2013 Summer Newsletter

FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY

Just a few years ago my wife started collecting sea glass. I had never paid much at- tention to the glass that washes up on the beach. Now I actively look for it and when I finally find a piece I am a happy seeker. The colors of the glass are magnifi- cent and it has been smoothed by years and years of washing in the sand and surf. If you are fortunate enough to find an orange or red piece, you have found a real treasure.

Bruce Strenth, CFE

Do you have a collection? Many people have collections. Some people collect coins, some collect stamps. I remember some years ago people collected “beanie babies”. Those were some serious col- lectors; often traveling long distances to get a baby that they did not have. I can even recall a time when people collected pet rocks. When Jimmy Carter was president, his brother Billy often made the news. He even had a beer named after him. It was called “Billy Beer”. After many years someone of- fered a six pack of Billy Beer for $5000 in the classifieds. In the same newspaper someone offered to pay $5000 for a six pack of Billy Beer. I often wondered why that buyer and that seller did not get to- gether and make each other happy. What do you think? Of all the collections in the world, I think the greatest-- is the collection of friends and colleagues you acquire during your lifetime. I have met and spent time with a great group of people over the years through the Florida Chapter IAAO. Some of those people have retired or moved on, but there are new people taking their places. So there are opportunities to make new friends. I have learned a lot about our profession and about people through my association with FCIAAO. We have opportunities every year to spend quality time with our peers. We listen to presentations by experts and almost experts. More importantly we have time to network with others in our profession. Many solutions have been found residing in someone else’s head. So, if you are a collector or if you are not, you can collect a lot of knowledge, wisdom and professional expertise by attending the programs provided by Florida Chapter. You will find information concern- ing upcoming opportunities at www.fciaao.org and in future issues of this newsletter.

Article Contributor : Bruce Strenth, CFE, Tangible Personal Property, Highlands County

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Summer 2013 Newsletter of the FCIAAO