| Old Timers Radio Club |
| The annual fleamarket in Shediac put on by the Moncton Area Amateur Radio Club (MAARC) was held on Saturday, September 19th, 2009 at the L.J. Robichaud School. Sellers set up their tables well before the buyers entered at 10 am. There was a great crowd there and everyone seemed to be having a good time with the usual chin-wags taking place everywhere. The social aspect of a radio fleamarket is always more important than the sales end anyway. I think this is what attracts so many folks. As usual, home-made sandwiches, sweets, and drinks were offered at the food table run by Pat Gillis VE1PAT while husband Bill Gillis VE1WG seemed to be very busy collecting money and making announcements about door prizes and other things during the morning. Club president, Marcel LeBlanc VE9ML and his crew directed by Warren MacKnight, VE9MA had the table takedown and setup crew well organized and directed and did a great job in that department. In just about two hours time, vendors started packing up their tables and carting out the various unsold items to their vehicles in the back parking lot. A few stayed behind to help move and arrange tables and chairs back to and in the cafeteria area. The Old Timers Club (OTC) had a table set up and run by club president Bill Anderson VE9UH and secretary treasurer Roger Belliveau VE1RV. They were joined by former secretary treasurer Frank Graham VE1ATS. Webmaster Jim Cleveland VE1CHI was running a seller's table nearby. Peter VE1SM helped out greeting old timers members as they came to the table. A sign-up sheet was available and will be added to the website once received from the club secretary. Roger will scan this in and email it to me. As far as numbers are concerned, I did not hear any official statistics in this area but I will be getting a summary report from Bill Gillis, VE1WG and will add it to this page. I cannot begin to list all of the old timers members I saw there so Roger's list will be quite helpful to me. From a personal point of view, the fleamarket was well-run and was an enjoyable experience. It is always great to meet those whom you generally only know as a voice on the air. Thanks go out to the members of the MAARC who worked very hard to make this fleamarket a success. A special thanks to Bill Gillis VE1WG, the Fleamarket coordinator, who sent me the photos below and the copy of the MAARC QTC Bulletin. And thank you all from the Old Timers Club! ~OTC Webmaster VE1CHI, Jim C. |
| The 2009 Shediac Fleamarket |
| The OTC Club Executive L to R: Webguy Jim VE1CHI, Secretary Roger VE1RV and President Bill VE9UH |
| Additional Photos and Info from Bill Gillis, VE1WG |
| Travis McCluskey, VE9TM enjoying eyeball QSO with fellow hometowner, Pat Lizotte, VE1KIT, Grand Falls NB. |
| Carol Morin and Pat Gillis, VE1PAT, dish out the goodies at the Canteen under direction of Travis, VE9TM. |
| Jim Guilford, VE1JG, displays his fascinating collection of Morse code keys, including a rare Marconi model. |
| Bill Wallace, VE9WW, discusses aspects of semi-automatic Morse code keys, universally known as "bugs" with interested visitors. |
| MAARC President, Marcel LeBlanc, VE9ML and his brother Club member, "JP" LeBlanc, VE9BK, skillfully man the "Check-in Desk" as two lady visitors check-in. |
| "Skipper" Gerry Doyle, VE1KB, back from a summer of sailing on the Bras d'Or Lakes chats with group of his friends. |
| The main floor is full as attendees view the exhibits. |
| Dennis, VE1TU enjoys an eyeball with Lloyd VE1VEI. |
| Along with Gerry, VE1KB, Frank, VY2FG (VE1ATS) gets in for a close look at Bill Wallace's "bug" display. |
| Everyone enjoyed seeing Joyce Sherwood present including long time friend, Lee Cunningham, VE2QA. |
| QTC Newsletter Bulletin To All MAARC, Inc. Members It been very gratifying to hear many favourable on-air and in-person comments about the Annual MAARC, Inc. Flea Market held at the LJR High School in Shediac on Saturday, September 19th. MAARC members can take pride in having staged another successful event. A detailed report will be filed with the Club Secretary and a brief verbal review will be given at the Club's September meeting. Club Treasurer, Bob Kirkpatrick, VE9VAR, will submit a financial statement. This special QTC Newsletter Bulletin is intended to list and acknowledge those who contributed time and effort in making the MAARC, Inc. 2009 Annual Flea Market a successful and enjoyable event. It was a very commendable effort and sincere appreciation is extended to those who volunteered and gave their support. Omer Caissie, VE9TV - Arrangements with School Board for rental of LJR HS Don Boudreau, VE9FG - " " " " " " " " " Dale Gallant, VE9WX - Provision of sound system. Warren MacKnight, VE9MA - Organizing crew on table setup and takedown and assistance on drawing tickets for prizes, etc. Travis McCluskey, VE9TM - Organization and operation of canteen Carol Morin Assisting with canteen. Pat Gillis, VE1PAT " " " Marcel LeBlanc, VE9ML Registration desk and assignment of tables JP LeBlanc VE9BK " " Wayne Gillcash VE1RR VE9-VY2 QSL Bureau David Cochrane VE9QED " " " " Hinson Calkin VE9CX " " " " Bob Anderson VE9BMA " " " " Lou Nickerson VE9LMN " " " " Bob Kirkpatrick VE9VAR Managing 50/50 Draw and ticket sales Lorna Steeves ) Edith Gillcash ) Pat Gillis VE1PAT ) Molly Kirkpatrick ) Contribution of sandwiches Marie Calkin ) Joan McKnight ) Barb Anderson ) Those who worked on Warren MacKnight's crew on table set up and dismantling include: Bob Anderson VE9BMA Hinson Calkin VE9CX Dick Steeves VE1XL Wayne Gillcash VE1RR Larry McKnight VE9ASB Gord Morton VE9MM Travis McCluskey VE9TM Marcel LeBlanc VE9ML JP LeBlanc VE9BK Dave Cochrane VE9QED plus a number of vendors who assisted restoring tables. That the MAARC Flea Market was a financial success is unquestionably due to the dedication and support of many Club members. Special thanks to all who assisted in anyway. Bill Gillis VE1WG Coordinator * * * * * |
| Bill Gillis, VE1WG - Vice President of the Moncton Area ARC and the hard-working Coordinator of the 2009 Shediac Fleamarket. Thanks from everyone involved for another great fleamarket, Bill! |