Fest XXII/2021 is now in the history books, and it is time to honor those honored for their work in this specialized field of numismatics. We are pleased to announce honorees in four categories.

Insofar as poker is certainly associated with the military, and chips are eminently collectible, a poker tournament is traditional at Fest. This year's online contest was put on by Pokerstar. The champion is Brad Schwan, noted poker player and several year winner of the poker bracelet. Runner up was Dick Dunn, defending the honor of Canada. We salute these intrepid players.

If you keep up on trivia games, you will certainly follow March Madness, the annual trivia contest of Fest. In the 22 year history of Fest, 2020 is the only year when March Madness was unable to be held. By tradition, 3-time winners no longer compete, retiring in glory to serve as mentors and coaches. The champion in 2019, 2018, and 2016 was Fred Schwan, so he has now retired to a life of ease. (Hah!) This year saw a major upset. Jeff Daniher, this year's winner, is a first time Fest participant. His cool demeanor and quick thinking took him through a challenging series of questions to defeat a strong field of opponents, both long time Festers and those newer to the fellowship. The runner up is Dean Neald, a noted collector from Canada.

Many who come to Fest do so for the opportunity to share new research and findings, their own or that of others. Shepherded by the skilled hands of Ray Feller, co-training officer and co-author of Silent Witnesses with her father, Steve Feller, 19 individuals presented using the Zoom format. Each of the 19 individuals was eligible to be selected by secret ballot as winner of the Bob Olson Award, presented annually to the most outstanding presenter. The award commemorates Bob Olson, a Fester who died several years ago. Bob presented every year at Fest because of his dedication to sharing numismatic knowledge with others. His presentations were carefully crafted and he sought each year to improve his skills over the previous year. Not a "natural" presenter, as some are, he was there every year to share his work and love of the subject with the rest of us. He is sorely missed.

This year four individuals are honored. In fourth place is Jayson Salibay, MD, another first timer at Fest in a year when first timers certainly made their mark. Jayson's presentation was on Philippine emergency and guerrilla currency of World War Two. In second place are two individuals who have each won previously. Jim Downey's presentation on Sgt James Plummer, former Japanese prisoner of war, and the numismatic material he was able to bring home from the camps was complicated by uncooperative technology, but the story of the young man was well worth hearing, as verified by his peers.

Tied with him is another noted presenter and former recipient of this award, Steve Feller, who presented on Siege of Mafeking notes from the Boer war, a completely new topic to many of us. And finally, this year's Bob Olson Award winner, David Frank. Dave is the author, with David Seelye, of The Complete Book of World War II USA POW & Internment Camp Chits, and a noted collector of Holocaust-related numismatica. His briefing this year gave us the story of one of his major numismatic challenges: locating a note from the Stutthof concentration camp in Poland, the smallest camp and last to be liberated. This very moving presentation, illustrated with many rare photographs and other images, gave a clear picture of life in this most dreadful of the camps, as well as of an exceedingly rare note. David Frank's dedication to Fest, sharing knowledge, and especially to the memory of the lost ones that he studies makes him a fit recipient of this award.

The highest award of the military numismatics seminar is the Ray Toy medal. Ray Toy was the leader in the field of Allied and Axis military currency through the 1960s and 70s. He collected, researched, studied and wrote on the subject throughout this period. The four editions of his catalog are the basis for collectors today. By Fest tradition the previous recipient announces the award and makes the presentation as the culmination of a Fest's formal events. The 2019 recipient was Harold Kroll, one of the originators of Fest, and one of only three people to have attended all 22 Fests. (The other two were Fred Schwan and Larry Smulczenski). Because of the unique circumstances of the 2020 Fest, no Ray Toy Award was given. However, the announcement of this year's co-recipients was a definite high point. The MPC Fest XXII/zFest II 2021 recipients of the Ray Toy Award are Kathy and Dan Freeland.

Service to the hobby could just as well be their middle name. They have supported and attended Fest for more than ten years, making presentations and competing in March Madness*. Both are writers, of both books and articles. Kathy is the co-author of American Red Cross in World War II Collectors' Guide, with Jim Aitken and Garry Arva. In the uniform of a Red Cross "doughnut dollie" she leads the traditional singalong at Fest. Dan is a winner of a poker bracelet. Together they have handled payments at the Fest auction and have administered the Fest Scholarship Fund for over ten years. Totally surprised by the announcement, both were clearly moved. Kathy expressed gratitude for both of them and spoke briefly about how much the Fest community has meant to them over the years. All attendees unmuted and gave a loud round of applause for the new Ray Toy winners.

And that concluded the formal activity of the Fest. Hopefully we will gather together in personnext year, at Camp Leo May, Port Clinton, Ohio.

For more information about MPC Gram, contact Fred Schwan at fredschwan@yahoo.com