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Model citizens Celebrity intervention helps save a local model railroad club from possible demise BY THOMaS KELLY
Well established as a pitcher for Bordentown High softabll, Katelin Hoppe has really stepped up at the plate in her senior season, boosting her batting average by more than 100 points.
In the field or at the plate, Hoppe how far it would ‘doing all’ for Scotties’ softball you go if they
The senior pitcher has fol- O’Leary. “She’s a great kid. She lowed her twin sisters Allison is always trying to improve and When Katelin Hoppe gradu- and Erin Hoppe up through not only is she key for us on the ates from Bordentown Town- the ranks from Little League mound, but she’s been a great ship High School in June, it will through Bombers travel ball and hitter in our lineup as well. Most be the end of an era for the Scot- into high school. All three were recently she’s been in our 4 ties softball program. on the team for her first two spot, so she’s kind of doing it all “It’s gone by so fast,” said years of high school, and Hoppe — offensive and defensive.” Hoppe. “I can’t believe it’s has made a huge impact over Hoppe was forced into a big already almost the end of the the last three seasons. role earlier than expected. When Welcome to looking Capital“She Health. season, but we’re really just works hard,” said her sister Allison was injured See HOPPE, Page 10 forward to playoffs this year.” Bordentown coach Nicole When someone you care about is sick, you’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they get the best care. And so do we.
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Model railroading is an imaginative endeavor. It appeals to the mechanical, scientific and creative mind. Building the world surrounding the train tracks is a fun challenge. The train can run through cities, small towns and countryside. There is a model railroading club in Rocky Hill, that has been steaming down the tracks since 1964, meeting at least once a week and building towns, bridges, tunnels and mountains. In a basement of a Cape Cod house in Rocky Hill, the Pacific Southern Railway Club has been a home base for model railroad enthusiasts. The 30-member club meets weekly and hosts periodic open houses for the public to see their miniature world of transportation. The club was nearly wiped out last fall when the owner of the house, Carlton Pate, died after a long illness. His widow Anne, wished to move out of state to be closer to family, and the home with the model railroad looked likely to be sold. When word of the plight of
the railway club reached a certain local couple, everything changed. The railway has been more than saved. It has been enhanced. Comedic actor and writer James Murray and his wife, Melyssa, happened to be looking for space in the Princeton area for Melyssa’s her burgeoning handmade candle business. After they read a story about the Pacific Southern Railway in the Wall Street Journal, they went to have a look at the home. Murray is a lifelong model train aficionado, and, after seeing the layout in the basement he knew this would be a great fit. Melyssa’s younger brother is also a train enthusiast, so she was familiar with the lure of model railroading. “When I saw the railroad layout in the basement, I was floored,” James says. “I mean it just kept going. The basement is bigger than the home! There is no way that the railroad could be moved. Relocation was not an option, as it would have destroyed 90% of the layout.” The couple agreed to purchase the house. They took possession in April, but they did not wait until then to inject new life into the club. Since they became involved, the club has launched a new website as well as a new membership program. “Murr” is known as one of the See TRaiNS, Page 7
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