On the Net
* To learn more about the Georgia Mountain Modelers club, go online at www.mountainmodelers.org.
* For more on the International Plastic Modeler’s Society, visit www.ipmsusa.org.
* To learn more about the Georgia Mountain Modelers club, go online at www.mountainmodelers.org.
* For more on the International Plastic Modeler’s Society, visit www.ipmsusa.org.
Members of a local modeling club pieced together something impressive for judges during a recent national competition.
And they didn’t need glue or paint.
The Georgia Mountain Modelers won the award for national chapter of the year at the event Aug. 19-22 in Columbus, Ohio, where it competed against 243 other clubs across the country.
Club president Keith Pruitt said the Cumming-based group had never received the honor before, though it had won for the Southeast region in 2006.
The International Plastic Modeler’s Society plays host to the national convention every year, evaluating chapters based on community representation, outreach and promotion of the hobby.
Pruitt said the secret is “the members we have ... the fellowship, the camaraderie, the sense of purpose ... we have a wonderful group of people.”
Club Treasurer Perry Downen said it’s an honor to have been chosen as the chapter of the year.
“Of all the IPMS clubs in the U.S., we were selected as the best, and that’s great.”
Downen said judges at the convention “look at all aspects of modeling ... everything.”
He said Georgia Mountain Modelers features a lot of variety in its models. Downen, for one, tackles World War II aircraft and armor models.
Club vice president Chris Mobley prefers firetrucks.
Mobley said members were “surprised we won, but we figured we were going to do well.”
“We stay pretty active and do a lot with the community,” he said.
Pruitt said community involvement includes “Make-N-Takes,” which are model workshops for children.
“We help kids build a snap-kit model, and they get to take it home with them,” Pruitt said. “Projects like that are rewarding.”
Children who find an interest in the hobby are welcome to join the club. Pruitt said the group has members of all ages, “from 9 years old to 76.”
Pruitt said he was excited for club members when he heard the news last weekend.
“For our chapter, this means we are the best modeling club in the nation,” he said.
And they didn’t need glue or paint.
The Georgia Mountain Modelers won the award for national chapter of the year at the event Aug. 19-22 in Columbus, Ohio, where it competed against 243 other clubs across the country.
Club president Keith Pruitt said the Cumming-based group had never received the honor before, though it had won for the Southeast region in 2006.
The International Plastic Modeler’s Society plays host to the national convention every year, evaluating chapters based on community representation, outreach and promotion of the hobby.
Pruitt said the secret is “the members we have ... the fellowship, the camaraderie, the sense of purpose ... we have a wonderful group of people.”
Club Treasurer Perry Downen said it’s an honor to have been chosen as the chapter of the year.
“Of all the IPMS clubs in the U.S., we were selected as the best, and that’s great.”
Downen said judges at the convention “look at all aspects of modeling ... everything.”
He said Georgia Mountain Modelers features a lot of variety in its models. Downen, for one, tackles World War II aircraft and armor models.
Club vice president Chris Mobley prefers firetrucks.
Mobley said members were “surprised we won, but we figured we were going to do well.”
“We stay pretty active and do a lot with the community,” he said.
Pruitt said community involvement includes “Make-N-Takes,” which are model workshops for children.
“We help kids build a snap-kit model, and they get to take it home with them,” Pruitt said. “Projects like that are rewarding.”
Children who find an interest in the hobby are welcome to join the club. Pruitt said the group has members of all ages, “from 9 years old to 76.”
Pruitt said he was excited for club members when he heard the news last weekend.
“For our chapter, this means we are the best modeling club in the nation,” he said.