LONE STAR DIVISION Train Collectors Association's
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<strong>LONE</strong> <strong>STAR</strong> <strong>DIVISION</strong><br />
<strong>Train</strong> <strong>Collectors</strong> Association’s<br />
WINTER MEET<br />
Hosted by the Gulf Coast Chapter<br />
January 9, 2010<br />
Katy VFW Hall<br />
George Bush Dr. (the old 6th Street) & Ave. D Katy, Texas<br />
<strong>Train</strong> <strong>Collectors</strong> Association Mission Statement:<br />
To develop an appreciation of and to preserve an important segment of history - Tinplate Toy <strong>Train</strong>s - through research,<br />
education, community outreach, fellowship, establishment of collecting standards, and to promote the growth<br />
and enjoyment of collecting and operating toy, model and scale trains.<br />
Operating layouts – buy/sell trains – refreshments – door prizes & train raffle<br />
NOTE: ALL TCA STANDARDS RULES AND REGULATIONS APPLY!<br />
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2010<br />
5–8 or 9:00 PM Open house hosted by Houston Tinplate Operators Society (HTOS) HTOS is in Memorial City Mall at the South East corner<br />
of I 10 (Katy Freeway) and Gessner (this is approx. 6 miles East of Katy). Their store front is on the North side of the mall across from Target and<br />
next to Radio Shack. The mall has ample parking, but the most convenient parking area is located on the east side of Target and to the west of Macy’s.<br />
6–9:00 PM Registration/Unloading (open box rules–tables covered NO TRADING)<br />
Note: Security will be provided by TCA members.<br />
7:30 PM Division Board Meeting<br />
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010<br />
8:00 AM Registration/Unloading<br />
9:00 AM Meet opens for TCA Members and guests<br />
10:15 AM Division Business Meeting<br />
10:30 AM Meet opens to the general public<br />
1:00 PM Engine Derby Contest<br />
2:00 PM Auction<br />
3:30 PM Contest Winners Announced<br />
4:00 PM Meet Closes<br />
6:00 PM Optional Dinner–location to be announced<br />
CONTESTS:<br />
Best of Show (voted on from the other 4)<br />
Best Pre–War Era<br />
Best Post–War Era<br />
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- cut here ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Note: If you reside in the Lone Star Division area, but are not a current member, admission will be $20.00<br />
Pre-Registration $5.00 per Member / family $____________<br />
($6.00 at the door)<br />
Pre-Registration Tables $18.00 per 2 1/2’ x 6’ table X_____= $____________<br />
($25.00 at the door)<br />
Guest Registration: $6.00 per Guest under 18 free X_____= $____________<br />
TOTAL REMITTED $____________<br />
Best Modern Era<br />
Best <strong>Train</strong> Related<br />
Fill out back side<br />
of this form!<br />
Postmark by<br />
Jan 2, 2010<br />
NAME___________________________________ TCA #_____–____________________<br />
ADDRESS___________________________CITY_____________________STATE______ ZIP_________<br />
PHONE (____) ____________________<br />
NAMES OF FAMILY MEMBERS ATTENDING _________________________________________________<br />
<strong>Train</strong><br />
NAMES<br />
<strong>Collectors</strong><br />
OF GUEST<br />
Association<br />
(S)<br />
– Lone<br />
ATTENDING<br />
Star Division<br />
_________________________________________________________<br />
– Newsletter January 2010 – Winter Meet – Katy, Texas<br />
Page 1
The VFW Hall is located on 6th Street off Avenue D just 3/10 mile north of US 90. The parking lot is east of the VFW<br />
Hall, just after the baseball field. The main entrance for unloading is also located in the east side of the VFW Hall.<br />
UP RR<br />
tracks<br />
from<br />
San Antonio<br />
exit # 740<br />
Park<br />
VFW<br />
Hall<br />
KATY<br />
To San Antonio<br />
Exit 740<br />
FM 1463<br />
Pin Oak<br />
Ave. D<br />
George Bush Dr. (the old 6 th Street)<br />
Exit 742<br />
Katy–<br />
Ft. Bend<br />
Exit 743<br />
Grand<br />
Parkway<br />
Hotels: All local hotels are accessible from the Grand Parkway exit # 743. They are located on the Eastbound access road of<br />
IH-10 between Grand Parkway (exit # 743) and Mason Rd (exit 745). All types of restaurants are available in the area.<br />
Comfort Inn & Suites West–Katy, IH-10 at Mason Rd., Katy, TX (281) 392-8700<br />
Best Western Houston West, 22455 IH-10 West, Katy, Texas (281) 392-9800<br />
Holiday Inn Express, 22105 IH-10 West, Katy, Texas (281) 395-4800<br />
Hampton Inn & Suites West–Katy, 22055 IH-10 West, Katy, Texas (281) 392-1000<br />
Exit 745<br />
Mason Rd.<br />
