As may be seen from the list of Executive Officers shown above, the Mid-Island Coin Club elections have been held and some changes made. It might be of interest to know that at the end of 2005, our club passed a milestone in that with the inclusion of dual memberships, we passed the 50 mark; actually 51 - with one more additional member joining at the January meeting. As usual, with the membership renewals, we will probably lose a few members (actually a very few if past years are any indication) and gain several times that number in new ones in 2006. But harken: amid all the self-congratulatories and feel-goods of a growing club, we should never lose sight of the fact that retention also requires some attention and if we become complacent and stale, we could earn some future rough times. And factionalism and bickering are deadly . So far, we have been doing just fine; let's keep it that way. While we can't be all things to all people, we can at least strive to be the best we can to the greatest possible number.

Your scribe has to back and fill somewhat at this point. Although announced otherwise in the January Journal , it was passed at the first meeting of this year that yearly dues be raised to $12 ( please note) . In large part, this is due to the costs of issuing the Journal since we have found it impossible to hold the line at 84¢ each (including postage) and still pay the other bills. Although dues are not our sole source of revenue, and while our nestegg actually shrunk very little over 2005, it's better it not shrink at all. Possible future rainy days and all that.

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It is with great pleasure that we announce the appearance of an original article in this number by a guest author: Eric Leighton, FCNRS, of Nova Scotia. Currently, Eric is hard at work on the compilation of newspaper articles and announcements bearing on the currency and economics of Nova Scotia, gleaned from contemporary colonial sources. The result of his labour will hopefully appear in book form before too long.

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For the Good of the Club. Something new this month: a sort of mini donation auction to follow the main one (sheet for that one enclosed). A cheapie – but hopefully, fun. We're asking each member attending the February meeting to bring something under the following guidelines: (a) a single item (or at least, lot ) since there some who give more than generously and we should all dip the paddle once in a while rather than just ride with the current. Of course, bidders are also contributors and some of you really contribute. (b) That it be something unusual , something that doesn't usually show up in the regular auction. Somewhere in our tickle-trunks we all have a few odd-ball items – Diefendollars, merchants' scrip and tokens, medallions, foreign coins or currency, &c. Maybe we don't even know ourselves what the things are. You know. (c) That it be on the cheap side. If you can consider that the lot will probably bring at least a buck but probably not as much as three, you're in the ballpark. A lot of us are pretty well tapped out of folding stuff by the time the regular auction is over and this will be a fun way to play with the pocket change. None of these items will be advertised beforehand; none of us will know what they are until they show up on the table on meeting night. Should be interesting – and the few bucks raised should be enough to ensure that the club doesn't have to raise its dues for years to come. Could be a hoot.

Tentatively scheduled for the February meeting: “Life of Emanuel Hahn” on VCR. From old b&w C.B.C. film that was just barely rescued from loss. 37 minutes.