November, 2015 Volume 23 Number 11 Mailing address: P.O. Box 50428, Mesa, AZ. 85208 Visit at: www.azbigtrains.org IN THIS ISSUE President s Message November Membership Meeting Election of Officers Glenn Sampson Award
President s Message November Gazette Our October meeting at the Lewandowskis was one of the biggest gest turnouts we have had in a while, over 50 members attended. Thanks, Mike and Helen, for hosting us in your home. The rain was no problem since there was plenty of cover and there was also plenty of good food. When Helen adds her finishing touches to Mike s already existing layout, it will just about fill their backyard. We will look forward to seeing it next year. At that meeting, we heard from all the candidates who are running for offices for the next two years. You will be receiving the printed ballot soon. Be sure to vote and either return the ballot by mail to Mike Temenski or bring it to him at next month s meeting. The meeting at the Temenskis home in Mesa on November 21 st is our last club meeting for this year. We will have the pleasure of seeing this layout for the first time. As a bonus, Mike welcomes us to bring our battery-operated trains to run on his new layout. Find the directions and details on page 6 in this issue of the Gazette. On November 7 th, it is our turn to host TGRS in a Round-About of ABTO layouts. Our route includes layouts from Surprise to Casa Grande with central Phoenix in between. At our home we will host the lunch, live steam demos, MTH demos, and a flea market. If you wish to participate in the flea market, call me at 6028417564 and plan to bring your items to our home by 10:00 that morning. It will work best if you stay with your items so that you can do the selling and collect the money yourself. Anyone selling in the flea market is welcome to stay for lunch. There is already a good number of members who have signed up for our annual Christmas banquet on December 6 th. If you have not already paid, please mail your check to ABTO ($30/person) to Mike Temenski or give it to him in person at next month s meeting. Please contact Ken Hawkins with your entrée choice (listed elsewhere in this Gazette). Chief Engineer John Meyers CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Wednesday. Nov. 18 6:00pm Board Meeting at Medtronic Saturday, Nov. 21 11:00am Membership Meeting at Mike Temenski & Lynn McClure s residence Sunday, Dec. 6 5:30pm Christmas Dinner Saturday, Dec. 12 5:30pm-8:30pm Christmas Open Houses Sunday, Dec. 13 5:30pm-8:30pm Christmas Open Houses Saturday, Dec. 19 5:30pm-8:30pm Christmas Open Houses Sunday, Dec. 20 5:30pm-8:30pm Christmas Open Houses Wednesday, Jan. 13 6:00pm Board Meeting at Medtronic Saturday, Jan. 16 TBA TBA 2
CONTENTS THE ABTO GAZETTE President s Message.....2 Treasurer s Report........3 Don t Forget to Vote..3 October Meeting Minutes 4 & 5 Welcome New Members......5 November Meeting Information..6 Christmas Dinner Information...6 Nominations for Glenn Samson Award...7 Railfair Photos...8 October Meeting Photos...9 Don t forget to vote; You can bring your ballots to the November meeting or mail ballot, no later than Monday, November 16th to Mike Temenski, 3461 E. Indigo Circle, Mesa, AZ 85213 NOMINEES: President: Ken Hawkins Vice-President-Dave Kitchin Secretary- Roger Crooks (vote for one) Ginny Morris Treasurer-Steve Lewis Directors at Large-Colin Criswell, Daryll Smith, Darrell Woolfolk 3
Membership Meeting, October 17, 2015 at Mike & Helen Lewandowski s Home John Meyers opened the meeting at 11:15am. He introduced our host and hostess, newlyweds, Helen and Mike Lewandowski. They married August 29 th. They will combine both Mike and Helen s railroads into one with the assistance of Dennis Busby and the completion date is 2016. Jim Gardner painted the wall. Lunch was served at 11:20am and the meeting started at 11:50am. OLD BUSINESS: A/ Minutes: The minutes were accepted as written in the October Gazette and was moved by Dave Kitchin and seconded by Steve Lewis. B/ Treasurer s Report: Mike Temenski reported that ABTO is in the red, which happens this time of year due to not much money being received. There were necessary repairs of $782.00 to the modules. Moved by Dennis Busby and seconded by Ken Hawkins. C/ Christmas Dinner: Please get your money to Mike Temenski by November 16 th. D/ Roundabout: John M. reported that 26 people from the Tucson club will be coming. Need volunteers at the homes, flea market tables, etc. Set up flea market tables at 11:00am. John asked members to donate desserts and please call him with dessert you will donate. Please wear your name tags and shirts and vests, if you have them. Lunch will be served free for volunteers. E/ Railfair: Daryll Smith reported it was a 2 day event. There was a nice turnout of members. Daryll is planning to speak prior to setting up at each event, so everything is done properly. Teardown could have used more people. Looking forward to Falcon Field, next module event. Improvements were made to let the trains run easier. Darryl Granger always brings his very nice weathered trains, Darryl also donated signals, which the kids enjoyed seeing them operate, and Steve Lewis installed on wood, so they can be placed easily on the modules at various locations. NEW BUSINESS: A/ By-Law Changes: John M. introduced Rich Hull. Rich reported that this year s term of officers ends December 31 st. The By-Laws Committee consisted of Dennis Busby, Don Halver, charter member, Rich Hull and Jim Kangas. 