The mission of AYYA is to provide a venue for players and collectors to come together in fellowship and to engage in the promotion of yo-yo playing as an art form and a sport, for both amateur and professional players. It is also to render assistance to fellow yo-yo players and collectors; to provide an accessible source of information about yo-yo people and events; to conduct as many competitions as possible across the nation; and to establish uniform standards for running AYYA sanctioned competitions for all levels of skill from the novice to the professional.

Hello and YO to all the AYYA Members. As your new President I would like to thank all of you that re-elected me to the board and to the Board for electing me to the position of President of the Board. I am honored and promise to do my best to make this the best association in the World! This is my first newsletter and I have worked very hard on it. I hope you will find it informative, interesting and entertaining.

I am already working on the December issue and would love to have articles and/or letters from the members to publish. Please send any information to my address on the front page. Also please let me know what you think of what I have done with the newsletter and my position as president. This is your association and I want what you want. Thanks again!

The Breakaway

The AYYA Board of Directors has been real busy over the past nine months. There have been a wide variety of issues discussed. I will try to list some of the issues and discussions below.

First the 1997 Board of Directors took charge as of January 1^st 1997. The first item was a review of the bylaws that was just approved by the members in the 1996 ballot. Several verbiage changes were made by the new board. Also there were areas that were repeated and thus eliminated. This revision is part of the ballot attached to this newsletter.

The board voted on and has accepted to vote on issues via e-mail. This was passed by all board members.

The board also reviewed the AYYA Web Page. Fredd Culbertson is the current AYYA Webmaster and is doing a great job! Also the web site is provided courtesy of Infinite Illusions including the domain name of "http://AYYA.pd.net". Thanks Gregg!

It was decided by the board that only links and e-mail address of "Members" would be posted on the site. The Board also wants a disclaimer next to the links and e-mail saying that the AYYA does not endorse or necessarily approve of any information on those links. However, those links are affiliated with members of the AYYA and thus are held responsible to the AYYA Mission Statement.

The next task was to start a discussion on the tricks and rules for 1998. There were nine goals set for discussion in a building block theory. As goal one is resolved we move on to goal two and so on. Currently we have approved the trick names and will be incorporating the tricks with various difficulty levels, divisional separation with age variations, parameters (rules) and judging parameters. Finally we hope to have our own trick sheet. This is a lot of work and we are hoping to have it ready for publication in the December Newsletter for use in 1998.

Our current membership as of September 1, 1997 is 318 members. Of those members 11 are Associate Life Members joining via the new $3.00 Associate Life Membership program that started this year. Associate Life Members receive a basic membership package with Member Card, Patch and one issue of the AYYA Newsletter. Nothing further is sent unless full dues are paid.

Also a review of the current Membership Roster indicates that of the 318 members, 132 members have not paid their 1997 dues and thus are considered Associate Life Members with no voting privileges and will not be receiving newsletters. However, we are sending this September ‘97 issue to all members to show them what the AYYA has been up to and the changes with the newsletters. These members can upgrade their memberships by sending their dues for 1997. Depending on when their dues are received their vote on current issues may be counted if received by the cutoff date of October 31^st 1997.

There has been a desire of the membership to purchase AYYA Logo items like shirts, patches, pins, buttons and hats. Currently the AYYA Board is accepting bids from firms/individuals that are interested in providing these items with a small percentage of the sale being sent to the AYYA. Currently Infinite Illusions had expressed an interest (Steve Brown is the contact) and we are waiting for their proposal. If anyone else is interested in providing a bid for this service please contact John Stangle, President - AYYA (address and phone number on front page).

Our membership has been growing at an average rate of 10-15 members each month. The more members we get the better chance we have of getting Corporate Sponsors to fund AYYA Sanctioned events around the country. Please use the attached membership application to pass on to friends so that they too can enjoy the rewards of membership of the only organized YO-YO Association in the World.

Thank you to everyone for your support of the AYYA and I look forward to meeting each one of you at one of the upcoming events this year and next year.

Around the World

President John Stangle handed out copies of the proposed current bylaws to be effective January 1, 1998, as well as an agenda for the meeting.

Introductions were made of all attendees. In attendance were AYYA Board of Directors John Stangle (President), Dick Stohr, Chuck Short, Bill DeBoisblanc, and AYYA Secretary Val Krantz. Absent were Jim Johnson, Lucky Meisenheimer, and Paul Buethe. 22 other members also attended the meeting.

Board member Jim Johnson previously submitted his request that Dale Oliver be registered as his proxy vote for possible member voting. Because a majority of board members were in attendance at the meeting, it was agreed that the Board had a quorum but not enough members were present for a member quorum as required and therefore Jim’s request would not be necessary.

President John Stangle submitted the current financial status of the AYYA. Reporting from AYYA Treasurer, Mark Brataas, as of June 30, 1997, the AYYA funds totaled $2,361.90 with outstanding debt to the Yo-Yo Times of $552.00, leaving a current balance of $1,809.90. It was also reported that approximately $500-600 of this would be required for production and mailing of the upcoming September and December AYYA Newsletters. It was also noted that approximately 1/2 of the membership dues return directly to the members in the form of newsletters and membership packets, which includes membership cards and patches.

The meeting focused on the 10 items listed on the agenda as follows:

1. Final Review of the 1998 Bylaws - to be submitted to members for ratification vote. It was agreed that the ratifications in the Bylaws that the Board of Directors have agreed upon would be included in the September issue of the AYYA Newsletter for member vote.

2. Legal Review of Bylaws - Dale Oliver explained that the AYYA bylaws were initially written without legal expertise or review. A vote was taken of the Board of Directors as to whether a legal review of the bylaws would be in the best interest of the AYYA.

3 - Yes - Chuck Short, John Stangle, Dick Stohr

1 - No - Bill deBoisblanc

Vote passed to look into the cost required to perform such a review.

3. Copyright of AYYA Logo - It was noted that a standard trademark of a logo like that of the AYYA costs approximately $300.00. Bill deBoisblanc made a motion that the AYYA logo be trademarked at the national level and that this expenditure be reported to the AYYA members in the September newsletter. The motion was seconded and a unanimous vote in favor of the motion was taken by the Board. In addition, a request will be made in the newsletter to the membership body for lawyers among members to help with this process.

4. Corporate Memberships - The current bylaws indicate that a corporate membership exists within the AYYA. This membership, however, has never been defined. A discussion of the possible uses and definition of such a membership was held. It’s intent was as a possible non-voting advisory position on the board with permission to use the AYYA logo on advertising as a "corporate member and supporter of the AYYA." It was not in any way to be used as an endorsement from the AYYA of a particular product. It was decided that the corporate membership was a good idea, both for financial reasons and greater AYYA exposure, but that their needed to be a breakdown of participating levels, such as manufacturer vs. retailer. The board agreed to continue the discussion of the financial structure requirements and definition of such corporate participation.

5. Approve 1998 Trick Names - The Board has spent the last several months discussing the official trick names that should be used. Names have for the most part remained unchanged. Where there is a historical trick whose name has been changed over the years, usually for sensitivity issues, the official trick name will be used with the original name appearing in parenthesis after it. Example: Tidal Wave (Skin the Cat).

Past President and current member, Dale Oliver, explained the history of three tricks with similar names - Atomic Bomb/Splitting the Atom/ and Atom Smasher, which have in the past confused many players. He explained that the Atomic Bomb was renamed Atom Smasher for political correctness reasons, but that they are, indeed, the same trick - consisting of a split bottom mount, 2 string splits, a somersault and a dismount. Splitting the Atom, however, is a different trick involving a front mount, a string split, a somersault and a dismount.

The Board will be voting shortly on these official trick names and a list of these names will be given to the membership in an upcoming newsletter.

6. Establish Approved Trick List with various difficulty levels (not discussed)

7. Establish Divisional Separation and Age Variations - A discussion ensued about the division levels in AYYA sanctioned competitions. In the past, there have been differing division names and differing tricks within each division or level. It was noted that division names were preferred over numeric names in order to make the levels clear to both participants and spectators. A motion was made and seconded to establish names for contest divisions sanctioned by the AYYA, particularly at the National and World Championship levels. It was agreed that the following divisions be made:

Beginner 8 & under (double-looped yo-yo)

Novice 12 & under

Novice 13 & over

Advanced 15 & under

Advanced 16 & over

Organizers of the competitions, however, would be free to eliminate, adjust or combine age categories and tricks required to fit the needs or situation of their particular contestants and areas.

It was noted that the Masters division currently being used at the World Competition as well as others, is somewhat deceiving and in conflict with the title of National Master used at the National competition each year in Chico, California. In response to this, it was agreed that the contest division name needed to be changed, as possibly did the division name Pro/Am. Division names for Masters and Pro/Am such as

Championship and Grand Championship, respectively, were suggested. The Board is to continue the discussion to define and rename the AYYA contest divisions where needed.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 5:00 p.m. The additional items on the agenda not addressed were:

8. Establish Competitor Parameters (Rules)

9. Establish Judging Parameters (Guidelines/ Rules)

10. Establishing Printable Information for Distribution (Trick Sheet)

The Creeper

By now all active and inactive AYYA Members should have received their Life Time Membership Card and the cool AYYA member patch.

