SOUTH FLORIDA TOY SOLDIER CLUB

JANUARY 2005  NEWSLETTER

SHOW EDITION

SFTSC SIGHTINGS

*A healthy happy & prosperous new year to all--2004 was our 17th year of continuous operation-- it was marked by 9 meetings( 3 in addition to our scheduled 6) and a very nice toy soldier show (our 10th Annual one) in February 2004 -- We used a new location in Plantation, Florida for the first time -- Three major reasons were responsible for our move from Palm Beach County -the Holiday Inn at I-95 and Belvedere -# 1) The Holiday Inn raised the price of the exposition hall to the point where it was not feasible to continue there--#2) our membership live scattered thruout the tri county area, so a more centralized location makes sense and #3) No 3rd floor elevators to wait for the main exposition hall of the Plantation Holiday Inn is on the ground floor and very accessible- Our 2004 experience there, will lead the way to bigger and better 2005 show.- We need our members to promote our coming show and to participate the best way they can to ensure another successful show.

*In 2004 we lost Stan Cann (1927 to 2004), he was the SFTSC, Inc first vice president & he continued in that role till the death of his beloved wife, just a few years ago who was a dues paying member of the club also-Stan was a eclectic collector who did many periods in history ,but liked the World War I & II the best--He was always soft-spoken and a true gentleman - those of us who got to know him were privileged- The entire Toy Soldier world lost Edgar Kehoe(1903-2004) the man who founded WEND AL his company produced aluminum figures & vehicles which were widely sold pre WWII.-also lost this year was the truly great Michael Klimov(1905 to2004) who founded the DURSO toy soldier company- his creativity in Composition and metal figures was extraordinary-his company left a legacy of some of the best representations of real military units-Those who know DURSO know it as a quality product..(p 13-17) in the fall 2004 Old Toy Soldier magazine has his story)

*President Emeritus Frank Burns attended the Chicago Toy Soldier show this past September--Frank has attended many times in the past- & as always came away awed by the shear volume of material displayed there- where else in the world would one find Britains VERY RARE set#433 a RED monoplane w/ O/B--Frank did double duty and gave out our coming Show flyer to every one he could- The Annapolis Toy Soldier Show was held on Dec.11th- a couple of our members planned to attend -will let you know what they thought in the next " SIGHTINGS" -- There was a large Toy Soldier Auction on Dec.14th in the United Kingdom -Vectis Auctions, Ltd. sponsored it--the pipe line has it- that many pounds sterling changed hands.. And speaking of auctions the venerable Henry Kurtz is looking for toy soldier consignments for his next toy soldier auction- He can be called at (212) 642 -5904, or faxed at (212)874-6018.

*January 9th, 2005 from 11AM to 2PM we will have one of our "unsceduled extra " meetings- mainly to nail down show details- but, the usual light lunch will be served along with our usual SHOW AND TELL and members for sale items...There will be a call for dues againas of today approximately . Half of last years membership has paid their dues for 2005-so far 2 members have opted for life time membership which is bargain at $150-only 5 years of dues - most organizations have much higher fees for life time memberships to be sure-and if dues ever go up, life timers are locked in - The SFTSC, Inc needs and cherishes this kind of loyalty--2005 dues either the yearly $30 or the $150 may be sent to our treasurer Hal Seitz 5141 NW 84 Ave., Lauderhill, Fl. 33351

*Gordon Blair really deserves a metal for his pluck & bravery- He underwent a hip replacement procedure in September and now just 3 months later is having his other hip replaced--We don't expect to see Gordon on the dance floor ,but do hope to see him at future meetings after he has recuperated--Happy trails - Gordon -- Richard Morgan has recovered sufficiently from his recent illness attend our really fun holiday party- it was held for the 2nd year at LITTLE ITALY restaurant-just down the street from where we meet at the Tamarac Community Center- 34 members & guests attended. and you know what- not a single complaint- that says it all--The food was outstanding & the service impeccable.

