Thunderbird Model Railroad Club Annual Dinner

October 4, 2014

The Annual Dinner was celebrated for the second consecutive year at the Macayo's Mexican Kitchen on Central in Phoenix, Arizona. The event provides the club members a perfect venue to thank their spouses for letting us play with trains and for all the time we spend at the club. This is especially true at the beginning of October since right around the corner is the Arizona State Fair which means club members will be operating trains every hour that the fair is open. Yes Wednesday thru Sunday from as early as 10am until as late as 11pm we are forced to play with trains. At this years dinner Ray Hamm (Life Member #2) who was an original Charter Member of the Thunderbird Model Railroad Club joining the club in 1949. He is the last survivor of the founding members 'Class of 49'; and came to the celebration with wife Billie and daughter Nancy Fournier. Please enjoy the pictures as we keep this evening in our hearts and minds.

Select the image to see full size slideshow

Mary Sachau, Deirdre Hammond, and Jill Stewart discuss some upcoming plans as the husbands listen in.
New member Bill Hansen and his wife Barbara build friendships with Phil and Janet Hanna.
Social Chairman, Mike Sanders makes the rounds greeting everyone prior to dinner.
Jon Wolfe shares a story with Ed and Judy Logan.
Nick Terrell works the crowd as he stands to get wife Kellie a fresh beverage.
Everyone tries to enjoy a great meal. "Hey get the camera out of here and let me eat"
Bebbie Draper relaxes and enjoys the conversation between the main course and desert.
No pushing allowed - people patiently wait as desert is served buffet style.
Dinner might be over but the evening's entertainment is just starting as everyone waits for the year in review aand the presentation of awards and door prizes.

Socializing

A cornerstone of the Thunderbird Model Railroad Club is to preserve the history of model railroading and to increase and build friendships through social activities. This gallery preserves the smiles and laughter that was shared during our evening together.

Alan Vincent and Carol Peneloza
Bill and Barbara Hansen
Charles and Deirdre Hammond
DeWayne and Carrie Koltin
Don and Jill Stewart
Eric Jonason
Rich and Sue Gregory
Ray and Billie Hamm with daughter Nancy Fournier
Jon Wolfe
Ed and Judy Logan
Mike and Nancy Sanders
Nick and Kellie Terrell
Phil and Janet Hanna
Stan and Mary Sachau
ted and Mumbi Jonason
Tom and Debbie Draper

Guests

To change things up this year the club photographer brought in a background and better lighting to create a little elegance. To remember the evening the club made 8x10 photos for everyone in attendance, presenting these to the members just before the holidays. Check out these striking couples and the distinguished single gentlemen that are members of the club

Mike Sanders warms up the crowd with a few jokes.
"No really, the next set of material is much better" promises Mike.
Don Stewart the 2013 President hands Chuck Hammond the President's Car officially passing the club leadership over to the new 2014 President.
In appreciation of his work and dedication, Chuck Hammond presents the Past President plaque to Don Stewart.
Alan Vincent and Chuck Hammond present Life Member #2 Ray Hamm with a 60th Anniversary Club Car.
Don Stewart conducts the year in review presentation which highlights events during the last year and achievements of club members.
Eric Jonason receives a special Safety Award from Chuck Hammond. Eric was involved in a number of major accidents during the 2014 State Fair without sustaining a single injury!
Rich Gregory receives a Copper Spike Award for 20 years of service to the Thunderbird Model Railroad Club.
Tom Draper is awarded a Bronze Spike Award for 30 years of service.
Phil Hanna receives an A+ Attendance Award for punctuality. Actually Phil continued to attend the BOD meetings for about 4 months prior to anyone realizing his term of director had ended.

Presentations

The Annual Dinner marks the changing of the guard, a presentation of the Year in Review, Awards and Door Prizes for our wives. In addition this year the club began presenting the "Spike" Awards for years of service and membership in the club. Iron Spike for 10 years of service were awarded to Alan Vincent, Brian Rhoads, Charles Stewart and Larry Platt. Copper Spikes - 20 years were presented to David Greenberg, Phil Hanna, Rich Gregory and Roger von Seeburg. Bronze - 30 year awards presented to Mike Sanders, Don Stewart, Tom Draper, Ken Rhoads, and Lee Baird. and celebrating 40 years - a Silver Spike is Lowell Spooner.

As always we send a special Thank You to the wives of the Thunderbird Model Railroad Club
that tolerate our shenanigans throughout the year.