2008 O&WRHS Banquet & Convention
This photo was sent to us by the true O&W Fans!
Robert Reische (The Guy in the Red Wheelchair), David Reische (The Guy in the Blue Wheelchair) and Michael Reische (The Guy with Glasses)
Above Photos by Jerry Beach
With over 100 people at
the annual Banquet/Convention attendees were treated to an array of displays
and presentations. Many thanks to Al Seebach and those who helped make this
year's event another success.
The day kicked off with something new for the modeling
segment and this included Powerpoint presentations by Joe Bux on kitbashing
the Bobber Caboose and Mal Houck on Brass Engines. Both had many of these
models on hand for display.
Using a video camera hooked to the DLP projector we were able
to project many of the modeling displays on the the big screen for all to
see while the presentors spoke about them. This coupled with a basic PA
system made the modeling segment an even better experience. I did record
most of these segments with video and already have bunch of screen shots
from them that I will post on the site in the next few days.
Mal had his North Portal of the Hawk Mountain Tunnel diorama
and Lynn Finch displayed his massive Merrickville diorama, both of them
outstanding. I had my Mamakating Depot built by Rich Cobb displays by Bob
Karig and Blake Tatar rounded out the modeling displays.
Our President George Shammas did his usual outstanding job as
MC and brought us through the banquet announcements, raffles and door
prizes, recognition, and "Member of the Year" award. As is tradition last
year's recipient of the John Hobbs Chrynn award presents the award to the
new recipient and it was done in a very unique fashion. Joe Myers asked all
the attendees to stand and then they were asked to sit down based on
geographical areas...ending with only one state remaining...Massachusetts,
where the 2008 awardee, Mal Houck, resides. Congrats to Mal on receiving
this award, it is well deserved.
George Shammas
red globe display featured seven variations of cast and etched marked
six inch globes. Many very rare some one of a kind. Also, I showed five
variations of red etched globes that fit the Dietz Vesta lanterns.
Variations differed in one way or another, but there were no two alike.
All globes were solid as none were cracked..
Carl Ohlson had a
display which included issues of Summer and Winter Homes, conductor
badges, lanterns, tickets, schedules, and a rare step stool from the
Willowemoc, a parlor car built in the 1890's.
Powerpoint programs throughout the day
consisted of Doug Barberio with the "O&W Around Middletown", Mal Houck and
"Passenger Equipment on the O&W", Bob Karig's "Motive power of the Scranton
Division". Movies of the O&W in Middletown and the L&HR and Erie in Orange
County were also shown on the big screen. The presentation area changed this
year to the large back area adjacent the old classroom and this provided
much more seating and visual enjoyment.
Ninety-one people stayed for a great dinner, special thanks to the OCCC staff who did
a fantastic job as always. I think I can safely say everyone enjoyed
themselves. See you next year...Ron Vassallo
...P.S. We realized afterwards that many of us did not take any digital
photos and did not see anyone taking them either so if you have some photos
you would be kind enough to share please contact me off-line at nyow @
owrhs.org
***You may want to zoom out to 70% in Adobe Acrobat for better photo resolution***
Banquet Photos in .pdf format - 4.61 mb
***These were taken from screen captures from video***
Special Thanks to Jerry Beach for sharing his great modeling photos.
From Al Seebach...
Raffle Winners:
1st Bachmann 4-8-2 Heavy Mountain painted NYO&W 455 Joselynn Myers Cohoes, NY
2nd Bachmann Heavyweight Coach, Combine and Observation in The O&W
Green Scheme Russell Vollmer Greenlawn, NY
3rd Stewart Hobbies Super Detailed O&W F-3 Warren Myers Cohoes, NY
4th Wood Chemical Industry Book Tom Gerow Cary, NC
5th 451 framed print P Francis, New Jersey
6th O&W In The Diesel Age Bill Maclean Middletown, NY
7th Long Life Slow Death of the O&W Tom Gerow Cary, NC
8th The Final Years Tom Scharpf Palmerton, PA
9th 1000 gold O&W Bond Ms. Diane Morey Matawan, NJ
10th 1913 NYO&W Rule book Douglas Barberio Montgomery, NY
The banquet committee wishes to thank everyone that helped with the set-up
in the morning and helped with all of the operational tasks that made the
day go smoothly. Once again the "AV" guys did an outstanding job. A special
thanks to everyone that provided programs, model and artifact displays. If
you were not there you missed a lot of great entertainment. Thank you to
everyone that came, we had 101 people in attendance. The annual raffle was
well supported, once again your generosity made the raffle a success. Thanks
to Bob Glohs and his kitchen staff for providing an outstanding meal.
Everyone I spoke with was very satisfied with the food. We all look forward
to the 2009 convention.
Allan Seebach