Big Weekend with IPMS/Gateway and Saint Louis FC

Early Saturday morning (8 September), I was at the Holiday Inn St. Louis SW--Route 66 (https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/st-louis/stlsw/hoteldetail/events-facilities#) in Sunset Hills, Missouri for this year's IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) Invitational model contest and vendor swap meet. This 13th edition of our show was held on a rainy day--it had been raining heavily since the night before--but it was nice and dry inside the hotel. I helped to get the admissions desk ready to go and assisted some vendors in helping find where they were to be situated before the show opened to the public at 9:00 am.

Regina Morris--wife of our club's Marion Morris--and I took the admission and contest registration charges from the public. I asked these people where they heard of our show, and where they were from; this information was kept for survey purposes. It was quite a stream of visitors we had, especially in the first our we were open.

I did briefly venture into the ballroom where the contest, vendor, and raffle areas were to check on things and to enter a model I finished that morning. I also visited the breakout room, where the children's Make & Take model building session took place.

After grabbing a bit of lunch from the hotel's vendor in the nearby atrium, I went into the contest room for the judges' meeting. I was paired with another judge and we judged the Figure Entries. It was challenging for us to go over the entries in the three subcategories, but we were able to select the top three models in each subcategory, plus the best Figure Model of the show. I joined with other judges in selecting the Judges' Grand Award for the Best in Show--which was the Figure model.

I also had a chance to briefly look at the kits being raffled off; proceeds from this are going to the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program in Metro St. Louis (https://bridgeton-mo.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx). I also browsed a bit among the vendors; however, I had neither the time nor inclination to shop from them.

Around 3:00 pm, the contest results were announced and trophies were presented. The sole model I entered--a 1:144 scale Vostok Rocket--was the only entry in the Real Space subcategory of Space & Science Fiction, so it took First Place. It may not have been the best model by far in that category, but I was happy with the win nevertheless.

Afterward, I helped to clean up and pack my things before leaving the hotel. Overall, it was a great show, judging from the feedback from attendees.

After coming home and bringing in my things, I changed clothes and headed to World Wide Technology Soccer Park (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/SOCCERPARK) for that night's United Soccer League (https://www.uslsoccer.com/) match between Saint Louis FC (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/) and Reno 1868 FC. I joined in the St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/) tailgate before the match, then we marched into cheer on the home side. We ended up happy, as Saint Louis FC ran out 1-0 winners. The team serenaded us after the match, as they do when they win. With only six matches remaining and the team just outside of playoff position, points are precious to Saint Louis FC. They are on the road for two matches this week.

The next day (9 September), 15 IPMS/Gateway members and guests attended the club's annual picnic, held at Deer Creek Park in Maplewood, Missouri (https://www.cityofmaplewood.com/79/Maplewood-Local-Parks). We talked about our show the day before, other modeling topics, and other matters. IPMS/Gateway President Chris Merseal cooked burgers and bratwursts on the barbecue grill, the club provided beverages (beer, soda, and water), and attendees brought side dishes. (I brought some cookies I bought at the store on the way over.)

We found out that our show was attended by 234 persons (including two Adult Building Course students on complementary tickets), and the contest had 253 entries from 59 contestants. Merseal said these were average figures for our show. Our survey showed that 11 of those attendees heard about our show from the segment we did the week before on "Fox 2 News in the Morning" on KTVI (https://fox2now.com/). We'll be back at the Holiday Inn St. Louis SW--Route 66 for our next Invitational on 14 September 2019.

Back to work today, and a usually busy Monday. Things did go well, though.

Later.

Labor Day Weekend 2018

Up early Saturday morning (1 September), I turned to KTVI Channel 2 (https://fox2now.com/), for two of my IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) colleagues, Bill Wagner and Rick Keasey, were appearing on "Fox 2 News in the Morning." There, they and the anchorman talked about scale modeling, our club, our Invitational this Saturday (8 September), and our raffle there to benefit Toys for Tots (https://bridgeton-mo.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx). It was an approximately four minute segment, and I thought it went great. It will be interesting to see how many people come to the show based on that segment.

Then, I went to work at the rental branch that morning. We had some business from people wanting vehicles for the Labor Day Weekend, but it wasn't too busy, and I was able to leave just after closing time at 1:00 pm. Usually, I would be there until close to 2 pm on a Saturday, staying to help clean up vehicles on our lot.

After grabbing lunch at Jet's Pizza (http://jetspizza.com/) in Ballwin, I came home to relax. Later, I ran off flyers for the IPMS/Gateway Invitational, which I took to both Checkered Flag Hobby Center (https://checkeredflaghobby.com/) and Schaefer's Hobby Shop (http://schaeferhobby.com/).

Late Sunday morning, I was at World Wide Technology Soccer Park (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/soccerpark) to referee matches at the Gallagher Friendlies youth tournament (https://slsgsoccer.demosphere-secure.com/tournaments/gallagher-friendlies). I worked three under-12 matches, including the middle on the first one of the set. They went well, despite the heat (we took water breaks midway through each half of these matches). They were fun matches to do.

