Time with Modelers, Aviation Enthusiasts, and Sweet Treats

It was real cold--below freezing--a week ago, but it starting warming up early this past week. Work at the rental branch went well, as we got vehicles cleaned up and rented out. At times, our lot was one crowded bit of asphalt, but we found a way to make it work.

Making a step in my professional efforts, this past Monday (16 January), I joined Missouri Professional Communicators (http://www.mpc-nfpw.org). MPC is the Missouri affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) and the Communication Arts section of the St. Louis Artists' Guild. I have attended several MPC meetings in recent years, and decided to take the next step in advancing my career. Additionally, being a member makes me eligible to enter in the annual Communications Contest, and I have entered several items I wrote this past year.

After flexing out of work Tuesday afternoon, I went home and got ready for that night's IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) meeting at Calvary Presbyterian Church (http://calvarypresbyterianchurch.org/). It was the annual Swap & Sell, in which members could sell or trade model kits and related items, and the Kit Auction, in which donated model kits were auctioned off. Auction proceeds went to club activities. I won a few publications in the auction, and bought a publication and a kit from the vendors. (Being at the meeting did force me to miss a company area happy hour in Manchester that night.)

Off work Thursday (19 January), I took care of some shopping and financial matters at home. That night, I was at Creve Coeur Airport (http://www.crevecoeurairport.com/) for the Missouri Aviation Historical Society (https://moavhist.org/) meeting. This meeting was the 2017 kickoff, which featured representatives from over 20 organizations making presentations on the state of aviation in Missouri. These organizations included: Scott Air Force Base Air Show and Open House; The Aero Experience; ARCH Films; Boeing; Missouri Wing of the Commemorative Air Force; Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 32; Exploring of St. Louis Boy Scouts of America; Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum; Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum; Lambert-St. Louis International Airport; Missouri Aviation Historical Society; Museum of Transportation; Sky Soldiers Demo Team; St. Louis County Parks; Saint Louis Science Center; Spirit of St. Louis Airport; St. Charles Flying Service; St. Louis Space Frontier; The Space Museum of Bonne Terre, Missouri; and, Warbird Rides USA. Overall, a great night to learn more about these organizations.

Yesterday was a busy day, starting at work in the morning. We had some customers we put into vehicles, but we also had quite a few returns to clean up and spot on the lot. After that, I was off to downtown Maplewood for their annual Sweet Tooth Tour of area food merchants (http://mo-maplewood.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=382). After parking on a side street, I walked rapidly to Mystic Valley (http://mysticvalleyonline.com/), one of the 14 stops on the tour, to pick up my ticket. (I reserved it about two weeks ago, which was good, as it sold out a couple of days before the event.) At each stop, I presented my ticket to have the destination checked off, and enjoyed a sample food product there. A few of the venues also had drink samples. (A cup of beer was offered at Schlafly Bottleworks.) I hit all 14 stops in about 80 minutes. This was my third time on the Sweet Tooth Tour and I really had a lot of fun doing so. A warm, sunny day helped make this day go great.

After coming home, I changed and headed to Firehouse Bar & Grill (http://www.firehousebarandgrillstl.com/) in Mehlville for the IPMS/Gateway banquet. About 24 of us--members and guests--attended, and enjoyed a nice buffet dinner. After the dinner, Dan O'Hara and Gary Liming of the Missouri Aviation Historical Society made a presentation on Missouri aviation history and the Society. This was very well received by the audience. It was then awards time, as club president Bill Wagner presented Andrew Graf with the Junior Modeler of the Year Award, and Mark Carroll with the Modeler of the Year and Bob Stroup Awards. All attending had a wonderful time.

I was home most of today. This afternoon, I did to to Schaefer's Hobby Shop (http://schaeferhobby.com/) in Sunset Hills to get paints for a car model I'm starting to work on for next month. On the way home, I got my car washed at Concord Wash & Detail (http://concordwash.com/).

Later.