Iowa members of a collectors club prepare for the June 10 event. Perry, Ia. - James Sawyer went a little nutty more than four years ago. I thought I'd start collecting. Was I wrong. The club, founded in the fall of 1998 by a Pennsylvania woman, has about 300 members in 10 countries.
Members remain in contact through e-mail, the Internet and a newsletter.
They meet at least once a year for a convention in places such as Orlando, Fla., and Las Vegas. This summer they will meet in Iowa. Sheila Mansfield, a Perry woman who is the club secretary, organized the Iowa outing for June 10 at Weise Park, near the McCreary Community Building in Perry. Mansfield, the Sawyers and club members from California, Michigan, Illinois and elsewhere will converge on the small town for food and a day of show and tell. Her collection includes an item from President Clinton's inauguration, plus diecast cars, magnets, lights, jars and tins.