Additional patches are available by sending $5.00 check or money order to Mark Brataas AYYA treasurer (address on front page) with a note requesting the patch. Mark has a supply of them and can mail them directly.

We know that you are probably keeping the first patch you received for your collection and hope that you will purchase extras for your shirts, jackets and hats. It would be great to see as many of these patches on peoples clothing at the upcoming events. The AYYA is growing every day and getting stronger and stronger. Please support the AYYA by purchasing these patches and remember, Just Say YO!

The Forward Pass

The big question is "what constitutes a world championship?"

The Duncan yo-yo company and Russell (or Coke) yo-yos both have had crews of traveling yo-yo professionals. All of these professionals went under the title of "World Champion".

Duncan worked in the U.S. and Russell worked outside the U.S.. Both of these groups of professionals would occasionally have casual competitions between themselves and crown a "World Champion".

They didn't advertise these competitions or invite anyone else to compete. So, there would be a Duncan "world champion" and a Russell "world champion" at the same time.

Does that constitute a true "World Championship"? Only those working at the time were in the competition.

To the best of my knowledge, there have been only seven advertised, open World Championship Yo-Yo Contests ever run. 1932 in London, England (won by Harvey Lowe) and the other five have been run in various locations from 1992 to 1997.

Only one person (Bill deBoisblanc), has won the title three times. If someone claims to have won the world championship five times, it would have to be one of the Russell professionals. You could contact the Russell Yo-Yo Co. with your question at: Jack Russell (USA) Company, Inc., P.O. Box 3237, Stuart, Florida 34995-3237.

Over The Falls

Easterners often like to evoke their superior childhoods by saying that we Californians have no seasons. Anyone who grew up in Redlands knows that is pure hogwash. And I’m not talking about the weather. Redlands school children today have soccer season and basketball season. Those who grew up in the fifties and sixties will remember a few others, like marble season and yo-yo season.

Marble season appealed primarily to boys, but both sexes pursued yo-yos with a vengeance, their enthusiasm fueled primarily by the promoters from the Donald F. Duncan Company. One Duncan demonstrator was Redlands High School graduate, Wilbur (Bill) Root. His job was to travel around to towns demonstrating and teaching yo-yo tricks.

Bill’s niece, Jeannie, watched him come through town every year or two. She remembers that she began practicing in the third grade. Jeannie figured that if Uncle Bill could do it, she could, too.

By fourth grade, Jeannie Matthews and Barry Miller were the King and Queen of Yo-yo at Smiley Elementary School - and they reigned for three years.

A photo in the Redlands Daily Facts of March 3, 1961 shows Seabury and Steve Johnson, both sixth grade students at Smiley School, demonstrating some of their skills. They had won the city championships and were headed for the regional finals.

When she won the regional championship, Seabury remembers, it was a very big deal. I was to go to the State Championship. I had never been in an airplane and I was to fly to San Jose. I had never been anywhere without my mother and I was to go with strangers

Now, I have to say that I don’t remember a yo-yo season in Missouri. I remember yo-yos popularity and the availability of contests, but nothing formally organized.

I was able to get some history from Don Duncan, son of Yo-yo company founder, Donald F. Duncan.

The yo-yo had been around for centuries. it’s name is Philippine in origin and means Come back Like the boomerang, it was originally a weapon as well as a toy.

The senior Duncan began making yo-yos in 1929. Duncan saw the toy’s potential and took out a trademark on the name Yo-yo. He never imagined that it would become so widely popular.

Business moved along steadily until the 1950’s when a Palm Springs promoter by the name of Bob Allen entered the picture.

Allen was closely associated with the California parks and recreation system. California was one of a handful of states with an organized association of parks and recreation departments. Allen attended their conventions and trade shows and was acquainted with the individual city and area directors.

Working for the Duncan Co., Allen helped develop a kit which the company sent each year to every park and recreation director in the state. There were about 2600 of them.

The kits contained some yo-yo’s, extra strings, a demonstration film and instruction sheet for doing basic tricks. It also contained a contest schedule, score sheets, instructions for how to hold a contest and some prizes such as emblems.

The kit was followed by a visit from Duncan Company demonstrators who assisted the recreation director with instruction to students and contest organization.

The response was enthusiastic throughout California. In Redlands, an entire generation remembers yo-yo season. Free yo-yos were often available to students who couldn’t afford their own and the popularity crossed all sex, age and race barriers.

In January, an assembly would be held at each elementary school. There would be a performance by a real yo-yo champion who would demonstrate the required moves for the contest. That was the signal for kids of all ages to head for Redlands Toyville on State St. for the latest shipment of yo-yos. Serious competitors bought several of the 99 cent toys because they had to find the right one for weight, string tension, etc.

Schools let classes out early for the competitions. Imagine Redlands elementary schools long outdoor corridors lined with children throwing yo-yos. Outside judges helped select the best in the school.

Each school sent their best boy and girl to the city championships and the city champions moved on to regionals. In 1961, the regionals were held at Yucaipa High School. Competitors came from San Bernardino, Ontario, Riverside, Yucaipa, Barstow, Needles and others.

Steve Johnson didn’t make it past the regionals, but Seabury did. She remembers being the youngest of the girls competing. Duncan promoters were scheduled to accompany her and three other Southland competitors to the San Jose competition. They were late.

The car carrying the students was pulled over for speeding in Ontario. The driver successfully persuaded the CHP officer that he had a car load of athletes on their way to competition. The obliging officer escorted them, with lights and sirens, all the way to the airport in Los Angeles - but they still missed their plane. Fortunately, the contest start was delayed for them. Seabury remembers that she had to stand on a chair for her turn and she placed fifth.

There was a cash prize and a transistor radio - a very hot item in 1961.

Duncan ended their sponsorship of the nation-wide contests soon after. Lawsuits in the 60’s ruled that the yo-yo name could be used generically by anyone. The Duncan family sold their business in 1966. The new company trademarked the name Duncan. Like the O’Malley family leaving baseball, it was the end of an era.

Don Duncan Company, Playmaxx, now manufactures a new and improved version of the family’s old wooden yo-yo.

The Duncan family maintains a yo-yo museum (the Yoseum) in Tucson, Arizona. A tribute to the people that gave Walk the Dog a whole new meaning and the school children of Redlands their own special season.

The Sleeper

As the AYYA evolves and a new board of directors and president have been elected, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on the history of the AYYA and to thank Dale Oliver for the significant contribution he has made during his four years of leadership as its founder and president.

Do we all know how the AYYA began? Memories differ and details tend to get muddled over time. We do know, however, that a group of serious yo-yo enthusiasts met in October of 1992 to participate in and witness the California Championships in Chico, California. There, in a meeting of the minds, emerged a vision. Up to that time, it was the yo-yo manufacturers that had supplied the rules and regulations for yo-yoing, rather than the players themselves. The vision was of an association which included everyone: manufacturers to players, kids to professionals, collectors to educators. With unanimous support of such an idea, this vision was formalized into what is now the mission statement of the AYYA.

Ideas occur every day - in fact, many times a day. An idea, however, has little value unless that idea is acted on. This is where Dale Oliver, seeing the immediacy of his shared vision, provided the engine power and leadership necessary to put that idea into action. It was he who turned the AYYA into the reality that it is today. He traveled back to Seattle where he wrote the bylaws and formalized the American Yo-Yo Association. Returning to Chico the very next year, the AYYA nominated its first Board of Directors and officers, and voted Dale Oliver as its first president.

For those of us who have done any kind of volunteer work, whether it be at our child’s school, our church, or any of our various club affiliations, we know that many times, it is done simply out of the goodness of our hearts.

Generally, we couldn’t be offered enough to compensate for our efforts. Countless hours doing countless tasks, mostly unbeknownst to anyone ever, are needed to keep things running smoothly. For Dale, what he did in forming and running to the AYYA was nothing short of a labor of love. Membership lists, member cards, membership packets, designing logos, countless phone calls, newsletters, meetings, hosting contests, obtaining sponsors, contest awards, AYYA store items......the list goes on and on.

Dale’s influence and persistence has allowed yo-yoing to become an annual part of the IJA festival since the summer of 1992, even before the AYYA existed. This participation has provided a professional venue for the World Yo-Yo Championship each year. It has allowed a handful of individuals to become world champions and has lit the spark in the eyes of many amateurs to reach for such a goal. What has developed through this event is a camaraderie among many yo-yoists. It has become an annual event where not only tricks and techniques can be shared, but lifelong friendships are formed and renewed. It has brought together people with a strong common interest who might otherwise never have met one another. These events don’t just happen. Again, Dale Oliver willingly put forth the energy necessary to host this event each year and turned world yo-yo competition into a reality.

