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Here is our Spring - Summer - Fall "Schedule of Events" put together by the Williamsville Depot Steering Committee for 2020. It's an ambitious list that we hope will draw larger crowds than we had last year. We hope that all of you will find one or more events that you'll be sure to enjoy! Hope to see you at the Depot! |
| "All Aboard" was the name of the "Amherst Symphony" music program played at the Amherst Middle School on Sunday February 9th. All but one song was railroad oriented. They also had a Petting Zoo. The "pets" were musical instruments on display that the kids could touch. Art Toale, Paul Mayer and I, in our Conductors uniforms, circled throughout the "Petting Zoo." We handed out Society information, answered questions and had a lot of pictures taken with kids and adults. Former Mayor, Ron Daniels, entertained the children with a model train layout. Current Mayor Deb Rogers entertained the children by reading "The Little Engine That Could". Walter Simpson provided an excellent railroad slide program that was tied into the music. |
 "(c)2020 David Sherman - WNYRHS memebers Tom Stackhouse, Paul Mayer and Art Toale, handed out Society information, answered questions and had a lot of pictures taken with kids and adults by the small train table. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
| Our Society tables were full of information at our February 15th and 16th, 2020 Winter Train Show at the Hamburg Fair Grounds for all the visitors as they entered the show. The Williamsville Depot had a silent auction of 16 wonderful items. This perfect fundraiser was supported by many members of our steering committee. |  "(c)2020 JKocsis - WNYRHS information tables. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
 "(c)2020 JKocsis - Marty Visciano does some track work for the \"Candy Train\" as Society member Paul Mayer looks on. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
All Aboard for the "Candy Train" at the show. Marty Visciano from the Williamsville Depot again ran this popular display. The train was loaded with an assortment of chocolate treats for children young and old. The layout was created with help from both the Orchard Park and Williamsville Depot crews. |
| A SIGN OF THE TIMES The Williamsville Depot usually has a vibrant and full summer schedule. We had planned a wonderful calendar of fun events for 2020. But as you can imagine why, it has our committee on hold until families feel safe to gather in groups out in public again. Please continue to check on this website and Facebook: Williamsville Lehigh Valley Depot for any changes in status. We hope you and your family remain safe during this historical pandemic of 2020. |
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 "(c)2020 Marty Visciano - \"Deliver the Diesel\" fundraiser tent. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
Garage Sale Success - A great amount of donations came into our possession for our first event of the year. With a steady crowd over the weekend of August 6th, 7th and 8th, it made the Williamsville Depot a place to check out hundreds of items for sale. Books, housewares, furniture, sporting goods, holiday items, 50/50 raffle and toys for the kids made for a wonderful day to be at the depot. |  "(c)2020 Marty Visciano - Thomas© play area for the kids. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
 "(c)2020 Marty Visciano - Barb Stilwell - Recording Secretary. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
Many Thanks to Barb Stilwell, recording secretary, talented cook, ticket taker, book sale organizer and numerous other skills, along with being a great friend of the Depot, is moving to Florida. A delicious cake was shared recently to thank her and to wish Barb a safe trip to her new home. Good Luck and Best Wishes! |  "(c)2020 Marty Visciano - Something for everyone at the \"Garage Sale at the Depot.\" (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
 "(c)2020 Marty Visciano - Two new 8 Volt locomotive batteries. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
Did you wonder what it takes to start a diesel locomotive? How about a bank of eight batteries like the two pictured. They will be on display when a locomotive arrives at the Williamsville Depot sometime in the near future. Our "Deliver the Diesel" fundraiser is still ongoing for the aquisition of Conrail #8666 ex. Lehigh Valley #252. Currently it is in Dresden, New York. The cost to bring it to Williamsville will be in excess of $50,000 so your help is still needed. Please consider a donation no matter how small. Thank you! |
| The Williamsville Depot was buzzing with activity on Friday October 2 and Saturday October 3, 2020 when the Homewood Theater Company staged its first ever vintage costume jewelry sale. The purpose of this event was to raise money to "Deliver The Diesel" to the Williamsville Depot site. |
 "(c)2020 Marty Bauer - A large variety of necklaces, brooches, bracelets, earrings, and jewelry sets on display. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
