This artcile was published on February 17th, 2017.   We talk wth Mitch Meerman of Chicago about his gaming experineces and favortie games.   Mitch is a huge collector of the Walter Day Trading Cards and is honored to be on one himself.

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Mitch Meerman, who is displayed on card number 1587 from the Superstars of 2014 Collection.   An avid arcade player at Star Worlds Arcade in DeKalb, IL, Mitch is a true contender at the arcade games such as Avalanche and Nibbler.  He also competed on the portable stage with the Nintendo DS and Gameboy Color.  Another favorite game Mitch has been played in the past is Pokémon.   Mitch is a big collector of the Walter Day collection trading cards and can be seen at events getting autographs for his collection.   In 2011, Mitchell held a fundraiser for the International Video Game Hall of Fame by streaming some of his portable games online.  

Are you still involved with gaming today, and what role do you play? 

I'm currently focused on Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64. In addition to being the #3 ranked player in Wisconsin, I also essentially run the scene there and communicate with all of the other community leaders throughout North America. I also am a tournament organizer for a number of events, most notably for the Smash'N'Splash tournament series.  I also intend to return to arcade gaming at some point, as well as become a speedrunner. In any case, I don't intend on quitting video gaming any time soon.

Our next Trading Card Spotlight "Rewind" features Tina McVey, who currently is displayed on card number 230, from the Superstars of 2012 Collection.  This article was published on March 5th, 2016.  Tina has been a huge contributor to the success of the Walter Day collection and devoted activist to events Walter has organized.  Some of these events include the International Video Game Hall of Fame launch party in 2009, the Big Bang event in Ottumwa, IA in 2010 and multiple functions across the Midwest.   Tina also a huge supporter of her husband Tim and promotes his Nibbler events and organizes a yearly event celebrating Tim Mcvey Day.   You can also see Tina playing the latest Video games on console and PC.  Tina is also featured in the documnetary Man vs. Snake, a story about her husband Tim and his path to gain the chamionship at Nibbler. 

Are video games aimed mainly at children, adolescents or adults?

I think a lot of parents see them as built in babysitters, and that's wrong. Tim used to play a lot of Call of Duty and the things that would come out of some of those kids mouths. And it was because the parents were nowhere around.

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Jerry Parker who currently is displayed on card number 55, from the Superstars of 2011 Collection.  Jerry Parker was the Mayor of Ottumwa, Iowa in 1982.   35 years ago, on November 30, Jerry crowned Ottumwa, Iowa the Video Game Capital of the World.  It was a bold move made at a time when many other cities were legislating against video games. To celebrate the "video game legacy." Click here.  In 2009 he was honored with being the founding father of the video game capital with a special ceremony to declare Ottumwa, Iowa to host the International Video Game Hall of Fame.  Jerry is still involved in his home town of Ottumwa as a County Supervisor.

How did you become Mayor of Ottumwa?

I had served on the City Council for 8 years, then ran for Mayor.

This week we look back at Frogger Champion and one of the original Time Life Magazine gamers from 1982, Mark Robichek.  Published on January 3rd, 2016,  I hope you enoy this in depth interview with Mark.  

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Mark Robichek who is displayed on card number 40, from the Superstars of 2011 Collection.  Mark is another original Twin Galaxies alumnus from 1982.  He can be seen alongside the greats in the Time Life Magazine photograph taken on November 7, 1982.   Mark early on set the bar for world records on such arcade games as Frogger, Tutankham and Berzerk.    Today Mark can be seen playing Pengo on MAME or smart phone games such as Words with Friends and What’s That Phrase.   Currently Mark is a Casino Party Dealer and resides in Sunnyvale, California.  

If you can design your own game, what would it be about and who would be the main character?

I would create a puzzle game in which the main character, none other than Walter Day, tries to figure out a way to save the video arcade industry!