Formation of the AYYA has given credibility to yo-yoing and has helped to turn it into an accepted art form. World Yo-Yo Championships held at the IJA festival and following AYYA trick lists, have encouraged yo-yoing to spread into the juggling community, where it has become another facet to many juggler’s repertoires and accepted as a valuable and respected talent.

Regardless of his title as president of the AYYA, Dale’s vision and love of the yo-yo has contributed much to the sport of YO. He is unequivocally the Father of Freestyle yo-yoing. This innovation has not only allowed YO-YOers new challenges, but has given spectators the chance to see yo-yoing at its best. Further, his technical understanding of the "practical mechanics" of the yo-yo and his willingness to share that knowledge with others is unmatched. As one AYYA member reflects, "In particular, the ‘sweet side’ vs. ‘sour side’ of the yo-yo was a very important element that had eluded me over the years. Lack of knowledge of this fundamental has probably caused more missed tricks in contest than any other for players that can normally perform a trick..."

Dale, as you pass the torch to our new president, John Stangle, the members of the AYYA want to thank you for putting your vision into action, for all the duties you have performed for the AYYA, both seen and unseen, and for countless hours doing substantial and menial tasks, in order to create and maintain the American Yo-Yo Association. Through it, you have truly created a "world of YO" for us all.

Even in ancient Egyptian temples, drawings of objects have been seen in the shape of yo-yos.

Historical records indicate that 16th century hunters in the Philippines hid up in trees and used a rock tied to a long cord, up to 20 feet in length, to throw at wild animals beneath them. The weapon was able to be pulled up and thrown back down for multiple attempts at the prey. This gave rise to the widespread idea that the practice was the true forerunner of the yo-yo, but this is a stretch of imagination and has no real basis in fact. It is extremely likely, however, that the yo-yo did travel from China not only to Greece, but also to the Philippines, where the yo-yo is known to have been a popular toy for children over a very long period of time.

The next historically dated mention of the yo-yo is a box from India made in the year 1765. This miniature box was hand-painted with the picture of a girl in a red dress playing with her yo-yo. Within the next 25 years, the yo-yo traveled from the Orient to Europe, specifically to the aristocracy (upper class) of Scotland and France and on to England. As it traveled, it became known by a variety of names.

In France, a painting dated to 1789 shows the 4 year-old, future King Louis XVII holding his l’emigrette. It was during this time of the French Revolution and the "Reign of Terror," that many of the French aristocracy were forced to flee to Paris, Germany and across other borders when their style of life was threatened by the peasant uprisings, taking their popular yo-yos made of glass and ivory with them. L’emigrette is a French term meaning to ‘leave the country.’ Another nickname for the yo-yo at this time was de Coblenz, which was a city to which many French fled. These names reflect an important historical connection between the toy and the French Revolution.

The yo-yo’s value as a stress reliever is also seen through history. While being a fashionable toy for the French nobility, those less fortunate are said to have played with their emigrettes to reduce the understandable tension of their one-way trip to the guillotine. Dating through the 1780’s, there are drawings of General Lafayette and others with their troops flinging their yo-yos. The yo-yo arrived in Paris in 1791 as it spread through France and was called the "joujou de Normandie." Some believe that this term may reflect possible roots for the modern American name of "yo-yo." High interest in the toy continued as evidenced by the famous French playwright, Beaumarchais, in his treatment of "The Marriage of Figaro" in 1792. There is a scene where the nervous Figaro enters and conveys his tension, not by the conventional wringing of his hands, but playing with his emigrette! When asked what the emigrette is good for, Figaro responds, "It is a noble toy, which dispels the fatigue of thinking." Even on June 18, 1815, at the famous Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon and his army are known to have been seen relaxing with their yo-yos before battle.

The yo-yo craze traveled throughout Europe to England by way of Scotland and France. The English used the French word bandalore, the term quiz, and the word incroyable which means ‘a French dandy’, to identify the toy. In 1791, a print was circulated of the Prince of Wales, future George IV, whirling his bandalore. Because of the toy’s popularity as well as the prince’s power to sell, the toy also became known as the Prince of Wales’ toy and soon became a toy that any person of fashion had to own. The toy’s ongoing popularity in England is shown as late as 1862 when an illustration appeared showing two young lads terrifying an older woman with their quizzes.

The first recorded reference to any type of yo-yo in the United States was in 1866 when two men from Ohio received a patent for an invention called "an improved bandalore," in that it was rim weighted. One year later, a German immigrant named Charles Kirchof patented and manufactured the return wheel. From then until 1911, although various patents were awarded in the United States related to the yo-yo, nothing notable occurred. In 1916, the Scientific American Supplement published an article titled "Filipino Toys" which showed it and named it a yo-yo. This was explained by some as the Filipino word for "come-come" or "to return." Significant events were soon to happen in the United States.

Meanwhile, back in the Philippines, the natives were becoming experts at making and using the toy. They became excellent wood carvers of the yo-yo and playing with a yo-yo, beginning early in childhood, became a national pastime. Not surprisingly, it was from here that the yo-yo as we know it today was truly introduced into the United States. In the 1920s, a man named Pedro Flores brought the first Filipino yo-yo to the U.S. and in 1928, began a yo-yo company by the same name in California.

These yo-yos were hand-carved from a single piece of wood. The yo-yo was unique because it was the first yo-yo that did not have the string tied to the axle. Instead, the string was looped around the axle, allowing the yo-yo to spin or "sleep" at the end of the string. This concept is at the heart of yo-yoing today. Rather than being able to only go up and down, the yo-yo was now capable of doing an infinite number of tricks.

In 1928 or 1929, a businessman named Donald F. Duncan Sr. saw his first Flores yo-yo while he was in San Francisco. He saw the potential of the toy as he witnessed the crowd that Pedro was able to draw by doing a few tricks. He purchased not only the idea of the yo-yo, but the Pedro Flores company itself. And, as they say, "the rest is history."

Donald Duncan was an excellent businessman. He developed advertising campaigns and had demonstrators working for him in the U.S., as well as Western Europe. "Duncan Yo-Yo Professionals" traveled throughout the United States teaching and demonstrating yo-yo tricks and conducting contests in an effort to promote sales. Competition grew as other companies began to see the toy’s potential. In 1932, in an effort to protect his interest, Duncan filed for and was assigned a trademark for the word "yo-yo." Not able to use the term "yo-yo," competitors were forced to use terms like "come-back", "return", "returning top", "whirl-a-gig", and "twirler" for their versions of the toy.

In 1946, the Duncan Company moved to Luck, Wisconsin, which quickly became known as the "Yo-Yo Capital of the World" producing 3,600 yo-yos per hour. They produced the original maple wooden yo-yos using 1,000,000 board feet per year. In 1960, plastic yo-yos that we still see today began to be manufactured. Sales grew and grew. By 1962, the Duncan Company alone sold a record 45 million yo-yos in a country with only 40 million kids, and still could not keep up with the demand. High television advertising expenses and excessive expenses in overtime wages and materials to keep up with the demand hurt profits. There was also the continual legal expense in trying to hold onto the trademarked word "yo-yo." Competitors fought hard to use it in describing their products. Finally, in 1965, the Federal Court of Appeals ruled that Duncan’s trademark for the word "yo-yo" was no good. The term yo-yo had become so widespread that it was now a permanent part of the language and it no longer only described the toy. It, in fact, WAS the toy.

Tragically, in November of 1965, the Duncan Company could hold on no longer and was forced into bankruptcy. Although pieces of equipment were auctioned off to various buyers, Flambeau Plastics Company purchased the most valuable asset, the "Duncan" name and the goodwill that came along with it. It is the Flambeau Plastics Company that manufactures and sells the eleven different models of Duncan yo-yos today. June 6 has been deemed National Yo-Yo Day in honor of Donald Duncan Sr.’s birthday and the phenomenal influence he had in the world of YO.

Trivia enthusiasts will enjoy noting that in 1968, Abbie Hoffman was cited for contempt of Congress for "walking the dog" in an effort to entertain the House Subcommittee on Un-American Activities that was investigating him and Richard Nixon made headlines when he yo-yoed on stage at the opening of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in 1974. The yo-yo is, indeed, universal.

In recent years, technology has affected a multitude of the products we use, and the seemingly simple yo-yo has been no exception. Beginning in the 1970s, yo-yo manufacturers, seeing the benefit of periphery weight distribution, began rim-weighting their products for a longer spin. In 1978, Tom Kuhn patented the "No Jive 3-in-1" yo-yo, the first take-apart by hand yo-yo and the first having a replaceable axle. In 1980, Michael Caffrey patented "The yo-yo with a Brain." In addition to a free-spinning sleeve bearing for long spin times, "The Brain" has a centrifugal spring loaded clutch mechanism that causes an automatic return of the yo-yo to the hand when the rotational spin slows to a pre-determined rate. And by the 1990s, transaxle yo-yos were available with ball-bearing axles, increasing spin times once again.

