The Nankin Kid's Club holiday party/contest on December 17th, 2011 marked the end of another successful year of promoting plastic modeling with area kids.   There were three age categories, with a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awarded in each.   The kids enjoyed speaking about their models and were happy with the results.   After the contest we had an IPMS Livonia X-mas party style raffle, and every kid received a model from the club stash, followed by lots of pizza and other goodies.   Following a holiday break, the club has resumed, and will continue until late spring.   Pictures from the event are now posted on the Junior's Page, and more information about the Kid's club is available further below on this page.

Saturday, December 3th, marked the date for the annual IPMS Livonia Make & Take at the Westland Public Library, and our wonderful Library Coordinator, Bernadette Dewyer, reminded us that this was our eighth year hosting the event.   She also told us that ours was the longest running volunteer event the library currently has, and she commended IPMS Livonia and its members for their service and dedication to the kids and the community.   Once again all the spaces were totally filled, and the few cancellations that we had were very quickly snapped up by others, eager to join in on the fun.   There were some returning kids from past years, but I think that most of the kids were first timers.   One little boy I talked to told me that he had never done this before, but he likes to build stuff with Legos with his Dad.   It does seem like a natural stepping-stone!   Of course, this event also marked the conclusion of the annual model display that the club puts together in the library display case.   Once again this is an extremely popular event, and we look forward to doing it again next year at the same time and place.   If you would like to participate, watch for flyers posted in the library in the early Fall to reserve a spot for your child.

Model of the Month Notice:

Once again this year, 2012, our bi-monthly internal model contests will be held on the ODD months, Jan. Mar. May. Jul. Sept. Nov. The idea is to avoid having contests during our social meetings in Feb. & Aug., and besides last year's January blizzard, it worked out well.

The Kid's Club resumes after its holiday break on Saturday January 7th! Be there to join in on the fun!! ALL KIDS AGES 8 - 16 If You Like to Build Plastic Models OR Would Like To Learn How... Join the New NANKIN MODEL CLUB For Kids!!!   (It's FREE) Come in - Sit for a couple of hours and learn how to build models.   Experienced modelers will teach basic and advanced techniques for young modelers of every skill level.   We will help you sellect your models and tools, and guide you as you build! MOMS AND DADS ARE WELCOME TO WORK ALONG SIDE WITH THEIR KIDS AND SHARE THE FUN!! WHEN - Every Saturday, September thru March, 10AM - Noon. WHERE - Nankin Hobby Shop at 9 Mile and Farmington Rd. WHO - Kids, Ages 8 - 16 QUESTIONS? For more info, contact: Bob Blevins (734) 728-1134

Meeting Location Reminder!

Until Further Notice, our temporary summer meeting location, the Old Livonia Pierson Elementary School, Room #5, on 32625 Seven Mile Road, East of Farmington Road will become our permanent location. All future meetings will be held here unless posted differently. Meeting days and times will remain on the second Tuesday of the month at 8:00 PM.

IPMS Livonia Named IPMS USA Chapter of the Year It is official.   IPMS Livonia was named IPMS Chapter of the Year for 2009 at the National Convention in Phoenix, AR.   To be honest, I think we were all surprised.   Surprised may not exactly be the right word.   Shocked may be closer to the truth.   I myself had not given the chapter of the year award much thought.   I think that most of us sitting around the table at the Columbus Nationals thought that it was probably our one chance, and since we didn't win that year, our future chances were slim, given the sheer number of good chapters out there.   So when the call came in that someone saw something on a web thread that Livonia was Chapter of the Year, it definitely wasn't expected news!   It was barely a day later that we received confirmation, and emails began flying between Livonia members.   All of us at IPMS Livonia feel truly honored to be named Chapter of the Year.   The following are statements from our President and IPMS National officials: Ian, It is my great pleasure to inform you that IPMS Livonia was announced as the IPMS Chapter of the Year for 2009 at the banquet in Phoenix. Dick Montgomery, President International Plastic Modelers Society Congratulations to Ian Dow and the great guys at IPMS Livonia.   Earlier this year they won IPMS Region 4 Chapter of the Year and last weekend, they captured the highest IPMS Chapter Prize- IPMS/USA Mike Rastiatello National Chapter of the Year!!!!!   It's great to have it back in the best region in the country! Great job Livonia! Dave Morrissette, R4C It is one of my greatest pleasures that I get to accept this award for the IPMS Livonia Chapter.   We are a relatively small club with limited resources who are devoted to the betterment of the hobby, and winning this award is a great honor for our club members and myself.   This award nicely crowns our two years in a row of achieving Region 4 Chapter of the Year.   I want to personally thank Bob Blevins and his son Travis who spend every weekend helping young kids find the joy of model building.   The club members each rotate time and talent into helping out the Kids Club, but Bob is the one who runs it every week and is the one who has made it what it is.   I would also like to thank all of the other members who helped make this possible. Sincerely Ian P. Dow President IPMS Livonia

