News and Events surrounding Winter Muncie 2009 as only seen through the jaded eyes of BallJarz 
Simply put I'm still suffering from Ball Jar overload. Not that that is a bad thing but the shear amount of jars and the whirlwind
of activity during those days in and surrounding Muncie was incredible. I had a really good time at the Jan 2008 Winter Muncie show but I didn't know as
many people then and I didn't go away with any dynamite jars to speak of. This year was a completely different story and I found many jars that I have been
looking for the longest time to get my hands on. Boy was I surprised to say the least. Just when I thought nothing could even come close to the time or jars I
picked up at the York National I found Winter Muncie 2009 surpassed my greatest wildest imaginations.
Day one:
Weds Jan 7, 2009. I woke up at 3AM and looked out the window and noticed ice. I showered and then went outside only to find that everything was
covered in a sheet of ice at least 1/4" thick. My mind was racing and I had those little guys sitting on each shoulder whispering in my ears. Halo was
saying, Bruce you're a bloody fool to go today, you'll get yourself killed and the jars in your car will get ruined all the while horny was saying, you
have to go Bruce otherwise someone else will be there in your place scoffing up all of "your" jars. Suffice it to say everyone knows who won that
debate. 
I started the car and loaded it up but it took 45 minutes to even make a dent in the ice. That's how thick and cold it was outside.
I left on-time at 4AM and about a half hour into the trip when I witnessed my 1st car wreck on 80w in Wharton, NJ. Eerily I was basically the only car on the
road going in a west bound direction. That fact and the accident made me a bit nervous but I was already committed so I continued west and I started to repeat
to myself, Go West young Man. When I was about 1 hour into the drive and approx., 1 mile from the Delaware Water Gap Bridge I noticed a jack knifed Shop-Rite
tractor trailer on the east bound side. Cab was demolished and traffic was backed up all the way to the toll booth. This is when I started to bless myself and
actually started questioning the intelligence of my decision of leaving that morning. As I paid the toll and continued on into the darkness of PA I selfishly
thought to myself how fortunate I was that the accident was on the other side and didn't hold me up since it was slow going enough as it was.
It was definitely a slow go through most of PA. Not only was it pitch black and I mean blacker than black due to cloud cover but mainly due to No lights on the
highway as well. I literally had to follow the white lines in the center of the road. At one point the highway was so bad and deteriorated that the reflectors
in the road were mostly missing and it seemed as though there was maybe one every football field in length. Brought back to my mind the days in the 70's
when I had a few too many and had to follow the white lines home. Scary scary stuff and I started to curse horny at that point and told him to go the hell
away. 
It wasn't until approx., Williamsport that things started to clear up and improve and it began to get light out. At this point I felt a bit better but the
light of day only revealed as I drove along the real aftermath of the ice storm that went through the night before. Tractor trailer Truck after truck as well
as cars and a coach bus all off the road, victims of a violent mother nature that I was somehow mercifully spared the dire consequences of as I chugged
along.
When I reached Youngstown, OH I touched base with my buddy Jeff k and he suggested I stop by his place and have a bite for lunch. So he verbally gave me directions and I changed course and made a bee-line to Lima, OH. As I drove mile after mile after mile on 30w through the middle of OH I couldn't help but think how desolate and wide-open everything was and that the last time I remember it anywhere remotely like this was when I drove through Texas many years ago. I mean there is literally "nothing" out in the middle of OH. It amazed me how sparse it was and how there was just basically a farm house here and a barn over there or a bunch of trees way over yonder. The wind was pretty ferocious and it blew snow from the flat fields across the highway and every side road in a strange but beautiful way. Just after any fence or hedge row snow would pile across the road.
I finally made
it to Lima and spent about 45 minutes laughing and having a grand ole time with Jeff k and his side kick from the TV station. We ate at a place called Happy
Daz and I asked one of the workers when I entered the place where the Fonze was? 
