TED: My first close encounter with fandom was in the late 70's at an AmberCon in Wichita, KS. I was at a school event (speech competition) at a hotel and got off on the 'wrong' floor. There to my wondering eyes was a big sign that Roger Zelazny would be doing a reading from Dilvish the Damned. I had loved the Amber series and had an hour or two to kill. I was told at the door that it was for members of the 'Con' only. I was directed to a table where some kind phans took pity on a poor (literaly) high school student that had a star in his eye. They let me in to the reading and gave me a brightly colored sheet of paper with AmberCon on it. I loved the reading and saved the paper – at least until I got home. Then it disappeared – probably mom threw it in the trash thinking that is what it was – sigh. My next encounter with fandom did not occur until I met this newbie programmer named Marshall Willis – yep blame him :) He told me about fandom and that he was trying to get a con started in Omaha again. ContreTemps. Then he invited me to go to MiniCon with him next year. I got a membership and we drove up. What a great con that was – especially for this small southern Kansas town raised man. I met all these wonderful people that told me about themselves and their lifestyles openly – I was naturally curious. I liked it so well I got a membership to DemiCon, ConQuest and ICON right there. One thing led to another and there I was helping form a new con with three Nebraska groups, becoming a Grandson of Tucker, joining the Dawn Patrol , going to as many regional cons as I could and helping run as committee the local ones. Charles still claims he will get revenge (ph34r) for getting him on stage to auctioneer at the art auction :)

Darice and I met at ICON.althnough we were just friends for years before really started dating.

Darice: I grew up with science fiction. If I was looking for a book my parents would point me to the Science Fiction bookshelf. I have always enjoyed Fantasy and Science Fiction. I just helped throw MidWest Construction, am planning a SMOFCon to be soon and am Treasurer of the Kansas City World Con bid.

I discovered fandom at the same ICON and met Ted there via a mutual friend.

Ted and Darice: We have served as ConCom in ConQuest and officers in KaCSFFS for several years after getting married. Darice has run Art Show, Treasury and supported Ted. Ted has done Art Show, Hotel Liason and Chaired ConQuest as well as been Director of KaCSFFS. Darice served many years as the Treasurer of KaCSFFS.

Lately we have been involved in the Kansas City World Con bids committees, raising our three children and my older children, reading and still attending cons.