Into February 2026

After being bedridden at New Year's with influenza Type A and catching up with personal and business matters in January, I was happy to turn another year older this month.

My birthday (7 February) began with a haircut at Great Clips, followed by hair coloring at home using Just For Men. I was ready in mid-afternoon when Julie came by to begin the birthday celebration. She gifted me a handsome ring from Helzberg Diamonds, which I love. I told Julie I owed her a ring.

Julie then drove me to Maggiano's Little Italy at The Boulevard in Richmond Heights for dinner. We had such a wonderful meal, enjoying great food and service.

Following dinner, we browsed among the stores at nearby Saint Louis Galleria. Julie and I bought books at Barnes & Noble. Then, it was on to downtown St. Louis for the evening's main event.

Julie surprised me by taking me to The Boom Boom Rom, a burlesque theater on Washington Avenue. We had refreshments in the lobby before the theater opened for us and the other ticket holders for that night's show. Julie and I had a table right by the stage and I got a crown for my birthday.

The Boom Boom Review we saw was their signature burlesque show, with a mistress of ceremonies and the five dancers of the Boom Boom Bombshells. Over two hours, the dancers performed a high energy, teasing show.

Just after the intermission, I was on stage with other audience members celebrating milestones (birthdays and upcoming wedding or divorces). It was interesting, for sure! Later that night, Julie and i posed for a picture on stage.

After the show, Julie and I tipped the dancers as we left the theater and then got back into her car for Julie to drive me home. This is a birthday I won't soon, if ever, forget.

The next morning (8 February), I attended a service at Eliot Unitarian Universalist Chapel in Kirkwood. It's Julie's congregation and I will be joining it later this month. I stayed after the service for coffee and conversation.

After church, I headed to Leviathan Bookstore on South Grand in south St. Louis. There, soccer historian Dave Lange and St. Louis soccer legend Ty Keough were signing copies of Lange's new book "St. Louis Soccer: An Illustrated Timeline." It has some 150 moments in St. Louis soccer history from 1875 to the present. I chatted with Dave and Ty for a bit before they signed my copy, which I then paid for before leaving the store.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in This Post:

Great Clips: Haircuts Near Me | Check In Online | Great Clips

Just For Men: Just For Men: Hair Color For Men | Beard Dye | Gray Reduction

Helzberg Diamonds: Fine Jewelry: Shop Luxury Jewelry | Helzberg Diamonds

Maggiano's Little Italy: The Boulevard | Maggianos.com

Saint Louis Galleria: Saint Louis Galleria - Shopping Mall in St. Louis, MO

The Boom Boom Room: The Boom Boom Room - downtown, St. Louis, MO

Eliot Unitarian Universalist Chapel: Home

Leviathan Bookstore: Leviathan Bookstore

Dave Lange--Reedy Press: Dave Lange – Reedy Press

Christmas 2025

Christmas has come and gone for 2025. It was my first holiday without my mom, who passed away in October, so it was a bit rough. Still, I was able to make the best of it.

Off work on Christmas Eve (24 December), I got some Christmas cards in the mail with my annual newsletter included. These mostly went to my brothers and a few others who had already sent me cards. I also did some last-minute shopping. that night, I was at Julie's apartment. We and Joan (Julie's roommate) had Chinese takeout dinner, when watched a couple of Christmas themed episodes of The Office (the British original) on TV. Then, we watched Monty Python's Life of Brian. Funny movie.

The next morning, we had breakfast and awaited the arrival of Joan's daughters. They came and brought presents to add under the tree. We had a nice dinner featuring baked ham. 

Then, we all gathered to open presents. I got an autographed copy of Lane Boyd's book "Way Beyond the Blue," the Memoirs of Colonel Jackie Jackson, USMCR and a St. Louis CITY SC ornament from Joan's daughter Brittany and her spouse Ashley. Both gifts were most welcome.

I gifted Julie a $100 gift card from Massage Envy and a robe I bought the day before at Walgreens. She loved both items.

We then had dessert and hung around the apartment before Joan's daughters departed. Julie and I walked her dog Molly around the apartment complex before I headed home.

There, I opened the presents placed under my tree. They had arrived in the past few days via Amazon. From Julie, I got a dark green pullover sweater, which is most welcome.

Rick, on behalf of himself and my late mom, gifted me three books. One was "BFI Film Classics: All the President's Men," a monograph on one of my all-time favorite movies. Another was "The Second Manassas Campaign," a history of the American Civil War campaign in eastern Virginia during 1862. Lastly, I received "Picture Show: Classic Movie Posters from the TCM Archives," a highly illustrated book. 

