Regular Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, January 28 at 2 pm
Coppola’s Restaurant
203 Carleton Street, St. Catharines
Directions: 300 m west of Lake St. – take QEW Lake St. exit SOUTH, then one block 2nd light, and left on Carlton
If you park in front, come in main entrance and walk through to back. If you park on the east side, come directly into the meeting room through the back door.
Assembly as usual a bit before the meeting start time. Although the restaurant does not officially open until 3 pm, our host will accommodate us, and therefore lunch can be ordered off the regular menu commencing at 2 pm.
As with our previous 48 years of meetings, we will run 2 ½ hours, so clearing out around 4:30. I don’t think the room is being used immediately after that, so we will not likely be kicked out right at the end-time like at the museum.
Regarding Presentations
We really need Members and Guests to bring well edited, short (i.e., no longer than 10 to 12 minute) presentations. Please remember, that unless you are deemed the feature, negotiated and officially scheduled by Bobby Martin, whereby we get to enjoy your show for 30 to 40 minutes (that includes 5 minutes for questions and comments), regular presenters are limited to 10 to 12 minutes. You can do two different shows if you want, as long as they together don’t exceed 12 minutes.
If you have more to show, or want to do two shows that extend past the 12 minutes, you certainly are welcome. This can be done after the rest of the registered presenters have done theirs, and if there is time left.
In the old days, the Captain was the timekeeper and used to cut overtime presenters off before they finished what they wanted to show if they went overtime. We really don’t want to have to do that. Time your show by previewing and timing it at home, and edit down as necessary. It is acknowledged that there are relevant questions and comments that might interrupt your performance, and these are generally welcome, and presentation length can be adjusted as appropriate on the spot.
These rules were put in place many years ago after a lot of Member complaints, and getting to the end of the meeting night having too many people not having had the chance to do their presentations.
If you have not paid your dues for 2026, it is due and can be paid to Treasurer and Lord of the Exchequer Chris at the meeting. Also, we have very few calendars left, and they will be available for $20 cash at the meeting, or $25 postpaid if mailed. See JB for calendars, I think he might have four or five left.
If you have a short show and want to present, best to get on the list by contacting Bobby Martin separately at trains1987@hotmail.com (i.e, please do not ‘respond to all’, just contact Bob directly).
Looking forward to seeing the gang out on the 28th. Bring a guest. Encourage them to join.
Andy Panko
President- CRHA Niagara Division
