Western Heritage Division, NMRA Inc.

Just some quick news blurbs:

Lauritzen Gardens has its garden railway running. There are plans to expand it this summer.

Next month (June) is our annual picnic, so we'll return to our normal meeting schedule in July. If you are willing to conduct a clinic after the meeting, please contact Mark Erikson.

We have set up a very informal member aid committee. If you need some help, say with altering a layout to be more handicap-accessible or with estate matters, please contact Barbara Lundquist. She'll coordinate Division efforts on your behalf.

Several local model railroaders have created an email list for those who are interested in prototypical operations in modeling. All you need is an email address. Oh, and you need to go here: Omaha Model Railroad This is the place to find out about Omaha-area operating sessions!

Important: If you are a new member and have received your National membership card, please contact our Clerk, Barbara Lundquist, to confirm that you're on our Division mailing list. This is especially important with the upcoming election - ballots are mailed to you.

Note from the webmaster: I apologize; I had the wrong date listed. The correct date is below.

Our annual family picnic will be held at the Camp Creek Threshers' in Waverly on June 21st. We'll meet there at noon.

We've been there before, and they've always been really hospitable. The Division is grateful for their willingness to host us again. They've upgraded their track and added some new track to their layout.

Map:

I'll post a map shortly. The usual route is blocked due to construction.

Other details:

The Division will provide paper goods. The rest of the meal is potluck (INCLUDING DRINKS). If you'd like to bring more than one dish, that's perfectly fine. Barbara will bring barbeque beef.

You might consider bringing lawn chairs and shade umbrellas as well. While we'll be in a shelter with picnic tables for the lunch portion, there's not much to sit on where the trains are. Sturdy shoes, bug repellent and sunscreen would be excellent ideas.

Business Meeting:

It was decided in March that there will be NO business meeting at the picnic - there are too many distractions and it's hardly an ideal situation to discuss Division business. The newly elected officers will be announced.

The next business meeting will be May 10th (our next usual meeting). Please come prepared to offer brief committee status reports.

Contact:

To RSVP (by Saturday, June 7) or for more info, contact Barbara Lundquist.

Warning: Geekery ahead.

I'm continuing to make improvements and renovations to the site as I come across problems. To help me keep track of everything, I've installed a piece of server software called FlySpray. Normally, this is used by software development companies to track issues with their products. We've been using something similar at work to track issues with our web-based projects, and it's proven to be very helpful. I've made the tasks list public, so anyone can see it and track how I'm doing. If you have a feature request or if you run across a bug, please check there first, then email me.

The template the site is currently using is Jamba by Joomlashack, a company that specializes in Joomla!-related products. I'm going to be altering this template somewhat to fit our needs and to make it a bit easier to read. I like it because of its clean lines, relatively uncluttered layout and bold colors. I especially like the white background - nice change from the beige of the old site.

Our monthly meeting will be this Saturday, the 12th at the usual place.

Be thinking about nominations for Division officers. Remember that beginning with this election, officers will serve two years.

Details about the June family picnic will be announced.

Enjoy the new website - I'll be making more changes.

EDIT: The Division thanks Ralph Schiring and his family for opening their home to us for a layout tour today, as well as all those who have been kind enough to do so in the past. "Thank you" to Steve Dolezal and Mark Erickson, who have been instrumental in getting these tours lined up.