But this is not quite the end of the story. On April 12, 1985, the yo-yo was first taken into space by NASA on the Space Shuttle Discovery as part of the Toys in Space project. A basic spinning yo-yo was used to see what effect microgravity would have on it. What they discovered was that a yo-yo could be released at slow speeds and gracefully move along the string. However, the yo-yo refused to "sleep." Without the downward force of gravity, the yo-yo could not spin against the loop at the end of the string and so, rebounded up the string. It was also found that the yo-yo must be thrown, not dropped, as there was no gravity to pull it down. And on July 31, 1992, the yo-yo (an SB-2) again made its way into space, on the Space Shuttle Atlantis, this time for an educational video including slow-motion YO-YOing.

Whether the yo-yo was a Chinese, Greek or Filipino invention or some combination is difficult to prove. By the same token, it is also difficult to say with certainty whether the toy spread from country to country or whether the same basic pattern for the toy appeared in completely different parts of the world for no obvious reason. We do know that its use as a toy around the world and throughout history is unmatched. And, although the yo-yo has gone through periods of hibernation in its trek through the ages, its popularity, just like the toy itself, always comes back.

References:

1. World on a String, Helane Zeiger, 1989

2. The One and Only Yo-Yo Book, George Malko, ’78

3. The Mature Person’s Guide to Kites, YO-YO’s, Frisbees & other Childlike Diversions, Paul Dickson,

1977

4. The Klutz Yo-Yo Book, John Cassidy, 1987

5. Toys in Space, Dr. Carolyn Sumners, 1992

6. Daily Life in Greece at the Time of Pericles, Robert Flaceliere

7. American Scientist, "The Yo-Yo: A Toy Flywheel", March-April 1984, Wolfgang Burger

8. American Yo-Yo Association Newsletter, 12/94, "Pre-Duncan Yo-Yo Time Line", Lucky Meisenheimer, MD

Walk The Dog

The Flores yo-yo was the first yo-yo manufactured in the United States, it's originator was Pedro Flores. Pedro Flores is considered the original yo-yo guru. Mr. Flores was the singular most important person in introducing the word "yo-yo" to the United States. Although the yo-yo as a toy (known as a bandalore) has been used for centuries, even existing in the United States for years prior to Mr. Flores, as one astute observer noted in the he late 1920's " we've all done the yo-yo before but we never had a name for it ."

Pedro Flores was a native of Vintarilocos Norte, Philippines. He came to the United States in 1915. He attended the High School of Commerce in San Francisco 1919-1920 then he took up the study of Law at the University of California in Berkeley and the Hastings College of Law in San Francisco.

Flores dropped out of school for reasons unknown and moved to Santa Barbara, California. He worked at odd jobs for years and at the time of starting his yo-yo business he was working as a bell boy.

He developed his vision for the yo-yo's potential when he read about a man selling a ball attached to a rubber band who made a million dollars. He remembered the game yo-yo which was played for hundreds of years in the Philippines and he thought it had a good market possibility in the U.S. Mr. Flores was quoted saying " I do not expect to make a million dollars, I just want to be working for myself. I have been working for other people for practically all my life and I don't like it."

In early 1928 Flores came to Los Angeles and asked some wealthy Philippine for assistance in manufacturing yo-yos. His friends thought him crazy and he returned to Santa Barbara with only his dream. Being a true entrepreneur, at the age of 29, on June 9th 1928, he applied and received a certificate of conducting business for the Yo-yo Manufacturing Company in Santa Barbara. On June 23, 1928 he made 1 dozen yo-yos by hand and began selling them to neighborhood children. By November of 1928 his company had 2000 yo-yos and he was able to attract two American financiers, James and Daniel Stone of Los Angeles. Now with the ability to produce machine made yo-yos, four months later, over a 100,000 yo-yos had been produced. By November of 1929 three factories were making 300,000 yo-yos daily and employing 600 workers. These companies were the Flores and Stone, Los Angeles; The Flores Yo-yo Corporation, Hollywood; and the Yo-yo Manufacturing Company, Santa Barbara.

Flores also inaugurated the yo-yo spinning contest which spread the first yo-yo frenzy in the United States in late 1928 and 1929. The yo-yo was promoted as the Flores Yo-yo "The Wonder Toy" and using a phrase which now familiar with a slight variation "If it isn't Flores it isn't a yo-yo" as the slogan. Although early contests resulted in the spread of the yo-yo fad they were clearly different than the more modern contests. In the initial contests endurance was the main event. The winner was the individual who could keep his or her yo-yo spinning up and down without missing, for the longest duration. Many contests resulted in ties after hours of continuous yo-yoing by stubborn competitors refusing quit. Frequently the champion of these endurance events was determined by drawing straws. Other contest categories included the yo-yo thrown farthest with complete return and the largest number of perfect spins in a five minute period. Prizes were also for hand made yo-yos, and yo-yos made out of bicycle wheels and wood barrel tops were not uncommon submissions. Early contests could be found anywhere but on November 22, 1929 the Gates Theater in Portsmouth, Virginia, became the first theater to offer a contest. For the rest of the 20's and 30's theaters became popular sites for contests. Although some Flores yo-yos did have a slip string and could potentially do spinners, the importance of this feature was not recognized the first year. Instructions were given to make sure the string was wound tightly to allow for better return. Early Flores yo-yo strings were made out of silk which allowed for less sleep action than later cotton strings. Several different designs of the Flores yo-yo were done. Prices in 1929 ranged from 15 cents to $1.50 each depending on the design and decoration. Flores employed Dorothy Carter as his chief designer of his yo-yos.

Although Pedro Flores was frequently described as the inventor of the yo-yo, Mr. Flores never personally claimed to have invented the yo-yo, and he always mentioned it's past history as a centuries old Philippine game. He was also frequently described as the patent holder of the yo-yo, but yo-yos (Bandalores) prior to Pedro Flores had already been patented. Even though patent applied for and patent pending are often seen on Flores yo-yos this was a technique used to dissuade other toy companies from producing yo-yos. There was no legal patent held for the standard yo-yo by Pedro Flores. He did apply for and receive a trademark for the Flores Yo-yo and this was registered on July 22, 1930. It was shortly after this that Flores sold his interest in the yo-yo factories which were later acquired by the Donald Duncan Yo-yo Company.

At the end of 1929 a true yo-yo craze was going on across the country initially inspired by Flores but new competitors had entered the arena including Don Duncan, Lewis Marx and others. Although Duncan's name is most associated with the popularity of the yo-yo contests, the original yo-yo fire was fueled by Pedro Flores. It is uncertain exactly at what date Duncan Yo-yo Company acquired the Flores Yo-Yo name (probably 1930) but it did have the Flores trade mark legally assigned to it in 1932. For a period of time in the early 1930's Duncan corporation not only sold Duncan Yo-yos but they also sold Flores Yo-yos as well. In very early contests in 1931 either a genuine Flores yo-yo or a genuine Duncan Gold Seal Yo-yo could be used in the competitions.

Pedro Flores was reported to have sold his interest in his yo-yo manufacturing companies for greater than one quarter of a million dollars, which during the depression was a fortune. Mr. Flores was quoted saying " I am more interested in teaching children to use the yo-yos than I am in manufacturing of yo-yos". Flores followed through by becoming one of the key promoters in Duncan's early yo-yo campaigns. Especially during 1931-32, Mr. Flores was instrumental in setting up many of the promotions in the cities where the early Duncan contests were being held. The contest's were vastly changed from the initial contests ran by Flores just two years previously. These contests now required a series of tricks similar to modern day contests with ties being broken by the number of loop the loops completed.

Flores stayed involved with yo-yos most of his life and even after W.W.II he helped Joe Radovan in the establishment of the Chico Yo-yo Company. He also started the Flores Corp. of America in 1954 which briefly produced yo-yo in the 1950's. Although Flores has less name recognition in the general public compared to other yo-yo manufacturing companies it was Flores who introduced the yo-yo craze to America.

The contest was held October 19, 1996 at the Springfield Mall in Springfield, Va. It was sponsored by Knockin' Wood Toy Stores of Springfield Mall. Judges were Dick Stohr and Bonnie Matthews.

1^st Jeremiah Dawson, Springfield, VA

2^nd Warren Korpanty, Alexandria, VA

1^st Tim Crump, Herndon VA

1^st Kristen Leney, Springfield, VA

2^nd Johnny Dawson, Springfield, VA

3^rd Steve Crump, Herndon, VA

1^st Stuart Crump, Herndon, VA

2^nd Jodi Crump, Herndon, VA

Here are the results of Dale Myrberg's annual YO-YO Competition Featuring Dale Myrberg - Utah's World Class Yo-Yo Champion held Saturday, November 9, 1996 from 12 Noon till 5:00 PM.

The 8th Annual competition held at Trolley Square in the Amphitheater. Prizes included trophies for 1^st 2^nd & 3^rd place in all age and skill levels.