*Our meeting hall , The Hibicus Room, at the Tamarac Community Center is secured for 2005- we have told their management to reserve our space for 10 meetings -we have the meeting room from 10am to 3pm- our meetings are from 11AM to 2PM +...We excluded the months of May & July ( 2 odd numbered months) in our contract with them --So our 6 even month meetings are on the schedule , but we can utilize in addition January-March-September and -November-2005 for extra meetings, if President John Lesinski should choose - John in his elegant way always asks the membership of their opinion before making the decision-for a extra meeting--We are first on the waiting list for a bigger meeting room at the Tamarac facility when one becomes available-- Also President Lesinski is handling the Tee Shirt program for the members who have not received them & want one-- It certainly was a happy SIGHTING to see so many of the outstanding club tee's adorning members at our Holiday party- If you haven't got yours contact John--- Alan McGhee our erstwhile secretary ,unfortunately was out of town for our Holiday party- he had planned on being there ,but got tied up & was unable to attend-- He was sorely missed -Alan has a tremendous knowledge of castings & is a connoisseur painter of the first order- he is always willing to share his knowledge with club members-.
There are many books on toy soldiers- just want to mention one per SIGHTINGS newsletter that is outstanding in the field -The Great Book of Hollowcast Figures by Norman Joplin at $65 including mailing- It is worth every cent - call him at AC 262 692-3913, to get yours.---

*And lastly a disappointment - We did not get published as a event in the calendar that appears in the AAA Magazine, Going Places, this year- they ha dour show listed for the last 3 years in a row and Art Kavanagh our show FREEBIE ad chairman submitted our flyer as before- No telling what prompted them not to print the event--Well, we tried and there is always our 12th annual show in the wings.

*If you wish to submit anything to our SIGHTINGS SFTSC inc. newsletters contact our Treasurer or Secretary Hal and Al, (that  rhymes) -news items concerning club members are most welcome-- such tidbits as Tony Angelora moving from Boca to Palm Beach Gardens and we having 3 members who own property in Tamarac on our roster(significant because we get our meeting hall at 1/2 price because of Tamarac residency) is the kind of stuff we hope to see more of in future SIGHTINGS newsletters- Hope to see you on January 9th for our next meeting and January 30th for our 11th Annual Toy Show....sponsored by you the members.

(Compiled by the officers of the S.F.T.S.C. inc.)

MEETINGS/CONTACTS:  

THE NEXT CLUB MEETING WILL BE ON JANUARY 9TH, 2005, AT 11:00AM TO 1:00PM, AT THE TAMARAC COMMUNITY CENTER, LOCATED AT 8601 W. COMMERCIAL BVLD., TAMARAC, FLORIDA. THE CENTER IS LOCATED BETWEEN UNIVERSITY DRIVE AND PINE ISLAND, ON THE NORTH SIDE OF COMMERCIAL. MEETINGS ARE HELD ON THE 2ND SUNDAY OF EVEN NUMBERED MONTHS, NORMALLY BETWEEN 11:00AM AND 2:00PM.

ANYONE PLANNING ON ASSISTING  WITH THE SHOW SHOULD BE AT THE MEETING AT 10:00AM. THIS IS THE LAST MEETING BEFORE THE 2005 SHOW.    

IF ANY QUESTIONS ARISE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT PRESIDENT JOHN LESINSKI, AT JLESONE@AOL.COM, TREASURER HAL SEITZ AT HAL1541@MYMAILSTATION.COM OR SECRETARY ALAN MCGHEE AT WAMCGHEE@AOL.COM. YOU MAY ALSO CONTACT THE CLUB THRU THE WEB PAGE: SOUTHFLORIDASOLDIER.COM

ARTICLES/TIDBITS FROM MEMBERS:  

Dave Sinnot provided the following List of Imperial Indian Army Ranks.