When it was time to go Jeff wrote out instructions to get to Muncie going the back way in. That was a really nice drive and I was
happy to drive through at least one famous town, Red Key where they made the jars of the same name. I finally pulled into the hotel parking lot at approx.,
6:30PM and was both tired and elated to have finally made it safely to my destination. Now it was all about jars…
There were not very many people in the hotel on Wednesday and because of that I got to spend a considerable amount of time with some of the few there including Larry Munson (Larryjar) and Rick Wheeler of Montana. They're both great guys and we had a lot of fun talking about jars and the hobby in general. I was grateful that I had that quality time to spend with them because I knew that the following day was the start of Room Hopping as well as road trips. I picked up an incredible jar from Dave Rittenhouse that was a complete shock to me because it was totally unexpected.
Day two:
Prior to Muncie I had made arrangements and plans for road trips to see the collection of Ted Penix , Joe Coulson and Dave Rittenhouse. My good
friend Joe Coulson arrived at the hotel and he took me to a local establishment for breakfast. We had a nice time reflecting on how our friendship has grown
over the last year and how much we had to look forward to the coming days of the Show. Jeff Klingler and Marianne Dow arrived a bit later then what I had
anticipated but shortly after their arrival we made a bee-line over to see Ted Penix and his great collection. My collection pales in comparison to his believe
me. Michael called me at one point and I told him to come over but I guess he misunderstood so he never ended up with us there. Too bad but here are some
photo's of our time there.
Marianne & and my good buddy Jeff k scoping out the wonderful stuff and there are tons of it.
My other good buddy The Keeper amongst a whole lot of great ball jars.
All I can say is "Color My World!"
Three Ball Jar Nuts in one room. Ted Penix, Yours Truly {BallJarz} and Joe Coulson, The Keeper.
Pam & Ted Penix who by the way are super wonderful people. I'm grateful to have Ted as a friend.
For those who love oil cans Ted has some nice ones...
Can anyone say Rainbow?! This is the biggest color spectrum of 20 series Ideals I have ever seen.
Mike Keith (Mr. Joker) eat your heart out! These colors are anything but Standard!
If the excitement and the experience of being at Ted's wasn't enough we hooked up back at the hotel finally with Michael and made our way over to the
Keepers Home. As we passed the sign saying Fishers I made a suggestion that Joe have the town put another smaller one under it stating that it was the Home of
the "Grail." We all got a good laugh out of that. We finally made it to Joes and I think we were pleasantly surprised. Joe was kind of skittish about
us coming over because he felt he can't compete with Ted but I have to tell you, the scope and breadth of Joe's stuff is amazing! Here are some
photo's of our time there.
The Keeper himself holding an envelope with a letter and receipt from 1991 of Dick Cole that I gifted him with.
Joe has some very nice labeled jars in his collection.
He also has a killer wooden box collection that rivals the best out there.
Every table, nook and cranny had jars and stuff everywhere.
Michael, Joe and Jeff discussing a jar.
Heavy thought processes going on here.
Jeff scoping out an olive Boyd quart that Joe so kindly sold to him.
It doesn't get any better than this. Brucie Baby {BallJarz} actually holding "The Grail" along side "The Keeper."
The jar is just an absolutely gorgeous piece of glass. Congrats Joe on owning that fantastic jar!
Before it was all over Joe and I made a very nice trade. I got one beautiful olive 234 quart out of the deal. Joe, Thank You for all of the memories. After all
of the excitement and wonderment of our time there we all went out and did mexicana for lunch and had a good time. We actually made it back to the hotel in
time for the main Room Hopping too. By the way Guys and Gals, I was without shades for the longest time and felt a bit naked. 
By the way Joe, where in the Hell do you eat anyway?
Room Hopping:
I don't remember this guys name but this is what happens when you handle a jar by the closure.
A costly lesson to learn. This was in Dave Rittenhouse's room.
Joe holding my rare sca Xmas Mason which I was bringing everywhere I went for people to admire.
Jerry McCann checking out the sca Xmas Mason. This single jar caused a hornet's nest of talk and activity among all of the 1858 people.
Unfortunately certain people got certain impressions concerning what I was or was not going to do with it and it almost became ugly at one point. Eventually
things calmed down and I ended up going home with the jar.
