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The Editor of Rural Missouri newspaper came to visit us, took a bunch of pictures of the layout, and within three weeks his very well written, two full-page article with a few pictures was published. I asked him not to include our address, telephone number, or email address, and he complied. Nevertheless, really interested people, as was my intention, have found ways to contact me. In just a few days I have received numerous emails (forwarded to me by the Editor) and phone calls as several people found our number on the internet or the phone book.

 

Right now we have people coming to look at the layout for the next four days, including a field trip for a fourth grade school class (and it won’t be the last such visit), and a group of senior citizens. Several others will be coming the following week. We have plenty of experience in serving Judy’s delicious morsels to our guests, but are now concerned about what to serve, in anything, to the school children.

 

Have you ever entertained a group of youngsters from a school or other organization, and if so, what did you do as far as offering snacks and drinks?

 

Thank you for your help.

 

Alex

 

PS. One thing I will be giving our guests after they sign our guestbook before hey leave, is the tri-fold brochure I made on my train set.

Last edited by Ingeniero No1
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Experience has shown it depends upon if they will be viewing/touching anything after the treats (and this applies to old guys as well), nothing greasy like pizza.

Will they be walking with beverages may be a concern.

Fruit snacks, chips, brownies, pudding, etc., have worked.

If the treats will be after the viewing anything goes.

 

One thing may be no coats in the room due to snagging items accidentally.

 

Do have a friend whose child does have peanut issues, that may be something to consider.

 

No doubt the enjoyment you will give and receive from this will make any troubles you encounter pale in comparison. Keep us posted.

 

Who knows, you may even get follow up requests from kids to bring their parents for a visit!

Last edited by Lima

I might pass on snacks and refreshments. Sadly, it opens up liability in this litigious world of today.

 

I think bottled water may be the best to provide, when requested only.

 

It's not family and friends, so your natural hospitality will grind at you. I don't think the visitors would be offended.

 

If you can't resist, contact the group supervisor and pose the same question and get their guidance. 

 

It's very nice of you to provide some entertainment and promote the hobby.

Originally Posted by Moonman:

I might pass on snacks and refreshments. Sadly, it opens up liability in this litigious world of today.

 

I think bottled water may be the best to provide, when requested only.

 

It's not family and friends, so your natural hospitality will grind at you. I don't think the visitors would be offended.

 

If you can't resist, contact the group supervisor and pose the same question and get their guidance. 

 

It's very nice of you to provide some entertainment and promote the hobby.

Excellent points. We did one where they brought the treats along on the bus.

All I could think of was the post a few months back about the guy that had a visitor drop a piece of chocolate cake on the track and the head engine ran thru it along with a few cars.

 

I agree the people that replied to your question.

Although have something to snack on or drink is being a gracious host sometimes it may not be the best thing.

Maybe you can serve some snacks and drinks away from the layout and as they are heading for the door.

 

Should be a good time with the Kids.

Originally Posted by Mike CT:

You also may want to check your home owner's liability insurance.  There can be issues that an event like this generates that are beyond home owner's insurance.  Wonderful experience for most, but there is always the: what ifs?? IMO

Mike CT

Does the school carry coverage for it's outings?

Originally Posted by Lima:
Originally Posted by Mike CT:

You also may want to check your home owner's liability insurance.  There can be issues that an event like this generates that are beyond home owner's insurance.  Wonderful experience for most, but there is always the: what ifs?? IMO

Mike CT

Does the school carry coverage for it's outings?

You would kind of think that way, most logical, IMO. But unfortunately, again IMO, the legal system seems to seek the money sources, where ever they may be, fault not to be determined. IMO again.  Mike CT

 

I took the advice that several of you offered and called the school principal, who had contacted me in the first place. He did not think it would be a problem to offer simple snacks.

 

I believe we will have two or three different kinds of 'store purchased' cookies (Oreo, etc.), small cans of drinks, and water. Judy is disappointed, but understands that it is best not to offer her home made goodies. We will offer the snacks once we are back upstairs after they have looked at the layout.

 

And yes, I think Jim McCarty did a great job with the article - he covered a lot of information in not too many words.

 

Alex

In today's world it's a jungle out there from when most of us grew up. As for even having groups over, a call to your agent, as noted earlier, is never a bad idea. As for snacks, Only pre-wrapped snacks and drinks (the pouch kind) this way nothing from your house contaminated anything in case little princess gets sick.

 

Good luck! Have fun! Cover thy a**!

Originally Posted by Ingeniero No1:

I took the advice that several of you offered and called the school principal, who had contacted me in the first place. He did not think it would be a problem to offer simple snacks.

 

I believe we will have two or three different kinds of 'store purchased' cookies (Oreo, etc.), small cans of drinks, and water. Judy is disappointed, but understands that it is best not to offer her home made goodies. We will offer the snacks once we are back upstairs after they have looked at the layout.

