Name just a few of the many nationally-known numismatists who have called the Rochester Numismatic Association their home club. EXTRA CREDIT: Tell us an interesting story about one of them.

I am not sure what qualifies a numismatist as being nationally known. Any of the following RNA past presidents might qualify: Dr. George French, George J. Bauer, Harry H. Yawger, George A. Gillette, William F. "Billy" Sunday, Paul M. Lang, Alphonse A. Kolb, John Jay Pittman, Charles J. Ricard, John Zabel, or Frank Van Zandt.

NBS members should remember that Frank Van Zandt served as our Secretary-Treasurer. We talked on the phone occasionally and I always treasured these calls. Frank was a student of native American and New York history. Apparently he was investigated about some of his native American artifacts. Dave Hirt, who served as Secretary-Treasurer after Van Zant was once contacted by agents of the Department of the Interior. They wanted to know what was in packages sent by Van Zandt to Hirt. These were not native American artifacts, but rather back issues of The Asylum.

In 2008, The Rochester Numismatic Association welcomed John Lighthouse as a new member. I am not aware of his accomplishments, but he shares his name with an earlier Rochester numismatist.

John C. Lighthouse died in 1909, less than three years before the formation of the RNA. In 2003, the ANA honored the Lighthouse / Ricard family for 100 years of membership and service to the ANA. Among these family members is TAMS board member and active NBS member, Marc Ricard.

I suspect the younger John Lighthouse may be related to the original John C. Lighthouse. Perhaps one of our NBS members can cast some light on this relationship.

Readers might wonder that member # 1 of the Rochester Numismatic Assn. is alive and well in the Chicago area! Charles Ricard did not attend our recent centennial dinner meeting, but sent a nice letter which was read to the group.

RNA membership cards are numbered each year, based on seniority, the lowest number being a member longer than any other person. Members get a lower number as others do not renew. Some might keep up their membership into old age, working down to being Member Number One. Sad, seeing old friends depart, on your way to number one-ship.