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