Minutes from the December 9, 2019 meeting President Bernie Hanmore called the FCVRRHS membership meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. at the Cambridge Springs Trolley Station in Cambridge Springs, PA. The meeting was proceeded by the annual membership Christmas party. Attending were Bernie Hanmore, Scott and Joyce Ladner, Ed and Suann Cronin, Carl and Vanessa Timko, Bill and Yetivemarie McComas, Jack and Linda Sheets, John and Lynda Snyder, Stan Niwa, Nick Ozorak, Maryann and Terry Martin, Huntington Christie, Al and Brenda Reibel, James and Nancy Garfield, Arden Hibbard and Dorothy Waid, and Brian and Jean Weber. Treasurer's Report Treasurer Ed Cronin started the meeting off with the financial status of the organization. The attending membership heard the current balances, including the checkbook balance, the American Annuity, Money Market Fund balances, the Restricted Fund and Unrestricted Fund. The Restricted Fund consists of reserves for the Meadville Model Railroad Club and the Meadville Railroad Depot. The total income and year-to-date income figures were read, noting donations for the depot, dues, and train show sales. Expenses were for the depot and tables at the Erie Train Show. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Jack Sheets and seconded by John Snyder. The motion carried and the minutes were approved. Committee Reports Budget / Finance / Insurance / Compliance The Palmiero Toyota Give Back Program proved very successful to the FCVRRHS. Members and those they encouraged to vote, could vote for their favorite non-profit organization every day in the month of November, except Sundays. The number of votes determined the dollar amount to be donated to each organization. The French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society placed fourth and is to receive $2500. Thanks to all who voted! The Harry Winslow Foundation recently dispensed $2762 to the FCVRRHS in a grant to fund cabinets and a sink. The Society has entered director Jack Sheets into the Grand Leprechaun contest. The contest started 17 years ago and coincides with Meadville’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The Crawford County Historical Society is a partner in this effort which pits several contests against each other to raise money for their favorite charities. There will be several locations to vote in the city. If last years rules are still in effect, a vote will cost $1. Jack should be a natural in this contest, given the amounts of funds he has helped raise for the FCVRRHS. The 2020 FCVRRHS calendar has been published for about two months now. It sold very well at the Erie Train Show in November, with 20 being sold. As of the date of this writing, there are only 18 calendars left. If demand exceeds supply, it is possible another run could be ordered. But, if that does not happen, it is advised to get yours now before they are all gone. This calendar features photos of the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad in Meadville, including a few of the freight and passenger depot that the FCVRRHS now owns and is renovating. The Harry Winslow Foundation recently distributed several grants to non-profit organization in the area. The FCVRRHS was one of the lucky recipients and received a grant for $2,762 for the purchase of cabinets and a sink President Bernie Hanmore thanked everyone who had a part in the fundraising for the organization and the depot. Next year will be as big of a challenge. It is hoped everyone can again raise funds to keep the renovation of the depot going as well as operating expenses for the depot and the FCVRRHS itself. Museum The progress of renovating the depot continues. The plumbing has reached a point where it will need inspected and the water meter will need framed in. Just about all the floor sleepers have been installed. These will aid in leveling up the floor and must be completed in order for the insulation to be sprayed down. New gas lines were installed by our own work crews. National Fuel Gas is requiring a deposit of $1,090 to install service to the depot. This is expected to be refunded after three years or so. The new sign along Mead Avenue has been installed. This will help people not familiar with the depot or Meadville locate the depot and advertise the depot project is very real. Electrician Ralph Acker has been doing work at the depot along with several students from the Crawford County Career and Technical School (formerly known as the Vo-Tech). Current work involves ripping out all wires and installing a new electrical system. Penelec will be taking down three old transformers and installing a new one that facilitates 120 volt service. Bill Runyan will be applying a spray foam insulation soon. The Meadville Railroad Depot Steering Committee has initiated a new newsletter, “Meadville Railroad Depot – Blow the Whistle”, specifically for keeping donors informed about the progress of the renovation and what their donations are being used for. Bernie Hanmore mentioned that one of the large freight doors will be removed and framed in. Some recent donations and grants for the depot were reviewed. Donations were received from the Watson Run Women's Club, Terry and Maryann Martin's daughters, Chris Stafford of the American Legion Post 111, Melissa Mencotti, the Crawford Masonic Lodge #234, the Palmiero Toyota Give Back Program, Crawford Gives through the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation. Grants received were from the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation and the Harry Winslow Foundation. Expenses were for materials, the roof, and a deposit requested by Mr. Runyan to spray foam insulation. Property/Equipment The organization is still waiting for the glass to be replaced in the snowplow. So far three windows have been funded, with another nine that need funding, costing about $80 per window, on average. Opportunities still exist to help fund the windows. If you are interested in donating, or know someone that is interested in donating, contact Jack Sheets. Wood for the east side door of the B&LE boxcar is now at Olan Wood Products to be milled. Public Relations/ Education The Fall 2019 edition of the “Valley Express” have been mailed to all FCVRRHS members, as of the December meeting. The featured story is on the Meadville Railroad Depot. Special Events/Programs There are three noted train shows that may interest members. * January 4, 2020 – the Snow Dogs Train Show will be held at the U.A.W. Hall, located at 5615 Chevrolet Blvd., Parma, OH. Admission is $6 for adults. Children under 12 are free. The hours of the show are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. * January 12, 2020 – the Youngstown Model Railroad Association is hosting its Toy Train Show and Model Railroad Flea Market at the Salem Center Plex, located at 1098 N. Ellsworth Avenue, Salem, OH. Admission is $5 and the hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. * February 16, 2020 – the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society will have its Frosty Rails Train Show at the Shenango Township Volunteer Fire Dept. Social Hall, located at 2424 E. Washington St., New Castle, PA. Admission is $5 and the hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are four model railroad holiday open houses nearby. * The Clarion Model Railroad Club is having its open house in the Cranberry Mall, U.S. Route 322 in Seneca, PA (Franklin/Oil City area). It started on November 22 and will continue to December 22. Hours are Fridays 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., 2 Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Several layouts will be featured. * The Ohio Valley Lines will have its open house at 1225 Merchant St., Ambridge, PA on weekends until December 29. It will feature HO and N scale layouts and will have a model railroad flea market. Admission is $6, $2 for children ages 3 to 12. * The Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum open house opened on November 9 and will continue to January 12. Suggested donation is $10 and $5 for children under 12. Hours are Fridays 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., except December 27, which will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The open house will also be opened on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday December 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is located at 5507 Lakeside Dr., Gibsonia, PA. * The Beaver County Model Railroad Club & Historical Society will host its open house at 416 Sixth St. in Monaca, PA. It will run all five weekends in December with Fridays open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays being open from noon to 5 p.m. As reported earlier, the French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society will not have its open house this year due to manpower shortage because of the continued renovations of the depot. However, next year, the open house will be at the depot and every year after. Next Meeting The next meeting, and first of the year 2020, will be Monday, January 13, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room of the U.S. Bronze Foundry & Machine, Inc., located at 18649 Brake Shoe Road, Meadville, PA. See you there! Happy Holidays!