Many thanks for the kind words.....have a great Christmas!

The Simpsons
----- Original Message -----
From: Alan Gettleman <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, November 22, 1999 6:01 PM
Subject: ET's


> Dear Lister's:
> It is interesting how someone maintains different names, addresses, etc.
> for the purpose of scamming shells. One wonders if the same person put
> such effort into study, obtaining and curating a collection in an
> ethical manner, what a great contributor to our hobby the person could
> have been. I was an officer in a large national shell association a
> decade ago, and this ET character was the subject of considerable
> discussion.  It prompted me to ask shellers to know who they are dealing
> with before committing pricey shells.
>
> But for the rotten apple, the wonderful aspect of our hobby, science and
> passion is the number of fine people from extraordinarily diverse
> backgrounds you can trust completely.  From academics to business people
> to government employees to the retired, the diversity of the group
> amazes me; yet we all have a similar interest; and with that a trust of
> your fellow sheller.  I have been chastized for sending money first to a
> dealer, to be advised the dealer would really prefer me to wait until
> after the shells arrive, select what I want, and then send the check.
> And I particularly love shell trips to foreign destinations- even if you
> knew no one before the trip, they become good friends during and
> following the trip- where you can meet, collect and talk shells with
> folks such as Jean and Charlie Roe, Carol Boswell Simpson, John Wolff,
> Homer and Ann Rhode, Phyllis Digel, Richard Deurr, Helen Madow and so
> many, many others- what a great bond we share.  And that bond of
> friendship is the blessing we share, and the lack of that bond is the
> curse the few ET's must bear.  The ET's are really extra-terrestrials,
> not of our world.  I feel sorry for them and the world they confine
> themselves.
>
> Alan Gettleman
> Merritt Island, FL