I’ve come to Ottawa to visit my mum and take her to a show. So, I reached out to my old friend, Bill Scobie, to see if I could get myself invited for an ops session (I can), and he reminded me that the Ottawa Valley Associated Railroaders would be meeting this evening. Well, I’ve not been to one of their meetings in 30 years, and so I called up the dinner coordinator, Fred Mills, and for a mere $40, I could join them!
I was struck by the longevity of the OVAR format. It is a model railroad club dinner club. There is no layout, no clubhouse, just a monthly newsletter and a dinner that includes a display and a speaker. Sure they have the same challenges as any volunteer-run organization, yet they have survived many changes of leadership and venue over the past 65 years. I was delighted to find about the same number at dinner (100) as I recall at my last meeting.
The display was always a highlight for me, of course. Each month they choose a theme, and I recall many late evenings in my teens to complete my submissions (on at least one side).
Not being aware of the meeting, I had nothing with me, and so I found a toothpaste box in Mum’s cupboard, which happened to be the perfect size, and glued side and end views of the coal car to it. It’s always better to participate than to attend.
I had a superb evening, met many new friends, and reacquainted myself with some increasingly old friends. Ottawa is fortunate to have this association, and if you’re ever in town on the second Tuesday of the month, you should look them up.
Pembroke:87 
I was a member for several years and you’re right: It has a great history and a model fir enduring success. OVAR inspired me to start the Toronto Railway Supper Club in the 2010s.