SEPTEMBER MEETING

The meeting opened with the introduction of new members, a waving of the

reading of the minutes and a motion to accept the treasurer’s report.

Announcements included: 42 people attended the summer bus trip and had a

great time (Luis Sanchez is the winner of the miles game and won a $25 gift

certificate from Warricks); pictures of the storybook display put up at the

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital are now on the web site; Jack’s Umbrella

Shop is available for $66.00 to anyone who joins the Club; and there is a new

Avon piece called Grandma’s Bakery and a sign up sheet was circulated for

orders at $36.00.

Bob gave an update on the NEVE gathering stating that the Club members

Chris gave an update on the SRG which will be July 31- Aug 3, 2002 at the

Hilton Hotel in Deerfield Beach. The committee chairs each described their

tasks and asked for volunteers. Members may check the web site to register.

After the business meeting and refreshments a work shop was held (details in

the article from Peggy Mead later in the newsletter).

Door Prizes:

-Gingerbread Man Ornament-Josephine Gray

-Village Chronicle May-June- Elaine Smith

-Village Chronicle Jan-Feb- Pat Nelson

-D56 Quarterly- Kady Treadwell

-D56 Bear Pin- Miguel Laca

-D56 Cap- Donna Carrol

-Hear Ye Hear Ye- Chet Rosenbaum

-Village Wrought Iron Fence- Sumner McDonough

-Brite Lite Angel-Boots Lippert-Donated by Collectors Cottage

-Dickens Mill Ornament-Will Amato

-$25 Gift Certificate Warricks- Norm Barrett

Raffle Prizes:

-NCC Under the Umbrella Blue-Kady Treadwell

-One Year Subscription to Village Chronicle-Donna Swanson

-The Holly and Ivy- Irma Rosier-Donated by Collectors Cottage

-Rosita’s Cantina-John Tavernia

-Whole Family Goes Shopping- Marlene Bretl-Donated by Collectors Cottage

Village Landlord University 2002

By Peggy Mead

Having just returned home from the September meeting of The Village

Landlords, I find myself still excited about all the news regarding The

Gathering next summer and the new "classes" I took this year at The Village

Landlord University. I decided to sit right down, do my homework and write

this article for Gloria. I had attended The University on two other

occasions and learned all sorts of interesting and clever things. Today was

no exception.

My first class was feed sacks, mail sacks and seed bags taught by Rebecca

Grohall. Since Gloria Obenland had stitched them all ahead of time, and

Rebecca had turned them all right side out, we just had to decorate, stuff

and tie them shut. Everyone seemed to be having fun stamping designs and

labeling their bag. What a great idea and so simple to make. The exact same

technique can produce many different looking bags or sacks just by varying

the size of the fabric and how you decorate them. We used colored Sharpies

with fine points to write on the muslin bags. A little note from a quilter,

if you have a tendency to press down hard when you write you may have had 

Micron pen by Sakura for example. They have very fine points are waterproof

and fade proof. Pigma ink pens are available in craft and office supply

stores.

Next I ventured over to the barrel table where everyone was intently painting

little barrels and melting crayons under the able direction of Vickey Gendron

and Chris Barrett. Talk about fun! I watched while I waited for my turn,

trying to decide how to make mine. There were so many ideas. I finally

decided to paint my barrels red and white and use them in my North Pole

display. After watching someone drip brown crayon on her barrels all I could

think of was melted chocolate. It looked like fudge. So I used brown crayon

and made tipped chocolate barrels to place in front of the new Grandma's

Bakery. This was a great place to talk in class and share with fellow barrel

makers.

By now time was running out and I raced over to wall construction with Bob

Obenland. Here was an opportunity to learn how to build a wall from a Master

Mason. This takes a light hand, a soldering iron, a ruler and some

Styrofoam. In fact, if you are not careful you end up with a pile of bricks

or stones instead of a wall. I was amazed at how easy it was to mortar an

entire wall. Then a little diluted paint and a sponge brush and Voila! A

great wall. I can't wait to make a big long wall to separate the levels of

part of my village. The person next to me was making a stone wall by drawing

freehand shapes on the Styrofoam with her soldering iron. When I left she

had started to paint them gray and they were wonderful.

Since I had taken stair construction in 1999, I saved that for last.

Unfortunately I did not have time to make any stairs. But I studied the

wonderful sample carefully. Then, gracious instructor, Peter Gendron, gave

me a crash course to refresh my memory, a little sample and a block of

Styrofoam to take home to try my hand at a grand staircase. I was actually

delighted to have homework to take with me. Practice is exactly what makes

the stairs look good. I know that from experience because I haven't

practiced enough with that hot wire and my steps are sort of round. Must

work on my right angles.

All in all, this reporter is happy to say that school was definitely a

worthwhile adventure again this year. Everyone seemed to enjoy the hands 

On behalf of all the members and guests I'd like to thank everyone who 

displays. What a perfect opportunity to implement the techniques learned

this year at The Village Landlord University.

For now, I'm signing off till next year. I'm going to go look at how great

my reindeer feed sack and peppermint chocolate barrels look in my village.

Yes, Virginia, the North Pole is still up from last year!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of NCC, Dept-56 gave away five trips to

Minneapolis for this coming Christmas 2002 season. Each individual in the

club was given, or contacted to complete a form to make them eligible for

this contest, as were all of the clubs in the United States. Five winners

were chosen at the gathering in Minnesota on 9/22/02. We are happy to

announce that Dolores and Bob Barton won the trip!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! 

from you in January on all of the great events of the trip.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Oct 20 VILLAGE LANDLORD MEETING

Display Contest

Nov 5 VILLAGE LANDLORD BOARD MEETING

Nov 17 VILLAGE LANDLORD MEETING

A pictorial look at last year/season

Mar 14-16 2003 Mid-Atlantic Village Gathering

April 12 Mississippi (Gautier) Gathering By The Gulf

July 31 August 3 Southern Regional Gathering 2003

Deerfield Beach, FL Hilton Hotel

954-427-7700

1-800-445-8667

www.srg2003.com

Sep 18-20 Michigan Gathering   Frankenmuth, MI

Oct 11-13  California (San Francisco) Golden Gate Gathering

April 22-25  Holiday Inn Chicago-O'Hare International

2004 (847) 671-6350 , After May 1, 1-800-Holiday