November 14, 2006 Minutes

Meeting brought to order by Rich Wyllie, president.

·Visitor introductions – none present

·Secretary Report – The November minutes are posted on the website. 

·Treasure Report – Cheryl Merkel – Printed treasurer report was distributed and discussed. The club lost $600 on the Murder Mystery event.  Future events will be processed differently.

·Newsletter Report – Beth and Chuck Lazzara – The November Digest was distributed by email.  Technical issues have been resolved and future issues will be in color.  If club members do not have access to e-mail they need to contact Chuck Lazzara to have a printed copy sent through the U.S. postal mail. 

·NCC Representative Report – John Eckerle – Upcoming Gatherings were announced,  A copy of the bi-monthly publication Village D-Lights was available for viewing. 

·Latest from Just Ducky – Gifts sets are in and available for purchase.  During the Nov. meeting members receive a 20% discount on purchases of D-56 village pieces including gift sets.  30^th Anniversary ornament free with gift set purchase.  The ornament sells for $7.50 regularly.   D56 says that the retro fit should be available by the end of Nov. and the remote by mid Dec. 

·General Announcements

1.      A bag of 21 assorted snowy evergreen trees small to medium/large are available for purchase at Home Depot for $4.99.   A similar bag at Lowes is priced at $14.00.

2.      Anywhere lighting conversion, needed jack to connect adaptor can be found at “frys.com”.  Search for item # 601066 or 1/8 phone jack, in the description search.  They are priced at $0.89 per piece.

3.      A Village D-Lights 2007 calendar was displayed.  Each month has a photo of a winning entry at one of the Gatherings.  Two Ducky 56ers have a winning display in the calendar, Rich and Sharon Wyllie.

·Business

1.  Officer Nominations/Elections – The following members were voted in to fill 

     officer vacancies,  Dan Collander, Vice President/Programming and Michelle Eckerle,

     Secretary

2.      Holiday Housewalk – Volunteers (Collander, Wyllie, Kim/Rempert, Nordhem/Schmidt,  ??????)

Additional houses are needed for the Jan. 6, 2007 Housewalk.  If you are interested in participating in the Housewalk contact Rich Wyllie.  All proceeds are donated to the Ronald McDonald House near Loyola.  If you are interested in assisting at one of the homes on the Housewalk contact Rich Wyllie.

3.      Members Only Holiday Housewalk, Jan. 7, 2007 – Volunteers (Alton, Davidsmeyer, Eckerle, Kasdorf, Novak)

4.      Ronald McDonald House – Members are gathering at the Ronald McDonald House on Tues., Nov. 28 at 9:00 AM to set up the Christmas display.  The displays should be completed by 3:30 PM.  The following members have volunteered to set up the displays:  Alton, Collander, Davidsmeyer, Novak and Wyllie.  If anyone else is interested in helping, show up on Nov. 28 at the Ronald McDonald House.

5.      Ronald McDonald House – Annual party set for Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006.  The party is attend by families that stayed at the house over the past year.  Club members are needed to assist with the McTrain project during the party.  If you are going to attend the annual party, contact Rich Wyllie.

6.      December Club Christmas party will be held at the Ronald McDonald House near Loyola, on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006 from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM.   If you want to participate in the gift exchange, bring a $20.00 wrapped Christmas item to swap.

Contact Rich Wyllie if you are attending the Dec. 3, 2006 Christmas Party.

7.      Department 56 Retirement List, reactions – Why was the Lite Brite adapter retired?  There will not be any D56 items that use the adapter after this year.

Why are the fall and spring trees leaving the line?  The Valentine and

Easter products are being retired, maybe that move has something to do with it.

8.      Off Subject – the last display class at the Naperville store had an attendance of approx. 40 people.  The Club needs to provide information for people that may be interesting in attending our meetings.

9.      Make & Take Club programs –Possible meeting places - a room in a local school, park district building or VFW hall. If any club members know of a location for a club meeting where we could do make & takes, please contact Dan Collander or Rich Wyllie.  The rental would be $100 - $125. 

10.  Dues for 2007 – A vote was taken and annual dues were raised to $20.  Write a check to Ducky 56ers and send your check to Cheryl Merkel.

·Program – Building Bingo – Members in attendance enjoyed seven rounds of a customized version of bingo using popular D56 buildings.  Winners left with sweet surprises.

·Raffle – winners

Just Ducky $25 gift certificate – Cynthia Kasdorf

Just Ducky $25 gift certificate – Charles Blaa

Snow Bunny – Pat Houghtaling

Snow Babies – Bill Tomsovic

            D56 Building – George Raetzke

            D56 Building -   Eileen   Blaa

            Dickens Ornament – Pete Campbell

            Bumper Sticker – Bill Novak

            Bag of accessories – Shirley Haas

Next meeting to be held: Ronald McDonald House

                                         Sunday, December 3, 2006

                                         12:30 PM