On Sunday, August 28, we held our first KyTyper Type-In at a very cool coffee shop here in Lexington, A Cup of Commonwealth. These folks have a real heart for our city and for building community and were totally onboard with allowing us to hold a Type-In.
It's always tough to know just how many people to expect at a Type-In. We were pleasantly surprised that about 20 people came for a few hours of typewriter fun. We were a little short on space but everyone took it in stride and seemed to make the best of it. It was fun seeing the various typewriters that people brought along. There was quite a variety of machines - everything from an Oliver to an IBM Personal Selectric!
Not only did everyone enjoy trying out various typewriters, several also wrote letters to first responders or US soldiers. Operation Gratitude makes it easy to participate in their efforts of encouraging first responders, soldiers, and veterans through letter writing. They include these letters in care packages that they distribute.
A speed typing contest was held and I believe everyone had great fun trying to type as fast and accurately as they could. I loved the sound of hearing approximately 20 typewriters clacking and dinging throughout the five minute contest. Charly even participated on her Oliver! We gave prizes for fastest and slowest times. After all, everyone needs a typewriter ashtray or a vintage typing competition pin (thanks Dave!).
Toward the end of the event, we had a drawing for a free, refurbished typewriter, a Brother Charger. A co-worker of mine won the typewriter and it's already been put to use this week in some workplace shenanigans.
We are thankful for everyone who attended and expect to host another Type-In in 2017. The Typewriter Insurgency Lives in Lexington, KY!
