20 June 2021

Going to Omaha and Back for OmaCon

Early yesterday morning (19 June), I left home for Omaha, Nebraska. I drove there for OmaCon, the annual model contest and vendor swap meet hosted by the Fort Crook Chapter of the International Plastic Modelers' Society/USA (IPMS/USA). 

I packed my contest entries and some flyers for IPMS/Gateway's 11 September show in my car and left just before 2:30 am. Some seven hours later, after stops for fuel and refreshments, I arrived at the Omaha Police Officers Association Hall, where OmaCon was held.



I registered the six models I entered in the contest--two aircraft models and one each in armor, space, ships, and figures. Then, I placed them in their respective areas of the contest room and set the IPMS/Gateway show flyers on the registration worktable in the lobby.










Two of my IPMS/Gateway colleagues, Jim Triola and Rick Keasey, were also present at the show. Jim brought in his large diorama "Final Briefing: USS Hornet at Midway," which took up much of a table. Rick entered several figures and dioramas.











I bought a few raffle tickets and browsed among the vendors. One of the latter was selling kits for 50 percent off, so I bought a real space kit (Space Shuttle) and a warship kit (Bismarck). From another, I brought an aircraft kit (Grumman F3F-2) for a reasonable price.






During the day, I walked around the venue talking with fellow scale modelers I know and with those I had not yet met in person before this show. It is good to see how these people were doing and how different model shows are run. These first-hand experiences make the long drives worth it for me.

At midday, contest judging began. I volunteered to help judge automotive models, since I didn't have any entries there. I was partnered with someone from IPMS/Fort Crook, then we got to work evaluating the entries. There were four categories in automotive and my partner and I carefully looked over each entry, looking for basic workmanship. A few entries were beautiful yet had a construction flaw that knocked it out of contention for an award. After about an hour, we had four top three in each category determined. I also worked with the contest chairman to determine the best of automotive, which went to a beautifully done tractor.

Before the contest results were announced, a final draw was done of raffle tickets. I had not won anything so far on the day, but got lucky in that last draw, as two of my six tickets were picked. I won an aircraft kit (Me 323) and a ship kit (SS Jeremiah O'Brien).

The contest chairman announced the contest results. He said that 61 attendees entered over 300 models. I didn't win any awards--to be honest, I really didn't think any of my entries had a realistic chance of winning. However, Rick Keasey and Jim Triola won awards. Rick took Second in Military Figures for his Vietnam Marine, and Second in Dioramas for his M1A2 Abrams. Also, his Chosin Marine bust won the show's Best Cold War Subject Special Award.






Jim's USS Hornet diorama was the big winner of this show. Not only did it take First in Dioramas, but it also won the America Strikes Back Special Award, the Most Popular Award (by vote of attendees), and the Judges Grand Award as the best model of the contest.







That marked the end of the show. I packed up my models and said my goodbyes with thanks to the host chapter. I had not eaten lunch, so I stopped by Dickey's Barbecue Pit in western Omaha to eat--either a late lunch or early dinner. A chopped brisket sandwich plate was my choice, with macaroni and cheese and cabbage slaw as side dishes and all washed down with Coca Cola. Very satisfying meal and I was set to head back to St. Louis late that afternoon.




No real traffic hassles on the drive home. I stopped in St. Joseph, Missouri for fuel and refreshments. Early that evening, I made another stop to stretch out and get refreshments in Columbia, Missouri. While there, a thunderstorm hit the area and I decided to stay in my car at the convenience store until the weather improved. After about 90 minutes of waiting, I departed Columbia just after 11:00 pm.

The drive home went well, and I got home just after 1:00 am this morning. During my time away from home, I drove 885.9 miles (1425.7 km).

Apart from running two errands late this afternoon, I rested up at home today. Back to work early tomorrow morning.

Later.

Weblinks of entities mentioned in this post

IPMS/Fort Crook: Fort Crook IPMS/USA
Omaha Police Officers Association Hall: Hall Rental (omahapoa.com)
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Location: Mehlville, MO, USA

