January is an interesting time. On the one hand, it is cold and we have to deal with bad weather and travel conditions from time to time. On the other, it is prime modeling season since the cold weather reduces the amount of time devoted to outdoor activities. Now that the National Convention in Hartford has been concluded, the NER can also resume its normal schedule of activities.

In May we have been invited to join the Maritime Federation of Model Railroaders in their spring convention in St. John, NB.  We last participated in a model railroad activity in St. John in May of 1988. I am sure that there are many new faces and many new or upgraded model railroads there. The costs are not too bad. Even though it is a long ride, two of our members in Maine have offered their yards as car-pool locations. You can meet friends in Maine and then share the ride and expenses from there to St. John and back. I expect that we’ll all have a great time.

Last year, with no Regional Program to promote and the National Convention in Hartford in July, The Amherst Society was generous to allow us to use the booth area normally given to the NER to promote the organization to promote the National Convention.

I have received a written request from Paul Allard that I find a replacement for him by September 2010 at the latest.  About a month ago I sent an e-mail to all the Division AP Chairman asking if any of them would be interested in the position of Region AP Chairman.

The response was NOT very good. Only one person responded to say no thank you.

Therefore I am asking that as head of your Division you please check with your Division AP Chair to determine if he/she did not get the e-mail, forgot to reply or intentionally did not reply.