Larry Thomas

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone, all the past and present mothers of Chapter 124, a Happy Mother’s Day.

Annual Membership and One-Day Meeting:

Coming very soon is the Chapter 124 Annual Membership and One-Day Meeting. The annual event will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Founders Building in Grapevine. This year, we are introducing a couple of new events, as well as conducting a very important election.

Chapter 124 needs your help. Normally, the rotation schedule of our Board of Directors allows for electing, or renewing, two to three Board members each year. This year, we are experiencing a higher than normal turnover. Of the nine positions on our Board of Directors, we need to fill five positions during the next Annual Meeting. Please consider contributing to Chapter 124 by joining the Board. We really need you to keep the Chapter moving ahead.

As for the One-Day, and along with the familiar Vendor and Mart activities, Chapter 124 will be conducting a Live Auction, consisting of several Chapter-owned horological items and a Bake Sale. In addition, you will be able to offer your personal items for auction and contribute to the Bake Sale.

The Live Auction will run from 10:30 am – 11:30am, during the annual meeting. This will be a Reserve Bid auction of 10-12 Chapter-owned horological items. If you are interested in having one of your own items in this auction, Call or Text Tom Hefner at (817) 565-8697, NOT LATER THAN 31 MAY. You may also donate an item to the Chapter or the Chapter will auction your items for 15% of the auction sales price.

Concerning our new Bake Sale (Auction), please consider offering a cake or other baked item for auction, with the proceeds going to Chapter 124. Contact Brian Schmidt, if you would like to participate. Please take a look at the recent Constant Contact announcement for more details.

Education:

Again, Chapter 124 still needs several more instructors. Without our volunteer instructors, our education program would be severely limited. The classes offered by the Chapter, as well the Lone Star Regional, are the main sources of our Chapter’s income. We need additional income in order to keep our Irving Training Facility and continue to offer you one of the best Chapter Education programs in the NAWCC. Without these classes and the annual Lone Star Regional, Chapter 124 would be just a Social Club. We are working on additional classes to be posted over the next few weeks. 

There were two classes offered in the past two months. First, in April, Jerry Kieffer conducted a course we titled, “Pick Your Own Project”.  This course allowed for one-on-one instruction in advanced applications of the student’s choice.

The class was very successful and we are always pleased to have Jerry visit Chapter 124.  

Next, in May, Phil Ball conducted the French Clock Repair course with a full class.  

On a recurring topic, we remain at a loss as to why no one is applying for the Fred Tischler/John Erickson Memorial Scholarship. Please visit the Chapter124 Website for information on this valuable resource – Fred Tischler/John Erickson Memorial Scholarship Fund. 

Finally, please help show support for the Houston (San Jacinto) Chapter 139 by attending their Regional on August 25, 26 and 27, 2023.

Thank you,

Brian Schmidt
President
Chapter 124, NAWCC

Chapter 124 had a very successful Lone Star Regional on March 2, 3 and 4, 2023. And, I would like to thank the Board, the Volunteers, the Vendors, as well as all of the people who attended in order to make our 2023 Lone Star Regional Regional such a success.

Also, a special thank you to NAWCC Representative Ralph Pokluda for his help and presentations during our Regional.  I would be remiss to not mention Sherry Kitts for her great job as the NAWCC Representative for our 2022 Regional.

This year’s Exhibit, hosted by Justin Barren, was entitled “Black Forest Clocks”. Justin and James Barren put together a great display, including a diverse sampling of cuckoo clocks as well as a massive Black Forest Wall clock. Thank you, Justin and James, for a great job on the exhibit.

Chapter 124 sold a lot of tables in advance of our Regional. Unfortunately, several people who registered could not attend the Regional because of the weather. There were also a few who canceled due to illness and we wish them a speedy recovery and hope to see everyone at the 2024 Lone Star Regional.

We experienced a little bit of excitement during the Thursday night Social Hour and Silent Auction. Because of the severe weather, the hotel and surrounding area lost power for almost 2 hours. However, everyone carried on with cell phone flashlights in hand and, when power was restored, we completed the events and enjoyed the evening with no adverse effects. Everyone seemed to feel fortunate that we all escaped what could have been a more serious situation.

On another topic, Chapter 124 is offering a couple of wonderful classes in April and May. Jerry Kieffer will host “Pick your Project”, which is scheduled for 22-23 April and and Phil Ball will conduct a “French Clock Repair Class” on 6-7 May. If you are able, please plan to attend these two great classes. Check out our Chapter 124 Workshop and Event Schedule for more information.

Now for some serious chapter business. More than ever, we need our members to step up and help with upcoming chapter business. A you m ay know, the Chapter does not run itself. We have been fortunate to have a few very dedicated and talented people in key positions over the past several years. However, at the present time, our Chapter is facing a difficult time.

Several Board of Director members have timed out on term limits. Our President, Vice-President, Treasurer and two other Directors will be leaving the Board in June. In addition, some long-term and previously always available chapter members are stepping back for a variety of reasons. So, we will need new members to help with the chapter through the next fiscal year and beyond, including next year’s Regional. Also, we need members to help on the Nominating Committee, a New Location Committee (we need to leave the current Irving location due to funding) and the Awards Committee. PLEASE consider volunteering for a position on the Board of Directors or one of the other very important Committees. Just contact one of the current Board Members and see how you can help.

One of the primary services provided by Chapter 124 is our scholarship initiative. Presently, our Scholarship Committee is at a loss as to why Chapter Members are not applying for the “Fred Tischler/John Erickson Scholarship” program. Please visit the Chapter 124 Website for more information and apply.

Thank you,

Brian Schmidt
President
Chapter 124, NAWCC