Scale Models and Business with IPMS Gateway

After work ended for me Tuesday night (19 November), I made my way to Calvary Presbyterian Church (http://calvarypresbyterianchurch.org/) for that night's IPMS/Gateway (https://sites.google.com/prod/view/ipmsgatewaychapter/home) meeting. This was a big meeting.

For one thing, we had the fourth and final contest for our 2019 Modeler of the Year Award. This featured the Special Category of "Italiano" (Italian subjects), which drew a few entries. I had completed a P-51D Mustang aircraft that I built for my friend Linsey Daman, who wanted it named for her uncle Jimmie. The kit gave mew a few problems, but I got it done and it was in the Aircraft category. However, it did not place.

We also had nominations for next year's club officers and this year's Bob Stroup (Member of the Year) Award. Final nominations and voting will take place at next month's meeting. Additionally, Rick Keasey did a demo on color modulation using oil paints. There was also Show & Tell, and several kits were donated to the Kit Auction at our January meeting.

Members who entered models in the contest or had something for Show & Tell were entered in a raffle for prizes. My ticket was picked and I won a 1:72 F6F-5 Hellcat kit.

Next month's meeting is IPMS/Gateway's annual Christmas Party. Should be fun.

Later.

Once More at 2019 SLIFF

Last Saturday night (16 November), I drove to Webster University (http://www.webster.edu/) to work my third and final volunteer shift at this year's St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) (https://www.cinemastlouis.org/festival-home). Winifred Moore Auditorium at Webster Hall was the venue I was at, during the showing of the documentary "Varda by Agnes," which told the story of French film director Agnes Varda. It was filmed shortly before her death earlier this year. It was fascinating look at a film legend, told by Varda through stories she told live audiences about her life and work.

We had a nice crowd that night, in which I distributed patron surveys to those who had not filled out one earlier in SLIFF, then collected them after the show. I also helped count fan ballots for this movie, which mostly got very high scores. SLIFF ended the next night with the awards ceremony. (I didn't attend; I had an early wake up call the next morning for work.)

This was my tenth year of working SLIFF, and I was very happy to have done so. I find a certain satisfaction to helping an organization devoted to movies and to the filmgoers who love them.

Later.