16 June 2021

A Weekend of Soccer Tailgating and a Model Contest

Last Saturday afternoon (12 June) found me braving the heat at World Wide Technology Soccer Park. The St. Louligans had a tailgate in the north parking lot, the first such get together in a long time. They had the beer tap set up, plus a buffet of walking tacos, merchandise, and a raffle. Pride St. Louis was the St. Louligans' Charity du Jour this day.
Early that evening, we walked from the parking lot into the stadium to see the USL League 2 match between St. Louis Scott Gallagher U23 vs. Chicago FC United U23. The St. Louligans were in the usual southeast corner of the stadium. Chicago FC United scored late in the first half, but St. Louis Scott Gallagher leveled it early in the second half. The match ended drawn at 1.
Early the next morning, I began the drive to Overland Park, Kansas to attend the second day of the two-day long Heartland Model Car Nationals. It is an annual model contest run by IPMS/KC Slammers. I was going in my capacity as IPMS/USA Region 14 Coordinator, but I also brought flyers promoting the IPMS/Gateway Regional contest this September.
Two of my IPMS/Gateway colleagues, Dave Roeder and Harold Leavitt, were also there. Roeder entered several models in the contest and earned Second Place in Intermediate Scale for his Stutz. I also ran into several car modelers from the St. Louis area who participated in the show and earned a few contest awards. Additionally, I met with a few people from the IPMS chapters in the region, including Bill Barker and Kevin Iutzeler, the chapter contacts for KC Slammers and Glue Brothers, respectively.
I browsed among the vendors there and bought a few kits one vendor wanted to unload. He sold me five kits--three aircraft, one space, one locomotive--for $25.
Roeder and I had lunch at Potbelly Sandwich Shop, a short drive from the Convention Center. It was a nice place, and we had a good meal and discussion. 

After the show ended, I began the drive home, arriving back in Mehlville in mid-evening.

Later.

Web links of entities mentioned in this post
USL League 2: USL League Two
Chicago FC United: FC United (chicagofcunited.com) 

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Location: Mehlville, MO, USA

06 June 2021

Back to Circus Flora for The St. Lou Revue

For the first time in two years, I ran away to the circus--Circus Flora. Last night (5 June), I was a volunteer for the circus' weekend-only show "The St.Lou Review," which played at the Big Top in the Grand Center Arts District of Midtown St. Louis. (The COVID-19 pandemic cancelled last year's show.) It was a great feeling to return to the Big Top and volunteer with Circus Flora.
I checked in at 6:15 pm--45 minutes before the show--with the other volunteers, wearing face masks to be on the safe side. I helped clean the mezzanine seats (the upper deck) before the audience came in starting at 6:30 pm. Then, I helped the audience members find their seats, either in the mezzanine or on the floor before the main stage. The seats were sold to allow for social distancing, with several seats left empty between groups of people. When the show began, I took up a seat high in the mezzanine, well apart from several other attendees. Jack Marsh, the artistic director, and Karen Shoulders, the managing director, took to the stage to welcome everyone to "The St. Lou Review," and to ask for their financial support. (I made a $10 donation to Circus Flora on 6 May, during Give STL Day.)
It was then on with the show, as host and juggler Kellin took the stage. He did his own juggling act as well as introducing the other acts that night.
After Kellin's first appearance, Elliana Grace performed her hula hoops dance routine on the smaller stage on the floor. She was able to keep several hoops moving around her legs, arms, and midsection. It was quite amazing.
Back on the main stage, the Purina Incredible Dog Team performed. A trainer held up and tossed flying discs for the dog to jump up and snatch with its teeth. It was a definite crowd pleaser.
Mariele a la Mode was up on the trapeze for a routine based on "Carmen Suite No. 2: Habanera." She not only performed on the trapeze above the smaller stage, but also sang to the music. It was a beautiful routine.
The Circus Flora Clowns took to the main stage, wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Realizing that the pandemic is lessening, the clowns removed their PPEs in a faux striptease routine. This got quite a few laughs.
Hoop diving was next on the schedule, as Chauncey Kroner did his acrobatic routine to much appreciative applause.
Kellin came back for some juggling, before Kinetic Tapestry--the duo of Jaime and Vanessa--performed a beautiful dance trapeze act.
Juggler Thom Wall took the stage next, as he dazzled the crowd with his amazing balancing act.
After another performance by the Purina Incredible Dog Team, Maria Majors and Tommy Wasiuta of moSTLy TAP hit the stage with their energetic tap dance routine.
Laura Lippert was next up, performing her hair hang routine that I found most incredible, and very impressive.
That was followed by a long-time Circus Flora act, Circus Harmony's St. Louis Archers. This troupe of young acrobats never fails to impress the audience.
Kellin stacked up three stacks atop a shipping chest and climbed atop the stack to finish the show and to thank the artists and the audience. "The St. Lou Revue" ended after about 75 minutes, and the crowd began to leave the Big Top. I helped the audience from my section of the mezzanine and picked up a handful of trash from the seating area before my shift ended soon afterward.
I was so happy to be able to help Circus Flora again and the happiness I saw in the audience members' faces as they departed made me glad that my fellow volunteers and I had done their part, as the circus performers did their part. On my way home, I stopped by Quik Trip for a latte.

This fall--7-31 October--Circus Flora will be back in the Big Top with their show, "The Trial of the Century." I am looking forward to it.

Later.

Links to entities mentioned in this post:

Circus Flora--https://circusflora.org/ 
Grand Center Arts District--https://www.grandcenter.org/ 
Mariel a la Mode--http://www.marielalamode.com/ 
STL Rhythm Collaborative (including moSTLy TAP)--https://www.stlrhythmcollaborative.org/ 
Laura Lippert--http://lauralippert.com/ 
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Location: Mehlville, MO, USA
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