LCCA Junior Members have a Ball at LCCA Convention in Norfolk VA
The LCCA had over 83 Junior and family members attend and participate in our 42nd Annual convention held this past July at the Marriott Waterside Hotel in Norfolk VA. There were numerous activities intended specifically for the enjoyment of our younger members. Angela Trotta Thomas's "Learn to Draw a Lionel Train" class, movie night, David Cohen's clinic on how to build a carnival tent from a milk carton, and the Boy & Girl Scout Merit Badge activities are just a few of the activities our Junior members enjoyed in Norfolk. The convention started with a warm and friendly President's Welcome party where all members had a casual get-together meeting. President Dennis DeVito was presented with milk and cookies from Convention Co-manager Captain Bob Carter. There were two real big kids at this event!
Kids participated in the LCCA family oriented tours all week long. They were seen alongside their parents or grandparents having fun throughout the week. New LCCA Junior Member Cameron Age 5 of the local Make-A-Wish (MAW) foundation was designated the honorary engineer and conductor at the Special Event tour at the Children's Museum of Virginal and the opening ceremony of the Lionel Operating toy train layout and display. Cameron and his family all love Lionel Trains.
The LCCA tries to have something for everyone at each of our events during our family oriented conventions. This year's convention was no exception. During our Get Acquainted Party, Doumar's brought in their world's first ice cream cone making machine. Members were served ice cream in freshly made waffle cones. JM's and (some adults) had fun getting their faces painted, while the grown-ups danced the night away to great music from the 50's, 60's 70's & 80"s. Former JM Coordinator Dominic Caponi performed two songs by "The Killers" rock group specifically for the Junior members in attendance. New Junior Member Coordinator Ms. Jenny Kraus of St. Paul MN was there having fun with all of the Junior members. It was a great fun evening for members of all ages.
Lionel Mascot "Lenny the Lion" and Ronald McDonald were on site all day Saturday during our train show open which was open to the public. This train show was free, but donations were being accepted at the door to benefit the local Ronald McDonald house. Thank you for all of the donations. The money raised went to a great cause. Kids of all ages were seen getting their photos taken with "Lenny the Lion" and Ronald McDonald throughout the day. Over 200 local Boy and Girl Scouts were on-site earning their merit badges for Model railroading or transportation.
During the Saturday night banquet, LCCA President Dennis DeVito, Junior and Family members were up on stage leading the crowd in saying our "Pledge of Allegiance". Several Junior and Family members were lucky winners of a random drawing, winning Lionel train sets. Lionel graciously donated these train sets specifically to be given to the JM and Family members in attendance. Thank you Lionel for your generosity and continued support.
It was a great week for our Junior Members in Norfolk. Thank you to all of the parents and grandparents who brought their Junior Members and their entire families to our convention. After all, the future of our club will belong to these Junior Members of today. We are in the planning stages of new LCCA special events intended for the enjoyment of Junior and family Members. If you have any ideas, or want to host a LCCA Special Event for Junior Members in your area, please contact Al Kolis at 248 709-4137 or by e-mall at agkolis@comcast.net
Al Kolis
Immediate Past President and Special Events Manager