First State Mini Club Newsletter……… March 4, 2017…. P a g e | 1

First State Mini Club Newsletter---March 2017

March 2017 MEETING DATE is Thursday March 16, at 7 PM at the New Castle Senior Center, 400 South Street, New Castle DE 19720

Presidents’ Message March is always a changeable month of contrasts for many reasons – the weather, our clothes, our interest in getting outdoors to do chores, and staying in to finish club projects for our show! We hope you all are moving along on the latter, especially, and are aware of a number of dates.

• First, March 21 is the deadline for getting information about your exhibits to Marnie King (2017 club project, historical pieces [see elsewhere] and minis you’ve made lately). Space needs to be allocated and signage made, so please respect her deadline.

• Second, EVERYONE should sign up to work several hours at our March 26 show. Some members have been working for months (all year) behind the scenes, while others of us are only able to do a few hours on the day of...yes, there are some sitting-down jobs for those who need them. To make the show a success, we need and value everyone’s help.

• Also, dues for 2017-18 will be collected at the April and May club meetings with a May 25 deadline. Please contact Angie Phillips if you have questions. There will be a renewal form in the next newsletters. Our group project needs to be mentioned.

• “The Clown Bedroom” will be donated to NAME as a raffle item that earns funds for our national organization (officially called, “a houseparty helper” from back in the days when our current convention was called “a houseparty”). We thank Bonnie Kinkaid and Susan Ross for heading up that project where a number of members have made charming furniture and accessories for the room, and we still need a few more toys to finish it up. NAME asks us to submit a form with photo of the project no later than May 1, so our April meeting will be the last opportunity to add items, but it would be nice to see it on display nearly finished, if not completely, at our show this month. So, bring items that might be used to the March club meeting.

• AND FINALLY, be sure to have Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., on your calendar for our 40th anniversary bash. We hope that most, if not all, members will be able to come, at no cost to you, to Winterthur Museum for special educational tours of its miniatures and gardens, the new dollhouse, treats, memories, and lunch. There may be a few places available at the last minute for guests, so we’ll keep a list. Winterthur is wheel-chair accessible and has several available if we reserve them in advance. (And if you will have a guest/non-member as your pusher, please be prepared to pay for their lunch and tour.) If you are unable to come for the morning program, perhaps you can join us for lunch or for the specially- arranged tour of miniatures in the afternoon. See elsewhere in the newsletter for the tentative schedule. So, it’s a busy, exciting time for FSMC and you. We almost need a special calendar to keep track of it all! Connie Gorman and Wanda Simons, Co-Presidents

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TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR April 29th FSMC Anniversary Celebration at Winterthur 10:00 am Arrive at Winterthur; check-in, board the garden tram for a guided tour through the gardens. 10:30 am Spring tour of the museum, guided 11:30 am Time on own to see the Doll House 12:15 pm Lunch in the Garden Café in the Visitor center 1:30 pm Custom guided tour of miniatures and highlights of Winterthur (small groups of 5) 2:30 pm Time on own for galleries; shopping; garden etc. 3:00 pm Departure to be determined AT THE TOP OF WINTERTHUR’S DRAFT SCHEDULE when transferred from email to a Word document were codes for another language. Now it says “Tentative Schedule – Wanda Morris Simons (twice)”. So what language is it? And what do the symbols in parentheses say? Anyone with the correct answer will be entered into a drawing for a little (mini) gift. Give to Wanda at meeting.

Hospitality for the rest of the year: Connie Gorman and Rose Gambacorta, chair

• March—Mary Ellen Raun, Leslie Shaffner, Kitch Sproat, Connie Gorman

• April—Lois Weyer, Rose Gambacorta, Diane Scheuer, Joan Hoyt

• May—all bring, sign up with Connie

FACEBOOK Deb Kostyk Please send me pictures of our mini world to put on Facebook. Check out our page!

CALENDAR of Mini Events coming up…ask around…there may be carpools

going. Also check M-1 and E-1 Newsletter, available at NAME website (miniatures.org).

• March 26, 2017…FSMC Show. List what you will exhibit as you get your minis ready… Foyer/corner Room and/or Tiny House

• April 30, 2017 –Lancaster/Reading Miniatures Show—10-3:30 at Lancaster Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd. Lancaster PA 17601

• Spring 2017…NJ Club Day. Last year was the cakes and cookies with craft foam sheets, nail art, spackle/paint. More in future messages.

