Fast forward to March, 2010, and here we have crews on-site removing the ugly stucco.  I was heartened to see signs underneath of what was once an attractive 1920s era building underneath.  I was hoping plans were to clean it up and restore the classic front.   Instead they will be renovating the building and adding stucco again.   Not crazy about that but it’s their property, their prerogative, and I wish them luck bringing tenants just the same.

The show occupies two gymnasiums with vendors in the hallways as well.  Some are local, many have traveled hundreds of kilometers to be present.  Notable in its absence last year, the London N’Gineers are back again with their impressive N-Scale modular layout. Also new to the show is the Windsor Modular Railroad Club’s new N-Scale layout, a “work in progress” you can get involved in at their club’s location in the Market Square building on Ottawa street.

Getting involved in a modular railroad club has several advantages.  The most important one is that one benefits from being vetted by modeling experts who welcome novices into the fold.  Also, for those with space issues, many clubs – like the Windsor one – have plenty of square footage accessible to its members.

Local manufacturing lost to off-shore companies?  Not for notable local artist and Ford retiree Mark Williams, the owner and founder of Imagine That! Laser Art Products.  Mark’s Windsor-made model kits are designed and manufactured right in his newly established Windsor shop, and we were happy to see his products at the show.  This company’s kits include some local landmarks familiar to railfans, such as the Pelton Tower, which was torn down years ago.

Also a show regular is the growing Essex County Historical Society with free literature and book/postcard sales, creating a draw not just for train and model kit hobbyists, but also for fans of local history.

Pictured here is a prototype sample of one of Imagine That’s new projects.  How about that…  a model street car line in the making?   An untapped market in North America.   In time you’ll be able to buy an detailed model kit of a streetcar that ran on the streets of Windsor.  Not bad!

The show continues today and tomorrow.  Admission is $5 for adults.  $4 for seniors.  If you have nothing to do this weekend, this enjoyable show might be the ticket.

No sitting home with the game console for this budding skater as well as many other Windsor families and young couples who came out in great numbers to enjoy free skating at Charles Clark Square – one of Windsor’s great civic assets.

The Windsor International Airshow continues today at the Windsor Flying Club. If you plan on visiting, don’t forget to take Airport road off Walker to the flying club entrance, not the main YQG entrance on Division.

Pictured above – Airshow volunteer, Barry, selling souvenir t-shirts and coins, as well as helping provide information and direction to visitors.

A crowd pleaser with a storied past, Canadian Mitchell B-25 Bomber with invasion stripes.  This plane resides at the Canadian Warplane Heritage museum in Hamilton.

Admission is $20 and well worth the price to see the static displays and enjoy the demonstrations from the flight line.

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