Saturday Night Dinner: We plan to have a dinner, at a location to be announced. The cost will be approximately $20.00<br />
per person. Details will be announced at the meet. Note that this event will be cancelled if we do not get good response.<br />
Meet Rules:<br />
1. The meet is open to all TCA members, their families and guests. Members’ spouses who are not themselves members<br />
will not be charged admission, Children, of members under the age of 18, will not be charged.<br />
2. Guests may buy, but not sell.<br />
3. The Open Box rule will be in effect from unloading to Sat. at 9:00 AM No trading or browsing before Sat. 9:00 AM<br />
4. Prices must be marked on all items offered for sale. A list of items with prices indicated is also acceptable.<br />
5. Badges must be worn at all times in the trading hall.<br />
For info: Carl Olson (281) 277-7630 or David H. Fronick (281) 282-0441<br />
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- cut here ------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO:<br />
“Lone Star Division-TCA”<br />
Postmark by Sat. Jan. 2, 2010<br />
1.6 miles<br />
IH-10<br />
Map not to scale<br />
U.S. Hwy 90<br />
Hotels this side<br />
Mail To: Mike Lewis – “TCA Meet”<br />
3410 E. Pine Brook Way<br />
Houston, Texas 77059-3202<br />
I agree to comply with all of the rules and regulations of the <strong>Train</strong> <strong>Collectors</strong> Association (TCA) and its Divisions and<br />
Chapters in effect from time to time, specifically including all the rules and regulations of all TCA Committees and any<br />
actions and rulings of all TCA Committees. I also agree that all items sold by me to any TCA member or at any TCA<br />
sponsored meet shall be sold on the basis that I represent that all such items are authentic and in the manufacturer’s<br />
original condition unless I have caused any such item to be appropriately marked as a restoration or reproduction.<br />
Interested in attending Saturday night dinner? Yes:________No:________<br />
Member’s Signature________________________________________________ Date:____/____/____<br />
Page 2 <strong>Train</strong> <strong>Collectors</strong> Association – Lone Star Division – Newsletter January 2010 – Winter Meet – Katy, Texas<br />
N<br />
To Houston<br />
from<br />
Houston<br />
exit # 742
<strong>Train</strong> <strong>Collectors</strong> Association – Lone Star Division’s<br />
Katy, Texas Meet January 9, 2010<br />
<strong>Train</strong> <strong>Collectors</strong> Association Mission Statement: To develop an appreciation of and to preserve<br />
an important segment of history - Tinplate Toy <strong>Train</strong>s - through research, education, community outreach, fellowship,<br />
establishment of collecting standards, and to promote the growth and enjoyment of collecting and operating toy, model and scale trains.<br />
TCA 2010 Convention information-book Jan 1 st !<br />
National voting results<br />
The 56 The new by-laws passed by a<br />
nice margin. This was needed for<br />
many reasons. There will be minimal<br />
change in what the members will see.<br />
It will help the Division and National<br />
officers do business.<br />
The following were elected:<br />
President-elect:<br />
Paul Edgar<br />
Vice-President:<br />
Carol McGinnis<br />
Treasurer:<br />
Bill Kotek<br />
Secretary:<br />
Christie Wilson<br />
Ron Stowell moves up to President.<br />
Their term goes into effect July, 1,<br />
2010 after the June Convention.<br />
I thank all that those that participated<br />
in voting on these important<br />
issues.<br />
<strong>Train</strong> <strong>Collectors</strong> Association – Lone Star Division – Newsletter January 2010 – Winter Meet – Katy, Texas<br />
Page 3<br />
th TCA Annual Convention museums in the U.S.<br />
is in Baltimore, Maryland June 20- Other tours not to be missed:<br />
27, 2010. There are direct flights to • Udvar-Hazy National Air and<br />
Baltimore’s BWI Airport from most Space Museum at Dulles Interna-<br />
major cities.<br />
tional Airport with dinner at Union<br />
They have selected three qual- Station in Washington, DC<br />
ity hotel accommodations for you, • Sailing in Annapolis, MD<br />
with attractive room rates. They • Fully guided entertaining tour of<br />
are within walking distance of one Washington for ages 8 and up.<br />
another—the Sheraton Baltimore • Visit to the World War II Me-<br />
City Center Hotel (convention headmorial. Photo Opportunities at the<br />
quarters hotel), the Holiday Inn Inner White House and the U.S. Capitol.<br />
Harbor, and the Radisson Plaza Lord Visit to the Lincoln, Viet Nam and<br />