1/ Article VIII: Strike the sentence: No office can be re-elected to the same position for the 3 rd consecutive term/year, but can be elected to another position. Add: The Vice-President shall automatically move to Presidency after serving 2 years barring health issues, leaving the hobby or no longer has interest in serving. Reason for change: The vice-presidency is a training ground for the person to be President. It will be a smoother, natural transition to become President. Since we have such a difficult time getting people to run for office, this will help in solving that problem. Tucson has done this for years and again many other organizations have this policy in effect. Mike Q. opened to move to change the by-laws, seconded by Brian Casull. Motion carried to change the by-law. 2/ Article IV-Membership: The payment of dues entitles a member 18 years old or older and his/her spouse (immediate family) to have one vote on any issue, election of officers, serving as an officer, memberat-large, or committee member. Rich mentioned that the Board asked to strike this article. Much discussion on this article. Dennis Busby mentioned that the Tucson club permits either of the principal member could run for an office but only 1 vote per family membership. Mike T. commented this was not discussed this way at the past board meeting. Rich asked for a motion that one of the principle members could hold office. Ken Hawkins made a motion, seconded by Mike Q.. Motion carried. Rich suggested that the new Board look over the By-Laws. Continued on page 5 4
October Meeting Minutes Continued from page 4 THE ABTO GAZETTE Nominees introduced themselves to the membership: Member-at-Large-Daryll Smith, Colin Criswell and Darrell Woolfolk. No nominees from the floor. Nominations ceased by Mike Q. and seconded by Mike T. Secretary-Roger Crooks & Ginny Morris. No nominees from the floor. Nominations ceased by Vince Simpson and seconded by Ken Hawkins. Treasurer-Steve Lewis. No nominees from the floor. Nominations ceased by Don Halver and seconded by Ken Hawkins. Vice-President-Dave Kitchin. No nominees from the floor. Nominations ceased by Mike T. and seconded by Helen Lewandowski. President-Ken Hawkins. No nominees from the floor. Nominations ceased by Don Halver and seconded by Dennis Busby. John M. introduced Jack Baer owner of Litchfield Station, Avondale, Az. Jack s shop features DCC Systems, decodes, installations, etc.. B/ Christmas Open House: Everyone signed up. A meeting will be held at Cardon cafeteria, Saturday, October 24 th at 10am. Mike Q. thanked Helen & Mike Lewandowski for their donation to the Superstition Museum. Mike also thanked Dennis Busby for his work and also John Mazzoli for holding down everything during the summer. C/ November meeting will be held at Mike Temenski and Lynn McClure s residence. Members can bring battery operated trains beginning at 11am. Lunch will be served at 1pm. The new Officers will be introduced Additional items from the floor: Steve Lewis mentioned there will be an inventory done on Saturday, October 24 th at the storage unit. He asked for volunteers. Jack Johnson mentioned he has a list of his available figurines. Door Prize winners: Russ Rose, Mike Temenski & Dennis Busby. Raffle winner: James Riddle Meeting adjourned at 1:00pm. Minutes submitted by Ginny Morris, Secretary WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Brenda Clark Timothy Mathews 1413 N. Alpine Heights Drive 3172 S. Indigo Bay Drive Payson, AZ. 85541 Gilbert, AZ 85234 1410 N. Pebble Beach Email: timmath99@hotmail.com Gilbert, AZ 85234 Email: BrendaCClark@icloud.com Cell:480-204-3024 SWAP MEETS & SHOWS Saturday, November 7th-9am-Adobe Mtn. Model Train Show/Swap Meet Friday, Nov. 13th & Saturday, Nov. 14th-Gadsen-Pacific Model Train Show. Tucson Expo Center Check www.arizonamodeltrains.com for exact addresses, etc. 5
CHRISTMAS DINNER INFORMATION Sunday, December 6, 2015 Iron Works Restaurant 17233 N. 45th Avenue Glendale, Arizona 85308 Choices of Entrées available: Choose one of the following: Filet Mignon Baked Potato Vegetable Filet of Salmon Rice Pilaf Vegetable Boneless Lemon Chicken Breast Rice Pilaf Vegetable Entrees include Relish Tray, Soup, Tossed Garden Salad, Rolls and Butter, Coffee & Iced Tea Service and Dessert Please contact Ken Hawkins with your choice of entrée at knkdesertrail@cox.net or telephone 623-640- 6446 by November 16th. $30.00 per person includes gratuity and sales tax RSVP- Ken Hawkins at knkdesertrail@cox.net or telephone 623-640-6446 by Wednesday, November 18th. Mke and Lynn will furnish all food and beverages. Members may bring desserts. PLEASE BRING CHAIRS All monies must be sent to Mike Temenski, ABTO, P.O. Box 50428, Mesa, AZ 85208 by November 16 or bring monies to the Membership Meeting, November 21st. Schedule: 5:30pm Social Gathering/ Happy Hour 6:00pm Dinner 6