Fun, fun fun till your Daddy takes you Fruit Jars away. Joe Coulson, Larry Munson, Dave Rittenhouse and Rick Wheeler having a blast of a time.
And yes I was having one hell of a time myself too.
Phil Smith and Joe Coulson holding his Booty and there was a lot.
Here's an incredible jar I tried to acquire to no avail. But the owner did take my business card and
he actually put it in the jar itself. One never knows, I might get surprised by a call down the road.
Friday:
We all had a great time all day partying and room hopping. I picked up some really nice jars that were totally unexpected to say the least. The
camaraderie and the bantering was fever pitched and so much damn fun. Michael maybe you finally understand my personality after this trip. I'm Not out to
get you. 
The bantering that started out at Ruby Tuesday's
during dinner between Joe Merkell, Ed Kincheloe and myself continued back at the hotel. We all ended up in Jeff and Marianne's room who are such great
people and down right super room hosts. Joe Merkel, myself, Jeff, Marianne, Michael and a nice young collector by the name of Donavan Wilson were all partying
till 1AM and we were loud, obnoxious and downright crazy at times. What an incredible time for the new guy to be there because he got the show of a life time
and all for free admission. I'll tell ya it was such a great time that was had by all I won't soon forget it. Joe Merkel and I were bantering back and
forth in such fast paced action that you rarely see and hilarious was an understatement. Yes folks I'm intense, Joe's intense and yes I can go over the
Top too like Joe but that's just Brucie.
Saturday:
This was the big Show and Tell day along with the auction. Again, the camaraderie as well as the atmosphere was incredible. You just can't
make this happen by wishing it to be. It doesn't get any better then what it was right there right then. Non-stop laughter and merriment and unless you
were there it's too hard to convey with words.
A huge Thanks to Michael Rutledge for snapping all of the Show & Tell and Auction photos with my camera. Yes, I was tired.
I let my good jar buddy Jeff Klingler hold onto my solid pour the whole time. He just loved it.
This one item would be enough get him into Ball jars. 
Mr. Go-With showing off yet another great item.
Jon Black showing off his t-shirt after some heckling from the crowd.
Wayne Lowry
Bill Brown
This Poster sold at auction for an amazing $105 smackers.
Mike Jordan describing a slight line crack.
Dan Corker with a very good midget.
Doug Leybourne showing off a very nice original closure.
Larry Munson talking about a rare Wheeler jar.
Rick Wheeler expressing gratitude to Larry Munson after Larry gave Rick the Wheeler jar as a present.
Donavan Wilson showng off one of many jars he brought to show and tell.
Mike Keith showing off a really neat Balll Standard quart.
Dick Cole being himself (which is always hilarious) showing off his five finger item for auction which I won.
Greg Spurgeon showing off a very nice pottery jar that has a Stark jar like closure.
Joe Merkel holding a very rare one-of-a-kind Mason jar.
Jim Sears with a beautifully colored 1858 quart.
Mr. Mason Don Burkett showing off what he brought for the auction. A really nice water color that fetched a cool $105.00
Jeff Klingler showing off his perfect and rare Happer jar which is Ball made by the way.
Dave Rittenhouse showing a different and nice original closure for an ecomony jar.
Your Truly {BallJarz} showing off my wonderful solid pour 234 pint.
For me the Highlight of the Show & Tell was when Rick Wheeler stood up after I was done at the podium and expressed to everyone what a good guy I was and
how he was honored to be my friend. He shook my hand and I tell you, I did Not expect that and I was genuinely touched in my heart by his sentiments. How much
better can it get?! Rick, thanks for the memories.
So, the remainder of Saturday was spent in the hotel due to a severe ice storm. Not a problem though and no one seemed to mind since there were so many jars
still to be had and found by all. I too was still able to find and acquire a few nice jars on Saturday. I had a lot of fun hanging with Jeff Klingler, Marianne
Dow, Joe Coulson, Michael Rutledge, Mike Keith, Larry McGarrah and so many other good people. I can't begin to even express what a wonderful time I had at
Muncie.