Baltimore. So, we know you will Korean Memorials. Lunch inside the<br />
sleep well and will be rested for the newly renovated American History<br />
more than forty tours and events op- Museum<br />
tions we have to offer. You can make • Time on the Mall to visit the<br />
hotel reservations beginning January Smithsonian Air and Space or Natu-<br />
1, 2010. Tour information and sign ral History Museums<br />
up will be in your January TCA HQ • BALTIMORE RAIL TOUR-<br />
Newsletter issue.<br />
American railroading began in<br />
The Welcome Party will be at<br />
the Sports Legends and Geppi’s<br />
Baltimore and the evidence of the<br />
railroad’s glorious history is ev-<br />
Museum sewer system<br />
Entertainment Museums at Camden erywhere throughout the city. On The Management Committee<br />
Station near the Inner Harbor. this comprehensive tour, immerse and the National Board of Directors,<br />
The Harbor Dinner Cruise will yourself in Baltimore’s railroading of which I am a voting member on<br />
be aboard one of two ships with history.<br />
both, approved going forward with<br />
a combined capacity of 650 for a • Tour the B&O Railroad Museum, a new sewer treatment plant. This<br />
leisurely cruise along the Patapsco ride to the restoration facility and plant was required by local and state<br />
River. Among the sites that our take a look at the rare machinery authorities.<br />
vessels—Spirit of Baltimore and used in the restoration process and This was after nearly a decade<br />
the Inner Harbor Spirit—will travel a peek at some of the “Iron Horses” of talking, planning and looking for<br />
past are Fort McHenry, Federal Hill, currently being restored.<br />
alternatives of what could be done<br />
Canton, and Fell’s Point.<br />
• Gettysburg battle site of the for a sewer system for our museum.<br />
A once in a lifetime six hour Civil War. This battle is considered This was no easy decision as this<br />
cruise aboard an authentic steam- a turning point in the War between system will cost us around $749,000.<br />
powered, World War II Liberty the North and the South. Visit the Construction has already begun<br />
Ship—the S.S. John W. Brown. new Visitor’s Center with exhibits, and is expected to be completed by<br />
A children’s tour for ages 5-10 a movie and the Cyclorama. There late spring. This will bring much<br />
is scheduled for the Port Discovery will be a guided Battlefield Bus tour relief (is that a pun?) for the museum<br />
Children’s Museum. Port Discovery with lunch at the historic Dobbin staff and the visiting public that had<br />
is ranked among the TOP 5 children’s (See TCA Convention 2010 p. 7)<br />
to use port-a-potties for years! – Pat<br />
Halpin
Lone Star Division account activity July 1 to November 30, 2009<br />
Starting balance July 1, 2009 $7,944.71<br />
Inflows<br />
SA&AP Car $ 120.00 We have only one or two of the<br />
SA & AP & MKT cars left!<br />
LSD dues $ 14.00<br />
LSD Name tag $<br />
Membership contest $<br />
Meet Income:<br />
Plano, Texas $2,159.00<br />
Ponchatoula, LA $3,426.00<br />
Total Meets Income: $5,585.00<br />
Total Inflows $5,719.00<br />
Checking account balance as of June 30, 2009: $ 7,944.71<br />
Certificate of Deposit as of June 30, 2009: $28,088.50<br />
Outflows<br />
Membership Award $ 50.00 to CTC<br />
Bank fees $ 12.50<br />
Meet: New Braunfels, TX $ 64.00 May 2009<br />
Meet: Plano, TX $2,753.51 Aug 2009<br />
Meet: Ponchatoula, LA $ 946.11 Nov 2009<br />
Total Meets Expenses: $3,763.62<br />
Name badges $ 168.00<br />
Newsletter printing $1,444.63<br />
Newsletter Postage $ 610.28<br />
Office $ 30.81<br />
Postage $ 36.80<br />
Printing (flyers, etc.) $ 237.13<br />
Total Outflows $6,353.77<br />
Overall Total Inflows after expenses: $ -634.77<br />
Ending balance June 30, 2009 $7,309.94<br />
$36,033.21 Beginning Cash Balance<br />
Checking account balance as of Nov. 30, 2009: $ 7,309.94<br />
Certificate of Deposit as of Nov. 30, 2009: $28,176.95 $88.45 interest earned<br />
$35,486.89 Ending Cash Balance<br />
Lone Star Division officers and Chapter officers<br />
Please contact any of these people if you are interested in joining a local chapter<br />
Lone Star Division Officers:<br />
Pat Halpin (San Antonio, Texas) President/Editor 210-661-4238 pathalpin@aol.com<br />
David H. Fronick (Houston, Texas) Vice-President 281-282-0441 dhfron@sbcglobal.net<br />
Clay Kinsner (San Antonio, Texas) Secretary/Treas 210-655-4665 clayk@lonestartrains.com<br />
Newton Derby (Willis, Texas) Director-at-Large 936-890-2564 nbderby@hotmail.com<br />
