Southwest La. O Gauge Model Railroad Club

The Southwest Louisiana O Gauge Model Railroad Club recently donated a 1/48 scale model of a Railway Express Agency Southern Pacific freight depot to the Brimstone Museum Art Show and Auction on Sept. 21. The donation was made to support the mission of the Brimstone Museum and Henning House Art Gallery. The model was constructed by Dr. Andy Buckley for the first running of the trains in 2016.

The Railway Express Agency (REA) was a national package delivery service operating in the United States from 1918 to 1975, owned jointly by 86 class 1 railroads. REA transported and delivered packages, parcels, money, perishable fruits, and flowers to some 10,000 freight depots or private homes. Railway Express Agency was the UPS or FedEx of the time period 1920-59.

The club hosted first Saturday running of the trains on Sept. 7 with members Ted Thompson, Wesley White, Charlie Clements, Mike Stine, Michael Eaton and Jayme, Ed Sherwood, Phil Gaharan, Robert Nataili, Adin Weber and Andy Buckley. There was also good turnout from the general public.

White has constructed a child step-up bench for one side of the layout, to allow small children to safely view the trains. Dr. Buckley has completed the Calcasieu-Marine National Bank, Etie’s Clothing Store, and the Strand Theater models, fulfilling the club’s 2019 commitment to the Brimstone Museum Board.

White will soon complete the Krause-Managan Lumber Company model. Gaharan will complete a scratch-built rustic church model, resembling the original Henning Memorial Methodist Church.

To date following business sponsors have been enlisted to support the museum project: Stine Lumber Company, Krause-Managan Lumber Company, J.T’s. Seafood, Cameron Communications, Dunham Price, Tom Shearman/American Press, Westlake Petrochemical, Rusty Kirkland/CBS TV, John Henning and M. L. Vincent.

The club conducted a construction planning meeting on Aug. 14 for members to have input into the construction of the upper level, involving decisions about design, size, height, supports, mainlines, track configuration and schedule of work days. Tommie Stutes, Paul Carlson, Mike Stine, Michael Eaton and Jayme, Wesley White, Bob Sheffield, Adin Weber and Andy Buckley participated.

Little Troopers

The Little Troopers Organization under the leadership of founders Dennis and Mark Soileau received the Spirit of America Citation Award from VFW Past National Auxiliary President Sandy Kriebel for their outstanding service, kindness and dedication to the families of Deployed Soldiers.

Nominated by VFW Auxiliary Post 2130, the Little Troopers holds an annual fundraiser to raise money to buy Christmas gifts for children of local military families. This past Christmas they also included the children of Louisiana National Guard Reservists.

The Little Troopers Organization will hold their annual fundraiser on Nov. 9 at VFW Post 2130, 5676 Lake St., corner of Ham Reid Road and Lake Street. The event will feature a gumbo cook-off, potato salad contest, silent and live auctions, bike ride, car show and live entertainment.

Lake Charles Garden Club

Linda Finley was congratulated for being the Louisiana Garden Club Federation (LGCF) president for the coming year during the Lake Charles Garden Club’s monthly meeting on Sept. 10 at the LSU Ag Center.

A total of 24 members in attendance welcomed two guests, Kim Van Dyke and Rhonda Godwin. Loretta Guzman, president, presided over the meeting that began with Debbie Lewing giving the Invocation and Gail Yantis leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Officer reports were given, followed by the project reports from the committee chairs:

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Adopt-A-Spot:

Ingrid Ayres announced the Fall Trash pick-up day for Ernest Street will be Oct. 19 beginning at 9 a.m. at her home. Adopt-A Spot program will now allow more than one organization assigned to a roadway.

l Birthday Corsages: Corsages and boutonnieres were made for the residents at Rosewood Nursing Home; eight in June, seven in July, 14 in August and 13 in September.

l Outstanding Landscape: Diane LaFargue presented Sowela Technical Community College with the award for the months of July and August.

l Yearbook: Thelma Fontenot, and Guzman reviewed the 2019-20 yearbook and thanked Fontenot, Patsy Trahan, Gail Yantis, Bobbie Young, Grace Guth and Debbie Stutes for all their work.

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Youth Garden Club: Grace Guth gave an update on current activities of the St. Louis Catholic High School Transitions Youth Garden Club. Horticulture presentation was given by Nell Hayes. She explained the growing conditions for a red penta plant and a Fire Spike. Floral Design was presented by Jeffords, she had two floral arrangements she had made and demonstrated a technique she used to open up rose petals.

l New Business: Field Trip to Shangri La Gardens in Orange, Texas, will be Tuesday, Oct. 8. Fall District meeting and luncheon is Oct. 17 at Prien Lake Park pavilion and will be hosted by the Diggers and Weeders Garden Club.

Laura Jones volunteered to make name tags for the new members. LaFargue, Guth and Bell Thomas provided refreshments, and the Club Collect was led by Lewing.

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