text and photo by Venita Lake
As a result of request through the Gateway Division website, Rick and Venita Lake visited the Center for Creative Learning in the Rockwoods School District in September to talk with a second grade class about their train collection. This was part of a special unit on collections, what different people collect, where they find items, how they store or display their collection, and how they got started.
The Lakes arrived with more than they could possibly show and discuss and were met with a barrage of questions.
The most surprising response was from a young man who immediately recognized the Lakes’ Lion Oil and El Dorado & El Reno Railroad cars because he had played on the Lion Oil softball team in El Dorado, Arkansas, before moving here. Small world!
As part of the World’s Greatest Hobby activities, postal reply cards have been distributed at numerous train events during the past year, including the History Museum, train shows, and the Museum of Transport. The cards ask for feed back on the event and the opportunity to win a free train set in monthly drawings. Somewhere along the line, a card with Venita’s Ambassador number on it was submitted. As a result, Venita has also been awarded a $100 credit at Terminal Hobby Shops. Shopping suggestions are being accepted.