Chapter for the State of Louisiana:<br />
Clay Fourrier (Baton Rouge, LA) President 225-767-4239 stereocatz@yahoo.com<br />
Mortimore F. Kelly (New Orleans, LA) Vice–President 504-394-9909 mortimorekelly@bellsouth.net<br />
A.L. Levy, Jr. (Ponchatoula, LA) Sec/Treas 985-386-7141 callall@bellsouth.net<br />
Dallas / Fort Worth and surrounding area: North Texas Chapter<br />
Woody Hickman (Dallas, Texas) President 972-239-2323 Woodyhickman@tx.rr.com<br />
Steve Allen (Plano, Texas) President-elect 972-867-2836 hsallen5@yahoo.com<br />
Ron Spinek (Plano, Texas) Vice-President 214-383-9478 rspinek@swbell.net<br />
Pat Neil (Dallas, Texas) Secretary/Treas 214-696-3834 pneil@trainsandtoys.com<br />
Houston and surrounding area: Gulf Coast Chapter<br />
Carl Olson (Richmond, Texas) President 281-277-7630 carlolson23@comcast.net<br />
David H. Fronick (Houston, Texas) Vice–President 281-282-0441 dhfron@sbcglobal.net<br />
Mike Lewis (Houston, Texas) Secretary/Treas 281-488-8349 lewismob@sbcglobal.net<br />
San Antonio and surrounding area: Central Texas Chapter<br />
Clay Kinsner (San Antonio, Texas) President 210-655-4665 clayk@lonestartrains.com<br />
Frank Hamadock (S.A./Cibolo, Texas) Vice–President 210-945-9623 frankhamadock@msn.com<br />
Brady Burdge (San Antonio, Texas) Secretary 210-566-1270 brady@lionellines.com<br />
Jerry Skrocki (San Antonio, Texas) Treasurer 210-658-0300 jskrocki@aol.com<br />
Page 4 <strong>Train</strong> <strong>Collectors</strong> Association – Lone Star Division – Newsletter January 2010 – Winter Meet – Katy, Texas
LSD York attendees<br />
Members of the Lone Star Division<br />
were in force at the October 2009 TCA<br />
Eastern Division York meet.<br />
Yorkies, as Clay Kinsner calls us,<br />
were in Pennsylvania for 5-7 days.<br />
The following LSD members that I<br />
know of, or remember, attended:<br />
Don & Josie Allen<br />
and their guests:<br />
Don & Judy Young–<br />
Seabrook, TX<br />
Carl & Sarah Dolezal–<br />
Pittsburgh, PA<br />
Steve and Jane Allen<br />
Jeff Amann & his son Arthur,<br />
Bill & Lynn Andel<br />
John April–California<br />
Denise & David Bobendread<br />
Price and Margaret Bradshaw<br />
Jerry and Jo Beth Burnett<br />
Newt Derby<br />
Dick & Kathy Dooley<br />
Phillip Dybvig & Rose Anderson<br />
Roger Farkash<br />
Bob Hagar<br />
Pat Halpin & Sara McClanahan<br />
Bill & Sherleen Harrison<br />
Bob Hill<br />
Joe Imparato<br />
Terral Klaassen (OK).<br />
Bruce Koehler<br />
Bill Lohman<br />
Tom Lytle<br />
Roy McClellan<br />
David MacGregor<br />
Ponchatoula meet May meet moves!<br />
The Ponchatoula meet did excepently<br />
well under the guidance and<br />
efforts of A. L. Levy. He not only<br />
changed the venue to a location that<br />
was cheaper, he tied it in with Antique<br />
Trade Days and Craft Show<br />
which is a bi-annual event. This<br />
brought great results from all directions.<br />
The meet took in $3,426.00<br />
and the expenses were $946.11 plus<br />
$296.00 that was paid out after the<br />
report on the left. This resulted in a<br />
profit of $2,183.89.<br />
The New Braunfels meet for last<br />
year and the Plano meet consistently<br />
made little or no profit due to the<br />
high costs of the venues. We have<br />
solved the problem in New Braunfels<br />
as you will read elsewhere on<br />
this page.<br />
Ken & Linda Muth<br />
Pat and Cheri Neil<br />
Carl Olson<br />
Ray Papciak & his wife<br />
Russ & Becky Rittimann<br />
Tom & Chris Rogers<br />
David & Mary Sandberg<br />
Ron & Kathy Skobies<br />
George & Rita Tait<br />
John Vicento<br />
Jerry Vicento<br />
Tom Warner<br />
George Watson<br />
<strong>Train</strong> <strong>Collectors</strong> Association – Lone Star Division – Newsletter January 2010 – Winter Meet – Katy, Texas<br />
The Lone Star Division May<br />
meet that has been held in New<br />
Braunfels for over 20 years is moving<br />
to Garden Ridge, Texas. This<br />
location is just out side of San Antonio’s<br />
Loop 1604 by less than two<br />
miles and is less than two miles<br />
west of IH-35.<br />
We enjoyed many good years in<br />
New Braunfels, but we had to move<br />
due to the rent of the New Braunfels<br />
Civic Center going from $550<br />
for years, to $1,300 last year and<br />
this coming year would have cost us<br />
$2,000.00.<br />
The Garden Ridge Community<br />
Center is about six years old and is<br />
very modern with ample surrounding<br />
parking.<br />
Unloading and loading will be<br />
easier at the Garden Ridge Community<br />
Center as it is all one level with<br />
multiple overhead doors in different<br />