UPCOMING EVENTS for ABTO 2015 On November 7 th ABTO will host the Round-About for the Tucson club (TGRS), including Live Steam demo, 1:32 scale MTH and DCS system demo, BBQ lunch, and a flea market at Meyerses home. We will need your help in welcoming our Tucson friends at all the layouts. On November 21 st the general meeting will be at Mike Temenski and Lynne McClure s home where we will see their new layout. On Sunday, December 6 th, our annual Christmas Banquet will be held at the Iron Works Restaurant, 17233 N. 45 th Avenue, Glendale AZ 85308 starting at 5:00. The program features speakers George Niederauer and Duane Danielson from the Durango Railroad Historic Society. There will be door prizes awarded throughout the evening. Christmas Open Houses will take place on December 12, 13, 19, and 20 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Please contact Mike Quaintance to sign up to host and to volunteer to help at the layouts. Karen Lenzen will coordinate the publicity for this event. Nominations being accepted for Annual Glenn Sampson Award DEADLINE is November 8. Don t forget to contact Rich Hull with your nomination The Glenn Sampson Annual Engineers Award was approved by the ABTO Board six years ago. Jim Gardner was the 2014 recipient. This is the only award presented by the Club on an annual basis. The Board felt the club should recognize the work its members do on an annual basis. In approving this award, the Board stated, "We don't need many awards, just one and the club should play a role in who is picked to receive the award, thus the reason for presenting the idea of the Glenn Sampson Engineers Award. Glenn exemplified the true spirit of volunteerism in a club and had a tremendous ability to get along with all members. If there was work to be done Glenn was there." ABTO individuals need to nominate who they think should receive the award. They do this by naming the individual and in a no more than one page description explain why this individual should receive the award. These nominations would be submitted to Rich Hull. He will pick 2 other individuals, one who will be the President to work with him to pick the actual winner. This award will be presented at the annual Christmas Party. Your nomination needs to be in Rich's hands by November 8. You can e-mail your one page nomination to rich@hullbroadcasting.com or by regular mail: 25025 S. Lakeway Drive, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248. Phone: 602-684-1203 (cell) or 480-802-5308 (home). There are some rules: A person can nominate anyone including his/her self. Board members can be nominated. The rules are simple, you as a member just need to nominate that person who should receive this important award. Again, send your nomination to Rich Hull by November 8. Previous winners of engineers award: Jack Slinkard * Bob & Sandy Rauperstrauch Ennis Thompson * Ginny Morris Glenn Sampson * Bob Clark Jerry McKenzie * Jim Kangas Rich Hull * Dennis Busby * Presented prior to being a board sanctioned project. Jim Gardner 7
THE ABTO GAZETTE October Meeting Photos taken by Russ Rose 8
Railfair Photos McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, Scottsdale, AZ. 2014/2015 Board of Directors President: John Meyers Directors at Large 602-841-7564 jtprmeyers@cox.net Daryll Smith 602-402-9458 cell dpsmith710@cox.net Vice President: Ken Hawkins Steve Lewis 605-660-6911 cell srlewis47@cox.net 623-640-6446-cell Mike Quaintance 480-721-7745 knkdesertrail@cox.net rotormike45@yahoo.com Secretary: Ginny Morris 480-248-9130 putterm@cox.net Treasurer: Mike Temenski 480-659-8410 mtemenski@cox.net 9
Arizona Big Train Operators 1633 E. Lakeside Drive Unit 1 Gilbert, AZ 85234 ARIZONA BIG TRAIN OPERATORS OBJECTIVES Membership in Arizona Big Train Operators (ABTO) is open to anyone with an interest in gardening and the creation & operation of large scale model railways. At our meetings, items of mutual interest associated with the hobby are discussed and demonstrated. Meetings are typically held at member s homes, where they have the opportunity to showcase their railway creations. General meetings are usually held on the third Saturday of the month. ABTO BOARD MEETINGS ABTO MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION The renewal fee is $30.00 per year and the new membership fee of $35.00 per year entitles you to attend all meetings and events, to receive the monthly newsletter, and to have one name badge created for you. Additional badges may be purchased for $7 each. ABTO CONTRIBUTIONS Members are encouraged to contribute articles, letters, illustrations and/or photographs related to garden railroading for inclusion in the newsletter and/or posting on the club web site. Board meetings will be held on Wednesday prior to the general meeting of each month. Board meetings are open to members who are current on their dues and have an item for the agenda. If you plan to attend, call a Board member to confirm location, time and date Members who have hobby-related items for sale or trade may submit an advertisement for publication and/or posting at no charge. Please limit each ad to a maximum of four lines. Accompanying photos will be considered for publication as space allows. 10