Welcome Back!!

 

Welcome to our New Members - Dan and Debbie Collander

 

NEWSLETTER - Any new ideas for the Digest this year?  Tom Gelz, our editor, had the idea of having club members periodically doing columns.  Some examples are:  Ron Blazek possibly do a column pertaining to electricity, John Eckerle doing a column about the NCC, and Carol Cavanaugh doing a column on her clever decorating ideas.  Another idea Tom had was to change our "Spotlight On" column to a column about new members.  It will help all of us get to know our newest members.

 

NCC - Ed the Snowman, an NCC Dept. 56 special limited edition accessory piece is available for $13.  It is for Members Only and orders must be placed through Ducky 56ers.  The order form was in the last Digest.  John Eckerle has additional application forms available.  They are also available on the NCC website.  John must have all orders in by the end of September.  Members are permitted to order TWO snowmen.  Checks should be made to Ducky 56ers.  John can also order 2005 NCC Ed the Snowman Pins available for $5, along with 2004 NCC multi-colored umbrella pin for $5. 

 

JUST DUCKY NEWS - 1.  A Special SV piece will be available, a lighted building, "Stillwater Collectibles and Antiques."  The number per store is very limited but available at Just Ducky!  Orders can be placed through Just Ducky.  The cost is $85.  2.  Fright Night will be held on September 23rd.  Everyone should wear costumes.  The Grand Prize on Friday night will be a TV/DVD Player.  There will be a special raffle held over the weekend (Sat. & Sun.) of Fright Night.  The drawing will be held on Sunday.  Winners need not be present.  3.  The Department 56 Retirement Party will be held on November 4th, 2005.  4.  The FREE Display classes start on September 14, 2005, this class will be about using Foam in your layouts.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION - 1.  Gathering 2006 now has 13 speakers signed on.  It will be held at the Windham Hotel in Rosemont.  2.  Long Grove will have a Swap and Sell on October 15, 2005.  3.  If anyone is interested in Dickens pieces, Rich Wyllie has a list of pieces that are currently available with a private seller.

 

RONALD McDONALD HOUSE  - Don and Marilyn Alton are heading a group to set up a Halloween display at Ronald McDonald House.  Department 56 donated six Halloween Peanuts pieces ~ Thank you Kirk for obtaining this donation!  Date of setup has not yet been decided.  The McTrain is doing well!!

 

HALLOWEEN HOUSEWALK  - The housewalk is scheduled for October 15, 2005 from 1:00-6:00 p.m.  Helpers sign up sheet will be available at the next meeting.  Tickets are $5 per person.  After some discussion, it was decided that members are free, but may make a donation.  Family members (beyond the two covered by the membership) who accompany a member must purchase tickets.  John Eckerle will let NCC know about our Halloween Housewalk so they can advertise it for us.  Tom Gelz will post pictures from prior Halloween Housewalks on the website for people to view.

 

NAPERVILLE DUCKY 56 MEETING  - The regular November, 2005, meeting meeting will be held at the Naperville store.  After the meeting, the club will discuss whether to continue having meetings at the Naperville store or keep them at the Darien store only.  The November meeting will start at 7:30 p.m.

 

HOLIDAY HOUSEWALK - Our date for the Holiday Housewalk is January 14, 2006.  We will request display volunteers at the October meeting.  The Members Only Housewalk will be on January 22, 2006.

 

Possible Ideas for SOCIAL ACTIVITIES for the Club: Tony & Tina's Wedding, Tommy Guns, Flanagan's Wake, Pub Crawl, Bar Train, Architectural Tour and Navy Pier Boat Cruise, Local haunted displays, His Way display at NBC Towers

 

POSSIBLE MEETING TOPICS: Ron Blazek (?) explain how to changing blinking lights into constant lights, Make and Takes (possibly with Karen's Trees), Joint Meeting with other clubs

 

RAFFLE  - we collected $150 tonight.  Winners were:  John Eckerle - Halloween Print, Jack Tucker & Kaitlyn Joyce - $25 gift certificates, Claudia O'Connell - Carriage, Sherrie Krughoff - Display Book, Carol Bonus - History Book, George Raetzke - Backpack Bag, Rick Rempert - Sir John Falstaff Ornament, Bill Ohlson, Dee Kaczorowski, Pat Houghtaling and Bill Novak - Krinkles Bags.