IPMS Livonia Club Officers

President     -    Ian Dow Vice President   -    Rick Forys       Treasurer     -     Steve Freeman Secretary   -   Ed Findysz

Not long after Jerry's PT 109 was posted on the club website, we were contacted by Mr. Frank Andruss, Director of The Mosquito Fleet Exhibit, which is a traveling display based near Springfield, Massachusetts.   Frank had run across the PT 109 article, and inquired if Jerry would be willing to build another 109 for his exhibit.   Jerry tells us, "I was flattered and responded that I could do better than that, I'd be willing to donate it outright to the exhibit".   Following a short e-mail exchange, the 109 shipped out to the east coast at the end of May, where it arrived safely in one piece, and is now on permanent display with The Mosquito Fleet Exhibit. The display, founded by Frank J. Andruss Sr, of Feeding Hills, MA, is a compilation of PT Boat service artifacts and is probably one of the largest collections in private hands in the country.   Its chief objective is educating the public about the roles these small wooden boats played during World War II.   The exhibit is run totally by out of pocket expense, but Frank is proud to take part in preserving this part of Naval History. Frank has many rare artifacts in the exhibit, including training manuals, design plans, ammunition, helmets, flags, pins and patches, posters, boat models, photos, maps, and souvenirs brought back by PT Boat crew members.   He even has a 1500 horse Packard Marine engine, but seems most proud of the uniforms he has on display.   These include the uniform of Gerard Zinser, who served on PT 109 with Lt. John F. Kennedy, and was the last living member of the original crew who survived the collision that sank the boat.   This uniform is actually the only known uniform in existence that belonged to a PT 109 crewmen.   He also has artifacts from PT 41 Skipper Lt. John D. Bulkeley, who rescued General MacArthur from the Japanese in the Philippines, and was awarded the Medal of Honor. Andruss, now 52, became interested in PT Boats back in 1967, when as a ten year old, his Dad suggested he watch the movie PT 109.   He tells us, "I never even knew what a PT Boat was back then, but decided to see what our 35th President did during the War.   After that movie I was hooked."   Frank has also authored a book on the subject, "Building the PT Boats: An Illustrated History of U.S. Navy Torpedo Boat Construction in World War II", published by Nimble Books, LLC, and available on Amazon.com.   The book has received very favorable comments by on-line reviewers. The Mosquito Fleet Exhibit has recently finished a yearlong stint at the Springfield Museums, and is currently making several smaller appearances during the summer months.   If you are interested in the exhibit, or would like more information, please contact Frank directly at mosquitofleet@comcast.net. Exhibit photos courtesy Frank Andruss

2011 Model of the Month Final Standings

#1	Tim H.	43
#2	Paul R.	30
#3	Travis B.	18
#4	John K.	16
#4	Steve G.	16
#5	Ian D.	13
#5	Jim A.	13
#6	Ed F.	11
#7	Bob O.	10
#8	Mike A.	6
#9	Dominic B.	4
#10	Bob B.	3
#10	Rick F.	3
#10	Al V.	3
#11	George S.	2
#12	Chris N.	1

Repeating for his second win, our champion this year is Tim Howell! The Tim Dynasty has begun! Congratulations Tim!