| Volume 41 Issue 2 | October 2001 |
| Volume 41 Issue 2 | October 2001 |
Every month, I’m supposed to write something in this space. Sometimes it’s a description of something I’ve done, with the hopes of inspiring a member to try something new. Sometimes it’s a rah-rah column about the benefits of being a member of the NMRA. Sometimes it’s about nothing in particular at all.
I’ll admit - this month, I don’t feel like writing anything. The events of the last several weeks have affected us all, and model railroading isn’t real high on the list of priorities.
For me, modeling will forever be linked with the events of 11 September, 2001. When I heard the first reports of a plane hitting the WTC, I was meeting with Brian Hackett, Executive Director of the Dayton-Montgomery County Historical Society (and a Division member) about the new Regional History Museum, and how the Division (and other Dayton rail organizations) might work with the DMCHS to put together some kind of display for the museum.
A lady (maybe a volunteer, maybe not) came into the conference room and told us a plane had hit the World Trade Center. My first thoughts were that it was a tragic accident. Perhaps it was the surroundings - the conference room had several nice artifacts - but I immediately recalled the 1945 crash of a B-25 into the Empire State Building. It was only after I got into my car and heard the news reports from National Public Radio that I realized that it was much, much more than that.
The last few weeks have left me mentally and physically exhausted, as I’m sure they have left many of you. The business of the Division goes on, however - and right now, the Division needs your help to make sure our program both for our members and for the public comes off according to plan. Here’s where we are right now…
On October 21, our meeting will be at the Springfield Masonic Home. The Dalmatian Switching District will be there Saturday Oct 20, along with a number of other small layouts. We will hold our normal meeting at 2 pm on Sunday. See the notice elsewhere in the Callboard.
The November Train Show is November 3 and 4, with setup the evening of November 2. We need people for ticket sellers, ticket takers, the membership table, and demonstration clinics. We also need assistance with getting dealers in on Friday night and Saturday morning, and with helping them get out Sunday night. If you can help, please call me, or Dave Decker (890-0611). Also, if you’re interested in having your home layout open, contact Don Kriegbaum at 836-8022.
The Gem City Flyer Mid-Central Regional Convention is in April 2002. The various convention chairs seem to be in pretty good shape getting their areas in order - but we’re sure to need your help at the convention itself! We have need of somebody to keep the hospitality room going strong during the convention as well. We also need to start collecting cookies - we’re going to need about 100 dozen! William Niebes has some new obligations that may curtail his time over the next several months, so we could use some help on publicity, too.
One of the things we’re doing with the convention is to try to draw in new members through a special non-member fare. This means that we need to make certain that our event is in the public eye. There is a possibility of having a spring train show in March 2002 as a warm,-up event for the convention. It may be one day - possibly two. We are looking into venues, preferably one that is free or inexpensive, and will try to make this event free to the public. If we play our cards right, we may also get a lot of free publicity for the convention.
Finally, the Division election is right around the corner. We need a nominating committee, and we need members who are willing to step forward to lead our efforts for the next two years. Fred Schneider may or may not be able to continue as Assistant Superintendent - if he can’t do it, he’ll be sorely missed because he is one of the most ardent supporters of the Division. With four active boys at home, my schedule is busy enough that I (and my family) would prefer that I not continue as Superintendent next term. That said, I would stay on if nobody else comes forward. (Maybe I need a good scandal to make people want to get me out of office!)
As you can see, there are a lot of things coming up that the Division needs to do over then next several months. The more people we have helping, the better off we are. This is your Division, and this is your chance to mold it to what best meets your needs! I know that each and every one of you will do what you can.
Ray
© 2001 Division 3, MCR, NMRA