• July 27-30, 2017 – NAME National Convention in the Mid-Atlantic – “Come to the Circus!” at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel, 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA. Please plan to come. Marnie King is on the committee in Operations starting July 22nd (Pre Convention). This is as close as National gets to Delaware! Only 120 miles away. See Marnie for more info. So far, Marnie, Wanda and Claire, Joan and Diane are planning to go.

• Sept 21-24, 2017 – Scranton Houseparty, “Legends of Sleepy Hollow.” See NAME website…ask Wanda Simons, who is on the committee.

• Spring 2018 – Louisville, KY Regional Houseparty, “Jockeys and Juleps”. This is a very talented group who have held great regionals in the past.

• July 2018 – NAME National Convention, “Sweet Tea & Sunshine - a Southern Celebration” - Embassy Suites, Charleston SC. The SC group is especially talented with small scale and hold wonderful regionals.

• November 15-18, 2018 – Online Houseparty, “Around the World in 8 Days”

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NATIONAL CONVENTION 2017 “Come to the Circus” in Alexandria, VA -- get your reservation form in the mail! The convention is partly full, partly due to costs of Washington and partly the political protesting problems in DC. But, Alexandria is not Washington and a variety of really creative things are being planned. So, you still have time to enter. It should be loads of fun with both 1” and ¼” possibilities for souvenirs, favors & classes. The convention classes are NAME’s website…www.miniatures.org

2016-7 FSMC Monthly Programs---

March 16, 2017

• Totebags for NAME National --Glue mugs to the circus placemat; when dry, bag. Program should start before business meeting. Bonnie and Susan, bring the glue and toothpics!

We are accepting program ideas for future FSMC meetings. We still have Door prizes and totebag gifts to make and bag for Scranton, but we want to make minis… Share your ideas/wishes! If you need help planning to teach, let us know.

FSMC Annual Project for 2018---Bring prototypes, pictures of ideas for club to consider and vote.

1. We have frames 3”x4” with inside of frame measuring 2”x3”. We could do the small room 1/144 scale in the wall of a 1” scale box. Small scalers could do just the frame. The idea is from Brooke Tucker. See Miniature Collector, Jan/Feb 1998. The inside box is ¾” deep, cut from mat board. Inside could be closer to the frame’s inside border by using foam core.

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2. A bathroom…elegant or outhouse! 3. Containers….perhaps a lantern, huge wine glass, cheese dome, wide terrarium glass, can, etc….…see

photos below. 4. Fairy Garden…there are loads of ideas at craft and garden centers. Live or simulated nature can be

used. Sue Ann Thwaite aka “Lady Bug” has fairies about 1/8” scale.

Other ideas…BRING to meeting ! We will discuss and be voting.

FSMC Show update….we have most dealers confirmed for show and 4 classes on

Saturday…sign up for a class on line ASAP so we can plan the space needed.

Exhibits are also needed; forms will be at meetings. I will be contacting you to bring one

of our past club projects. We want the exhibit room to have a section of 40 years of club Projects with FSMC. See the list below.

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Those entering their Club Projects, please let Marnie know the title, the size of the

“footprint” and the category (foyer or tiny house). Start filling in the exhibit forms, please!

Grab Bags need items. Please help! Bring anything miniature you can spare to the

meeting for Connie Gorman and Rose Gambacorta. Supplies, items all scales….

NAME convention themes and FSMC CLUB projects through the 40 years: Year NAME location /theme FSMC annual project Club member with

scene to show… more than one is ok

To be displayed this year

1972 STARTED CLUB

1973 KY, Louisville

1974 FL, Miami

1975 WI, Milwaukee

1976 CA, San Francisco “1776-1976”

1977 CA, San Diego STARTED CLUB

1978 CO, Denver “Mini Memories” ---

1979 MA, Boston “Tiny Treasures of New England”

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1980 Washington, DC “All Through the House”

--- ---

1981 MO, St L “Meet Me at the Fair 1904”

--- ---

1982 CA, Anaheim “Hollywood-Golden Years”

--- ---

1983 NY, Rochester “Lullaby Time in Nanny’s Nursery”

--- ---

1984 OH, Cincinnati “A Tribute to the Arts”

Cigar box Rose has one Grace-Christmas

1985 WA, Seattle “Ports of Call and Nautical Nonsense”

Store Grace Hayford’s Pizza Shop

1986 IL, Chicago “A Chic Shopping Spree”

Printer’s drawer

1987 GA, Atlanta “Attic Adventures” Market Stand Grace’s Basket stand

1988 CA, Santa Clara “Fiesta de Los Amigos”

Porch Debbie Kostyk

1989 MN, Minneapolis “MN Opens the Door to all Seasons”

Attic Diane Scheuer

1990 OH, Cincinnati “I Love a Mystery"

Theater Grace Hayford--Unsinkable Molly Brown and Phantom of Opera

1991 AZ, Phoenix “Celebrate Summer-American Style”

Potting Shed

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1992 PA, Philadelphia “Welcome Friends”