Besides these books, my brother sent me the 2026 This Day in Military History calendar from History, and a $25 Panera Bread gift card.

I relaxed at home that night, as I had work yesterday (26 December). It went well, with not too much traffic.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in This Post:

Laine Boyd, Author: Amazon.com: Laine Boyd: books, biography, latest update

St. Louis CITY SC: St. Louis CITY SC

Amazon: Amazon.com. Spend less. Smile more.

Panera Bread: Home | Panera Bread

Catching Up After A Lengthy Absence from Here

I apologize for not writing any posts here since mid-September. It's like I mean to post something, yet for some reason I cannot bear myself to do so. Many times, it's because I am so tired when I should be in good condition to write on this blog. Anyway, here's what's been happening to me of late:

Work at Enterprise has been going well. It gets hectic at times, but generally all works out in the end and my work in automotive detailing is appreciated by my colleagues.

Life with Julie is still going strong. Our dates in recent weeks have included late season St. Louis CITY SC matches, Band Together concerts in October and December, Garden Glow at Missouri Botanical Garden, and meals at various restaurants in the area.

I had two medical procedures in September. First, I had a colonoscopy, which found a polyp that the doctor said was caught in time. I'm fine now with another colonoscopy recommended in five years. Then, I had an echocardiogram done on my heart. It showed a bit of a heart murmur, but the doctor assured me that it is normal for my age and no real concern. I also got my eyes examined and new glasses.

In October, I ran in the CITY Spring 5K run in St. Louis. It started just est of Energizer Park, went to Downtown St. Louis and back to Downtown West and ended inside Energizer Park. I completed the run in 32:05, a 10:19 per mile pace. It was quite impressive considering I didn't do all that much preparation for the run.

In late September I made a weekend visit to Charleston, South Carolina, where I visited my mom in the senior living facility there. She was not much responsive, due to a a stroke earlier this year, but we did recognize me. I stayed with Rick and his wife Melissa, and they all appreciated my coming down for the visit.

Just under a month later, Mom died peacefully in her sleep at age 85. Her body was cremated and her ashes brought here to St. Louis this month. A memorial service for her was held on 7 December. My brothers, their spouses, and a few of their kids came in town for it. Julie was also present as were other family friends. The next day, her remains were interred next to that of my dad (who died in 2014) at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

It was sad that Mom passed away, although I am glad it came peacefully for her and that she is in a better place.

Last November, I began a two-year term as Director of Local Chapters for IPMS/USA, having stood unopposed in the e-board election this year. It's keeping me busy, especially now with chapters renewing their charters for 2026. I did finish a couple of models last month for IPMS/Gateway's contest, so that was good

Now to get ready for Christmas. I still need to send out greetings and get presents. It will be a crunch, but I think I can do it.

Later.

IPMS Gateway Regional 2025

Early yesterday morning (13 September), I drove to Affton Elks Lodge #2635, where IPMS Gateway Chapter was holding its 19th annual Gateway to the West Invitational. This year's event also served as the 2025 IPMS/USA Region 14 Contest.

Reaching the Elks lodge just before 7:00 a.m., I helped with completing the show's set up. The tables were put in place the day before, so it was a matter of helping vendors find their assigned tables and getting our admission, registration, contest, and raffle tables ready. Donuts and coffee were available for volunteers and vendors.

I manned the admission table, near the entrance, where attendees would pay for admission and for contest registration. Each attendees received a wristband (white for volunteers, green for vendors, red for attendees). Randy Kleeschulte joined me at admission to help with collecting money and making change, as well as asking attendees how they found out about the show and where they came from. The survey questions help with promotion efforts.

There was quite a crowd waiting to get in when the show officially opened at 9:00 a.m. Randy and I processed the attendees as efficiently as possible. There were long lines at the contest registration tables, as we had many contest entries.

Once things calmed down, I was able to register my six contest models. These included one I finished the night before, a 1:72 scale He 162A from a Frog kit issued in 1972. This made it eligible for the show's Special Category "The Golden Age: 1975." In celebration of IPMS Gateway's 50th anniversary this year, the category was open to any kit that was available in 1975.

I also entered three models in Military (Bren Gun Carrier, BMW R75 with Sidecar, and 6-Pounder Anti-Tank Gun) and two in Ships (Hatsuharu and HMS Repulse). The three Military entries were also eligible for the Special Category.

