LONE STAR DIVISION Train Collectors Association's

A note from Woody A time for thanks and giving by Clay Kinsner
Hickman Theresa Romanelli, wife of And each year that I can remember,
Things are starting to pick up
at train shows etc. It is our job to
encourage people to come out and
support the local train shows and
get people involved.
Our North Texas Chapter was
down for the count of 9 a little over
a year ago, no money, no interest
from what membership we did
have and we came roaring back in
less than a year and a half. We now
money in the bank. We did not have
to borrow money from division,
even though it was offered, thank
you. Last, but not least, we are getting
ready to have a rotation of new
officers this year. This is after a new
set of officers last year for the first
time in probably 10 years or more.
In the last quarter we visited
Price and Margaret Bradshaw at
their home in Bonham, Texas. We
also met at Gary Smith’s in Palmer,
TX and saw his big layout. We had
nearly 50 in attendance. We then
met at Ron and Maureen Spinek’s
house and saw his beautiful new
layout that was professional done
by Roger Farkash’s company,
with the close assistance of Ron at
his side as I understand. I had the
board members of the LCCA over
to our house this past summer. We
had the full support of the Lone Star
Highrailers and the Plano Modular
Group.
The following people are all
TCA folks as well but I want to give
them a shout at least one more time
while I am still the “El Presidente”
and bidding a farewell but it is also
that time of year to thank everyone
for their support and generously of
time if not money. Time’s are tough
but we have all seen it before and
Leo Romaelli, left us Thanksgiving
week. Like many of our friends
and family, Theresa was not a TCA
member, but she was actually much
more, giving us all something to be
thankful for.
Theresa was a staple at our May
meets, Christmas Parties and of
course the April meeting every year
at the Romanelli residence. Each
April, she put up with us invading
her home for the business meeting.
She made everyone welcome, including
children. She always made
quite a spread for us with her signature
lasagna and those tasty Italian
waffle cookies, among other things.
Likewise, she would help at the
May meet. She contributed baked
goods to the concession fundraiser
and worked behind the counter.
sure of it.
I must thank Cheri and Pat
Neil along with Pat Halpin, for
their support, guidance and generosity
of time, and talent, guiding me
through this last year and a half. I
thank Darrin Tower for bringing
his Marklin layout to each of our
Plano meets. I also thank the division
members for their help and
support including Jim Medlin for
bringing his “children’s layout” to
our last two meets.
I hope I haven’t messed things’s
up to much for Steve and Jane Allen,
who take over the reins this
January. Cheri has been our communicator
and Pat’s right hand trying
to get out our message and run a
train store at the same time.
Thank you all and merry Xmas
and have a happy and prosperous
new year.
Woody Hickman
she sat at Leo’s vendor table, selling
his trains, while he looked at trains
and helped run the show in whatever
capacity we needed.
Her participation reminds us
that it is not always the paid members
who have meaningful contributions
to our group. Her absence will
remind us of all of the various folks
who have influenced our club in so
many ways: the family cooks, the
supportive spouses who let us play
trains with our friends, the enthusiastic
children and grandchildren
who motivate our train interests, the
volunteers who help us at the shows
by raising money or working a very
long day, and so much more. Think
of all the spouses who support
the club with their food, all of the
spouses, the children and grandchildren
who help us at the May meet,
and the family and friends who run
little errands for our club picking
this or that up for a meeting or show.
Many of these people worked long
and difficult hours when our chapter
hosted the national convention.
Like Theresa, these people do not
have votes in club business. And
some (I bite my tongue as I write
this) do not even appreciate trains
the same way we do. But these
people often contribute more to our
existence than do most paying, voting
members.
We can be thankful this season
to all of these helpers. I could easily
name names here, but I do not want
to leave anyone out—my memory is
not as good as Theresa’s. Besides,
today is about being thankful for
Theresa and her legacy of giving
to both the Central Texas Chapter
TCA and its members -- all of us.
will see good times in 2010 I am President and almost past!!!!
Page 6 Train Collectors Association – Lone Star Division – Newsletter January 2010 – Winter Meet – Katy, Texas