Champaign-Urbana Area Newbie!

[RoseR]

Hello!

 

I’m new to the forum. I was interested in looking into local (or Chicago) based clubs I could start attending to talk about pens. 
 

I’m a computer scientist with a deep interest in networking in my day to day. Since graduating college, my friends and I have used letters to stay in touch, send photos, and generally enjoy not having to track social media all the time for all our important parts of life.

There’s something so nice and intimate about not having an instant form of communication. An old teacher used to have us write instead of type our answers to practice standardized tests. She said, “You think differently when you have to make your words exist.” I’m honored my friends share that side of themselves with me. 
 

So I like to put a lot of effort and care into my letters. I’ve recently started to improve my penmanship and got a vintage Sheaffer off eBay for a few bucks. It was in a bad state, so I repaired it. That was such a fun experience that I’m solidly into fountain pens now! 
 

Nice to meet you! I’ll probably spend way more time lurking than talking, but please let me know if you have any advice or favorite haunts. Or if you know which clubs are active in my area (the ones I found seem to be defunct since the Pandemic). 

[PAKMAN]

Hello and Welcome to FPN!! So glad to have you as a member!!

[OCArt]

[1nkulus]

You have successfully entered a rabbit hole/warren, who knows what it'll yield and where it'll lead.

Enjoy the fascinating journey and feel free to ask/share.  

 

[northstar]

Hello and welcome to FPN.

[Prof Drew]

welcome to FPN. I've been to Chambana a few times for research and conferences when I lived in the Midwest. I remember a few good used bookstores, but don't recall looking for fountain pens. Enjoy.

 

I know Chicago is a long trip, but at least you have Atlas Stationers and a pen club and pen show up there. Enjoy.

[antares1966]

Hello and welcome!  So much collective wisdom here, and most of us will happily "pen-able" you in your hobby!

 

My eldest daughter lives in Chicago, my wife and I are heading out to visit this spring and will +1 the rec for Atlas, I haven't been yet but will likely make the pilgrimage this spring.

 

Did you go to school at U of I?  An old high school classmate of mine has been a professor of computer science there for many years.

[Wahl]

[Mark from Yorkshire]

A warm welcome from Yorkshire UK

[JohnUphill]

You might want to consider attending the St. Louis Pen Show in June. Details are available online.