Large Scale Central

2009 edition of the American Invasion of Friends

Conventions, Shows, Clubs and Get-Togethers
#41

I think Fred has it right.

"The Official Canada Website http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5082-eng.html#s2x5" said:
Alcoholic beverages

If you meet the minimum age requirements of the province or territory where you enter Canada, you can include limited quantities of alcoholic beverages in your personal entitlement. These items must accompany you on your arrival.

Minimum ages for the importation of alcoholic beverages, as prescribed by provincial or territorial authority, are as follows:

* 18 years for Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec; and
* 19 years for Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

You are allowed to import only one of the following amounts of alcohol free of duty and taxes:

* 1.5 litres (53 imperial ounces) of wine;
* 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of liquor;
* a total of 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of wine and liquor; or
* 24 x 355 millilitre (12 ounces) cans or bottles (maximum of 8.5 litres) of beer or ale.

Note
The CBSA classifies “cooler” products according to the alcoholic beverage they contain. For example, beer coolers are considered to be beer and wine coolers are considered to be wine. Beer and wine products not exceeding 0.5% alcohol by volume are not considered to be alcoholic beverages.

The quantities of alcohol you can bring in must be within your exemption limit set by the province or territory where you enter Canada. If the value of the goods is more than the free allowance, you will have to pay both customs and provincial/territorial assessments. In Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, you cannot bring more than the free allowance of alcohol. For more information, check with the appropriate provincial or territorial liquor control authority before your arrival to Canada.


DANG! Matthew is 18. He can’t legally buy liquor in the US untill 21, but if he was 19 he would qualify us for another 24 bottles!

#42

You mean I can’t share? :wink:

#43

2 cases of beer, the border cop told me…but according to that it’s one case.

Luckily Iced Tea is as much as you want…:wink:

#44

Border cop probably thought a 12 pack is a “case” :smiley:

#45
Bruce Chandler said:
You mean I can't share? ;)
Hmm... So long as you drink at least as many as you bring, I think you will be OK. Just be sure to report how much you drank to the US Customs agent on the way home :D
#46
Jon Radder said:
Bruce Chandler said:
You mean I can't share? ;)
Hmm... So long as you drink at least as many as you bring, I think you will be OK. Just be sure to report how much you drank to the US Customs agent on the way home :D
In all our trips North, I have never been asked by the US Customs on the way back, "So how much did you drink?" On the drinking or eating, I don't think I have ever gone over "my limit". I have overused my lot of allocated "Amps", but they have never checked me for it or asked questions. But then, I'm not Ken and I travel with Jan.
#47

The last time I came through US Customs, the officer was very curious about what I was carrying in my kayak. When I told him it was wet, dirty skivies, he seemed to loose interest. :lol:

#48

Steve,

You said - “When I told him it was wet, dirty skivies, he seemed to loose interest.”

I think it would have bothered me more if your statement made him more interested.

#49

Any pics of the “Invasion?”

#50
Steve Featherkile said:
Any pics of the "Invasion?"
Plenty of past ones. This years hasn't happened yet....................;)

http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=9217

http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=7664

http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=7661

http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=7663

http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=4750&p=6

#51

Ken has about covered it. The 2009 edition will begin in a couple of weeks. Preps for this event are well documented at the OVGRS (Ottawa Valley Garden Railway Society) website.

http://www.ovgrs.org/

Great group, great food, great friendship and always a great time.

#52

Thanks for the memories, Ken. It was great reading through those posts - they just remind me of how much I have to look forward to this year.

I’ve got a few other pictures over on my web site: http://www.jbrr.com/html/events.html While we missed the 2004 Invasion, we did get up there to visit and run that September.

I talked to one of my friends and he asked how one got an invitation. I told him you just send Fred a note and show up. That’s what we did. :wink: Now you can’t stop us and we’ve now been regular visitors since the 2005 Invasion.

A bit over two weeks. I’ll be ready to go!

#53

If my memory serves me correctly (which it seldom does, nowadays) this has to be, at least, my 10th year traveling to Fred’s. What started out as a friendly invitation from Fred to see his layout has grown beyond belief. That year it was just me and the OVGRS gang. The next year it was me, Bart Salmons and a few others. Every year I’m simply amazed at the number of people that show up for this event. It’s a tribute to the hospitality and friendships we’ve acquired with our Canadian friends over the years. As Bruce said so eloquently “Now you can’t stop us…”!

I know it’s big when my wife asks me every year when the Fred thing is so she doesn’t plan anything for that weekend…:wink:

#54

“Fred’s Thing”, “Marty’s Thingy” - that’s why it is called the “American Invasion” (coined by one of the hotel clerks). Fred likes to make it sound a little better as the “American Invasion of Friends”. I’ve liked “Merican Invasion”. That way we can just change one letter and go the other direction. :wink: Anybody know of any Garden Railroads in me-E-co?

#55

Latest update of the intinarary of the “Merican Invasion” -

Gentlemen; Visitors and guests.:

We are planning on two full day operations, this year, for the Annual Invasion of Friends.

In order to let the let the local guys and gals know what locos or equipment to bring; we decided to send this message.

The Friday operation will be a “Standard Gauge” operation. Most of the SG guys don’t seem to mind what locos or vans are used in their operation, so anything goes; and after the operation, there will be a period of "Run-what-you-brung’.

Saturday will be a “Narrow Gauge” operation, using the NG equipment, and STEAM LOCOMOTIVES (Steam profile electric, and Live Steam). Again, after the operation will be a period of “Run-what-you-brung”)

All this means that after the operation on Friday afternoon/evening, the rolling stock will have to be put on trays and returned to the storage sheds.

We all hope that everyone will enjoy the opportunity to run both styles of equipment, and will have two great days of fun and comradery.

On both Friday July 17th, and Saturday July 18th, the setup, and operation will start around 09:00. Please try to be here to help set-up.

See you all in two weeks time…safe travelling…

 Fr.Fred

Time to start packin.

#56

Now, what the heck did I do with my passport…??

#57

How about an update on attendees?

I know: Ric & Jan; Ken; Jean & I.

Jon - did you finalize plans? Can you still get off?

Any one else?

#58

Add a fellow from Rochester NY (New), John and Linda Spencer, Roger, Terry Foley from England, The other fellow from NH…can’t remember his name but it will come to me…Never heard from Bob…

#59
Bruce Chandler said:
Jon - Can you still get off?
I might be old , but not that old :D :D

Yes. our plans have been finalized. My vacation time was never officially approved, but they know I’ll be gone. They can’t say much as they owe me almost 10 days of comp time.

Passport cards arrived in plenty of time. I ordered up new tires for the trailer and we’ve confirmed our campground reservations at the old same place. Started working on the RV this weekend, emptying out the car parts, getting tires changed, firing up all the systems and a complete top to bottom cleaning. This will be it’s first outing this year. We leave late next Friday, stopping in Buffalo for 4 nights. We’ll travel to Ottawa a week from Wednesday arriving late in the day. We should be at Doug’s for the Thursday run.

Gotta finish cleaning then pack the bheer and beef. If there’s time, I’ll make a carrier for the Shay and bring it along.

#60

Bruce;

Dave Ottney, is the fellow from Rochester, and Don Howard from Vermont.