Miniature Enthusiasts of Ottawa P.O. Box 185, Station “B” Ottawa, Ontario  K1P 6C4 MEO Meeting May 7, 2008 The meeting was called to order at 7:45 by President Marlene Thomas.   She thanked Harriet and Lynne for stepping in to chair the meetings in her absence. Membership Secretary Judy Kingsley reported that we have 4 new members:  Carol Keyes, Marlene Chapman, Vivian Seguin, and Terri Coleman, and 1 guest, Colleen Conway. Treasurer Carly St.Laurent reported that our income from the raffle was $72 and our expenses for the 30th anniversary were $654.57 for the month of April. Librarian Joanne Smith announced that American Miniaturist for May and Dollhouse Miniatures for May/June were now in. The workshops for May 14 and 28 will be a small rolltop desk by Christina Dierckx for $18.  Bring your toolbox.  The workshops in June will be a Doll with a Secret by Linda Beaupre. Harriet Farmer reported that the London gathering was a great success and that next year’s gathering “A Little Mystery” will be held in Peterborough.  She also announced that we now have a website: MEOminis.com. Membership renewals are due next month: $20 for an individual and $30 for a family at the same address. Coreen Atkins-Sheldrick will be giving a talk to the Metcalfe Women’s Institute on July 19 at a Grandmothers’ Tea about dollhouses and miniatures and would like people to join her in a display of miniatures to go along with it.  Please contact her (613 821-3950) if you are able to display something. The June 4th meeting will be a combines annual meeting and a 30th anniversary celebration.  Refreshments will be provided by the executive.  The program will be Then and Now.  Everyone please bring in your early miniature items and some recent items, showing either a difference in skill or interest.  You won’t have to talk about them, just bring a sign with dates to go along with the display. Lynne Patterson as chair of the nominating committee including Hope Finestone and Joan Plouffe, presented the slate for the 2008-09 year. President                               Harriet Farmer Vice President                       Christina Dierckx Secretary                                Bobbi Walker Treasurer                                Lynne Patterson Correspondence                      George and Marg Burbidge Membership                            Judy Kingsley                                                Joanne Smith Workshop                                Christina Dierckx                                                 Linda Beaupre Library                                     Judy Smithson                                                 Mary & Steve Reid Marlene thanked the nominating committee for a job well done. Announcements The Club has been given a table at the Ottawa Summertime Miniature Show to be held at the R.A. Centre on June 22nd.  Please see Marlene if you will be able to help out at the table or display something, probably ½ or ¼ scale unless we are given another table. If you wish to enter a vignette in the SuperEx August 14-24, pick up an application soon as it must be in probably early July. Jan Sheridan brought in information from the Country Quilter in Richmond, a great source of miniature prints in cotton fabric.  The address is: 3444 McBean ST., just across from the Richmond Bakery. The raffle for May and June is a lovely clock case by Renaud Prefontaine.  George Burbidge sold the tickets this month. Harriet conducted the Show and Tell. Barbara Greene-Flindall guest-lectured at Algonquin and she brought in an article written about that, as well as an article on her coming out in the June Miniature Collector.  She brought in one of her ¼ scale houses which was shown at the Philadelphia show and won 4th place in a Peoples’ Choice.  Having spoken with Barbara Aardema, editor of Miniature Collector, Barbara and Harriet agreed to write an article about our Club. Harriet Farmer brought in some items from the London Gathering: a centerpiece made by Pat Kennedy, a silver footed dish by Don Henry, a wristwatch by Lori Ann and a cake stand made of paper. Linda Beaupre brought workshop pieces from Steve’s and Hope’s workshops, painted furniture by Gayle Baillargeon and Karen Bowman, a crate with a tealight lantern, and the little girl and her doll she taught at the Gathering. Diane Sodja brought in her finished witch’s house turned into a wizard’s laboratory. Coreen Atkins-Sheldrick brought in a collection of knitted items, early attempts to recent fine-scale sweaters.  A head start for next month’s meeting! Steve Reid brought a ceramic chimney pot from Portugal as well as a lovely tile which inspired his painting a kitchen cupboard from a workshop by Christina Dierckx. Judy Kingsley brought in a card table and miniature books made for her brother-in-law. Shirley Lahey brought in her completed kitchen cabinet, some lovely plants and geraniums. Christina Dierckx brought a clock case, some furniture from the Chicago Show, samples of Hope’s and Steve’s workshops, and a church roombox made as a gift for her son’s friend who was just ordained. Julie Dewar brought her finished “Miniaturist’s Workroom” and a reupholstered chair. Barb Martin brought in some mouse pads with matching rugs in miniature which she bought at ROC’S Cards and Gifts, 249 Elgin St..  They may also be available at Radio Shack (the Source). After the Break, we were treated to another Wisdom from the Workshop round table. Christina Dierckx brought her Dremel and showed how to use it to make moldings and various trims. Shannon Smith showed how to make porcelain-looking flowers from Sobo glue and wire. Renaud Prefontaine demonstrated lighting a roombox using 12 volt adaptors, a terminal block, auto bulbs and telephone cord wires.