Monday (3 September), the Labor Day holiday, I went to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in St. Louis' Central West End for the final day of its annual Greek Festival (http://www.opastl.com/). It's always a great time, and this was no exception. I got a nice lunch--shish-kababs and rice pilaf--and then enjoyed watching Greek dancers perform. I also toured the sanctuary while a priest talked about the Orthodox Church and this congregation. It was a most interesting presentation. After a dessert of loukoumades, I headed home.

Back to work yesterday, it was quite a busy day, thanks to all the returns off the holiday weekend. We got things handed well, tough, and I was on my way home by 6:20 pm.

Off work today, I did some work on a model I am working on for the contest this Saturday. I went to the show venue, the Holiday Inn St. Louis SW--Route 66 (https://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/st-louis/stlsw/hoteldetail?qAdlt=1&qBrs=6c.hi.ex.rs.ic.cp.in.sb.cw.cv.ul.vn.ki.va.sp.nd.ct&qChld=0&qFRA=1&qGRM=0&qIta=99504425&qPSt=0&qRRSrt=rt&qRef=df&qRms=1&qRpn=1&qRpp=20&qSHp=1&qSmP=3&qSrt=sBR&qWch=0&srb_u=1&icdv=99504425&dp=true&cid=28784&glat=SEAR&setPMCookies=true). I took some photos of the exterior and interior, and peeked into the ballroom where our show will be held. Also, I am getting my laundry done.

Later.

Heading into Labor Day Weekend

This past week was quite busy at work. Besides the usual traffic from repair shops and business travelers, we had customers getting their vehicles for Labor Day Weekend. The end of this week was lighter than usual for a Friday, as many customers already had their rental vehicles for the holiday weekend. I'll be working tomorrow (Saturday) morning at the branch, then we're closed on Monday.

After work Tuesday (28 August), it was off to Bill Wagner's house for this month's IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) (https://www.facebook.com/IPMSGateway/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel) business meeting. We discussed final plans for our Invitational model contest and swap meet next Saturday (8 September). This show will be at the Holiday Inn St. Louis SW--Route 66 (https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/st-louis/stlsw/hoteldetail/events-facilities#) in Sunset Hills. I outlined plans to produce and distribute a special issue of our club's newsletter, The Arch Scaler News, to go out to our members this week, spotlighting the Invitational and the club picnic the next day (9 September).

On my off day Wednesday, I worked on that newsletter--a four-page item, instead of the normal 10-page documents--and sent a proof copy to the board members for their feedback. I also got my laundry done and got some needed rest.

After getting a couple of corrections from the board members, I made the few minute changes needed before sending this newsletter out to our members early this morning.

Tomorrow morning, at approximately 7:25 am Central Time (1325 GMT), two IPMS/Gateway members will appear on "Fox 2 News in the Morning" on KTVI, Channel 2 in St. Louis (https://fox2now.com/). They will talk about our club, our show, and the raffle at that show, which raises funds for the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program (https://bridgeton-mo.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx) in Metro St. Louis.

Relaxing at home now. Watching "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie" on DVD. Funny.

Later.

A Wonderful Scale Modeling Contest

I put in a hard day of work last Friday (8 September) at the car rental branch. We had the usual rush at day's end, but my colleagues and I got the job done.

Early the next morning, it was on to the Holiday Inn St. Louis Southwest--Route 66 (http://www.hiroute66.com/) in Sunset Hills. Saturday was the 12th annual IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) model contest. I came to help where I could on set up before we opened for the public. When that happened, I was at my station at the east entrance, helping take money for admission and contest registration, and surveying them as to how they found out about our show. I don't have definitive attendance figures, but I am estimating about 100 people came to our show.

I also entered three models in the contest, and bought some raffle tickets, with proceeds to Toys for Tots (https://www.toysfortots.org/) in Metro St. Louis. I got lucky in the latter, with four of the six tickets I bought winners. I got a collection of four modeling reference books, and three kits. I later traded two of those kits with vendors for three kits. (At least I came out a kit ahead.) The raffle raised $561 for Toys for Tots.

That afternoon, I helped judge the Automobiles categories in the contest, as I did not have any entries there. The contest drew 219 entries from 55 contestants. The awards were presented later that afternoon, and I was one of those receiving awards. My Prinz Eugen took second in Ships, 1/351 and smaller. I was very happy about that, and about how successful our show turned out. I heard good news from all those attendees I spoke to that day.

I then headed to Smugala's Pizza Pub (http://www.smugalas.com/smugalassunsethills) in Sunset Hills for dinner. I had one of their thin crust pizzas, which are very good. Then, I caught the Pub2Park bus for Toyota Stadium and that night's Saint Louis FC (http://www.saintlouisfc.com/) match against Harrisburg City Islanders. After hanging out in the tailgate with the St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/), I marched in with them to the stadium. After falling down 1-0, Saint Louis leveled in the second half, only for Harrisburg to pull out a last-minute 2-1 win.

It was back to soccer the next morning (10 September), this time refereeing youth matches at Lou Fusz Soccer Complex in Maryland Heights. I worked three matches there, with the middle in the second match of the set. It was rather intense, but all was good.