Everyone was having a great time, the vendors and raffle were doing good business, and I enjoyed seeing people I have not seen in person for months. At 11:00 a.m., the call was made for contest judges. I was among those who volunteered, and we each got a meal voucher from the Elks Lodge. I had a bowl of chili and a soda for lunch before judging started at noon.

I was put on a team to judge figures and basic kit build (also called out of the box). The three judges--Dave Roeder, Julian Durham, and I--efficiently judged the entries and recorded the top three models in each category we judged. We also made picks for the best in the respective classes.

Julie stopped by as judging was wrapping up. (She was at an event at Eliott Unitarian Universalist Chapel earlier that day.) We chatted briefly, then she left for home. 

Judging was done by around 2:30 p.m. and the category awards were placed by the respective entries. I didn't win anything, but that's fine. The competition was strong in the categories I entered.

The Raffle Grand Prizes were drawn and presented, then the major awards were handed out. After Mark Twain Hobby Club presented a special award in memory of a club member who died earlier this year, the Best of Class awards were presented. Following these, the Special Award and Best of Show awards were handed out.

We had a terrific show that day. By my count, we had 184 paid attendees, not counting volunteers and vendors. There were 23 vendors on 42 tables. The model contest had 399 entries from 89 entrants. This is believed to be an IPMS Gateway show record.

After packing my models and other things in my car, I helped with other volunteers to clean up the hall and put the tables and chairs back to their normal places. We got this done by around 3:30 p.m., after which I went home.

Around 90 minutes later, I picked up Julie and we went to 2nd Shift Brewing for the St. Louligans watch party for St. Louis CITY SC's match at CF Montreal. We had a good time, especially as CITY won 2-0. Yes, this was a great Saturday for Julie and me.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

Affton Elks Lodge #2635: Lodge #2635 Welcome

IPMS Gateway: IPMS Gateway Chapter

IPMS/USA: IPMS/USA | IPMS/USA Home Page

2nd Shift Brewing: 2nd Shift Brewing

St. Louligans: Saint Louligans – Supporting Soccer in the St. Louis Area – St. Louligans – Supporting St. Louis Soccer

St. Louis CITY SC: St. Louis CITY SC

2025 IPMS/USA National Convention (4)

Sunday morning (10 August), Julie and I got up, had breakfast, then checked out of the Embassy Suites in Hampton. We packed Julie's car and then we began the trip home to St. Louis. We first passed around Washington, D.C. before going through Baltimore. We drove around the harbor before heading northwest.

We stopped for the night in Washington, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh. We had a good night at the hotel there before resuming our journey the next morning (11 August).

Our journey took us through Wheeling, West Virginia (where we passed through a tunnel in the mountains), then through Ohio, Indiana (including Indianapolis), and Illinois before we made it home early that night.

After getting home, I got my luggage out of the car, the held mail out of my mailbox, and then hugged and kisses Julie before she returned to her home. There was quite a lot of unpacking to do, including the items I got at the IPMS/USA National Convention. This was a great trip for Julie and me.

The next day (12 August), I was back at work, where I shared memories of that trip with my co-workers.

Later.

Links to Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

IPMS/USA: IPMS/USA | IPMS/USA Home Page

Embassy Suites by Hilton Hampton Convention Center: Hotel Amenities - Embassy Suites by Hilton Hampton Convention Center

2025 IPMS/USA National Convention (3)

The final day of the 2025 IPMS/USA National Convention was a Saturday (9) August. After a late night helping with the contest judging, I was up early. After breakfast at the Embassy Suites, I walked over to the Hampton Roads Convention Center for the National Business Meeting. I had attended this meeting a few times before as a spectator, but this time I was a participant in my role as Director of Local Chapters (DLC). When my turn came, I stood up from the front table and briefly gave my report, which supplemented the items projected on the screen. 

After the rest of the IPMS/USA e-board made their reports and the 2026 IPMS/USA National Convention chairman made his report, the floor was opened for questions. A few were made, but none came my way. This was followed the sole bid for the 2027 National Convention, which came from Huntsville, Alabama. The e-board then met in private to discuss this bid. We unanimously approved the bid, which would be announced at the banquet that night. 

I spent time browsing among the models in the contest room and the vendors in the vendor room. I also spent a bit of time talking with someone wanting to bring his independent modeling group in Texas and some time with Julie. I returned to my room at the Embassy Suites to prepare for the night's events.

Early that night, I was back at the Convention Center for a happy hour prior to the banquet. After a beer and some conversation, I and the other guests entered the banquet hall. I had a seat at a table towards the front of the hall, along with other e-board members. During the dinner, the results of the model contest were projected onto screens in the hall. This was a first for an IPMS/USA National Convention and is meant to reduce the time for the awards ceremony. I noted that my IPMS/Gateway mate Rick Keasey won six awards: Two First Places, a Second, and three Thirds. I was so happy for him.