All participants in Down & Up, 11 & Under, 12 - 16 received Award Ribbons and assorted prizes donated by Trolley Square merchants. Number of contestants: 55 with Estimated attendance 300+.

1^st - Tamara Moore-Sandy, Utah

2^nd - Katie Furse -Salt Lake City, UT

3^rd - Vicki Kuhn-Salt Lake City, UT

2^nd - Ian Guthrie-Salt Lake City, UT

3^rd - Ryan Zink-Reno, Nevada

1^st - Mackenzie Booth-Evanston, Wyoming

2^nd - Adam Wolfe-North Salt Lake, UT

3^rd - Joel Zink-Reno, NV

1^st - Devin Browning-Centerville, Utah

2^nd - Douglas Eller-West Valley City, UT

3^rd - Seah Speredon-SLC, UT

1^st - Jason Tracy-Frazier Park, California

2^nd - Benjamin French-West Jordan, Utah

3^rd - Thayne Miller-Salt Lake City, Utah

1^st - Joshua Chapman-SLC, Utah

2^nd - Eric Lowry-West Valley City, UT

3^rd - R. Troy Fergusson-Salt Lake City, Utah

1^st - Matt Downs-Farmington, Utah

2^nd - Scott Nybo-Kaysville, Utah

3^rd- Ron Spears-West Valley City, Utah

1^st - Jason Tracy-Frazier Park, California

2^nd - Matt Downs-Farmington, Utah

3^rd - Mackenzie Booth (Age 8) Evanston, Wyoming - 80 points out of 100

Sponsored and supported consistently by: Trolley Square, What’s Next, Mfg., The Air Apparent (Kites-Toys & Games) and Trolley Square, Salt Lake City. Utah 84lO2 (801) 531-7434.

The 1st Annual MADFEST Yo-Yo Competition was held on Saturday, January 11th, in Madison, Wisconsin during the Madison Area Juggler's Juggling Festival. The contest was sponsored and conducted by Val Krantz of Minneapolis, MN and Mark Anderson of Madison, WI. Eleven yo-yoists entered the contest at various levels, including one from Germany! Winners received yo-yo medallions.

1^st - Victor Alvarez - Western Springs, WI

2^nd - Thomas Schmitt - Germany

3^rd - Brad Smith - Franklin, WI

1^st - Jeremy Coutre' - Western Springs, WI

2^nd - Mark Anderson - Madison, WI

3^rd - Ozzie Stern - Madison, WI

1^st - Doug Smith - Franklin, WI

2^nd - Val Krantz - Edina, MN

Our "World of YO" is definitely growing as 32 competitors entered the Twin Cities Open Yo-Yo Contest in Minneapolis, MN on February 8th, 1997. Contest organizers Val Krantz from Minneapolis, Minnesota and Mark Anderson of Madison, Wisconsin report that the energy level was definitely high as contestants in all 6 divisions competed at the MONDO Juggler's Festival at the University of Minnesota.

Interest grew throughout the day as potential contestants "eyed" the trophies that were displayed. The joint efforts of Val in creating the personalized blue, red and white yo-yos and Mark's matching handmade wood and acrylic stands created a trophy that area YO-YOers simply couldn't resist their chance to win.

1^st - Jesse Gerard - age 11 - Fridley, MN

2^nd - Chris Kenmet - age 11 - Fridley, MN

3^rd - Allen Reese - age 11 - Fridley, MN

6 contestants

1^st - Colin Schworer - 14 - New Brighton, MN

2^nd - Justin Gangl - St. Paul, MN

3^rd - Kevin Gilbertson - 17 - Shoreview, MN

7 contestants

1^st - Mikey McCabe - 7 - Minneapolis, MN

2^nd - Mikey Johnson - 11 - New Brighton, MN

3^rd - Garrett Mikrut - 10 - New Brighton, MN

6 contestants

1^st - Peter Gruetzmacher - Arden Hills, MN

2^nd - Mike McCabe - Minneapolis, MN

3^rd - Tyler Clark - New Brighton, MN

3 contestants

1^st - Dustin Haning - Bloomington, MN

2^nd - Tom Hall - Brooklyn Center, MN

3^rd - Ben Lee - Minneapolis, MN

PRO AM - All ages (10 Master's Tricks and 10 2-handed tricks) 2 contestants

1^st - Dave Schulte - New Hope, MN

2^nd - Doug Smith - Franklin, WI

Judged by Val Krantz. Congratulations to the winners.

This contest was held on May 10^th, 1997 at the Sebastopol Community Center, Sebastopol, CA.

Players as far as Nevada attended this great event. Lots of local community kids. It was great. The kids are good also. We had lots of ties. The official Judge was Bill deBoisblanc and John "Pookie-YO" Stangle assisted with the Judging of the Freestyle Divisions.

What a nice facility. Lots of chairs, tables and great stage. All the lights you need and the Audio System was up and running. Wireless microphones were not a problem and the sound in the building was great. The Community Center sold food and drinks and there was plenty of YO-YO going on both inside and outside the Community Center.

1^st - James Blaine with 9 loops for Tie Breaker

2^nd - Thane Greenfield with 6 loop Tie Breaker

3^rd - Gary Ottoncllo with 3 loops for Tie Breaker

4^th - Justin White with 1 loops for Tie Breaker

5 competitors

1^st - Place Scott Griffin with 5 loops

2^nd - Place Michael Heyder with 4 loops

3^rd - Place Micah Bonacorso with 3 loops

4^th - Place Stephen Fanshier with 2 loops

5 competitors

1^st - David Harris with 53 loops

2^nd - Hal Griffin with 35 loops

3^rd - Adam Fanshier - total score of 46

4^th - Qasim Shah - total score of 45

3 competitors

1^st - Place Jason Tracy

2^nd - Place John Stangle

3^rd - Place Ruben Reyes

5 competitors

1^st - Place Chuck Short

2^nd - Place Jason Tracy

3^rd - Place Cliff Coleman

4^th - Place James Blaine

Custom Silk Ribbons were awarded to First (Blue), Second (Red) and Third (White) Place finishers with the Event Name, Date and placing embossed in gold. Ribbons were donated by Crown Awards of Sebastopol, CA.

The event was also sponsored by YO-topia, the Sebastopol Community Center and the Sebastopol Realtors Association. We thank everyone for all their support.

NOTE: As the event promoter I do not compete in my competitions. Due to enormous pressure from the other competitors I conceded and did compete. (Just wanted to make that clear) Congratulations to everyone!

This event was held May 17, 1997 – Juilliard Park, 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Santa Rosa, California.

Once again the California State YO-YO Championships were a great success. Players attended from as far a Canada and various other West Coast States.

Northern California was experiencing a Heat Wave that weekend with temperatures over 99 degrees. It was a cooker! The Championships were held in conjunction with the Luther Burbank Rose Parade Festival. YO-YO Players got to march in the parade which ended at the Competition site.

This year we had 37 competitors. Great players and lots of ties. Everyone found the State of YO!

2^nd - Jordon Work, Forestville, CA. with 5 loops

3^rd - Alex Yiznitsky, Forestville, CA. with 40 loops

4^th - Eli Isaacs, Palo Alto, CA. with 2 loops

1^st - Stan Isaccs, Palo Alto, CA. (perfect score)

2^nd - Micah Bonacorso, Sebastopol, CA.

3^rd - Adam Harlow, Reno, NV. with 2 loops

4^th - Ronda Reyes, Napa, CA. with 1 loop

1^st - Chris Herringer, Chico, CA. (perfect score)

2^nd - James Blaine, Forestville, CA.

3^rd - Daniel Harlow, Reno, NV.

1^st - Qasim Shah, Dixon, CA. (perfect score)

2^nd - Hal Griffin, Pleasanton, CA. with 89 loops

3^rd - David Harris, Sacramento, CA. 44 loops

4^th - Jim Suydam, Calgary, Alberta Canada, with 14 loop tie breaker

1^st - Jason Tracy, Frazier Park, CA.

2^nd - David Keele, Reno, NV. (tie breaker)

3^rd - Ruben Reyes, Napa, CA. (tie breaker)

4^th - John Stangle, Santa Rosa, CA.

1^st Place Jason Tracy, Frazier Park, CA.

2^nd Place Cliff Coleman, Berkeley, CA.

3^rd Place John Stangle, Santa Rosa, CA.

1^st Place Bill deBoisblanc, San Francisco, CA.

2^nd Place Chuck Short, Reno, NV.

NOTE: As the event promoter I do not compete in my competitions. Due to enormous pressure from the other competitors I conceded and did compete. (Just wanted to make that clear) Congratulations to everyone!

The 3^rd Annual Yolympics Contest was held on May 24^th starting at 12:15 PM. Host and contest organizer was Bill Alton, Publisher of the Noble Disk. Unfortunately the results were misplaced but we will mention the competitors and spectators that were present quoting any awards they won.

