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2008 NKPHTS CONVENTION
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Steven Myers, Chairperson
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Contents
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2008 CONVENTION INFORMATION
The Lodge at
Sawmill Creek Resort
Huron, Ohio October 9-12, 2008.
"...Here, in the midst of beaches, resorts and rural countryside the railroad operated dock facilities through which thousands of carloads of coal and ore passed annually."
Eric Hirsimaki, Winter/Spring 1988 NKPHTS Magazine
The 2008 Convention Committee welcomes you to Huron, Ohio, "A Great Lake Place" and a great place for the 2008 Convention of the NKPHTS. The original Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway built the Huron Docks and they became one of its most important terminals. Though not as busy as in years past; the docks are still in use and served by today's Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway.
The Convention venue and official hotel is The Lodge at Sawmill Creek Resort, on U.S. 6 just west of the Rye Beach Road exit of Ohio State Route 2 and only 7 miles from Exit #118 on the Ohio Turnpike (I-80/90) (Google Map here). Sawmill Creek is a full-service resort with award winning facilities, restaurants, golf, everything you would want for a real vacation to go along with your Convention attendance. Most Convention events will be at Sawmill Creek and under one roof.
The Norwalk Group of NMRA Division 4 will have their HO scale modular layout set up and operating in one room, with vendors tables arranged around it. If you have HO models; you will be welcome to bring and operate them. Contest models will be displayed, where possible, on that layout in realistic settings. The meeting room will be immediately adjacent and easily accessible throughout the Convention.
As the keynote event of the Convention, Sawmill Creek's own charter boat, the "Sawmill Explorer" will take members (weather permitting) for a half-hour cruise along the Lake Erie shore to enter Huron Harbor as a mariner and see the remaining facilities from the water. We will disembark from the boat at Huron's downtown Boat Basin and board a bus there to go onto the docks themselves for a close-up view. We will then visit other W&LE/NKP-related locations in the immediate area.
We hope to see you in Huron this October.
The 2008 Convention Committee
Steven J. Myers, Chair
Dennis Brown; Robert Caywood; Jeff Gray; Steve LaConte; Jim Semon; Mike Schafer.
Special thanks to Bruce Dicken, Paul Emch and Kay Esker.
Schedule of Events (meeting rooms as indicated):
Thursday, October 9, 2008:
- Registration for guests staying at Sawmill Creek, self-directed activities such as golf, shopping, or restaurants.
- Set up of vendor tables, model contest entries, modular layouts (if meeting space is not in use on that evening) (Pontiac Room).
- Social hour at one of the Lodge cocktail lounges or restaurants.
Friday, October 10, 2008:
- 8-10 AM: Set up of vendor tables, model contest entries, modular layouts (Pontiac).
- 10 AM: Opening of Convention registration and vendor tables (Hiawatha Room).
- 11 AM: Presentation by naturalist, Erie MetroParks (family activity)(Hiawatha).
- 1-6 PM: Semi Annual Board of Directors Meeting (Willows Room).
- 1-4 PM: Organized activities for members, spouses, families, etc; including tours to Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve (next door to Sawmill); Erie MetroParks facilities, antiques, shopping, etc.
- 3 PM: Model contest judging (Pontiac)
- ?: Alternate date/time for Sawmill Explorer Cruise, if required.
- Starting at 3 PM: Speakers, Presentations, Slide Shows, Films scheduled throughout the afternoon or early evening, visitors will be encouraged to attend (Hiawatha and Willows).
Saturday, October 11, 2008:
- 9 AM: General Membership Meeting (Hiawatha).
- 1 PM: Sawmill Explorer Cruise to Huron Harbor. Disembark and ride bus to tour Huron Docks and other railroad locations.
- 7 PM: Banquet at the Lodge at Sawmill Creek Resort. Keynote speaker envisioned to be representative(s) of the Huron Historical Society to present their Huron Docks program. Award presentations and auction to follow.
Sunday, October 12, 2008:
- Vendor tables and modular layout break down and removal (by 12 Noon).
- ?: Alternate date/time for Sawmill Explorer Cruise, if required.
For phone reservations, call 1-800-SAWMILL. You will be asked to provide a major credit card number. Your credit card will not be charged at the time of your registration.
For online reservations, visit http://www.sawmillcreek.com. Because of the anonymity of the Internet, your credit card will be charged for only ONE night at the time of your online reservation.
Individual registrations are to be received by the Lodge by September 9, 2008. Rate will be $126 (single or double occupancy), subject to 6.5% sales tax and 5% bed tax. Be sure to mention the NKPHTS Convention when making your reservation.
Please consider the advantages of staying at Sawmill Creek as opposed to neighboring hotels:
- Hotel rates in the area are still "in season" (Cedar Point amusement park is still open on weekends in October).
- Rates at nearby hotels may be nearly as high for a lesser-quality room, and you would be taking a chance with availability. Rooms are ready for us here. If our block of rooms is filled, additional rooms will be at the same discounted rate.
- Most convention activities will be under one roof or on the property.
- Plenty of things to do, on the property and immediately adjacent to it.
- It is a NICE place to have the Convention.
Convention Registration Forms are not yet available. Please check back.
To download this information as a Word (.doc) file, click here. For a PDF file, click here.
Information subject to change.
Related Links:
(All will open in a new window.)
Modelers' Information; Contest Forms
The NKPHTS logo and the name "Nickel Plate Road" are registered trademarks of the NKPHTS, Inc.