Evening star., 1941-03-09
Hobbies and
lobbyists
Bv Edmond Henderer.


Nearly every one is interested in
collection of miniatures OF some
variety. In some cases such a col
lection is started because the COL
lector does not have room for the
full-size objects, and again it is the
sublimation of a childhood desire
for the thing represented. Mrs.
Robert c. Valentine, 1905 Kansas
avenue NV. may fall in the lat
ter group, although differing some
what.
AS a child she always wanted a
dog without being permitted to
have one. When able to decide such
things for herself, she became a
dog owner and has had dogs for the
past II years. There are two in her
home today, one of which, while
still a young dog, is blind. One
is a Spitz and the other a Spitz-
Pomeranian cross. 1t is very in
teresting to see how the blind one
can run around the house without
humping into things.
After having had real dogs for
so long, Mrs. Valentine started
about five years ago to collect dog
miniatures. She now has some $50,
with the greater number displayed
in a small bookcase. The others
are scattered over the entire house.
Several of them are antiques which
have belonged to the family over so
years. Included with the more
priced ones are two Of Chelsea
China. Some have been acquired
on vacation trips around the coun-
try and as far afield as Canada.
Novelty pins and note paper deco
rated with dogs are also in the
collection.
A somewhat unusual touch is pro-
vided by a number of mechanical
dogs. and visitors take great de-
light in winding them up and
watching them perform. These toy
dogs take Mrs. Valentines hobby
out of the Just another collec-
ton" class by giving it the right
leaven of humor.
BY arrangement with National
Capital Parks, the Washington
Model Yacht Club has secured the
use of the Red Cross Lodge" for
storage of its boats. This building,
which has only been used as a tool
shed in recent years, is located south
of the Rejecting Pool, near the West
Potomac golf course. The acquisi-
ton of this storage space assures us
that washington will not be de-
prived of one of its most colortul
sights. that of these graceful yachts
skimming across the quiet waters OF
the Rejecting Pool.
The ION annual banquet Of the
WASHINGTON Ship Model Society,
held recently at local restaurant,
was attended by rs persons. An ex-
cellent dinner and Well-balanced
entertainment were provided. Dur
ing the dinner, Toastmaster Ken
meth Foote called upon the members
individually to read a series OF poems
prepared in advance by Paul CARRIER
and previously not seen by the mem
bers. These poems were in the ma
ture of an introduction for each
man.
The more formal part OF the en-
tertainment started with an inter-
esting talk by Carlton Skinner, rep
resenting the Maritime Commission.
This was followed by a sound film
on the present growth of ship-build-
ing in America. The program was
concluded by Jack Willett, an eX-
professional magician and member
of the society, who astounded his
audience with his deft tricks, OF
Scientific experiments, as he called
them.
MI. Foote formally presented the
society with two cups to be used IN
perpetual competition among the
members. One, given by Mr.. Foote
himself. is to be awarded annually
to the member building the best
model from raw materials, and the
second, given by Marine Models, il
to be awarded annually for the best
model built from any kit. The do
nors hope that this will further
stimulate model construction among
the members.