Sunday:
This is Show day and I don't spend a lot of time there because the drive home is so long. Besides looking for a few sleeper jars I spent most
of the time saying goodbye to everyone who came to Muncie and that I interacted with. When I finally left it was kind of sad that it was finally all over. It
was hard to believe that 4+ days had already gone by and it was now time to go home. Here are some photo's I took during my short time at the Show Sunday
of the Displays...
The following are photo's of most of the people that made Muncie what it was, the Best time I have ever had in one place.
Bill Brown
Carl Jabben and Gerry Phifer
Larry McGarrah
Mike Mosier and Mike Keith
Ron Ashby with his wife and friends.
Bill Dudley
Pete Peterson and Greg Spurgeon
Don and Glenny Burkett
Mason and Nancy Bright
Phil Smith and Angela Spurgeon
Ed Kincheloe and Doug Leybourne
Rick Wheeler
Jon Black
Jeff Klingler, Marty Troxwell, Michael Rutledge and Marianne Dow.
Dan Corker
Dick Bere
Norm and June Barnett
Chuck Erb
Jean Harbron and Joe Coulson
June and Wayne Lowry
Booty Time:
Ok this is all of the Booty I brought home. For those who think I only spend for big time jars it's not true. I picked up a few really nice crude jars and
for little money. If it's something I like then I go after it even if it costs $3.00
Two really nice 234's. The hg came from Gerry Phifer on Sunday at the show while the quart was from Dick Bere.
Two outstanding quart 234 colored examples. The left jar was from Ron Ashby while the intense jar on the right was from my buddy Joe Coulson.
Super little light greenish aqua bead seal Ball THE Mason from Carl Jabben and a really different colored Improved sheeps head hg from Dave Rittenhouse. The hg
is practically the color of the pint jar and what's really different about it too is it has small dots in the center of the valve mark and the seams line
up perfectly on both sides of the jar. I'm thinking this was made in Coffeyville on some kind of altered machine. Definitely a keeper to say the least.
Two really nice hg improved closure 1858's. Clear and green. Now I have five different colored hg examples. I'm in need of a clear buffalo or sms lid
now.
I already owned the jar on the right but I picked up a really nice light sca sister jar that is very crude and has nice striations in it.
Three nicely colored 234 pints.
Here's a jar I've been looking for for seemingly forever. Pint Mason's N Patent 1858 with BALL on reverse. This is one tough jar that I purchased
from Don Burkett.
I already owned the jar on the left but I found a slightly different sister jar on Sunday at the show.
I bought this jar from Larry Munson because the curl of the right leg of Root has a very prominent peen mark that you seldom see on this jar.
Now these are pretty crude jars. The left jar has a completey flattened front.
Let's talk about crude... the left jar came from Jeff Klingler and the jar on the right from Donavan Wilson at the Show on Sunday.
Here is a jar I have had a chance to buy three times in the past and all were damaged. This was a great find from Greg Spurgeon and just an absolute perfect
example.
Now I have four different colors in these jars with the hg, two different embossed quarts and this midget.
The End:
I just want to thank especially Joe, Jeff and Marianne for showing me such a good time while at Winter Muncie 2009. Joe and Jeff you both know how
much I truly appreciate your friendship. It's tough to find two better guys then you two. The friendship we have fostered in the last year has been super
and I couldn't imagine my life now without you two being a part of it even in some small way. Joe and I text each other silly all the time while Jeff and I
talk more than a couple of times a week like two school kids.
There are so many other people, friends and acquaintences that I owe much gratitude to. I have posted photo's of most of them and whom without their
attendance this Show wouldn't have been the same. It was a pleasure spending the better part of four days with everyone. This was one experience I will Not
soon forget and I'm already looking forward to another one down the road in the future. No one knows what tomorrow will bring but if fate has it that this
was my last then I can honestly say I went out with a Bang!
God Bless Everyone that attended Winter Muncie 2009.
Bruce W. Schank
aka BallJarz
