Schell's Border Batch Hits Goal of 50 Members in 2004

In 1992 then chapter President the late Jay Smith announced at the annual show at the Schell's Brewery that if no one stepped forward to take over the chapter that it would be dissolved.  Tom Terwilliger #28855 stepped up to the plate and took over as President.  12 years later with the help of Vice President Jay Martin #16605 and his wife Teri, plus Tom's wife Judy and a bunch new members and few old ones too the chapter is as healthy as it's ever been.  This resurgence in the chapter is due in a large part to the emphasis placed on having fun, socializing, and just plain loving beer and anything to do with beer including cans and breweriana.  Many chapters and people in hobby have made it more like a business with a strong focus on making a profit.  The members of the Border Batch seem to care more about having a good time with other kindred spirits that share their same interests.  That's not to say that a few deals aren't made that members never sell things for a profit, but the fun is what seems to drive the club and it's membership.  Many of them are very interested in Schell's, Hauenstein and other local or nearby breweries, but yet others are just general collectors of all things beer from all over America or even foreign countries.  The chapter has put out a meat, cheese and all things pickled table at Micronite during the last few CANventions that has become quite popular.  They do a Friday night brat cookout at the Guzzle N Twirl.  A Christmas lunch and antique beer tasting during the month of December.  Plus an annual show at the Schell's Brewery and an annual show at Smiley's Tavern in New Ulm.  Things are looking up for the Schell's Border Batch.  Many people feel they have one of the finest newsletters in the hobby and one of the best websites too.  So after 25 years they are going strong and still having lots of fun and looking forward to the next 25 years.