Category: News

Division members met in-person at the home of Superintendant Bob Johnson near Jefferson, MD.  16 or so were present, including the Superintendent, Paymaster, Newsletter Editor, and Mini-Con Coordinator.  After viewing the layout, the Superintendent welcomed everyone to the first in-home meeting since March 2020 at Jay Beckham’s and called the business meeting to order.

22.10–1​Paymaster’s Report:  Paymaster Ray Price reported the SMD bank balance was $3,457.91 and confirmed that the SMD is still receiving approximately $40 from MER twice a year.  He also reported that the SMD account is now with Truist after a merger between BB&T and Suntrust.

22.10-2​Clerk’s Report (Meeting Minutes):  In the Clerk’s absence, the Superintendent explainedwhy past meeting minutes had not yet been approved.

–​March meeting minutes:  the Superintendent asked for motion to approve the revised draft March meeting minutes.  Ron Polimeni made the following motion (second by Grant Berry):

Motion:  That the draft Minutes for the March 2022 meeting be approved as revised.  The motion carried.

–​May meeting minutes:  the Superintendent asked for motion to approve the revised draft Maymeeting minutes.  Grant Berry made the following motion (second by Ray Price):

Motion:  That the draft Minutes for the May 2022 meeting be approved as revised.  The motion carried.

22-10.3​The SMD welcomed new member Mark R.

Old Business:  There were no items of old business discussed.

New Business:  

22-10.4​A Planning Meeting held prior to the start of the meeting year.  The Superintendent reported that the decision was made to hold the September meeting by Zoom and that the remainder of the meetings would be in-person with the following hosts:  Bob Johnson to host October, Paul Mahoney to host November, Jeff Groves to host December, Steve King to host Jan, Pete & Jane Clarke to host February, Andrew Dodge to host March, no confirmed date for Mini-Con, and Rich Randall to host May.

22-10.5​Mini-Con 2023:  Chair Grant Berry raised the issue of attendance dropping after lunch atpast Mini-Cons and suggested a revised schedule with informal clinics running through until noon followed by a roundtable / panel discussion with guests.  He asked for member input on the revised format.  A suggestion was made to pre-load the roundtable / panel discussion with starter audience questions determined beforehand.

Another suggestion was made to hold the raffle drawing after the roundtable / panel.

Chair Berry asked for membership to be considerate of Brian Wolfe’s support of the Mini-Con.

Mini-Con Finances:  Paymaster Ray Price reported that we earned $150 after expenses on the raffle last year (2022). Normally our only expenditures are the gift card for the raffle and morning coffee + donuts.

Modular Layouts:  The consensus was to invite layouts back if they wish to attend.

22-10.6​Newsletter (Wheel Report):  Editor Alex Polimeni asked for input regarding format of newsletter.  He raised the possibility of publishing a larger, more conventional newsletter once or twice a year.  The Consensus of the discussion was to move to a monthly format, shrink newsletter size, and focus on highlighting the upcoming month’s events and presenters.  Editor Polimeni announced that first issue of new format will be December 2022.

22-10.7​Hybrid Meetings:  Alex Polimeni requested input.  The consensus was that such meetings are doable but difficult.  He will investigate and attempt to implement options.

22-10.8​Audit:  The Superintendent reported that an Audit Commission will be set up at the next officer’s meeting.

Adjournment:  The Superintendant accepted a motion to adjourn.  The next meeting on November 13, 2022 will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Paul Mahoney’s home in Frederick, MD.  It will be an in-person, face-to-face meeting.  Members will be reminded by e-mail.

Notes for the Minutes taken by Alex Polimeni and formatted by Clerk Harvey Heyser

Following the meeting, host Bob Johnson presented a clinic on the concept of increasing layout realism by viewing the layout as a series of stages, utilizing concepts such as view blocking, viewing angles, scene exits (exit stage left) and forced perspective.

The monthly meeting of the South Mountain Division (SMD) will be held on Sunday, October 9^th, at Division superintendent Bob Johnson’s home.  This will be only the second in person meeting, and the first home meeting hosted by the division since February of 2020.  Obviously, if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have recently been exposed, we would ask you not to attend.  Otherwise, everyone is welcome.

Please email the Division at southmountaindiv@gmail.com for the street address and contact information.  Activities are scheduled to start at 2:00 PM but reasonably early arrivals are welcome.

For those of you not familiar with Bob’s layout, the West Virginia Midland is a central West Virginia shortline that connects with the B&O at Holly Junction and the Western Maryland at Laurel Bank.  The railroad started as a logging line in the early 1900’s and later expanded into hauling other bulk materials such as coal, coke and limestone.  There is also a small industrial area located in the town of Webster Springs.  In keeping with the origins of the railroad motive power is heavy on geared locomotives but there are also a small number of rod engines on line for hauling general freight.

The layout is completed in terms of track work and is approximately 90% sceniced.  The design emphasizes operations and typically operates using TT&TO with a 10 person crew.

