Minutes from the November 11, 2019 meeting President Bernie Hanmore called the FCVRRHS membership meeting to order 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. Attending the meeting were Bernie Hanmore, Scott Ladner, Ed Cronin, Carl and Vanessa Timko, Bill McComas, Jack Sheets, Stan Niwa, Nick Ozorak, Rich Roberts, Terry and Maryann Martin, Wayne Brown, Pete Gifford, and Dan Williams. Approval of the Minutes Scott Ladner made a motion to approve the October meeting's minutes. Ed Cronin seconded the motion. The motion carried by vote of the attending members. The minutes were approved. Treasurer's Report Treasurer Ed Cronin then gave the financial status of the organization. He noted the current balances of the checkbook, the Ameriprise Annuity, the money market fund, restricted and unrestricted funds and cash on hand. The restricted funds include the Meadville Model Railroad Club and the Meadville Railroad Depot. Income included sales from the Erie Train Show, dues and donations. Expenses included Penelec bills, table fees for the Erie Train Show, Pipp Graphics and Design (newsletter layout), Vickey Graphics (60 calendars), and expenses for the Meadville Railroad Depot renovation and survey copies. A motion was then made by Nick Ozorak to approve the Treasurer's Report which was seconded by Carl Timko. The motion carried and the Treasurer's Report was approved by the attending membership. Committee Reports Budget/Finance/ Insurance/Compliance Every day in November, except on Sundays, members are asked to stop at Palmiero Toyota in Vernon Township, Meadville to vote for the French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society in Palmiero's Give Back Program, which is involving 30 non-profit organizations in an effort to raise awareness and funding. Members were asked to recruit any one they know to go vote for the FCVRRHS. If the FCVRRHS gets enough votes, the organization could win $2500. The FCVRRHS is now committed to the Grand Leprechaun contest fundraiser. The leprechaun of choice seems to be Jack Sheets. This contest will be held in the late winter. The 2020 FCVRRHS calendars sold well at the Erie Train Show. Twenty calendars were sold on November 3. At the end of the show, there were 40 left of the 60 ordered. Several calendars have been sold since then. The calendar features the Meadville Railroad Depot and other rare photographs of the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad's Meadville Line. Ed Cronin noted the grant from the Rotary Club should be coming in soon. Membership Ed Cronin mentioned about 12 members still haven't renewed their memberships. Terry Martin noted that those that have not renewed are not eligible for helping at the depot. Only those members that are caught up on their memberships are eligible to work at the depot. Museum Renovations at the depot are progressing very well. The plumbing will be completed after the floor is installed. The floor leveling in the main museum section has been completed. Insulation, wiring and flooring will be started soon. The curbs and sidewalks have been cleared of overgrown grass. This spruces up the grounds very nicely. National Fuel Gas is requiring a deposit of $1090 to connect the depot to the NFG's line. Work crews have installed new gas line piping from the meter into the depot. After the gas is turned on, the furnace will be installed. One of the large freight doors will be removed and framed in. A metal roof is being installed over the sign along Mead Avenue byAlvin Hostetler, as part of the depot roof contract. The new sign is not ready yet, but hopes are it will be installed soon. An electrician is due at the depot on Thursday, November 14. Vo-Tech students are expected to be at the depot as well. They will have projects designated for them. Electrical outlets will be installed in the floors and walls. Installing conduit is a priority in order to get the insulation sprayed. Bill Runyan will be the insulation contractor and will "piggyback" the Depot with the Masonic Lodge's deal in order to get a better rate on materials. Maryann Martin informed the members that the Steering Committee will be releasing a newsletter for the purpose of keeping the donors informed of the renovation progress. The newsletter will be called "The Depot - Blow the Whistle". Maryann and Nick Ozorak will work together to create an account on Mailchimp. Maryann noted there are over 500 followers on Facebook. Property / Equipment The snowplow is still waiting for its new tempered glass panes to be installed. Only two have been paid for so far. The average cost of the glass panes is $80, with 12 panes total on the snowplow. Contact Jack Sheets if interested in helping pay for the glass. Public Relation/Education The Erie Train Show sales were moderate compared to the last few shows. The train show is now promoted by Iron Spike Productions after Carl Amidon passed away in August. A moment of silence in remembrance of Mr. Amidon was observed before the show opened. The holiday model railroad layout display will not be happening this year. The membership is concentrating on renovating the depot and the available manpower dedicated to the depot precludes having enough people running the layout display. Only three venues were found, with one instantly disqualified due to the location and previous business that occupied the building. Since no one that controlled the other two sites ever replied to requests, the decision was made not to have the display. We do encourage everyone to donate toys or cash to Toys for Tots to help disadvantaged families give their children a toy for Christmas. Special Events/Programs Upcoming train shows over the next month include the following: * November 24, 2019 - Thanksgiving Train Show at the Radisson Hotel at the Rochester Airport, located at 175 Jefferson Road, Rochester, NY. The hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. * November 24, 2019 - Train Collector's Association Fort Pitt Chapter Holiday Train Meet at the Syria Shriners Convention Center, located at 1877 Shriners Way, Cheswick, PA. The hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. * November 30, 2019 - Train Collector's Association Lake Erie Chapter Thanksgiving Train Meet at the U.A.W. Hall, 5615 Chevrolet Blvd., Parma, OH. The Oil Creek & Titusville Santa Train will run November 30, December 1 and December 7. No tickets are available now as they have all sold out. It's that time of the year again when model railroad layout open houses are available to visit. The Clarion Model Railroad Club will have its open house at the Cranberry Mall in Seneca, Pa, located along U.S. Route 322. The open house will start Friday, November 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and continuing through December 22. The hours are Fridays 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except December 15, which will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays the club will open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays open dates are December 4, 11, and 18, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Youngstown Model Railroad Association will be open December 7 and 8 from noon to 5 p.m. It will be at 751 N. Four Mile Run Road, Austintown, OH, at the corner of Raccoon Road. The Ohio Valley Lines will be open November 30, December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29. The HO and N scale model railroads can be seen at 1225 Merchant St., Ambridge, PA Admission is $6 for adults and $2 for children ages 3 to 12. A flea market is also at the location. The Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum, located at 5507 Lakeside Drive in Gibsonia, PA opened November 9 and will be open through January 12. Hours are Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., except November 29 and December 27 (open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.), Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday December 26, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday, December 30 and Tuesday December 31 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12. Next Meeting The next membership meeting will be Monday December 9, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cambridge Springs Trolley Station, off of U.S. Routes 6 and 19 at Cambridge Springs, PA. This will be the Christmas party and all members and their significant others are invited. Members are asked to bring a dish or dessert to share with everyone. If you are coming, please notify Carl Timko what you will be bringing to avoid duplication. Happy Thanksgiving and see you at the Trolley Station!