The rain subsided and a blustery fall day welcomed nearly 200 members to the meeting. Wayne Paskerian was kept busy registering the latecomers and renewing dues. Harold Lincoln, vice president, helped the more than 35 mart vendors find their tables. Frank Menes, director, and Joe Brown, also director and past president set up the "Silent Auction" table. They were helped from time to time by other chapter members.

Burt Kassap, 1st vice president got the ball rolling for the first seminar at 9:00 with his presentation titled: "Marine Lever Escapement Clocks" He went into the features and benefits derived from this design and the history of America during those early years. About 40 people enjoyed his talk and display of many fine lever escapement clocks. The handouts were excellent.

At 10:00 Ken Pearson, second-generation clockmaker and restorer from Massachusetts, gave an in depth slide presentation and talk: "The First Chapter of Dial Restoration". It included magnificent painted from early grandfather clocks as well as silvered dials. He also was able to show the fundamentals of resilvering. Some 55 people attended. To be sure this is a real art form in addition to most repairs. Not a do it yourself project for the beginner or faint at heart.

Dave Determine, Chapter President, welcomed all of us to the luncheon. A special welcome went out to our 18 guests from Switzerland, led by Fortunat Mueller-Marci, vice chairman of the National Watch and Clock Library at the National Watch and Clock Museum, Switzerland. We also had John Stevens of the Willard House and Clock Museum and his associate as welcomed guests.

Tom Grimshaw, curator and director and President of the American Watch and Clock Museum in Bristol, Conn. Was our luncheon speaker and pleased the more than 100 after the lunch with his slides and comments on The Ingraham Family of Watches and Clocks. The Ingraham family has been the major benefactors of the Museum and a great part of early American clock making for generations. Many of their fine pieces are sought after by collectors. We're fortunate to have them "right in our own back yard" DO YOURSELF A FAVOR and visit this wonderful collection soon. Makes a great day trip from almost any location in the northeast. I've been there twice and will likely visit again this winter.

Just think how much fun it is to attend these meetings. At a modest expense a fine location is provided, rooms for seminars, a MART, socialization, useful contacts develop and a fine meal with notable speakers as well, Usually for less than $20.

Why not make your News Year resolution NOW by attending in January. Bring a friend or a prospective new member. It’s each and everyone of our responsibility to see this continues. We all share in it's future. It’s our future.