LONE STAR DIVISION Train Collectors Association's

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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
Ponchactoula meet success by A. L. Levy Meet Chairman The Lone Star Division Fall Meet sponsored by Louisiana Chapter is now behind us and I am happy to report that by all accounts it was successful on several levels. The show was held in the town of Ponchatoula, LA, which offered us some “small town” benefits while being near enough to New Orleans to interest our visitors in attractions there. Attendance was up 20% from last year’s Fall Meet and revenues to Division and Chapter treasuries were up over 400% in both cases. We recruited six new members to TCA and introduced our organization to over 420 paid attendees and their families. The time and location of this show allowed us to combine resources and goals with the Ponchatoula Lions Club and the Ponchatoula Antique Trade Days and Craft Show organizations. This show was staged 1⁄2 mile from a local craft show which had over 200 vendor booths. We were advertised on all their ads and promoted by the local Lions Club which has a very successful weekly bingo operation. This experience has caused us to plan a LA Chapter show in March to again partner with these organizations. There are many people to thank for their help in the planing and execution of this show. Jane Boyce and Rose Strawser at National, and Pat Halpin and Clay Kinsner at Division were very helpful to me as I took on the challenge of organizing a train meet for the first time. La. Chapter members George Kosanovich and Richard Kater generously donated their time as Assistant Meet Chairman and Admissions Group Leader respectively. Also stepping up to assume various assignments were: Mort Kelly and Dominic Michelli. A very special “ Thank you” goes to Jim Medlin and Wynne Fredrichs for bringing their kid’s attractions which delighted the youngsters. The Crescent City S Gauge Club again brought their interactive modular layout which has been a regular attraction for us. Thanks also go to Amtrak Marketing for providing two passes on the Sunset Limited which allowed us to have a very successful separate chapter raffle won by Karl Kreider. Operation Lifesaver and CN RR also were present to raise awareness of train operations in our area. Clay Fourrier’s work on our web site, news letter and the design of the meet poster were also key ingredients in the organization and promotion of this show. On behalf of LA Chapter I want to thank Mike’s Trains of Kenner, La. for donating a Lionel train set to our guest Isaac Rutter. Linda Kosanovich and Jeff Fowler were responsible for raising over $1000 to fund our train raffle and silent auction. The printing of all meet posters Train Collectors Association – Lone Star Division – Newsletter January 2010 – Winter Meet – Katy, Texas and fliers was donated by Tangipahoa Parish Bureau of Tourism and Richard’s Printing of Baton Rouge, LA. Curtis Mann donated two easels and several members donated items for our raffle, door prizes and auction. Many chapter members bought TCA t-shirts to wear at the show and volunteered to rotate duties selling raffle and admission tickets. Agreements are in place with most of these groups to stage a successful LA Chapter show in March under the same circumstances. TCA 2010 Convention (from p. 3) House built in 1776 and part of the Underground Railroad • Dine in the Garrett Jacobs Mansion, the largest row house in America and former home of B& O President Robert Garrett and his wife Mary Frick. • Take a driving tour to get the inside story on some of Baltimore’s train stations past and present— President Street, Camden Street, Mount Royal and Penn Station. Visit President Street Station where the Civil War began • Many more exciting tours in and around Baltimore. The website for this convention is: http://www.tcabalt2010.org/ Page 7
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LONE STAR DIVISION Train Collectors Association's

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