On the Editors Desk .....

Many of you may not be aware that member David Baker was one of the four men that stopped to assist three injured state troopers in a shootout
that occurred in Willington on September 3, 1998.  Putting his own life in danger David was quoted as saying he never gave it a second thought!  David, from all members of the chapter, we thank you.

The 1998 banquet is fast approaching.  This years banquet will again be held in the Presidents dining room at Eastern Connecticut University, Hurley Hall.  Saturday November 14th starting at 6:00pm with a cash bar, veggie and cheese and cracker tray.  Dinner will be at 7:00pm  Remember space is limited and reservations are on a first come first serve basis.  If you have not attended a banquet in the past, you don't know what your missing.  All
members that have attended agree that it is a very relaxed and pleasant evening, with some rather humorous entertainment.  Hope to see you there!

As you know we had received $40,000.00 from the Town of Windham a while back.  Well we are ready to spend it.  The Town recently placed an ad in the local papers requesting bids to erect part of the fencing needed at the rear of the museum site.  Art Hall has been working to request bids
for the additional fencing that will be needed to get the main museum location fenced in.  The first part of the fencing should be installed before year's end!  I will keep you updated as this progresses along.

On a related topic, the old 6-foot fence that was on one side of the site is being removed to make way for the new 8-foot fencing. 

The lay of the land at the rear of the site is a little higher than it was just a few weeks ago.  Several truck loads of fill (and I mean several) have been dumped on the wye to raise the grade to the proper height.  Member Maurice Bisson has been working diligently with his bulldozer to spread the fill and grade the area. More fill is needed, but we have a great start on a very important part of the museum's development.

The Groton Freight House is now water tight, on the roof anyway.  Thanks to Duke York and his team of misfit "Carpenters" (just kidding), the new
roof has been installed.  We can't proceed any further on restoration of this building until the building is located at its new home at the rear
of the site.  Hopefully if the fencing progresses on schedule this may become a reality this year. 

Our track foreman has been working our track crew like dogs!  More ballast has been ordered and delivered to the site (thanks to member Ken Mahler), new ties have been set in place and they have gotten use out of the pneumatic spiker.  Way to go guys.  We have our own Gandy Dancers, and what a jig they have been doing.

{Coming up soon is our} Autumn Rail Excursion.  Our chapter is sponsoring part of this trip and will receive some of the proceeds.  It's our job to promote this trip so, ask your family and friends to hop aboard.  Get your order form in today!

I think I have covered just about everything for this month.  Next month I will report on the banquet and progress of the fence and what's next in the progress of the museum.