Pictures from The Playmakers Launch Party!

Co-inventor of the Twister game and the Nerf ball, Reyn Guyer (left) signs copies of The Playmakers: Amazing Origins of Timeless Toys with me at the launch party for the book last night. Curious toy lovers packed the retaurant Bamboo in Sarasota for the event. We hung posters, decorated and then we played!

The door prizes that were raffled off throughout the evening included autographed books, Twister beach towels, and Nerf hoop sets. But the biggest roar from the crowd came when we awarded one lucky toy lover with an original 1966 Twister game and an original 1969 Nerf ball, both autographed by Guyer himself. The raffle and part of the proceeds from every book sold combined to raise nearly $500 for YoungLife, a non-profit organization that provides mentoring to teenagers in Bradenton and Sarasota. Morgan Gerhart of Florida Family Magazine got Sherry Lowe and I (committee members for Bradenton YoungLife) along with YoungLife student Charise Bloemsma to pose for a picture that will hopefully make the July/August issue of Florida Family.

Other dignitaries included:

* Sam Speers, co-developer of G.I. Joe, who worked for Hasbro from 1960 to 1980.
* Michelle Jordan from ABC Channel 7 who interviewed Reyn for the evening news.
* Mike Eng from the East County Observer, who photographed Reyn and I as we signed a book for an excited Nerf lover.
* Herb Booth (left) and Giles Hoover (right), the photographer and designer on The Playmakers. Giles even signed a few copies himself!
* David Jones from Sarasota's Oldies 108 radio station acted as master of ceremonies.
* My lovely wife and I broke out the Twister gear, her the T-shirt and I the tie.

Thanks to Reyn Guyer and his lovely wife Mary, for being so generous with their time.

Special thanks to Alex, Michelle, Mike, Lesley, Kyle, Rebecca and the rest of the "Bamboo Crew" for making the night a fun (and delicious) success.

A good time was had by all!