Bob Baybrook (Silver in Dragster, Gold in YO-YO Hockey)

Mat Bishop (sounds like he won the YO-dash)

David Ritter

Trevor Mercer (Took most of the Gold Awards)

Mr. Bay (Gold in Shooting Gallery)

Jackie Baybrook (Bronze in YO-YO Pharmacist)

Neil (placed in YO-YO Pharmacist)

Mr. Mercer (placed in one of the events)

Scott Perkins ("bunch of bronze awards")

This was the 8^th Annual YO-YO Day competition held at Trolley Square in Salt Lake City , UT. It was on June 7^th from 12 Noon till 4:00 PM in the Amphitheater. There were 57 contestants with an estimated attendance of 250. Dale Myrberg was the official judge.

Prizes included trophies for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place in all age and skill levels. All participants in the Down and Up Division received Award Ribbons and assorted prizes.

2^nd - Richard Bell

3^rd - Abigail Westbrook

1^st - Josh Urrutia

2^nd - Charlie Thomasson

3^rd - Brian Tanner

1^st - Mackenzie Booth

2^nd - Nic Sells

3^rd - Ben Isaac

1^st - Byron Foster

2^nd - David Loosle

3^rd - Jason Peterson

1^st - Timothy Saunders

2^nd - Adam Wolfe

3^rd - Mike Sundahl

1^st - Andy Coles

2^nd - Troy Ferguson

3^rd - Douglas Eller

1^st - Bruce Morrison

2^nd - Brent Sells

3^rd - Zach Jones

1^st - Bruce Morrison

2^nd - Mackenzie Booth

3^rd - Timothy Saunders

This event was sponsored and supported consistently by: What’s Next Manufacturing (manufacturers of BC and Tom Kuhn YO-YO’s), Trolley Square, The Air Apparent (kits, toys and games).

The State of YO was certainly in Windsor, California on June 28^th 1997.

This event was well attended with estimated attendance this year of 30,000+! Lots of YO-YO’s! The Windsor Rotary gave away 1,000 free Humphrey YO-YO’s to the first 1,000 kids. There was a big kids novice round and great competition in the Masters with Bill, Dale and Jason!

1^st Jordan Work, Sebastopol, California

2^nd Scott Morgan, Windsor, California

3^rd Ryan Zink, Reno, Nevada

4^th Matt Cleaver

1^st Steve Jensen, Santa Rosa, California

2^nd Cody Uhl, Morgan Hill, California

1^st Brad Godfrey, Sacramento, California

2^nd James Blaine, Forestville, California

3^rd Joel Zink, Reno, Nevada

4^th Nathan Carraway, Santa Rosa, California

1^st Dave Bazan, Mountain View, California

2^nd David Harris, Sacramento, California

3^rd Hal Griffin, Pleasanton, California

1^st Bill deBoisblanc, San Francisco, California

2^nd Dale Oliver, South San Francisco, California

3^rd Jason Tracy, Frazier Park, California

This event was judged by Don "Captain-YO" Watson. We had over 30 contestants that were great to watch. Custom Plaques were awarded with donated What’s Next Mfg. Rainbow-YO’s mounted at the bottom of each. Awards were awarded to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place finishers. Congratulations to all! YO!

The 1997 Desert Classic was a huge success and boost for the state of Yo. A total of 97 contestants signed in to give it their best shot. And let me tell you they ALL gave it their best!

The Novice 8-11 division resulted in a 8 way loop off. That means eight youngsters under the age of 11 earned a perfect score! Third went to Abe Baliles. Second place went to Casey Lorenz who completed 129 loops! But it was Ryan Skidmore who took home the first place trophy. (Ryans brother Jake won the novice division in the City Contest last June - they are one family who lives in the state of YO!)

In the Novice 12-15 division we had another eight way loop off. Joseph Eckrote took third with Joseph Halfmann hot on his heels for second. First was owned by David Gonzales who did 199 loops to bring home the trophy!

Not to be forgotten was the old folks novice division. After a three way loop off it was Tom West, who came all the way from N. Carolina with third, Lynn Hanna stole Second, first went to Richard Allen.

The best competition of the day was the Advanced 11-15. Peter Ronstadt of Tucson came in third. A tie of 48 points between Ed Giulietti of Tucson And Joel Zink from Reno, NV was broken by a "hop the fence off" Ed did 79 consecutive hop's to take home the winning trophy!

In the 16 and over advanced Daniel Barquez, who was last year's novice champion, brought home 3rd. John Huber also of Tucson got second but the first place went to yours truly Playmaxx’s' own T. Michael Leonard!

Championship division brings out the best in yoing and the Desert Classic was no exception. Kattie Miller from Phoenix, AZ won the third place spot. David Feree out of Battle Creek, MI took second. First place was owned by Kevin Parker from UT with a near perfect score.

Last but far from least was the Free Style. David Feree was the hands down winner. To rhythmic Drum beats he knocked poker chips off of unsuspecting volunteers ears, and lit a match held between the teeth of fellow competitor Katie Miller.

I look forward to the next Desert Classic and hope to see a lot of you there. What YO’s down - Must YO Up.

This event was held on July 26^th 1997 at the Sonoma County Fair Grounds, Santa Rosa, CA.

YO! What a event. Once again we had players from all over the west coast and even as far as Brazil. Players of all capabilities from just learning to Two Handed Shoot for the Moon were in the State of YO!

The event was held in the Redwood Theater inside the Sonoma County Fair Grounds. To add a little zest to the event the Fair was also having "Elvis" day with a short break at 12:00 Noon to watch the "Flying Elvi" (Parachuting Elvis Impersonators made famous from the movie Honey Moon in Las Vegas).

This was certainly one of the most competitive events yet in Sonoma County. There was even a unprecedented tie in the One Handed Freestyle event. Settled by 217 Loop off by David Keele. Don "Captain-YO" Watson graciously conceded his opportunity to demonstrate his looping against David Keele claiming with his age and the amounts of loops he would get "YO-YO Elbow."

1^ST Ryan Zink - Reno, NV

2^ND Josh Donahue - Forestville, CA

3^RD Justin Riley - Santa Rosa, CA

4^TH Shaun Newton - Forestville, CA

1^ST Stephen Fanshier - Sacramento, CA

2^ND Dennis Harris - Sacramento, CA

3^RD Scott Griffin - Pleasanton, CA

4^TH Al Shaw - Newark, CA

1^ST Joel Zink - Reno, NV

2^ND Nathan Carroway - Santa Rosa, CA

3^RD Daniel Harlow - Reno, NV

4^TH Micha Bonacorso - Sebastopol, CA

1^ST Hal Griffin - Pleasanton, CA

2^ND Davis Harris - Sacramento, CA

3^RD Kate Miller - Tempe, AZ

4^TH Qasim Shaw - Dixon, CA

1^ST Hans Van Dan Elzen - Tempe, AZ

2^ND Jason Tracy - Frazier Park, CA

3^RD David Keele - Reno, NV

4^TH Ruben Reyes - Napa, CA

1^ST Cliff Coleman - Berkeley, CA

2^ND David Keele - Reno, NV

3^RD Don Watson - Rohnert Park, CA

4^TH Jason Tracy - Frazier park, CA

1^ST Bill deBoisblanc - San Francisco, CA (45 pts)

2^ND Hans Van Dan Elzen- Tempe, AZ (27 points)

3^RD Chuck Short - Reno, NV (24 points)

Congratulations to all the competitors and we look forward to seeing you at the 1998 Fifth Annual West Coast Regional YO-YO Championships. YO TO ALL!

Contestants were from Arizona, New York, Texas, Michigan, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Utah, Ohio, Texas, Vermont, Florida, California, Illinois, Nevada, Minnesota, Austria, Japan & Germany.

1 - Ryan Zink - Reno, Nevada

*other statistics not available

1 - John Stangle - Santa Rosa, California

2 - Jason Colwell - Ludlow, Illinois

3 - Kate Miller - Tempe, Arizona

1 - Jason Tracy (age 16) - Frazier Park, CA

2 - Kenichi Nakamura - Tokyo, Japan

3 - Nalukai Hookamo (age 10) - Honolulu, Hawaii

4 - Steve Brown - Tallahassee, Florida

5 - Yves Young (age 10) - Honolulu, Hawaii

1 - Nalukai Hookamo (age 10) - Honolulu, Hawaii

2 - Yves Young (age 10) - Honolulu, Hawaii

3 - Steve Brown - Tallahassee, Florida

4 - Nichloas Van Derschie - Grand Haven, MI

5 - Mick Lunzer - St. Paul, Minnesota

1 - Bill DeBoisblanc - San Francisco, California

2 - Alex Garcia (age 14) - Honolulu, Hawaii

3 - Jennifer Baybrook (age 16) - St. Albans, VT

4 - Dale Myrberg - Salt Lake City, Utah

5 - Hans Van Dan Elzen - Tempe, Arizona

1 - Kenichi Nakamura - Tokyo, Japan - 15.7 seconds

1 - Alex Garcia - Honolulu, Hawaii - 21.5 seconds

1 - Nalukai Hookamo - Honolulu, Hawaii -

Hang Time 3.39 seconds

The Vancouver, Canada contest held in Aberdeen Mall was a great success, with yoer’s coming from as far as San Clemente CA and as far as Smithers B.C. It was wonderful to have Don and Donna Duncan here from Tucson AZ, and the support of Tom and Kathleen Van Dan Elzen of Playmaxx, who were not able to attend.

