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Weekly News January 10, 2005Description
We are progressing on the nominating process for the new Board of Directors to be nominated and elected at our Annual Meeting February 3. So far, we have 10 people who are willing to be nominated, and only 3 (4 including Bob Reilly) are from the main-core Steam Team. There are about two more new people we have asked who we hope will accept the offer. No one from the old Management Group (except Reilly) has been asked to serve on the Board. So why are we excluding those who have carried the ball this far, and have shown, ahead of the "outsiders", that they have a continued interest in our endeavors? Don't worry, we'll keep you in the midst of our activities, as we expect the new Management Group and its committees to be much more active than the Board, in terms of time commitment and projects accomplished. The Board is charged primarily with finding the funds to keep us going, and that's why we need the best expertise available to us in that area. Let's hope we have made good choices. The Nominating Committee has tried very hard.
By the time of our Annual Meeting, we hope to describe the Management Group and its committees (a later version of the chart worked out by Joe Mosteller and Chuck Erikson), and even have some of the individuals committed to heading these Committees. Bill Schwoebel has agreed to head up the Management Group. He will need everyone's support to make the FRIENDS OF AUBURN HEIGHTS grow and prosper. Jean Toman, former editor of the Hockessin Community News and "Miss 4th of July" in charge of the Hockessin parade, has agreed to chair our marketing program. I hope Rose Ann Hoover will agree to head our Museum committee, in charge of special exhibits and displays, as well as the layout of the Museum with its cars and other permanent antiques. Anne Cleary has agreed to be Secretary of the organization, and Joe Mosteller, Treasurer, but these are not Board positions.
Sue Davis, president of the Stanley Museum, has asked us to take our 1905 Model CX Stanley to Ormond Beach for the Centennial of the 1905 races there. Bill Schwoebel and Butch Cannard would like to do it, possibly accompanied by Bill Rule. The dates are January 28 and 29. The CX is now in the upper garage and will undergo the usual "getting ready" during the next 2 weeks. 2006 will be the big year for the
Stanleys at Ormond, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fred Marriott's world speed record in the Stanley "Rocket". They want our Model K Stanley next year. This info was in the Newsletter last week, but we didn't want you to miss it. Sorry for the repeat.
Tomorrow, Ed Hoffmeister plans to put the popcorn machine back together following the correct diagnosis and modification last week of the propane burner. Then it will be taken back to the Museum to make room for other projects. Both the Model K and the CX are in the upper garage, The oil pump is out of the CX and I hope Jim Personti can look at it a.s.a.p. I know what is wrong, but not the best way
to fix it. For Tuesday night, this little car can be cleaned and oiled and the fuel pump re-packed, and if the oil pump is fixed and back in, fired up on Wednesday when Bill and Butch can come to test it out. I had it fired up today and all seemed good except the oiler. The red railroad car is in the garage, setting on a section of track. Steve and I are almost sure the derailing problem with the cars in this class is caused by springs in the trucks that are too weak. We'd like a full load to sit in this car and hopefully confirm our diagnosis. Jim and Steve also plan to take the leaf springs from the locomotives and have them re-arched by Jim's brother who has a machine to test the tension, and make them all alike. Brent McDougall was cleaning the locomotives last week- I'm not sure whether he is finished or not. Chuck Erikson continues to sort bolts and screws in the shop, but says he'd rather work alone at this point. It seems to me he's headed for shop foreman. The Maute boys continue their photo and catalog work, and it's great to find what I'm frequently looking for in a reasonably short time.
Rose Ann tells me she has 20 plus members signed up, and the applications are coming in. Remember, we'd like to have you as paid-up members by February 3 and have you attend our first Annual Meeting. If you don't have an Application Form, and will not be here to pick one up, just let me know and I'll mail one out to you right away. Many thanks for everything. Tom