After the games, I drove to Deer Creek Park in Maplewood (http://www.cityofmaplewood.com/79/Maplewood-Local-Parks) for the IPMS/Gateway picnic. I joined with some members and their significant others in food and conversation.

Back to work Monday morning (11 September), I put in my hard work getting our vehicles ready to rent. Twice that day, I was taken to our Kirkwood branch to pick up vehicles, and chatted briefly with their new branch manager, Hannah, a former colleague at Ellisville.

Tuesday was a shorter work day, as I am working this Saturday morning. That morning, my colleague Melissa--another former Ellisville crew mate--came from her new branch at Creve Coeur to get one of our vehicles. We chatted for a bit.

After flexing out, I headed to St. Louis Lambert International Airport (https://www.flystl.com/) to pick up Mom, who came back to town after nearly two weeks of visiting Doug and his family in Los Angeles. On my way to the arrivals area, I stopped by the Enterprise (https://www.enterprise.com/en/home.html) counter and chatted briefly with Jake, who was working there. I wished him and his airport colleagues all the best.

I got her bags, then drove Mom and myself to The Concord Grill (http://www.concordgrill.com/) for an early dinner. It was my first time there, but I really enjoyed the Reuben burger I ordered. Then, it was home.

After a full Wednesday at the branch, it was off to Francis Field (http://www.washubears.com/facilities/francis-field) on the Washington University campus to see the men's soccer match between Wash. U. (http://www.washubears.com/landing/index) and Webster University (http://www.websterathletics.com/). The host Bears dominated the match, defeating the Gorloks 2-0.

Off work today, I made treats runs to our Kirkwood and Florissant branches. First, it was doughnuts to Hannah and her colleagues at Kirkwood, which she greatly appreciated. After chatting briefly, I was on the road to Florissant to delivery cookies to that branch. Justin, the new manager there (and formerly mananger at Ellisville) was not in the branch when I arrived (I left the treats with one of his colleagues), but Justin pulled up in the parking lot as I headed to my car, and we chatted for a bit.

Back home, I did my laundry and went out for a late afternoon run. Mom and I had dinner at Lemay Wok (http://places.singleplatform.com/lemay-wok/menu), a small Chinese restaurant that is a favorite dining place of Mom and I. We then went for desert at Dairy Queen (https://www.dairyqueen.com/us-en/?localechange=1&). Back to work tomorrow.

Later.

A Scale Model Show and Brasil Day

Last Saturday (10 Sept.), I was up early and bound for the Holiday Inn St. Louis Southwest--Route 66 (http://www.hiroute66.com/) in Sunset Hills for the IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) Invitational scale model contest and vendor swap meet. We had about 150 attendees, 50 contestants, and nearly 200 contest entries. These figures were lower than last year, but we hosted a regional a year ago, so there would be higher figures for a regional than an invitational. I worked the main entrance, helping taken admission money and asking where they heard of our show. I also entered three of my models and helped judge two aircraft categories I was not entered in. Although the contest numbers were lower than last year, nevertheless the quality of contest entries was high. One of my entries--a 1:144 scale USA/USSR strategic missile set--took second place in Armor--Missiles and Railguns. (To be fair, there were only two entries in that category. Still, I am happy with this award, the second it picked up this year.) We'll be back on 9 Sept. 2017 for our next Invitational. Save the date!

After helping tear down the show, I headed to Strauss Park in midtown St. Louis' Grand Center for the annual Brasil Day St. Louis (http://www.brasildaystl.com/) street festival. It is held the Saturday closest to Brazilian Independence Day (7 Sept.). I got a nice dinner from the booth of Dona Flor STL, a Brazilian food catering company (http://www.donaflorstl.com/). I also tried my had with dancing to samba music. It was not easy, but I gave it my best shot. It was a fun time.

The next day, after church, I was at Deer Creek Park in Maplewood (http://www.cityofmaplewood.com/index.aspx?NID=79) for the IPMS/Gateway picnic. Many of us members and our significant others enjoyed a barbecue lunch--burgers and bratwurst--cooked by Chris Merseal, with attendees bringing side dishes. (I brought in some chips and dip.) We had a fine time eating and socializing, and the weather was very nice.

Work this week has been good. Plenty of customers, and things have been going well for our branch. This past Monday morning (12 Sept.) was very busy for us, even for a Monday. We got through it in good order.

Flexed out Tuesday afternoon (13 Sept.), and came home to prepare for a happy hour that night at the Signature Room in Overland. It was put on by Sex Positive St. Louis (http://sexstl.com/; https://www.meetup.com/Sex-Positive-St-Louis/). I stayed a bit after talking with two women there, but neither had any chemistry with me.

Back to Portuguese class last night after work, at St. Louis Community College--Meramec (http://www.stlcc.edu/MC/). We are now halfway through the class, and things are going well.

Off to a pair of events tonight: a party for Festival of Nations volunteers, and the Missouri Aviation Historical Society's meeting. More on those in my next post.

Later.