Harvey Lowe did a super two handed free style show both on the Sat. and Sunday. There were several Demonstrators from the 1950's, 60's and 70's who just showed up to watch, and to remember the state of Yo. Thanks to everyone for all you support.

1^st - Jonathan Davies

2^nd - Alison Yau

3^rd - Thomas Tse

1^st - Orson Chan

2^nd- Bev Davies

3^rd - David Lob

1^st - James Davies

2^nd - Jim Brise

3^rd - Don Peterson

1^st - Rob Garrison

2^nd- Bob Bowden

3^rd - J.P. Lesperance

Judges were: Harvey Lowe, Bob Bowden &Don Duncan.

Rock The Baby

There will be a Trick Learning Workshop held by Dale Myrberg at Trolly Square in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 27. For more information contact Dale Myrberg at (801) 485-1176.

This event is still being planned by Bob Baybrook in St. Albans, VT. For more information contact Bob at (802) 524-2782.

The AYYA will be holding their second meeting of the year in Chico, CA. on October 3^rd 1997 from 3:00-6:00 PM at the Round Table Pizza. We will be celebrating the fifth anniversary of the start of the AYYA.

The Restaurant is located at 964 Mangrove, Chico, CA. 95926 & is open to all.

This is your opportunity to address the Board (all seven Board members are planning on attending) and listen in on Board issues being discussed and voted on. For more information contact John Stangle - President AYYA.

On Saturday October 4^th the Annual National YO-YO Competition in Chico, CA. will be held. This contest is held each year the first Saturday of October.

It will be held in the Downtown Plaza Park starting with lessons at 10:00 AM and contest starting at 11:00 AM. Any fixed-axle or trans-axle YO-YO can be used but you must use the same YO-YO for all tricks.

Chico is also home of the National YO-YO Museum only one block from the event site.

Chico’s Airport is served by United Express or you can fly into Sacramento and drive two hours north on Highway 99.

The event is produced by Bird in Hand and sponsored by the Chico Area Recreation District. Also underwritten by North State Radio Network, Yomega Corp., High Performance Kites. This event is also supported by Playmaxx, Spintastics & What’s Next Manufacturing.

Hotel accommodations are available at the Holiday Inn at (916) 345-2491. Also the local Motel 6 is right next door to the Holiday Inn if all rooms are booked.

There will be the popular Friday night dinner immediately following the AYYA Member/ Board Meeting where the guests provide entertainment. The AYYA meeting and special Dinner are at two different locations. Reservations are required with tickets at the door.

For more information and/or trick sheets contact Bob Malowney at Bird in Hand / National YO-YO Museum at (916) 893-0545.

This contest will be held at the Springfield Mall, Virginia. Contact Dick Stohr at (703) 451-3439 or e-mail at yoyoguy@erols.com.

This event will be held by Dale Myrberg at Trolly Square in Salt Lake City, UT. On November 8^th. It is sponsored by What’s Next Manufacturing, Trolly Square and The Air Apparent. For more information contact Dale Myrberg at (801) 485-1176.

Three Leaf Clover

The Los Alamitos YO-YO Club meets every Friday at lunch. For more information e-mail Noah at renford@aol.com.

The name of this club is the Wizards of YO! Cool name! For more information call David Harris at (916) 363-2650.

Dale Oliver lives in this area and is interested in starting a YO-YO Club. For more information contact Dale at (415) 871-4197 or e-mail at yopro@aol.com.

The Willie Birds Flyers YO-YO Club meets the first Saturday of each month at 1:00pm. They meet at the Willie Bird's Restaurant 1150 Santa Rosa Avenue. For more information contact John Stangle at (707) 542-YOYO or e-mail at yotopia@sonic.net.

Barry North's YO-YO Club meets the first and third Tuesdays each month from 7:30 - 9:00pm at the Prospect Park Park District. Call Barry at (847) 392-0884 for more information.

For more information contact Chuck Short at (702) 348-9079 or e-mail at clsyoyo@concentric.net or contact David Keele at (702) 677-1625!

Loop The Loop

Established October 1993

Effective January 1, 1998

The mission of AYYA is to provide a venue for players and collectors to come together in fellowship and to engage in the promotion of yo-yo playing as an art form and a sport, for both amateur and professional players. It is also to render assistance to fellow yo-yo players and collectors; to provide an accessible source of information about yo-yo people and events; to conduct as many competitions as possible across the nation; and to establish uniform standards for running AYYA sanctioned competitions for all levels of skill from the novice to the professional.

The principal office of the American Yo-Yo Association (AYYA) shall be in the City of Seattle, County of King, State of Washington. The AYYA may also have offices at such other places within or without the State of Washington as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, determine or the purpose of the AYYA may require.

1. Classes of membership. There shall be six classes of membership of

the AYYA: a. Associate Life Member

b. Active Life Member

c. Active Student Member

d. Active Family Member

2. Associate Life Member. Individuals who have an interest in yo-yos and in supporting the Mission Statement of the AYYA shall be eligible for Associate Life Membership. Associate Life Members shall be entitled to all the privileges of membership but have no voting rights. Individuals will receive an AYYA Patch, a Lifetime Membership card and the current issue of the AYYA Newsletter up to July, then their names will be kept on a log to receive one copy of the September AYYA Newsletter.

3. Active Life Member. Individuals that have an interest in yo-yos and in supporting the Mission Statement of the AYYA shall be eligible for Active Life Membership. Active Life Members shall be entitled to all privileges of membership, including voting rights for members ten years of age or older. Individuals will receive AYYA Patch, Two yearly issues of the AYYA Newsletter (September and December) subscription to the YO-YO Times (if subscribed to) and Lifetime Membership Card.

4. Active Student Member. Individuals that have an interest in yo-yos and in supporting the Mission Statement of the AYYA and classified by their educational institution as a Full Time student shall be eligible for Active Student Membership. Active Student Members shall be entitled to all privileges of membership, including voting rights for members ten years of age or older. Individuals will receive a AYYA Patch, Two yearly issues of the AYYA New Newsletter (September and December) subscription to the YO-YO Times (if subscribed to) and Lifetime Membership Card.

5. Active Family Member. This is a two (2) person Family Membership, open to families that have an interest in yo-yos and in supporting the Mission Statement of the AYYA. Both individuals shall be entitled to all privileges of membership, including voting rights for members ten years of age or older, except that only one copy of the AYYA Newsletter (September and December) and if subscribed to, one copy of the YO-YO Times publications (four per year) shall be mailed to one of the Family Members to share. Both individuals will receive an AYYA Patch and Lifetime Membership Card.

6. Active Additional Family Member. Additional individuals of families that are classified as Active Family Members. Each additional individual of the family shall be entitled to all privileges of membership, including voting rights for members ten years of age or older, except no AYYA Newsletter or YO-YO Times is included.

7. Active Corporate Member. Individuals of a Corporation who have an interest in yo-yos and in supporting the Mission Statement of the AYYA shall be eligible for Corporate Membership. A member Corporation shall be entitled to all the regular privileges of membership, including voting rights, for one designated person, plus shall be entitled to an advisory position on the Board of Directors.

8. Expulsion from membership. Upon evidence submitted to the Board of Directors that any member has violated any applicable requirements of these Bylaws, such member may be expelled from the AYYA by a majority vote of the Board.

9. Initial Dues. One years dues shall be payable upon application to the AYYA.

10. Annual dues. Annual dues shall be levied on all Active Members each year in the month of December. The members shall be entitled to all privileges except that the subscription to the Yo-Yo Times shall always begin with the current or next edition and expire one year later. The individual issue price is subject to change by the publisher.

11. Prepaying of Membership Dues. Members may prepay their membership dues up to three years in advance.

12. Reclassification of membership. If the dues for any member shall be unpaid by January 30, that individual's membership will be reclassified as an Associate Life Member with loss of respective privileges.

13. Notification of Reclassification of Membership. One post card notification will be sent to members on or about January 30th via US Mail requesting submission of past due dues and notifying them that they are now classified as a non-active Associate Life Member.

1. Place and Time of Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of the General Membership (members entitled to voting privileges) shall be held at the place designated for the National Yo-Yo Competition or at such place as the Board of Directors shall designate and authorize.

2. Special Meeting. Special meetings of the voting members may be called by the Board of Directors or by the President of the Board. Special Meetings shall be called by the President at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors, or at the request in writing of at least one-third of the outstanding number of voting members at the time as shown on the records of the AYYA. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting and the business transacted shall be confined to the purpose(s) stated in the call to the meeting.

