Are you a Coca-Cola memorabilia junkie? He has a club for you

In 1886 a chemist was dabbling around, stirring up a concoction meant as a tonic for baby colic. Shortly thereafter, a 17-year-old soda jerk added carbonated water to this syrup, creating the world's number one refreshment: a soft drink often imitated but never duplicated through the years.

As the drink became more popular with all its advertising and promotions people began collecting all sorts of merchandising materials. A few fans of the product within the three-state-area of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin organized a club in 1978 and named it the Windy City Coca-Cola Collector's Club.

I was in sales management with the Coca-Cola Company for many years and being a Coke Collector joined this organization some years back. Recently I was elected president of the group.

I know there are many people in the Midwest who collect Coca-Cola memorabilia. Our club would like to get the message out about our organization, inviting them to join. People interested in more information should contact me, Dick Volker at (815) 875-1330 or by email at rhvolker@msn.com.

Dick Volker

Princeton, Illinois