Pittsburgh Garden Railway Society Notes for 1/21/17

The meeting was called to order by President Keith Baggus @ 1:05. He thanked all who brought taste snacks and desserts. Tina Weimer had printed the year’s calendar. Keith asked for people to help fill the empty dates. The June, July and November dates were not filled by the end of the meeting. If you would like to have an event, contact Keith. The calendar can be viewed on the Club Website.

 A vote was taken and approving the use of the 50/50 money to purchase the door prizes for the Christmas party.

The TCA (Train Collectors Association) Convention June 25-July 2, has contacted us and they now have our Logo and pictures for their website. Next move is to find out the size and placement for our layout.

Dave Bodnar presented information on flex tape LED lights and their programmability. Members gave ideas for their use in our layouts. We should soon be seeing them shining in the PGRS landscapes. Contact him if you want more information, have ideas for their use or want to help. Dave also updated the club about the PPG Christmas Gingerbread House Train Layout that we were invited to do. More information is needed before the club commits.

Secretary Alycefaye Stewart gave a brief talk on the project for the next meeting on Feb.25^th. She asked members to bring an X-Acto knife with a #11 blade, sandpaper and any tools that would be good for carving foam. We will be making moss islands to add to our TCA landscape in June. You will be making trees, flowers, Styrofoam rocks, etc. She will supply most of the items but if you have small items in G-scale that would add interest please fill free to bring them [(real) rocks, bricks, fence sections, tool]. She also showed the cork “Duck Tape” that can be used and reused for paths and roads in the layout. The Feb. meeting will be from 1-4 at Saint Matthias Lutheran Church, 100 Chapel View Drive, Greensburg, Pa., 15601. A light lunch will be provided.

Treasurer Tina Weimer gave the treasurer’s report. Dues are to be paid by the end of the month. Eleven members had not paid as of the meeting and she will send them a second notice, if necessary.

The trailer fund has been spent. The extra money was used to purchase the new carpets and electronics.

A Thank You card was signed, by the officers that were present, for Jeff Horvath, who donates the postage stamps for all our mailings.

The 50/50 was won by Reggie Watkins (she pulled her own number)…what luck!

Bruce Watkins told us about the Fort Pitt division of TCA (who is sponsoring this year’s convention in Pittsburgh) He presented the trips and much information about the group and their activities. Contact him if you want to know more.

The Christmas Party was discussed with members giving suggestion as to where it could be held. Members are checking into availabilities and will report at the next meeting.

Members suggested ideas for train trip for this year. Keith is still in the process of planning. Keith said he will be in Flo. From mid- Feb until mid-March. (We will think about him in all that SUNSHINE…!!!) The meeting ended @ 2:50.

Submitted by Alycefaye Stewart