locations near the parking lot.<br />
Because of being much closer<br />
to San Antonio we expect better attendance.<br />
With the reduced costs of<br />
just under $1,000.00 we expect it to<br />
be more that just break even or go<br />
into the red.<br />
Below: This is a photo of about 2/3<br />
the front of the Garden Ridge Community<br />
Center with parking on both<br />
sides and in front of it.<br />
Page 5
A note from Woody A time for thanks and giving by Clay Kinsner<br />
Hickman Theresa Romanelli, wife of And each year that I can remember,<br />
Things are starting to pick up<br />
at train shows etc. It is our job to<br />
encourage people to come out and<br />
support the local train shows and<br />
get people involved.<br />
Our North Texas Chapter was<br />
down for the count of 9 a little over<br />
a year ago, no money, no interest<br />
from what membership we did<br />
have and we came roaring back in<br />
less than a year and a half. We now<br />
money in the bank. We did not have<br />
to borrow money from division,<br />
even though it was offered, thank<br />
you. Last, but not least, we are getting<br />
ready to have a rotation of new<br />
officers this year. This is after a new<br />
set of officers last year for the first<br />
time in probably 10 years or more.<br />
In the last quarter we visited<br />
Price and Margaret Bradshaw at<br />
their home in Bonham, Texas. We<br />
also met at Gary Smith’s in Palmer,<br />
TX and saw his big layout. We had<br />
nearly 50 in attendance. We then<br />
met at Ron and Maureen Spinek’s<br />
house and saw his beautiful new<br />
layout that was professional done<br />
by Roger Farkash’s company,<br />
with the close assistance of Ron at<br />
his side as I understand. I had the<br />
board members of the LCCA over<br />
to our house this past summer. We<br />
had the full support of the Lone Star<br />
Highrailers and the Plano Modular<br />
Group.<br />
The following people are all<br />
TCA folks as well but I want to give<br />
them a shout at least one more time<br />
while I am still the “El Presidente”<br />
and bidding a farewell but it is also<br />
that time of year to thank everyone<br />
for their support and generously of<br />
time if not money. Time’s are tough<br />
but we have all seen it before and<br />
Leo Romaelli, left us Thanksgiving<br />
week. Like many of our friends<br />
and family, Theresa was not a TCA<br />
member, but she was actually much<br />
more, giving us all something to be<br />
thankful for.<br />
Theresa was a staple at our May<br />
meets, Christmas Parties and of<br />
course the April meeting every year<br />
at the Romanelli residence. Each<br />
April, she put up with us invading<br />
her home for the business meeting.<br />
She made everyone welcome, including<br />
children. She always made<br />
quite a spread for us with her signature<br />
lasagna and those tasty Italian<br />
waffle cookies, among other things.<br />
Likewise, she would help at the<br />
May meet. She contributed baked<br />
goods to the concession fundraiser<br />
and worked behind the counter.<br />
sure of it.<br />
I must thank Cheri and Pat<br />
Neil along with Pat Halpin, for<br />
their support, guidance and generosity<br />
of time, and talent, guiding me<br />
through this last year and a half. I<br />
thank Darrin Tower for bringing<br />
his Marklin layout to each of our<br />
Plano meets. I also thank the division<br />
members for their help and<br />
support including Jim Medlin for<br />
bringing his “children’s layout” to<br />
our last two meets.<br />
I hope I haven’t messed things’s<br />
up to much for Steve and Jane Allen,<br />
who take over the reins this<br />
January. Cheri has been our communicator<br />
and Pat’s right hand trying<br />
to get out our message and run a<br />
train store at the same time.<br />
Thank you all and merry Xmas<br />
and have a happy and prosperous<br />
new year.<br />
Woody Hickman<br />
she sat at Leo’s vendor table, selling<br />
his trains, while he looked at trains<br />
and helped run the show in whatever<br />
capacity we needed.<br />
Her participation reminds us<br />
that it is not always the paid members<br />
who have meaningful contributions<br />
to our group. Her absence will<br />
remind us of all of the various folks<br />
who have influenced our club in so<br />
many ways: the family cooks, the<br />
supportive spouses who let us play<br />
trains with our friends, the enthusiastic<br />
children and grandchildren<br />
who motivate our train interests, the<br />
