Herebis one for you; our bookstore manager at the Western Railway Museum tells me that because he sells Thomas stuff in the children's corner that the store is having a very good year.

We just ran our Pumpkin Trains and the kids flowed in and went nuts over the Thomas stuff.

It really cracks me up to hear the parents get on the Sacramento Northern Interurban and tell the children about the choo-choo trains.

But spend the money wisely; I understand Thomas is no longer on the PBS on a nationwide basis. And a lot of local stations can't afford him without the national help.

Ted Miles

ted_miles@nps.gov

Sir this is SO true!

As a former member and volunteer at one presevation group that DID NOT have a clear goal for the entire membership, it not only drove volunteers and members away, it also stopped a steady stream of funding that the public enjoyed and was willing to plunk down their good money to enjoy.

The overall health or any preservation group needs to look at the far bigger picture of maximizing both the visitors and voluteers enjoyment...or you will not have either.

jferris@sbcglobal.net

> It really cracks me up to hear the parents
> get on the Sacramento Northern Interurban
> and tell the children about the choo-choo
> trains.

> Ted Miles

Ted:

It would crack me up too, if it weren't so sad a statement. Killing the fatted calf never works for the long term.



rogerc38@aol.com