September 22, 2015
Meeting was called to order by King Lion Mel Thompson and opening given by Lion Jerry Erickson.
We welcomed Paul McMillan who was thought to be a guest, but were delighted when he was given his membership card and pin. Welcome to the Club.
Mel’s Questions:
- The French/Indian War was called what name in Europe? The 7 years war.
- What were the names of the 2 generals killed in the Battle of Quebec? Montcalm (Frenchman) and Wolfe (Englishman)
- On this date in 1776, who was hanged by the British? Nathan Hale. (He was accused of being a spy)
We received a letter from the Washougal Lions Club announcing their 75th anniversary celebration being held on October 10th. For those interested, please contact Lion Gerry Schaefer.
Rain Derby: Sell, Sell, Sell. We are in the final month for sales.
Lion Paul Dean volunteered to be the new chair for sight and hearing. Thank you.
Lion Seppo has contacted Debbie Luther regarding shirts with both the Lions Logo on the front and the Rain Derby Logo on the back. He will provide additional details when available.
Don Fiene fell and had surgery to remove a blood clot. He is in rehab in Olympia.
Today’s Program
Chris King, employed by Harbor Hydrolics and a lifelong steam engine enthusiast, spoke today of the restoration of #45, the Steam Engine purchased in 1908 by the Polson Logging Camp and used in various capacities until the early 1960’s. For the nearly 40 years, it made its home at Last Spur Park on Lincoln Street in Hoquiam. Unfortunately, in 1998, the engine was given to the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railway. Plans for it’s restoration went awry and the engine was sold to Steam locomotive collector, Chris Baldo. From 2012 to late 2014, negotiations between Mr. Baldo and the Polson Museum Board (Aided by generous support of Tim Quigg and his cousin George Donovan) the museum was able to return the #45 to Hoquiam in June of 2015.
Chris is the lead in this restoration and had many stories to tell. It is the intention of the group to restore the engine to working order, not just a cosmetic fix that makes it look good. In doing so, the Railroad Camp Building on the Museum property becomes a working, breathing exhibit of what a logging camp was.
For further information, please use the following links:
http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/02/15/historic-polson-logging-locomotive-return-harbor/
http://www.polsonmuseum.org/building2.htm
https://www.facebook.com/Polson-45-restoration-424544021053460/timeline/
The winner of today’s pot: Tracy Pelan, who was not present to collect.