3. Notice. Written notice of each special meeting of the voting members shall state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called; the place, date and hour of the meeting and shall indicate that it is being issued by or at the direction of the person or persons calling the meeting. Notice shall be sent by ordinary mail to each member's address not less than two weeks prior to the date of the meeting.

4. Quorum. One-third of the members entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Absentee ballots or voting proxies may be counted towards a quorum at the meeting; however, a minimum of ten percent of the membership must be present to organize the meeting.

1. One vote per Active member.

2. Method of voting. Any member entitled to vote may do so either by (a) voting in attendance, (b) voting by absentee ballot which must be received by the AYYA no less than three days before the date of the meeting, or (c) voting by proxy, cast by a voting member in attendance. Such voting proxy shall be signed and dated by the voting member and registered with the Secretary by the member in attendance at the meeting.

3. Majority vote. All AYYA matters required to be voted upon by the members shall be authorized by a majority of the votes cast.

1. Management of the AYYA. The management of the AYYA shall reside in its Board of Directors, each director of which shall be at least eighteen years of age.

2. Election of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be elected by those members entitled to vote by ballot in the September AYYA Newsletter. Results will be published in the December AYYA Newsletter. If possible, the YO-YO Times Issue prior to the September AYYA Newsletter shall have a request for nominations published. Nominations can be by any Active Member in good standing or by the individual Active Member. Each nominated individual must be an Active Member of the AYYA. Each Active Member entitled to vote shall have one vote to cast for each position on the Board. The nominees receiving the highest number of votes shall become members of the Board. The first order of business of the Board of Directors after each election shall be to elect one of their members as President of the Board, to serve until the following year when the next Board is elected. Directors' Name, Address, Phone, e-mail and year of term expiration shall be on the cover page of each AYYA Newsletter

3. Board of Directors Annual Meetings. There shall be two (2) Annual Meetings of the Board of Directors. One will be held at the place designated for the National YO-YO Competition and the other at such place as the Board of Directors shall designate and authorize. The second meeting may be held via phone conference, videoconference or other ways as the Board of Directors shall designate and authorize. These meetings are open to all members.

4. Number of Directors. The number of elected directors shall be no less than seven or more than fifteen. The Board may increase or decrease the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors then in office as long as the total remains an odd number.

5. Term of office. Directors shall serve the AYYA for a period of two years beginning January 1 at 12:01 AM. Director's terms are staggered and have no term limits.

6. Removal from the Board. Directors may be removed with cause by a majority vote of (a) the voting members of the AYYA, or (b) the Board of Directors. Directors may be removed without cause only by vote of three-fourths of the voting members of the AYYA.

7. Resignation. A Director may resign at any time upon giving written notice to the Board of Directors or to the President of the Board. Unless otherwise specified in the notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt of the notice by the AYYA Board.

8. Vacancies. If a vacancy is created on the Board of Directors, such vacancy may be filled by an Active Member in good standing who receives a majority vote of the Board. Persons chosen to fill such vacancies shall hold office until the next election to the Board.

9. Quorum. A quorum for the transaction of business of the Board of Directors shall be a majority of the total number of directors.

10. Voting. Each elected director shall be entitled to one vote. Unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws, the vote of a majority of the Directors present and voting shall constitute an act of the Board of Directors.

11. Special meetings of the Board of Directors. Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such times and places, as the Board shall determine. Such meetings shall be held upon notice of each director sent not less than fifteen days before scheduled meeting, either in person, by mail or by telephone.

12. Participation in meetings by telephone. Any director may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors by means of a conference telephone call or other similar communications setup if all of the persons participating in the meeting are able to hear one another. Participation by such means shall constitute presence at the meeting.

13. Presiding officer. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, the President shall preside. In his or her absence, a Board member designated by the Board, as Acting President shall preside.

14. Committees. The Board of Directors by resolution may designate, from its members. Advisory Committees to fulfill such functions and purposes designated by the Board of Directors and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.

15. Manufacturers. Manufacturers are defined as an individual holding stock or having a financial interest in a company manufacturing yo-yos or component parts, including any family member. These individuals may not serve on the Board of Directors in order to prevent possible conflicts of interest in the decisions the Board makes.

1. Officers. Individuals who are members in good standing shall be eligible for appointment as officers of the AYYA. Officers shall be appointed by the Board of Directors following the Annual Meeting by a majority vote of the Board. All officers of the AYYA shall perform, to the best of their abilities, the duties and responsibilities associated with each office as designated by the Board of Directors. In the event of a vacancy in any office, an acting officer will be appointed by the Board of Directors.

2. Term of office. All officers shall be appointed to hold office for a period of one year or until a successor has been appointed.

3. Removal from office. Any officer appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed from office by a majority vote of the general members, and the authority of an officer to act may be suspended by the Board of Directors with cause.

4. Holding multiple offices. No one person may serve as both President and Treasurer during the same term. Otherwise, any two or more offices may be simultaneously held by the same person

5. President. The President of the Board shall be the chief executive officer and President of the AYYA; shall preside at all meetings of the voting members and of the Board of Directors; shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are put into effect; and shall serve in an administrative capacity at all AYYA events. The President, in order to be appointed to office, shall have previously served on the Board of Directors of the AYYA and be an active member.

6. Compensation of officers. Officers of the AYYA may be eligible for such reasonable compensation or reimbursement as may be determined by the general membership at the Annual Meeting.

7. Bond. If the Board of Directors shall so require, any officer, employee or agent of the AYYA shall execute to the AYYA a bond in such amount as the Board of Directors may require, conditioned upon his or her faithful performance of duties and including responsibilities for negligence and for the accounting of all property, funds or securities of the AYYA which may come into his or her control.

The AYYA may hire employees and/or independent contractors for such duties as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, determine. The sole responsibility of acquisition and dismissal of such employees shall rest with the power of the Board of Directors. Board members may not hold any AYYA paid positions.

The Logo of the AYYA shall be as shown herein. This logo may be a facsimile, engraved or printed. The Logo shall be imprinted on all AYYA stationery. The Board of Directors shall have the sole power to approve or disapprove any or change of the AYYA Logo.

All AYYA instruments and documents shall be signed or countersigned, executed, verified or acknowledged by such officer or officers or other person or persons as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, designate.

All meetings of the members of the Board of Directors shall be conducted according to standard parliamentary procedures as defined by Robert's Rules of Order.

The fiscal year of the AYYA shall be October 1 to September 30.

1. These Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the majority vote of the members voting.

2. All amendments proposed by a member shall be in writing and presented to the President. The President shall then present such proposed amendment to the members at the next meeting or via voting ballot in the AYYA Newsletters.

1. Members must notify the AYYA of changes in their mailing address and e-mail addressed via written memo sent to the Washington address.

1. Individuals must submit their request for contest sanctioning to the Board of Directors no less than 30 days prior to the event.

2. Sanctioned events require all parameters of the AYYA Approved Tricks List and Rules.

1. All AYYA checks must be signed by both the Treasurer and the President.

Jimmy Johnson has served his two years on the Board of Directors and is up for re-election. Also Paul Buthe is temporarily filling in for Ken Miller due to Ken’s resignation (Ken was just too busy with his school to participate on the board at this time). Paul was next to be elected in the 1996 elections.

Through the years my continued obsession with the sport never 'Yo-Yo'd'. Some of the best and most interesting parts of my life have revolved around Yo-Yoing, from doing it for pleasure to doing it for competition and meeting new, fun people along the way. In addition to my consuming passion for this sport, I offer the following accomplishments for nomination for the Board position: Trained by Dale Oliver, Wayne Lundberg, Barney Akers, Gus Somera and Bill deBoisblanc.

Baton Rouge city champion, 1950s. Louisiana State champion, 1950s. Placed 4th & 5th in the National Championships in Chico in the 90s. Yo-Yo instructor for over 7 years. Hold Yo-Yo clinics for Scouts, youth groups, church groups, company picnics, birthday parties and anywhere else groups of people want to learn. Manufacturer of wooden YO-YOs customized for two handed looping. Present distributor for various Yo-Yo manufacturers. Thank you for your consideration of this application and I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue my love of Yo-Yoing by service to this association in the continued advancement of this sport.

Then with Tom Smothers being a major influence and a non-competitive trip to Chico in 1995, I was hooked. Now I compete, collect, support YO-YO clubs and make it a point to introduce everyone I meet to the wonders of a spinning yo-yo.

As an AYYA board member I would work towards exposing the world of YO to a wider audience and would be an all-around good will ambassador for the sport.

Canada add $4, Outside North America add $8

• AYYA Membership Card
• AYYA Membership Patch
• 2 issues AYYA Newsletter
• 4 issues Yo-Yo Times
• Official AYYA contest Rules
• Official AYYA contest trick list
• AYYA Bylaws
• Voting privileges