Back just about a month ago Susan and I celebrated a wedding anniversary.  It was our decision to go someplace different and to enjoy the opportunity to be tourists for a change.  We spent two nights at a United Methodist retreat center.  The other two were spent at a hotel in one of America ’s most popular tourist cities.  We enjoyed the historical stuff, shopped, ate at some interesting restaurants and of course one of us made the coin shops.  This was not quite a month ago.

            The place we stopped at first was Gulfside Assembly in Waveland, Mississippi.  It was located just where Mississippi, Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico come together.  While we were there the camp director spoke of Hurricane Camille and the devastation left behind.  She then showed us, on the only three story building on campus, where Camille left a high-water mark.  Unfortunately Gulfside Assembly and most of Waveland is a pile of rubble. As you have probably figured our second two nights was in New Orleans .  We all know of that city’s current condition.  Hurricane Katrina will be the one that is remembered.  It is speculated that the death toll will be somewhere around 10,000.  This is even higher than the infamous Galveston Storm of 1900.   Today nearly half of New Orleans’ population is displaced and for a time settled in the Houston area.  Relief work has just begun.  Restoration and renewal will take literally years, maybe even decades.  Keep in mind that Hurricane Camille was thirty – six years ago and is still remembered.  The bad news is that the storm once again reminds us of the fact that no matter what we think, we are not ultimately in control.  The good news is history tells us that life will go on because we human beings are resilient creations.

            We numismatists grasp this fact in ways that very few are able.  We can literally hold the past in our hands.  Numismatic material shares the story of civilization.  Because of images and legends on coinage and other forms of numismatic items we can come into contact with nations that rise and fall, people who live and die, wars over much and little, conquests that succeed for a time and then disappear into history.  We are able to glance into human success and human frailty. 

            Another thought here; I’ve had the privilege to be involved in some very fine volunteer work in the last few days.  If you haven’t done so already, give the Red Cross a call.  Give a donation to some reputable not-for-profit caring organization.  There are places all over town taking up funds and material goods such as food and clothing.  If you need help finding some place please give me a call. 

            That is all for now.  I look forward to seeing you next Thursday, September 15^th at the September club meeting and then again on Friday, September 16^th as we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of our own Greater Houston Coin Club.

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            Regards . . . Richard