Newsletter

Schmidt's host February meeting at Grace Church in Haddonfield

We thank Al & Bobbie for setting up a place for us to meet during cold, snowy February. Pizza and salads were provided by the Schmidt's and members brought desserts. We gathered at 1pm and shared social time and lunch. Grace Church is a beautiful old church located in the heart of Haddonfield and next to the High Speed line. Attending: Tom Ayers, Ed & Jane Barry, Tom & Anita Brown, Jay Desai, Jim & Marilyn Fox, Larry & Donna Grady, Elaine Grindlinger, Rudy & Alice Irizarry, Bill Keller, Bob & Patti Moffit, Bud & Cass Oncay, Larry Paakh, Joe Profetto, Lou Ricardi, Al & Bobbie Schmidt and Brian Steager.

Business Meeting - Anita Brown, Pres. presided.

Donna Grady gave treasurer's report. Donna also reminded members that order will be taken for shirt etc. in March.

Old Business

Annual Luncheon
Saturday, April 13th is our annual Luncheon at Fred & Ethel's in Smithville at 1pm. Donna Grady coordinated the event. If you plan to attend send a check to Donna no later than March 1st. $20/couple or $10/single. Choices are: Chicken Corndonbleu, Salmon or London broil. This includes side dishes, salad and apple crisp for dessert. 45 members attended last year we hope to see you again this year. Reserve your dinner; send the check and dinner choice to Donna Grady, 61 Monroe Drive, Laurel Springs, NJ 08021.Make checks out to SJGRS.

Cape May Train Museum is closed Feb. & Jan. and will reopen in March. Donna will hold the $50 donation until they return.

Trailer Inventory - This will be done during the train display at Green Planet Nursery in March.

Becky Lincoln has been approached by a Boy Scout parent inquiring as to what needs to be done to achieve a Train or model Railroad Badge. Cass Oncay contacted Boy Scouts of America and received a book concerning Badges. She will send the book to Becky to give to interested scout parent.

New Business

Sunshine - Patti Moffit reported that 8 birthday cards, 1 get well and 1 Thinking of you were sent in Feb. Thanks to our Sunshine Lady.

Cass Oncay has been in touch with Judy MacKenzie regarding the Paulsboro day event on September 7th. Members interested in supporting this event please contact Cass. If we are unable to get enough commitments from volunteers we'll have to table the event until a future time.

Open Houses - Al Schmidt would like to see SJGRS pick a weekend (preferably in June) where the public would be invited to go to member's homes to see their G-Scale garden railroads. A schedule would be planned and maps made available to each home so that people could pick and choose where they would like to go. Light snacks and water could be made available but no entrance fees. Bill Keller suggested that we could have brochures at each location and advertise in local newspapers to get the word out. More at the March meeting.

A motion was made to give Richard Edelman III a life membership in SJGRS. Seconded. Discussion. Criteria would have to be made for future life memberships. Richard has been President, Album Keeper, Equipment Manager and he and Edith have hosted many meetings and open houses over the years and worked on many train shows. Due to health problems he and Edith have been unable to attend meetings. We appreciate his dedication to the club. Vote taken, motion carried.

20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Tom Brown reminded members that our 20th Anniversary is coming up in 2014. After much discussion, most members are in favor of taking an overnight bus trip to Steam Town. More on this in March.

March 16th & 17th
Train display at Green Planet Nursery
10am - 4pm each day with a brief
business meeting on March 17th at 1pm

Set up will be on March 15
From 11am - ?
We need help setting up, running trains and taking down at end of show.
Brian will be advertising the event and will invite the public to bring a piece of rolling stock and/or engine and members will assist them in cleaning wheels, general maintenance and how to keep trains running.
Cass Oncay and Brian Steager are coordinating the event.
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Contact Cass if you are available to help with any part of the show.
856-589-1774 or Cell 856-449-3384
Kathryn.oncay @ Comcast.net

Rudy Irizarry gave heads up to members that companies advertise before trains are made. He ordered a Trolley from Aristocraft and having trouble getting information on delivery.

Cass announced that Cold Spring is having financial problems - we'll have to keep in touch to see whether they will be having the train weekend.

Larry Grady has a friend who would like for someone to build him an HO layout. He is willing to pay.

Want to be a garden railroader but you don't have a layout?- George Clark has the answer. George has a great layout but it hasn't been maintained for a while due to George's health. He would like for someone (or more) to come to his layout and maintain it. In return you can run your trains and enjoy the hobby plus get expertise on running and setting up a garden RR.
Interested - call George 856-783-2614 or geoclarkrr@verzon.net

If you know someone who would like to advertise in our newsletter, have them send their business card(with a check for $25 which will cover their ad for one year) to:

We now have a business card that we hand out to people who inquire about our club. Please pick some up, if you can and hand them out to anyone who you think may be interested.