Second Section Newsletter - FCVRRHS.org French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society, Meadville, PA 16335

Treasurer Ed Cronin called the membership meeting to order at 6:29 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 Scott Ladner, Ed Cronin, Carl and Vanessa Timko, Jack Sheets, Stan Niwa, Nick Ozorak, Dennis Mead,

Dan Higham, Maryann and Terry Martin, Dave Ellis, James Garfield, Ken, Adam, and Jacob Novosel, Rich Roberts, Charles Webber,

and Norm M'Sadoques.

Ed then asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the December 9, 2019 membership meeting. Stan Niwa made the motion and

Jack Sheets seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Treasurer Ed Cronin presented his summary of the financial status of the organization. The report consisted of balances, income, and expenses. The balances were for cash on-hand, checkbook, the Ameriprise Annuity, the Money Market Fund, Restricted Funds, and Unrestricted Funds. The Restricted Funds are Meadville Model Railroad Club and the Meadville Railroad Depot. Income read was year-to-date that were from dues, donations, sales and grants. Expenses were materials and labor costs for the Meadville Railroad Depot, Pennsylvania sales tax, Penelec monthly bill, charges from Penelec for removing the three old transformers, Smock Plumbing's labor costs, charges from Ferguson Financial to fill out five 1099 forms and Erie Insurance for the liability, directors, and property insurance.

A motion was made by Nick Ozorak to approve the treasurer's report and seconded by Dennis Mead. The motion carried.

Nick Ozorak reported that Jack Sheets has been registered for the Grand Leprechaun contest that starts in late January.

Contestants are to raise funds for their choice of non-profit organizations. The FCVRRHS will be the recipient of funds

raised by Jack during the contest.

The 2020 FCVRRHS calendars have sold well, but still have 18 left to sell of the 60 that were ordered.

Maryann Martin is preparing three grant applications to send out soon.

Maryann stated that between the Crawford Gives program and the PalmieroToyota Gives program, the FCVRRHS did very well,

placing fourth among all the organizations that entered.

The organization is looking into acquiring liability insurance with an aggregate of $2 million to $5 million after receiving a suggestion from John Nagurney. The insurance would help protect the interests of the FCVRRHS.

Historical / Archives

Archivist CarlTimko is currently cataloging materials donated by SteveTimko, Jr. and pricing materials that are to be used to

raise funds. Many thanks to Steve for the donations.

Membership

Welcome aboard to Ralph Acker, James & Antoinette Harvey, Clark Hoffman, David Hotchkiss, Richard James and family, Barb

Kaputa, Rick Lang, James Maccafferi, Norm and Patti M'Sadoques, James and Joanne Noonen,Tom and Jackie Palmer, Steve and Patty

Sample, Brian and Jean Weber, Dan Williamson, Roger Willis, and Don and Nancy Zimmer.

Secretary Carl Timko asked all members who have email but have not forwarded it to the organization, to please submit it to Carl. The emails are used to notify members and send them copies of the Second Section each month. The current total of members with no email listing requires the purchase of two books of stamps each month. At today's rate, that would total $264 for the year.

There are seven members who have yet to renew. If you are one of them, please contact Scott Ladner or send your remittance to the FCVRRHS, P.O. Box 632, Meadville, PA 16335, or send it electronically through the website (www.fcvrrhs.org), using the PayPal button.

Members are to meet this Saturday and Sunday (ed. note: The Sunday session was not necessary and was canceled) to meet at the

depot to travel to Tony Petruso's residence to tear down his O scale layout and move it. Mr. Petruso is donating his layout to

the FCVRRHS.

Museum

Progress continues with the renovations at the depot. The water meter has now been framed in. The floor leveling, using sleepers, has been completed and is ready for the insulation to be sprayed before laying down the floor. New gas lines have been installed.

National Fuel Gas is to install a new gas meter. The sign along Mead Avenue has been completed and may eventually be illuminated. Vo-Tech students have been helping with some electrical projects including ripping out all the old wiring.Penelec is to remove the three old 3-Phase transformers and install a new 120 volt transformer. Bill Runyon will be spraying the isulation on the floors and walls very soon, possibly the week after this meeting. There is still a door to be removed and framed in.

Maryann Martin read her report on the financial status concerning the depot. She noted the current balance left to spend and donations and grants that have been received recently. She noted the operating expenses year-end total and said it will likely rise in 2020 due to all the utilities will be turned on and used. The property tax has been lowered by around $1000, but won't be eliminated until the museum is open for business. Maryann reported the total cost of materials and labor for the depot as of the date of the meeting.

A commercial for the depot featuring Scott Ladner and Maryann Martin in period costumes is airing the whole month of January.

The editor is not sure if it is on television or the radio.

Funds for the purchase of the remaining panes of glass for the snowplow, have been raised, thanks to David P. Miller, who

graciously donated the funds for the snowplow. Thank you very much, David ! Jack Sheets mentioned that the window panels are

currently loose. He is keeping an eye on them so they don't fall out.

Public Relations / Education

The FCVRRHS may form a Beautification Committee to decorate the depot and the railroad equipment displays for holidays and

special events. The committee may include members and spouses of current members.

The board is looking to redesign, if not optimizing the websites. The FCVRRHS website, the Meadville Railroad Depot website and the Cambridge Springs Trolley Station website need to be linked in some way so a connection between the three is obvious.

There are several train shows around for members to visit.

* January 25, 2020 - The Great Lakes Division of theTCA has their Winter Train Meet at the U.A.W. Hall, located at 5615

Chevrolet Blvd., Parma, OH. The admission fee is $6 for adults, $8 for a family, and children are free to enter. The hours are

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

* January 26, 2020 - The Fort Pitt Division of theTCA has their Train Meet at the Syria Shriner's Conference Center, located at 1877 ShrinersWay, Cheswick, PA. The hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No admission fee was listed, but it is assuned there is one.

* February 2, 2020 - Buffalo Snowball Train Show is at the Polish Falcons, 4555 Columbia Avenue, Depew, NY. The hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No admission fee is listed, but it is assumed there is one.

* February 16, 2020 - The Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society is hosting their Frosty Rails train show at the Shenango Township Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall, located at 2424 E. Washington St., New Castle, PA. The admission is $5. The hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

* February 22, 23, 2020 - Greenberg's GreatTrain Show will be visiting the Monroeville Convention Center, located at 209 Mall Blvd., Monroeville, PA. Admission is $10 for Saturday and $9 for Sunday. The Saturday admission is good for both days. Unless you have pre-ordered your ticket, the tickets are cash only at the door. The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.

The next meeting is scheduled for February 10, 2020, in the conference room of the U.S. Bronze Foundry & Machine, Inc., located at 18649 Brake Shoe Road, Meadville, PA.

See you there!