signs to hang on the south wall near the front would be nice.

LTG : )

They were on Stern's website briefly for $2400 when they first came out.

Since then I've only seen them at shows, Stern's set up. Or at distributors show rooms.

A few have been sold for around $6K, according to Pinside posts.

LTG : )

Stern pinball alley sign bump.

LTG : )

Souvenirs arrived in time for the event.

Was worried they wouldn't make it.

Some lucky attendees will be very happy.

LTG : )

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Somebody is going home happy. The boxes are my stuff not for the event.

LTG : )

Thank you. I'd rather something closer for the gift giver.

LTG : )

Great American Pinball has a couple I believe.

And please don't. While I really appreciate your sincerity and generous offer. This was supposed to be one of my gag posts.

I am sorry and hope I don't offend anyone.

LTG : )

My pleasure.

At the time I was approached by a person wanting to put a group of people together to sponsor my anniversary party. The anniversary parties have always been all on me. My way of thanking people that got me this far. I said no. ( people do bring in pop and snacks to my pinball events, that is different, to join in the fun )

They countered with wanting to do something else. I went ballistic. I've been helped in the past. I don't want to look like I keep going to the well. Years ago I was gifted the Spiderman pin, which in retrospect I should have refused. People helped when Kris ran the refresh nine years ago. People helped during covid.

So when I wanted to bump my 50th anniversary thread. Late at night, I thought it would be funny to put in what people should get me as a gift.

At the time it seemed funny to me, all things considered.

It wasn't, and I'm sorry.
Lloyd

Sadly, I was posting it as my point of view. Which many didn't know.

I'll go back to my PTC and EFL gags.

LTG : )

To get back on track of the 50th Anniversary event. Here is a teaser of what came today.

LTG : )

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Many of my event mugs and Expo mugs were of this color.

LTG : )

My personal favorite.

LTG : )

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Mine stemmed from when I wanted to put a Stern Pinball Alley sign above my row of jjp games some time ago.

At the time I thought it fitting and hilarious.

LTG : )

Not a gag. At some point I will buy one and use it as I intended.

LTG : )

15 days.

There is a lot to do. Unfortunately mostly the last night or morning of. And then the day after morning to get things back to storage.

LTG : )

Darn another loss.

Steve Charland, Lyman, Martin Ayub has to work. And now the Boob.

Won't be many left. May as well cancel it and dump the souvenirs.

LTG : (

Too cool. thank you.

Way better than when I was on the best bar list. Especially since I wasn't a bar.

LTG : )

Only 3,668 shopping days left to my 60th anniversary.

LTG : )

Big day getting closer.

Lack of response from manufacturers, distributors, and mod makers, is mind boggling. A great time to meet potential new customers from all over pinball land.

Oh well. Their loss. We'll still have a blast. Pop, hot dogs, cheese pump, Famous Dave's ribs, Jets pizza, and souvenirs. And 22 pinball machines on free play.

LTG : )

Until midnight. Maybe later if we have out of state/country visitors. Just not guaranteeing anything past midnight.

LTG : )

Getting closer. One week from today.

LTG : )

That game does look great. Stern has always been good to me. But I don't think that will happen. In fact, after I was given Spiderman years ago ( not from Stern ). After that experience, I wouldn't accept it.

And people say you don't have a great sense of humor.

True that. Only if I had that kind of money I'd be going after a Godzilla Premium.

Not a waste of time. Always cool to ponder the what if's. And you never know when something great comes up. Or one of my stupid joke/ideas like the Stern Pinball Alley sign.

LTG : )

Banquet table is ready to be grabbed from storage.

The spiffing up of the pinball machines has commenced.

LTG : )

Monday night after I close is set up, set pinball machines on free play. Drag in souvenirs. And probably stuff I'm forgetting.

Tuesday bright and early is get pop, cheese, ball park franks, paper plates, napkins, and ice. Then haul to party and get those things going.

Pictures to follow.

LTG : )

10 slabs of Famous Dave's ribs ordered. Will be here 6pm day of the party.

LTG : )

Won't be ready for the party. But soon after I hope to get the newest addition running. A commercial 40" LCD. I'll be able to run pictures, videos, advertising, all kinds of fun.

LTG : )

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Just finished spiffing up machines for the event.

Let the good times roll !
LTG : )

Thank you for the kind words my friend.

I've done different things through the years. Give kids an extra quarter or two or treated them to a few games. My Russian customers got their pool free if they came in on the Orthodox Christmas. Last two Goose parties were free. When the economy tanked I reduced the entry price of the Pinball Circus, and left some in reduced further or free ( didn't want somebody on hard times miss out on the fun ) One year had about 7 Pinball Picnics - 4pm set four pins on the front row on free play, 6 pm had 10 slabs of Famous Dave's ribs dropped off, 7pm tournament for $100 on those four pins, 40th Anniversary was free, as well as this one.

I know who got me here and want them to know I appreciate their support.

LTG : )

Rubberpoultry on RGP made that for me many years ago. I have the EPS files. And the plan has always been to do shirts, caps, and mugs, but something else always comes up.

Please don't suggest any online place that makes them and sells them and I get a cut. I don't want the artwork I paid for floating around out there.

If I ever do it, it will be done locally.

LTG : )

F' em.

If you ever get to my place, I'll make it up to you.

LTG : )

Look what followed me home.

LTG : )

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First out of state attendee has arrived.

LTG : )

Yes. Yes you do.

LTG : )

Hard to believe that in the evening on this date 50 years ago, the city of Hopkins approved the transfer of the license from Sam Snelling to us. Norm Pink, the manager of Advance Carter, the company that had the machines in the business, came with too for support.

Tonight after I close is set things up. Tomorrow morning is go get supplies.

It is starting to get real, after all the days anticipating it. Count down isn't in days anymore. Now it's slightly less than 24 hours.

LTG : )

I hope you can. Safe journeys my friend !
LTG : )

Twas the night before the 50th Anniversary Party
And all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
I in my kerchief and Prada in her cap
Were settling in for a brief nap
When all of a sudden there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter
When what to my wondrous surprise should appear
But an apparition of Harry Williams so very clear
As he disappeared into the night I heard him say
Well done LTG : ) enjoy your day !

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And the rare, extremely limited souvenir is unveiled.

LTG : )

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50th Anniversary Party is underway.

Oooooooo....................Cheese Pump !

LTG : )

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A little screw up on the ribs. They are being picked up now.
LTG : )

10 slabs of Famous Dave's ribs lasted about 10 minutes. Out of mugs. Pizza in about 25 minutes.

LTG : )

Ribs gone, mugs gone, pizza gone. Pinball still going strong !

LTG : )

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That's a wrap folks. Thank you to all who came and made the day special.

LTG : )

You beat me to it. Todd did a nice write up of the event.

Todd has many articles in the older Pinball News, Learn How It Works, section.

LTG : )