volunteers who help us at the shows<br />
by raising money or working a very<br />
long day, and so much more. Think<br />
of all the spouses who support<br />
the club with their food, all of the<br />
spouses, the children and grandchildren<br />
who help us at the May meet,<br />
and the family and friends who run<br />
little errands for our club picking<br />
this or that up for a meeting or show.<br />
Many of these people worked long<br />
and difficult hours when our chapter<br />
hosted the national convention.<br />
Like Theresa, these people do not<br />
have votes in club business. And<br />
some (I bite my tongue as I write<br />
this) do not even appreciate trains<br />
the same way we do. But these<br />
people often contribute more to our<br />
existence than do most paying, voting<br />
members.<br />
We can be thankful this season<br />
to all of these helpers. I could easily<br />
name names here, but I do not want<br />
to leave anyone out—my memory is<br />
not as good as Theresa’s. Besides,<br />
today is about being thankful for<br />
Theresa and her legacy of giving<br />
to both the Central Texas Chapter<br />
TCA and its members -- all of us.<br />
will see good times in 2010 I am President and almost past!!!!<br />
Page 6 <strong>Train</strong> <strong>Collectors</strong> Association – Lone Star Division – Newsletter January 2010 – Winter Meet – Katy, Texas
Ponchactoula meet success by A. L. Levy Meet Chairman<br />
The Lone<br />
Star Division<br />
Fall Meet sponsored<br />
by Louisiana<br />
Chapter is<br />
now behind us<br />
and I am happy<br />
to report that by<br />
all accounts it<br />
was successful<br />
on several levels.<br />
The show<br />
was held in the<br />
town of Ponchatoula,<br />
LA, which offered us some<br />
“small town” benefits while being<br />
near enough to New Orleans to interest<br />
our visitors in attractions there.<br />
Attendance was up 20% from<br />
last year’s Fall Meet and revenues to<br />
Division and Chapter treasuries were<br />
up over 400% in both cases. We recruited<br />
six new members to TCA and<br />
introduced our organization to over<br />
420 paid attendees and their families.<br />
The time and location of this<br />
show allowed us to combine resources<br />
and goals with the Ponchatoula<br />
Lions Club and the Ponchatoula<br />
Antique Trade Days and Craft Show<br />
organizations. This show was staged<br />
1⁄2 mile from a local craft show<br />
which had over 200 vendor booths.<br />
We were advertised on all their ads<br />
and promoted by the local Lions Club<br />
which has a very successful weekly<br />
bingo operation. This experience has<br />
caused us to plan a LA Chapter show<br />
in March to again partner with these<br />
organizations.<br />
There are many people to thank<br />
for their help in the planing and execution<br />
of this show. Jane Boyce and<br />
Rose Strawser at National, and Pat<br />
Halpin and Clay Kinsner at Division<br />
were very helpful to me as I took on<br />
the challenge of organizing a train<br />
meet for the first time. La. Chapter<br />
members George Kosanovich and<br />
Richard Kater generously donated<br />
their time as Assistant Meet Chairman<br />
and Admissions Group Leader<br />
respectively. Also stepping up to<br />
assume various assignments were:<br />
Mort Kelly and Dominic Michelli.<br />
A very special “ Thank you” goes to<br />
Jim Medlin and Wynne Fredrichs<br />
for bringing their kid’s attractions<br />
which delighted the youngsters. The<br />
Crescent City S Gauge Club again<br />
brought their interactive modular layout<br />
which has been a regular attraction<br />
for us. Thanks also go to Amtrak<br />
Marketing for providing two passes<br />
on the Sunset Limited which allowed<br />
us to have a very successful separate<br />
chapter raffle won by Karl Kreider.<br />
Operation Lifesaver and CN RR also<br />
were present to raise awareness of<br />
train operations in our area. Clay<br />
Fourrier’s work on our web site,<br />
news letter and the design of the meet<br />
poster were also key ingredients in<br />
the organization and promotion of<br />
this show. On behalf of LA Chapter<br />
I want to thank Mike’s <strong>Train</strong>s of Kenner,<br />
La. for donating a Lionel train<br />
set to our guest Isaac Rutter. Linda<br />
Kosanovich and Jeff Fowler were<br />
responsible for raising over $1000<br />
to fund our train raffle and silent auction.<br />
The printing of all meet posters<br />
<strong>Train</strong> <strong>Collectors</strong> Association – Lone Star Division – Newsletter January 2010 – Winter Meet – Katy, Texas<br />
