This month our Chapter Spotlight is on IPMS PLASTIC SURGEONS WEST DES MOINES, IOWA . All material is submitted by Chris Rhiner, Social Director IPMS Plastic Surgeons.
We are a diverse and colorful group of modelers. Our skill levels vary from basic to IPMS National award winners. In the proudest tradition of the hobby, the accomplished pass on their knowledge to the amateur. Models completed by club members vary from prolific to glacial. Some of us complete one model annually. Other members arrive to our alternate Thursday meetings with four or more completed projects. Interests run the full gamut of subjects from aircraft, armor, autos, figures, ships, and sci-fi.
Our membership of 28 is not from any one category of life. We are blue collar, professional, and entrepreneur. We could be soft spoken, intense,or eccentric. Our current president hails from near Hannover Germany. Our VP is from the United Kingdom. The club secretary knocks out a fine newsletter (limited to one page both sides) called "Doc Talk". Of course the treasurer keeps a tight rein on the checkbook. Our webmaster keeps us all informed between meetings on the IPMS-Plastic Surgeons.com website. The remainder of the membership endeavors to bring excellence and enthusiasm to our favorite brain vacation-(hobby).
We serve the community with make and takes which are self-sponsored. We hold an annual contest (14 in a row now) which attracts modelers from 6 to 7 states. At that contest all junior entries (18 and younger) are free and all win an award. Our judges grand award is named in honor of a WWII US Marine veteran . In addition, we contributed to the WWII Submarine Memorial which is being build on the Iowa capital grounds. Recently, we sent kits to Iraq and other military installations.
If enough members can make bail money, we meet on alternate Thursdays at 7:30p.m. at Great Hobby Adventures in West Des Moines, Iowa.
