| Volume 39 Issue 4 | December 1999 |
| Volume 39 Issue 4 | December 1999 |
This will be the last Super Saying before the turn of the Century. While technically not the start of the Millennium, it is the start of a new century. With our dependence on computers for all facets of our lives, including model railroad interfaces, it is my wish that we won't be pushing our trains down the track by hand, and that potential computer glitches have been overblown. It is also the last issue before the holiday season. I hope that everyone has a joyous holiday season, and that your Christmas stockings are filled with goodies for the layout. (I plan on having the old airbrush ready for those new Stewart C628's.)
The 24th Annual Division 3 train show is history. The first weekend in November featured the finest weekend of Indian Summer weather we have had in Ohio in the last twenty-four years. Unfortunately, we usually pray for snow, sleet or at the very least, cold weather. Normally we will have an attendance of 3800 to 4800 over the two-day run of the show. The great weather virtually insured that the public would be outside, and not at the show. The total attendance was 2440, or roughly our typical Saturday attendance. The good news is that most of them were paying customers. Between the gate and the table sales we will still make a profit on the show, although not as large as in the last couple of years.
I do want to express the BOG's appreciation to everyone who helped, whether by helping to man the door, give a demonstration, help vendors load and unload, having a layout at the show or hosting an open house. The participation of the members and other modelers in the area are what make the show great every year. And, even with attendance down, this was another great show with plenty of dealers and exhibits. Special thanks to Dave Decker, the train show Chairman, and to the Crossroads Club who built a layout at the show and who donated a 4' x 6' layout as a door prize, won by Brian Paules of Grove City.
It is now time to move on to the March show. This will be our old fashioned, layout only show. The show will be the first Saturday in March and will be held in conjunction with the WHIO baby fair at Hara. This year there will be no admission charge and there should be direct access from the baby fair to the show. We will update you on the show as we get closer to March. We will need members to put on demonstrations and clinics.
The most important decision facing the Division in the new Century, is who will lead us. I am looking forward to assuming the position of Past Superintendent. We need to have a Nominating Committee Chairman in place by the December meeting. If you are good at hounding , cajoling or hoodwinking people into saying yes to things, then the Division needs you. Also, qualified candidates are needed for Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and Chief Clerk. (Breathing is the only real qualification.) This is a good time to stand up and help lead the Division into the 2000's.
This is also a good time to wrap up some loose ends. I gave my copy of the Bulletin to Ray so he could see the cover shot, and missed the fact that two of Al McClelland's slides took First and Second at the St. Paul Convention. Al's photos seem to go hand in hand with his superb modeling. Also, back in the June Call Board, I mentioned Ron Dietrich's skyscraper being present in the contest room, but I failed to mention that he received the George Muller award for the best in show. This is the President's trophy that is being given in the name of late Division 3 Superintendent George Muller.. My apologies to Al and Ron for these oversights.
December's meeting will be at the Wright Library. The presentation will be on DCC, which is not Spanish, but is the latest innovation in the hobby. Division 3 has long been known as a hotbed of operation, and DCC may be the ticket to the most realistic form of operation yet. Learn the ins and outs of this millennium technology. The contest is winter modeling. The real thing, not the summer-like conditions we have had thus far. So let it snow on your model and bring it to the meeting.
Until next time, happy modeling.
Brian Petroziello, Superintendent
© 1999 Division 3, MCR, NMRA