The two day fundraising event was a big success! One hundred and twenty customers visited the Williamsville Depot and browsed through a large variety of necklaces, brooches, bracelets, earrings, and jewelry sets. In the end, the Homewood Theater Company raised $970.00 for the Williamsville Locomotive Fund. |  "(c)2020 Marty Bauer - One hundred and twenty customers visited the Depot. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
 "(c)2020 Nathan Vester - Our A&A boxcar now has it lettering on it. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
Later, it was decided by the Williamsville Depot Committee to use a portion of the Homewood Theater Company's costume jewelry sale donation to put lettering on our "Arcade and Attica" box car which is on display next to the 1896 station. Putting the name "Arcade and Attica Railroad" and its reporting marks on this vintage piece of rolling stock completes another big project at the Williamsville Depot site. Thanks to Society member Nathan Vester for this great photo of the boxcar! |
| Plans are being made for more Homewood Theater vintage costume jewelry sales next year and a new series of plays at the Williamsville Depot are in the works as well. |
| It goes without saying the summer of 2020 was not one of our better summers. We are not alone there. However, the Williamsville Depot Committee did have a several highlights. The two day Garage Sale we held in August was well attended and the weather cooperated. Best of all it was a financial success. |
| One Saturday in September, the Depot came to the rescue of another Bridal Party that was going to have a photo shoot at the falls in Glen Park. It poured. The Depot was dry and comfortable. Thank you for your donation. This was the second time that the Depot came to the rescue of such a momentous occasion. |  "(c)2020 Tom Stackhouse - A Bridal Party holds its photo shoot in the Depot. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
 "(c)2020 Tom Stackhouse - Newly donated waiting room bench by Devan Lawton. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
If you have ever visited the Depot you'll remember there were two church pews in the waiting room serving as benches. They served well but did not look the part. Member and Trustee Devan Lawton donated a real waiting room bench. The length and the height were perfect. But that was just one bench. |
| Along came member and Master Carpenter Don Wood. (Don made all of the nine pane double hung windows from scratch) He made a perfect duplication of the donated one. Thank you Devan and Don! |
 "(c)2020 Tom Stackhouse - Original LV \"Phone Booth\" donated by Devan Lawton. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
Devan also donated an original wooden Lehigh Valley track side phone booth complete with an early Western Electric phone. 2020 wasn't a complete washout. Many small and some large projects were completed. We look forward to rebuilding in 2021. |
 "(c)2020 Tom Stackhouse - Original phone in the phone booth. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
 "(c)2020 Tom Stackhouse - \"Deliver the Diesel\" sign at our October jewelry sale. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
Our efforts are continuing to bring an authentic Lehigh Valley diesel locomotive to the Williamsville Depot. Thanks to you, our financial donations are growing each month. Currently, there are dedicated funds that the Depot has received of over $20,000.00 from private contributions. But more is needed to transport the locomotive to our historic site. Take a minute to go to our "Go Fund Me" page titled "Deliver the Diesel" and make a donation no matter how small it might be, every penny counts, Thank You! |  "(c)2019 Marty Visciano - John Bond and Devan Lawton chat with a representative of the Greenich power plant. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge") |
| Just before Christmas, Tom Stackhouse shared with our locomotive committee that he received some great news, and a great Christmas present. Through contacts with Carol Bond and Brian Kulpa, we will be receiving a $30,000 grant from a newly elected Erie county official for the Locomotive fund. He received a letter from Jeanne Vinal who is the 5th District Legislator for the Erie County Legislature. She has added to the Erie County Budget a direct line to WNYRHS in the amount of $30,000 toward the purchase of the locomotive. More details will be coming in the New Year. Thank you Brian Kulpa, Carol Bond and Jeanne Vinal for you hard work and support to our cause! |
Call the Depot at 716-633-7002 or  eMail Marty V. Thank You! |
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The WNYRHS, Inc., 100 Lee Street, Buffalo, NY. 14210-2110 is an independent organization and has no affiliation with any other local or national group.
The Society is a fully qualified organization under 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and all donations to the Society are tax deductible.
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