Wrapping Up Another Year and Loving the Feedback

It’s been a tough year for small independent tabletop game companies. Overseas supply costs haven’t been pleasant. Still, the year is winding down, and there are events I always enjoy participating in, such as the Festival of Games at the Aviation Museum in Long Island, Yonkers Comic-Con, and farmers' markets in the Bronx.

Our tent booth at the Cravings & Crafts Farmers Market in Riverdale, Bronx, NY.

I always enjoy the ideas and skills of the craftspeople who attend the events, looking to sell their wares. While we had New York’s first significant snow day in the second week of December, the Sunday hurt sales that many vendors had hoped for. Still, I enjoyed walking through the space and seeing the myriad of ideas and talents on display.

I spent some time conversing with someone about their craftsmanship, only to discover he was a young alumnus from my old high school, Art and Design. I graduated from there in 1967 with a degree in architecture. He told me that several of the vendors were alumni from the school. I hadn’t thought about that school in years, but it was a pleasure resurrecting old, fond memories. Strangely enough, my home room was the sculpting room, and I would become a sculptor in life.

Vendors and visitors meet within the halls of the Cradle of Aviation Museum for the Festival of Games 2025 exhibit.

Actually, one of the pleasures of returning to annual events is receiving feedback from folks who brought our games in previous years. The complimentary remarks we receive make game designing a worthwhile craft. I can get somewhat emotional about the concept of ideas moving out into the world as an extension of a person, their mind, their spirit. It’s like reading books from authors who live in another time or another era. There’s a romantic quality to the outward reach of someone’s life spilling into our own, as though we’re getting a view into their mind while sipping coffee at a café or playing chess in a public park.

The feedback could be a direct comment, a child dashing by our table waving frantically whose parent brought the game, a heartfelt thumbs up from gamers, or a parent telling us how much their child likes playing. Direct or subtle, I feel blessed to add a little enjoyment to people’s lives. Even my books are touching a few souls. Who’d figure?

Playing a round of the card game Gin-Go at Festival of Games in Long Island, NY.

Festival-goers enjoying a round of Kitunda at the Festival of Games in Long Island, NY.

We’re a small family-based company on the ground floor of our growth. At my age, I may not see it sparkle into the company I always hoped for, but I’ll take these small, endearing compliments any day of the week. When seniors break up their domino game to set up a Gin-Go table, I am humbled and flattered. I can only laugh at myself, this nut whose ideas are beginning to race around this country, and maybe some day the world. As my mother would say, “pocito a pocito.”

Enjoy this holiday season, stay safe, and we hope to see many of you again in the coming new year. Blessings to you and keep working on your ideas!