Hideaway Diane—SW room

1993 FL, Orlando “Closet Clutter” Gypsy Wagon Marion Hogan 1/4 Marion Hogan

1994 CA, Anaheim “A Trip to the Fifties”

SW room Diane Scheuer?

1995 IL, Chic “A Fair to Remember” Garage Sale Katheryn Mayberry--(Barbara Merrill’s)

1996 VA, Arlington “Garden of Delights”

Shadow box=favorite time (2 sty with peak)

Marnie—Valentine living room

1997 KC, MO “Playthings Old & New”

Garden 14” Marnie—Spying on Gazebo Lovers

1998 CA, San Diego “No Place Like Home”

Doors and windows=8x8 Marnie—Phila, 9th and Spruce St Victorian

1999 TX, Houston “Special Moments”

Book Marnie—Civil War Letters from a Soldier

Connie—Gone with the Wind

2000 NC, Charlotte “Cherish the Past, Imagine the Future”

Memories in a Trunk/Teacup

Connie—Lady with her trunk

2001 KY, Louisville “Family Vacation”

BreakAway box (2 side plexi gift box) =Celebrations

Deb Kostyk-- Wedding memories Connie—Wedding

2002 WA, Seattle “Vintage Emporium”

Clock Box Deb Kostyk? Diane—Sewing Room

2003 KY, Louisville “College of Miniature Knowledge”

Victorian Room with View

Marnie—Added space c needlepoint and elegant couple

Diane—elegant bedroom

2004 MN, Minneapolis “Weekend in the Country”

Child’s Room Marnie—Occup Therapy treatment room

Rose—Emma’s in trouble(mommy’s makeup)

2005 PA, Pittsburg “All Across America”

Street of Shops Marnie—Grape Escape Wine shop

Wanda—“Ex Libris”

2006 CA, Anaheim “Tell Me a Story” Dish Garden Marnie—Rock Garden Connie—Japanese Garden Rose—Hanging Wash in garden

2007 FL, Orlando “That’s Entertainment”

Around the Table Marnie—Independence Day table

2008 NH, Nashua “Castles & Cottages”

Decades on the Farm Diane—Porch/barn

2009 IN, Indianapolis “Family Reunion”

Cigar bx=Song/season Marnie—Surrey with the Fringe on Top

Diane—Porgy and Bess

2010 WA Seattle ”Merry Old England-Then and Now”

Loft Marnie—Artist’s Loft Diane—Shoe Shine Shop

2011 OH, Cleveland ”With a Song in My Heart”

Wreath/Cheesebox Marnie—Tuscany Cook

2012 NC, Charlotte “NAME—40 Years of Sharing”

Arch Vignette Wanda—Several seasons Connie—Tuscany Kitch—SW office

2013 AZ, Tucson “A Night in the The Borrowers’ Marnie—“We’ve been seen” in LR

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Museum” (thru grate hole) Wanda—bedroom and kitchen

2014 MO, St Louis “Rollin’ on the River”

NAME day Cart Marnie—Civil War Medicine Cart

Rose—summer accessories Diane—Book Seller

2015 IN, Indianapolis “What’s Cookin’”

“H” box Lois—Mme Curie’s lab Kitch—“Let the cat in” Gayle—Pew in Old North Church

George—workshop Marnie—Toys: Then and Now

2016 WA, Seattle=Meet me in the Garden

NAME Day Shop Window

Mary Ellen—Chanel Marnie—Déjà Vu (Antiques)

Rose—Eleganté (shoes and purses)

2017 VA, Alexandria “Come to the Circus”

Foyer 10x10 Tiny House

2018 SC, Charleston “Sweet Tea & Sunshine—Southern Celebration”

2019 TN, Nashville

2020 IN, Indianapolis

At the meeting, we will add to the list above. Or email or call me! I did not get to everyone yet. Marnie mking4071@comcast.net or 302-654-8278

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Brandywine Library Exhibit….Thank you, Diane Scheuer, for arranging this exhibit. Exhibitors include Connie Gorman, Kitch Sproat, Rose Gambacorta, Diane and possibly others. Thank all of you for getting the exhibits set up to advertise our show.