After the dinner, we had several speakers. First was Convention Chairman Tom Jett, who thanked everyone who helped out with this year's event.

Then, 2026 National Convention Chairman John Figueroa spoke. He invited everyone to Fort Wayne, Indiana for that gathering.

IPMS/USA President Phil Peterson then announced publicly that Huntsville will be the 2027 National Convention hosts.

The National Achievement Awards were announced next...by me. I announced the winners for the Regional Coordinator, Chapter, Member, Newsletter, and Website of the Year for 2024. Peterson presented the awards to those recipients who were present and accepted the awards on behalf of those who were not there. (They would receive those awards later.) The Junior class winners were then announced, followed by the Theme and Best of Awards.

Around 8:30 p.m., nearly two hours after the banquet began, the show was over. I made my way to the contest room to get my models and to say thanks and congratulations to some people I know. I personally congratulated Keasey on his wins. They included his First-Place honors for his F-4G Wild Weasel and KV-1.

I then retired to my room at the Embassy Suites, where Julie and I called it a night. We would leave Hampton the next morning and start the trip home. More on that trip in my next post.

Later.

Links to Websites Mentioned in this Post:

IPMS/USA:  IPMS/USA | IPMS/USA Home Page

Hampton Roads Convention Center: Home - Hampton Roads Convention Center : Hampton Roads Convention Center

Embassy Suites by Hilton Hampton Convention Center: Hotel Amenities - Embassy Suites by Hilton Hampton Convention Center

2025 IPMS/USA National Convention (2)

Day three of the Convention (8 August) got going early. I hosted a breakfast meeting of the IPMS/USA  Regional Coordinators (RCs) at First Watch approximately 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from the Hampton Roads Convention Center. Five of the RCs present in Hampton attended the meeting. We had a great discussion of various regional matters, including communications between chapters, RCs, and myself. All six of us had a productive time with this meeting.

After the breakfast, I returned to the Convention Center and the Convention. I admired models in the contest room and shopped among the vendors. Late that afternoon, I took in a seminar by Dana Bell on US Air Force colors and markings from 1947 to 1959. As usual with Bell, it was most interesting.

Early that night, I joined about 200 others in the Judges' Meeting. The head judge, Phil Perry, went over the procedures for judging the contest. He also honored judges for their milestones (3,10, 20, and 30-year judges).

After that, I stayed with the other aircraft judges to learn the judging team assignments and the first categories we would judge. I heard my name called as leader of a team and learned the names of my two teammates. We also received our category assignment. Before leading the auditorium for the contest room, Julie--who had just gotten back in Hampton after visiting relatives in Maryland--said hello. She asked me to check with the hotel as she wasn't listed as a guest. I said I would do so as soon as I could.

My team and the other teams arrived in the contest room just after 6 p.m. where we checked in with the contest clerks and then headed to the category. Ours was an Out of the Box (OOB) category of single engine prop driven small aircraft. There were 28 entries, and our team first checked which entries were multiple entries from entrants. (IPMS/USA has a "no sweeps" contest rule, in which one can only win one prize in a category no matter how many entries that person had in that category.) After separating the multiple entries, we examined them to determine the best of that person's entries. Following this, we could look at the individual entries. The three of us looked over each model to make sure basic construction was performed before doing into the model's finish.

About 8 p.m., the judges took a break for snacks. They had meat, cheese, and crackers, fruit, cookies, water, and soft drinks in a side room for us. After enjoying these refreshments, my team got back to the category to narrow down the field. It was tough as these remaining contenders were all very well done. Finally, around 9:30, we were able to agree on the top three for category awards.

We signed the contest sheet, and I turned it in to the clerk, who gave us one for another category. This one--large scale prop vintage kits--was much easier, as there were only four entries in the category. It took us about 20 minutes at most to judge this category.

After turning in the sheet, I hung around for a while in case any judging teams needed me to finish other categories. However, I was not needed, and I was released from further judging. I returned to my hotel room at the Embassy Suites around 10:30 p.m., where Julie was waiting, and went to bed. 

More on the Convention in the next post. Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

IPMS/USA: IPMS/USA | IPMS/USA Home Page

First Watch: First Watch | Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch Near You

Hampton Roads Convention Center: Home - Hampton Roads Convention Center : Hampton Roads Convention Center

Embassy Suites: Embassy Suites by Hilton - Spacious Two-Room Suite Hotels