and fliers was donated by Tangipahoa<br />
Parish Bureau of Tourism and Richard’s<br />
Printing of Baton Rouge, LA.<br />
Curtis Mann donated two easels<br />
and several members donated items<br />
for our raffle, door prizes and auction.<br />
Many chapter members bought<br />
TCA t-shirts to wear at the show and<br />
volunteered to rotate duties selling<br />
raffle and admission tickets.<br />
Agreements are in place with most<br />
of these groups to stage a successful<br />
LA Chapter show in March under the<br />
same circumstances.<br />
TCA 2010 Convention (from p. 3)<br />
House built in 1776 and part of the<br />
Underground Railroad<br />
• Dine in the Garrett Jacobs Mansion,<br />
the largest row house in America<br />
and former home of B& O<br />
President Robert Garrett and his wife<br />
Mary Frick.<br />
• Take a driving tour to get the<br />
inside story on some of Baltimore’s<br />
train stations past and present—<br />
President Street, Camden Street,<br />
Mount Royal and Penn Station. Visit<br />
President Street Station where the<br />
Civil War began<br />
• Many more exciting tours in and<br />
around Baltimore.<br />
The website for this convention<br />
is: http://www.tcabalt2010.org/<br />
Page 7
TCA Meets/meetings and other train shows calendar of events<br />
Dec. 6, 2009 TCA Grapevine, Texas Gaylord Hotel north of DFW Airport - <strong>Train</strong> Layouts 2 PM<br />
Dec. 13, 2009 TCA CTC meeting/election/party David & Stephanie St. James’ home 3 PM<br />
Dec. 13, 2009 TCA Gulf Coast Chapter Meeting at Ed Barragans’ Sunday 1:30-4:30 PM<br />
Dec. 13, 2009 TCA LA Chapter meeting Park Timbers Clubhouse, 1 Park Timbers Dr., New Orleans 2 PM<br />
Dec. 19, 2009 Woody & Madeline Hickman’s open house in Dallas, TX 6 PM – ????<br />
Texas Transportation Museum’s 11 th Annual Santa’s Railroad Wonderland:<br />
11731 Wetmore Rd San Antonio, TX 210/490-3554<br />
Sat–Sun Dec. 12 th and 13, 2009 6:00 to 9:00 PM<br />
Sat–Mon Dec. 19 th , 20 th and 21, 2009 6:00 to 9:00 PM<br />
Saturday Dec. 26, 2009 6:00 to 9:00 PM<br />
Jan. 9, 2010 TCA Lone Star Division <strong>Train</strong> Meet in Katy, TX<br />
Jan. 9-10, 2010 Waco, TX Waco’s RR Wintertime <strong>Train</strong> Show Fine Arts building of the H.O.T. Fairgrounds<br />
Sat 9–4 PM Sun 11–4 PM 405-810-1010 Adults $7 at 9 AM / $5 after 10 AM Children $2<br />
Jan. 11, 2010 TCA Central Texas Chapter meeting Lone Star <strong>Train</strong>s and Collectibles<br />
Jan. 16–17, 2010 Plano, TX North Texas Council of Model RR Clubs Plano Center 200 E. Spring Creek Pkwy<br />
Sat. 10–5/ Sun. 10–4 817-713-6887 www.dfwtrainshows.com Bob Bray brayrl@sbcglobal.net<br />
Jan. 23–24, 2010 Arlington, TX Great <strong>Train</strong> Expo 10 AM–4 PM http://www.greattrainexpo.com/<br />
Arlington Convention Center 1200 Ballpark Way Arlington, TX 76011<br />
Jan. 30–31, 2010 San Antonio/Live Oak SAMRA 34<br />
Page 8 <strong>Train</strong> <strong>Collectors</strong> Association – Lone Star Division – Newsletter January 2010 – Winter Meet – Katy, Texas<br />
th Annual <strong>Train</strong> Show<br />
Ralph Alexander 210-656-9178 ralph-alexander@sbcglobal.net www.samratx.org<br />
Feb. 1, 2010 TCA Central Texas Chapter meeting (Location TBA) 6:30 PM Monday 6:30 PM<br />
Feb. 6, 2010 Taylor, TX <strong>Train</strong>s, Trucks, and Toy show Knights of Columbus 2201 E 4th st 9 AM–3 PM<br />
Feb. 20, 2010 Greater Houston <strong>Train</strong> Show Stafford Centre 10505 Cash Road@Murphy Rd.<br />
http://sanjac.leoslair.com 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM<br />
Feb 21, 2010 TCA Gulf Coast Chapter meet at Marjorie Griffiths, Sunday 1:30 - 4:30 PM.<br />
March 1, 2010 TCA Central Texas Chapter meeting (Location TBA) 6:30 PM Monday 6:30 PM<br />
March 6–7, 2010 TCA LA Chapter <strong>Train</strong> Meet Ponchatoula, LA<br />
in conjunction with the Antique Trade Days.<br />
March 6–7, 2010 Tulsa, OK Great <strong>Train</strong> Expo 10 AM–4 PM http://www.greattrainexpo.com/<br />
Tulsa Convention Center 100 Civic Center Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103<br />
March 20–21, 2010 New Braunfels RR Museum Jamboree 9–5/10–4 jerryg@gvtc.com<br />
March 28, 2010 TCA Gulf Coast Chapter meeting at Tom & Chris Rogers Sunday 1:30-4:30 PM<br />
April 5, 2010 TCA Central Texas Chapter meeting at Leo Romanelli’s Monday 6:30 PM<br />
April 22–24, 2010 TCA Eastern Division Meet – York, PA–2 1/2 day meet (+2-3 days Mon–Wed of bandit selling)<br />
May 15, 2010 TCA Lone Star Division <strong>Train</strong> Meet<br />
–San Antonio/Garden Ridge, TX Community Civic Center<br />
