December 2000 Holiday Party

Click on the galleries to see pictures of this great party!

by Chester Freedenthal

Warm hospitality, good food, running trains, and train watching all made for a great time at the 2000 NVNTRAK Holiday Party on December 17th.  Bill and Jerry Palmer opened their beautiful home to over 50 NVNTRAKers (when I ran this through the spellchecker, the recommended correction was Nondrinkers - go figure!) and spouses for our annual Holiday Party.

Amid beautiful Christmas decorations and a great view of real trains (check out the gallery!), everyone enjoyued an afternoon of fun, food, and frivolity.  Bill's beautiful, huge two-level home layout offered lots of track to run trains and many of our club members took advantage of the opportunity.  Outside on the main floor deck you could stand and watch Metro, Amtrak, and CSX.  The highlights were a 3-car track maintenance consist and a pair of CSX GP-9's that switched to a spur and parked for the night. We even gave one of the trainmen a round of applause after we thought he was inspecting the track, but was only going to retrieve his hat.

Cotton brought along a bag full of videos, so the die-hard steamers could relax in the living room and drool (or snooze) as they played.  The food was delicious and plentiful, with a spread that suited anyone's tastes.  Sodas (There was even a 6-pack of Blenheim ginger ale!) and that fine Aussie beer added to the festivities.

The gift exchange was, as usual, a great time.  Many of the early gifts were keepers, but many gifts changed hands for the third and final time.  Jim Altobello won the grand prize, which I am sure will make a return trip next year, as did some other gifts that were making their 2nd or 3rd trips!  Along with the usual white elephants, some of the members went home with some very nice gifts.  I know everyone agreed the party was a great success and will be talked about at the Annual meeting in January.  

A warm thanks from the club to Jim and Jerry Palmer for being such gracious hosts!