 

And yes, I think Jim McCarty did a great job with the article - he covered a lot of information in not too many words.

 

Alex

Remember,,,,,,NO PEANUTS!!!!!!! Too many kids have "peanut allergies". Also, I have found it best to have no "snacks" around the layout, just beer.  Anything to be eaten is served OUT of the room where the layout is. In our case that would be downstairs, as the layout is upstairs.

The peanut thing is good advice.

Still has anyone noticed that if you look on a dessert menu at pretty much any restaurant, you'd highly unlikely to find any brownie deserts that don't have nuts in them?

My wife has minor peanut (along with a bunch of other stuff) allergies and we've seen desert menues that have NO non-nut-content items at all.

You'd thing in this day of nut allergy scares, you wouldn't be seieng more nuts in restaurant desserts...

 

As for kids, I knew a guy with a traction layout he used to do school tours of. And had had a handrail on the entire public side of the layout. Kids had to be holding the rail at all times, and he said the touching (and breaking) of stuff along the layout edge dropped to nothing the day he started requiring kids hold onto the rail.




quote:




Still has anyone noticed that if you look on a dessert menu at pretty much any restaurant, you'd highly unlikely to find any brownie deserts that don't have nuts in them?

My wife has minor peanut (along with a bunch of other stuff) allergies and we've seen desert menues that have NO non-nut-content items at all.

You'd thing in this day of nut allergy scares, you wouldn't be seieng more nuts in restaurant desserts...





 

You probably already know that peanuts aren't nuts. (Certainly your wife could be allergic to both peanuts and true nuts)

 

I can eat peanuts, but I am allergic to true nuts.

I guess lots of foods are made with nuts because people (who can eat them) love them.

I developed my allergy as an adult, I wish I still could.

It is very rare that I will eat a homemade dessert or baked goods.

And I read labels. I'd bet your wife does too.

Originally Posted by p51:

The peanut thing is good advice.

Still has anyone noticed that if you look on a dessert menu at pretty much any restaurant, you'd highly unlikely to find any brownie deserts that don't have nuts in them?

My wife has minor peanut (along with a bunch of other stuff) allergies and we've seen desert menues that have NO non-nut-content items at all.

You'd thing in this day of nut allergy scares, you wouldn't be seieng more nuts in restaurant desserts...

 

Love brownies without nuts. Don't usually get dessert, but if there is Lemon Crème Cheesecake it is always possible if funding allows. Great layout and article Alex!

Alex,

Don't you dare hand out any of Judy's pies. This will break my heart if she gives pies to other folks.

 

Seriously, I had a friend that lives in Shelbina, MO call me about your article in Rural Missouri. He is sending me a copy of it also.

 

Anyone that is interested in seeing one GREAT layout needs to see yours. Hope you and Judy have a great time with all of your visitors.

Last edited by Roger Wasson
Originally Posted by Hot Water:
 Too many kids have "peanut allergies". Also, I have found it best to have no "snacks" around the layout, just beer.  Anything to be eaten is served OUT of the room where the layout is. In our case that would be downstairs, as the layout is upstairs.

Hot Water your scaring me. He is talking about having kids over, wouldn't water be a better option.

Last edited by suzukovich

Great article!  I'm late to the suggestions, but I would vote for home-made chocolate chip cookies and small bottles of milk.  If they don't want milk, let them drink water.  Not too messy, nutritious, and avoids most allergies.  Serve after them have seen the layout if possible.

 

Have fun and please give us a report afterwards.

 

Art

Originally Posted by John Korling:
Originally Posted by paperboys:

Is your insurance coverage up to date and does it cover large groups of people descending upon your property? 

 

If that question was a genuine concern for the property owner then make the visitors sign a waiver. 

Can't do that for minors.

Insurance coverage for someone with large groups coming with some frequency is nothing to be laughed off. Anyone who has groups coming or has op sessions really needs to discuss this with their agent for liability limits.

Yeah, it's funny now or you think it's no big deal, but when you have a claim, it won't be funny at all then. Many liability laws have no bearing on if you're actually at fault for something when it comes to where the medical coverage comes from if there's an accident, even when its proven you had nothing to do with it.

Insurance is one of those things that people:

  • All think they understand
  • Don't understand
  • Are incorrect with almost everything they 'know' about insurance

Don't ask someone else unless they work for your insurance company. Anyone you ask otherwise will just be equally clueless.

If you feel you still want to maybe contact the school but not to sound rude or what have you it sounds liked you really were trying to avoid this so the serving of refreshments really shouldn't be on you and actually a gift should be offered to you and your wife for your hospitality as they hunted you out. Yes I know its a thrill for most model railroaders to share there pride and joy layout it should be you offering it not people contacting you asking unless your a place that does it for special groups and all. Just my 2 cents I'm glad you and your wife are so grateful to allow and want to serve refreshments but to me it shouldn't be your responsibility now if it was a monthly club meeting where you went to different members places each month yes 

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