June 20-27 2010 TCA 56th National Convention in Baltimore, Maryland (WB&A Chapter)<br />
Aug 21, 2010 TCA Lone Star Division <strong>Train</strong> Meet<br />
–Plano, TX Plano Holiday Inn Select<br />
June 2011 TCA 57th National Convention in Sacramento, California (Nor-Cal Division)<br />
June 2012 TCA 58th National Convention in Atlanta, GA (Dixie Division)<br />
June 2013 TCA 59th National Convention in St. Louis/St. Charles, MO (Ozark Division)<br />
June 2014 TCA 60th National Convention location TBA (Atlantic Division)<br />
June 2015 TCA 61st National Convention location and division TBA<br />
June 2016 TCA 62nd National Convention in Houston, TX (Lone Star Division)
Division Dues for 2010 are now payable!<br />
Please send this membership form and your dues. IMPORTANT: If you are 65 or over and a member<br />
for 20 years you must still send the form in or reply by e-mail will all the below information. I do not<br />
know or remember everyone’s age or that your address is correct, especially if you just became 65.<br />
YOU MUST KEEP YOUR NATIONAL STATUS CURRENT–That is due on your<br />
anniversary date of joining TCA- Your green membership card has the month that your dues expire.<br />
Please mail this form by March 31st to<br />
Pat Halpin TCA / LSD, PO Box 200442, San Antonio, TX 78220-0442<br />
Name __________________________________TCA # ______––______________<br />
No charge if a TCA member for 20 years AND over 65?_________Change of address below?_______<br />
Address _______________________________________________Phone: (_____)_________________<br />
City ________________________ State _____________Zip (with + 4) ____________––__________<br />
e-mail ( ONLY for TCA updates & deadline reminders)____________________________________<br />
Better yet – send me an e-mail (pathalpin@aol.com with your name and I will save your e-mail address.<br />
Please put “TCA” in the “Subject” box so I will know it is not junk mail)<br />
Need a new badge?___________(Please add $10.00 for a total of $16.00) Dues $6.00 $_______<br />
Do you want your name tag to show your name & city & state as listed above? Badge $10.00 $_______<br />
Please list any change for name tag:________________________________ Total: $_______<br />
_____We want to know the following (Mark all that apply with Y or N)<br />
_____Do you have a computer and on the internet? (If no then no other information is needed)<br />
_____Did you get an e-mail from Pat Halpin with this newsletter attached?<br />
_____Were you able to open with no problem?<br />
_____Was it slow or just failed to open?<br />
_____Do you want to continue to get the newsletter by mail? We will still send you the e-mail version<br />
_____Would sending the newsletter just by e-mail be satisfactory for you?<br />
TCA Calendars<br />
TCA National still has a few copies left of the first ever 2010 TCA Calendar! So, don’t dally – support TCA by<br />
buying this beautiful, collectible calendar featuring the layouts and trains of many of our members. Makes a great gift<br />
item, too! Only $11.95 each and just $3.00 for shipping! Send to: TCA Calendar P.O. Box 248 Strasburg, PA 17579<br />
TCA Annual Appeal<br />
TCA has been here for you supporting your love of this wonderful toy train hobby and setting the standard for the<br />
industry since 1954. And now, due to some unusual financial pressures facing the Association, we have come to ask<br />
for your help. I ask each of you to think back to the time you joined the TCA and the important part it plays in your<br />
life today. For a small contribution of dues each year, the TCA has brought you countless hours of fun and friendships<br />
that last a lifetime. In the words of Chapter President Art Tate, it’s time for all of us to give something back to an old<br />
friend. Won’t you consider helping TCA during this difficult time?<br />
Our Annual Appeal appears in the center of your November HQ Newsletter. Please fill out the form there and send<br />
it in today. There is still time to get in your donation for the TCA Annual Appeal and have it count toward your 2009<br />
taxes. From one friend to another.....thank you! Just send to TCA Annual Appeal P.O. Box 248 Strasburg, PA 17579<br />
Note from Pat Halpin: What if all 30,000 memeber gave $1.00 or 15,000 gave $5.00 or 10,000 gave $10.00.<br />
Any amount combined adds up quickly. Please think about what TCA is worth to you and take time to help.<br />
<strong>Train</strong> <strong>Collectors</strong> Association – Lone Star Division – Newsletter January 2010 – Winter Meet – Katy, Texas<br />
Page 9