HOUSEPARTY Start saving for your registration to go to the first houseparty (small convention) since 2011 in our M-1 region of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is the theme with many, mini possibilities for Halloween and the well-known tale of the headless horseman and other scary stories. Registration for this September 21-24 small-scale event (½”, ¼”, 1/144th inch scales and smaller) in Scranton, PA, will open this spring. Wanda is chairing the exhibit room and will hope to see our FSMC small scale people in attendance and/or exhibiting.

We want ideas for a tote bag favor and think a wisk broom will be our contribution made of thin tooth picks, jute, thread in ¼ scale. More later.

Club Connections, our mini news DianeAlice Scheuer *Connie Gorman, we hear that you are making a fast recovery with the knee replacement. The other one awaits surgery March 28. Connie, we are sending more luck for you. *Grace Hayford, we missed you last month but enjoyed the candy you sent. Thank you! *Lucile Hoffman, we missed you, too, and learned that you have had the bed-bound-bug that lasts for weeks. Hope you are mended and up and around by now. *Kitch Sproat, we hope all is going well. Please know our prayers are with you. *Anne Steele, we are also thinking about you and miss you. OUTREACH Marnie King Iron Hill Museum—On Feb 23, Iron Hill had 6 FSMC members tour. Thank you, Wanda Simons, Katheryn Mayberry, Bonnie Kincaid, Angie Phillips and Lois Weyer. Also, thanks go to Wanda for a hearty lunch afterward. After our show, we will get together to decide what we will do when for recreating their minis. I hope the tour was of interest to those who came. The museum and Marnie have some endowments to help with expenses. New Sweden Centre SpringFest will be Sunday April 30, 2017, 11-5 PM at the Kalmar Nyckel and Old Swedes Foundation Museum on East 7th St. We have had a table, free, for the past 3 years. Please plan to lend any colonial scenes for use at the event. We will have use of a canopy 10’x10’ but things are best protected in cases. Let Marnie know if you can share a scene or help on the day. If we have helpers, we all can take turns touring the grounds or riding the River Taxi (free). We will have a “SpringFest Passport”…attending people will have a passport to ask reenactors and shops to mark it; if they get enough signers, they can get a prize. Hospice Christmas plans. Soon, I will bring the ornament globes for next year’s ornament donation. Please save those tiny things to fit through the 2” hole in the front of the globe. The topics in these globes can to be Christmas, winter or other. Please feel free to donate supplies if you can’t actually make them. Thanking you in advance.

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Outreach for NAME Circus Bedroom for NAME 2017 chaired by Bonnie Kincaid and Susan Ross Please look for toys or other circus items for a child’s room, 1” scale. Bonnie and Susan, let Marnie know when can I photo it for the newsletter and our records.

BIRTHDAYS for this month: March 2 George Hoffman 6 Angie Phillips 23 Kitch Sproat 26 Bonnie Kincaid

Happy Birthday!! Enjoy your special day!

And Many Mini more!

Officers of FSMC:___ *=Voting Board Positions

*Presidents Wanda Simons and Connie Gorman

Publicity: Wanda Simons (mini mags);

Marnie King (M-1 /E-1 clubs NAME and Newsletters);

Lois Weyer (News Journal, regional posts);

Deb Kostyk (Town talk, Facebook, etc)

*Past President Wanda Simons/Connie Gorman *Hospitality: Rose Gambacorta and Connie Gorman;

*VP/Membership (2017) Angie Phillips *Program Coordinator:________ (Board)

*Secretary (2017): Katheryn Mayberry Program (Yearly) Marnie and Angie

*Treasurer (2016): Lois Weyer Program (Monthly): _____ (Board)

*Show Chair: Lois Weyer Webmaster: Lois Weyer

Show Hotel Liaison: Lois Weyer *Newsletter: Marnie King

Show Dealers and Classes Lois Weyer *Outreach: Marnie King

Show Exhibits: Marnie King Nametags: Connie Gorman

Show Club Table; *Estate/sales: Diane Scheuer Sunshine: Diane Scheuer

Show Grab Bags: Rose Gambacorta & Connie Gorman Club Property Storage: Connie Gorman

NAME DE State Rep Marnie King Phone List: Marnie King

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