[vcf-midatlantic] Epic festivus

[Herb Johnson]

I certainly enjoyed Festivus this year. About 50 people attended, a big 
number for the two rooms in use. The donations and trading was quite 
impressive on both days. Numerous items were examined and repaired 
on-the-fly, which I always enjoy. My personal "laying on of hands" 
contributed to a few successful repairs. And of course it's always good 
to be among my friends and correspondents.

Food was tasty and available through Saturday and bits for Sunday also. 
The grill produced hotdogs and burgers into the evening; and there was 
pasta too. Of course, lots of sweets including homemade.

I took time this year, to look at the Military Vehicle collection at 
InfoAge. The exhibits are professional and well curated (information and 
artifacts). They have a surprising number of WW II and later vehicles, 
particularly Jeeps. And for the train/holiday season, they have a 
N-gauge military rail loop.

About trains: InfoAge includes a model train organization, which 
exhibits two rooms of trains in operation each December. The exhibits 
are always fun to see. Model trains use digital technology to manage 
switches and cars. But there's also a steam-powered model locomotive, in 
current production, based on a early 20th c. train. But the kids just 
like the movement and the noise!

It's a busy campus, and of course there's not enough time during the 
Festivus to see all of the organizations there.

The holiday and train event, the Vehicle and other exhibits by InfoAge 
paticipants, of course bring visitors to the VCFed Museum. The Museum 
operated during the weekend, and looked nice. It's fun to see the Naval 
computer in operation and hear about progress on it. The EAI analog 
computer is moving along, I'm told. I look forward to those and other 
developments next year at the VCFed Museum.

Herb Johnson



-- 
Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA
http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net