Title
Weekly News January 3, 2005Description
I'm asking Butch Cannard again if he will forward this News Letter to all of you. If he's here tomorrow night, I'm sure he will restore my Steam Team E-mail list.
We're into the New Year, and things seem to be about the same. The Nominating Committee meets again tomorrow night (at the same time as the Work Session), and is getting closer to a slate to present at the Annual Meeting, February 3. We've been asked whether nominations for Board positions will be entertained from the floor at the Annual Meeting, and the answer is probably not. This will require some explaining, which we plan to do in as much detail as possible prior to the election. Please keep in mind that we are more of a historical society than a car club and our Board composition needs to reflect this, and perhaps the Board's main responsibility is to find the funds to carry out our mission. The Board won't get involved in day-to-day operations of the FRIENDS OF AUBURN HEIGHTS PRESERVE. These activities will be the responsibility of an active Management Group working under the Board. The Management Group will have several active committees working together; i.e., Maintenance and Restoration, Special Events, Museum, Auburn Valley R.R., Promotion and Publicity, and others, each with an established budget to be approved by the Board, since the Board must find the money to fund these budgets.
At this week's work sessions, we expect to be back to normal, whatever that is. The Model K is in the garage, and the burner needs to be plastered up, the bonnet over the boiler installed and insulated, and the hood fastened back on. The popcorn machine needs work on the burner and possibly the boiler is choked up as well. Emil is continuing to fabricate a new flue for the Model 87. The motor for the Rauch & Lang may be coming back to us soon. The locomotives have been winterized, but need a final cleaning. The R.R. group will decide how much they want to undertake right now in revamping (if necessary) the spring hangers and equalizers on the locomotives, and the trucks on some of the passenger cars. Rose Ann and her crew will be dismantling the Christmas exhibits in the Museum. Chuck Erikson continues his endless sorting in the shop-maybe he'd like some help with this project. Butch is refining our promotional flyer for our 2005 dates at Auburn Heights, and also what outside events we wish to attend this year. John Hopkins has planned an Eastern Shore Steam Car Tour for our group in mid-July and we encourage you to go. It will be our own tour and will take about 4 days total. It's not only good experience but a lot of fun.
We have been asked by Sue Davis of the Stanley Museum to take our '05 CX to Ormond Beach for the 2005 Centennial there Jan. 28-29.
This is not the big year for the Stanleys at Ormond, but they had a presence in 1905, leading up to the world speed record by Fred Marriott and the Stanley Rocket in 1906. Next year, she wants our Model K. I am willing to have the CX go if anyone who feels qualified would like to take it. It would be good publicity for the FAHP.
Remember to get those Membership applications in to our treasurer, Rose Ann Hoover. If you need the forms, they are on the table in the Museum. Even if you are not interested in attending the Annual Meeting, you will need to be a member in order to participate in activities, including the work sessions. You are a GREAT group of volunteers and I hope no one drops out because of the more formal membership requirement. On December 27 we had 32 volunteers helping and on the 28th the number was 31. That is terrific! Many thanks. Tom