Following the business meeting Bob will present a clinic on the concept of increasing layout realism by viewing the layout as a series of stages utilizing concepts such a s view blocking, viewing angles, scene exits (exit stage left) and forced perspective.

If the weather is good (read dry) Bob asks that you enter the layout room through the outside basement door.  If it is wet entry will be by the front door.  Signs will be posted on the day of the meeting to direct you.

Let’s have a good turnout for our first live meeting of the year.

Bob Johnson
Superintendent, South Mountain Division

Draft Meeting Minutes – September 11, 2022

Division members met remotely on the internet using the Zoom platform.  14 or so were present.  In Superintendent Bob Johnson’s absence, past Superintendent Alex Polimeni chaired the meeting.  Heopened the Zoom session prior to the published start time for logging in and sharing.  

During the lead-up to the meeting, the following was shared:

The Chair called the business meeting to order at about 2:30 pm.  

22.9–1​Paymaster’s Report:  Paymaster Ray Price reported the SMD bank balance was $3,507.91. That balance does not reflect the $50 contribution to the Greencastle High Line Station Fundauthorized by motion at the May meeting (Item # 22.5-6).  The Paymaster requested forwarding information.  It was not clear whether the balance reflected payment for the 2022-23 Zoom renewal ($157.40).

22.9-2​Clerk’s Report (Meeting Minutes):  As mentioned above, members were not able to review the draft minutes prior to the meeting.  In addition, the Chair reported the Superintendent’s plan to handle the minutes in a different manner.  As a result, approval of draft minutes was deferred until the October meeting.  Clerk Harvey Heyser requested member feedback on several uncertain matters related to the March and May minutes.  Members shared the following:

March 2022 – During the Clerk’s Zoom disconnection, members approved the February 2022 draft minutes as submitted and focused on the Mini-Con during the following discussion.

May 2022 – The motion made to elect by acclimation was for the entire slate of officer candidates (not only for Superintendent).  No one else was running.

22-9.3​Future Minutes:  The clerk indicated he is unlikely to be able to attend upcoming meetings in-person and requested assistance with note taking.  The Chair suggested the Clerk forward a list of his requirements for the notes and for electronic document transmission.  The Clerk will continue to formatthese notes into formal minutes.  The Clerk will be able to attend by Zoom or by phone – neither alternative entirely reliable for hearing group discussion in a larger space.  The Chair will investigate a microphone more suitable for the situation.

Old Business:  There were no items of old business discussed.

New Business:  

22-9.4​A Planning Meeting was held prior to this regular membership meeting.  The Chair reported that

the Superintendent is excited about the coming year and has plans worked out for the year’s meetings –plans he will share in person.  With regard to clinics, Don Florwick suggested polling members on which subjects they are interested in learning about and which subjects they would be willing to present.

22-9-5​Future Meetings:  September’s meeting hopefully will be the last remote meeting.  The schedule of hosts for face-to-face meetings is as follows (subject to confirmation):

October 2022 – Bob Johnson

November 2022 – Paul Mahoney

December 2022 – Jeff Grove

May 2023 – Rich Randall

Others who have indicated a willingness to host:  Andy Dodge and Pete & Jane Clarke.

22-9.6​Wheel Report:  Editor Alex Polimeni reported his plans to publish the Fall 2022 issue soon and then to adjust the future publication schedule to better coordinate with future Mini-Cons.  It was noted that any increase in the number of issues will depend on additional submitted content.  A Modeler’s Corner with captioned photos was suggested.

22-9.7​Mini-Cons (general):  The loss of audience for formal clinics after lunch was discussed and several suggestions were made: 1) extend time for the informal clinics into the afternoon, 2) run the activities through lunch time, especially if an on-site food option is available, 3) schedule a roundtable discussion for lunch to give informal clinicians a break, 4) finish the event about 2 p.m., and 5) schedule  a “heavy-weight” speaker to wrap-up things – suggestions;  Bob Geldmacher talking about scenery and someone speaking about decoder installation.

Publicity:  Don Florwick requested information more in advance of the event to account for magazine deadlines and to reach other NMRA Divisions (not possible in 2022 because of the late decision to hold the 2022 event).  He also repeated the need to reach a wider audience (parents with kids, for instance).

Food:  The 2022 vender had reasonable business.  Nearby Rouzerville has numerous options.

22-9.8​An NMRA Alternative for Remote Meetings/Clinics:  As a way to save the SMD money, Harvey Heyser asked whether National has any plans.  Bob Morningstar will look into that.  Although hopefully this September meeting will be the last remote meeting, remote hobby hang-outs may happen.

22-9.9​Bob Johnson’s Layout:  Harvey Heyser urged members to take a good look at Bob’s town of Diana, an excellent example of small layout design.

Adjournment:  The Superintendant accepted a motion to adjourn.  The next meeting on October 9, 2022 will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Bob Johnson’s home in Jefferson, MD.  It will be an in-person, face-to-face meeting.  Members will be reminded by e-mail.

Minutes submitted by Clerk Harvey Heyser

There was no clinic scheduled following the September business meeting.  The following was shared: