Michael B., Brian D, Dick D, Tony F, Steve H, Bill H, Henry H, Chris K, Chris L, Jason M, Mike O, John W were present. A special guest was Kathleen MacDonald.
Ms. MacDonald explained her late husband left a large collection of models, mostly built, mostly 1/35th armor, especially WWII German armor, brush painted. She is offering them to C.A.M.S. members. She said they may be suitable for including in dioramas or practicing airbrushing, weathering, etc. She wants these to go to interested modelers and invites members to contact her to arrange to look over her collection.
Dick gave a quick review of upcoming events: Great Lakes Challenge Model Contest, October 4, Grand Rapids; IPMS Duneland Contest and Swap Meet, October 11, Hobart IN; Cincinnati Scale Modelers ‘ModelNati’, Oct 18, Batavia, OH; Motor City NNL 20/Detroit Area Auto Modelers, October 19, Waterford Township; Lorain County IPMS Swap and Bull, October 26, Rocky River, OH (Display only show); Cleveland Model Show 28, November 2, Kirtland, OH.
Tony had no Vice-pres report.
Chris L’s Treasurer report is that C.A.M.S. currently has $491. As R4 Coordinator, he reports October is busy with lots of shows in the region.
Update: Chris L says there were approx. 90 entries in the Truck Modelers show at St. Ignace. Five members were at the build night at Hoplite Games; there was a reserved table, but lighting is bad, so the recommendation was to go back there about once a year. The consensus was that, though it’s a nice setting, having a build night at AFK doesn’t draw much attention, so we should also schedule them for once a year. The next build night is Wednesday, October 15, at Evolution Games, 932 Elmwood Rd, 517-323-8600. The November build night was originally intended to be the 19th at Tanuki’s, but was moved to the 20th.
Michael B, Reedis and the USS Tecumseh will be at How-to-Halloween at Impressions 5 this weekend. Michael and Reedis will distribute C.A.M.S. newsletters; those not going to Great Lakes Challenge are invited to join Michael, Reedis and Vern for the event.
Dick reminded volunteers for the Lansing Model Railroad Club Train show Sunday, Nov. 9, 10 – 4, MSU Pavilion, with set-up at 9:00. We will need a sign-up sheet, displays (esp. dioramas), cards and newsletters for the next meeting. Steve said he can bring some dioramas for display on that Sunday,
Members participating in the Army National Guard display gave an update on projects. The four helicopters are coming along well and we may be ready to take them to the armory by the first of the year.
Planning for the 2026 Ft. Wayne Nationals continues. Reservations for blocks of rooms at the immediate hotels have nearly sold out. It’s possible more rooms will be made available, but at present it appears best to make arrangements beyond those four hotels. Vendor tables have nearly sold out. Tiger Meet arrangements are nearly complete. It was emphasized once again that volunteering during the convention will be essential for the success of the event and for the financial future of C.A.M.S.
Chris K raised the question of scheduling/planning another open house. After some discussion, it was decided that a better option would be to plan a “make & take” at the Ignition Makers event in the spring, perhaps arranging a second tent for the activity. Dick noted Chris L and he will be leading a small “make & take” for several junior- & senior-high school boys next month. The possibility of a display at an area library was left as an open question.
Next month a sign-up sheet will be passed around for members to note what they’ll bring for the December Holiday potluck. We will decide if family will be invited to the party and whether there will be some form of gift exchange.
For the November meeting “show and tell”, members are to bring any tools/materials/techniques they use to clean/prepare models for painting.
The rest of the evening was an excellent presentation by Tony on how to make trees. The next meeting will be on Thursday, November 6, 6:30.
Tony demonstrating making trees for dioramas.
Capital Area Modelers Society 