AMA News District IX - 2009/05

May 2009 149
BRENDA SCHUETTE, the associate vice
president (AVP) from Auburn, Kansas,
sends us this insight into CL activity in her
area.
“We did it again! The Topeka Control
Line Association (TOPCLASS) celebrated
the New Year by flying the old year out
and the New Year in. With special
permission from the City of Topeka Parks
Department, several of our members met at
our flying circle in Gage Park around
11:30 p.m. on December 31 to get their
planes ready for the last/first flight of the
year.
“This is a tradition that our club started
in 1988. While the number of participants
has varied over the past 20 years, this is a
tradition that we have found enjoyable and
hope to continue for many more years.
“This year we had four pilots on the
circle before midnight. Unfortunately, at
11:59 p.m. the wind decided to take out
one of the planes leaving three to survive
until the clock struck midnight signaling
the beginning of 2009.
“Including the spectators who arrived to
help us celebrate the event, there was a
total of 14 participants. Weather is not an
excuse for not attending this event. This
year it was a blustery 23 degrees and the
wind was blowing at least 15 to 20 mph.
Needless to say, the guys put up their
flights, packed up their gear, and off to
IHOP we went for some hot chocolate,
breakfast, and a lot of visiting.
“Another tradition that TOPCLASS
provides us is to get together on New
Year’s Day for more flying and
camaraderie. Although only three of our
members were able to make it this year, we
can say that the tradition has been carried
on. What a wonderful way to start the New
Year.
“TOPCLASS wishes you and your
families a very Happy New Year!”
David, Jordan, and Kyle love CL even in
chilly weather.
Monthly morning Float Flys at Standing
Bear Lake are one of the highlight
activities of the Omahawks in Omaha,
Nebraska. Richard Behrens sends us these
photos of the event to give us a sense of
the pure enjoyment.
Mark Smith, our new executive vice
president, developed a great working
relationship with Dick and the Omahawks
years ago and sends his best wishes for the
club’s continued success.
Gale Sherman with his homemade PBM-5
Mariner and twin O.S. .70 FSs.
Tim Peters with his Sig Sealane and O.S. .40
FX. When it is windy, this type of airplane is
less likely to tip over on water turns than
many others!
Bob Roegge with his 12-year-old, much-used
Goldberg Protégé and O.S. .60 FP engine.
Rescue boat sailors, Matt Myers and Sandy
Thomsen, during May when the high lake
level was 2 feet above the boat dock. At this
event, Sandy also picked out the best
looking airplane. Every Tuesday morning she
greets pilots for breakfast/coffee at the
nearby Hy Vee store.
Club Corner: All clubs need a sense of
stability in order to grow and prosper.
Regularly scheduled club meetings are one
of the basics in fulfilling this need.
Hold a regularly scheduled meeting each
month so the members can get it on their
calendar. If you are fortunate enough, have
the meeting at the same location each month
as well. If you must vary the meeting
location or time, make sure all members are
notified well in advance.
In upcoming columns I will write about
setting up a meeting to keep it informative,
interesting, and useful.
’Till then.
Jim Wallen
Vice President
7322 E. 82nd Way
Arvada CO 80003
Tel.: (303) 421-9061
www.amadistrict-ix.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Steve Culver, Omaha NE;
[email protected]
Fred Hildebrand, Casper WY;
[email protected]
Troy Lapp, Bismarck ND;
[email protected]
Bruce Ream, Highlands Ranch
CO; [email protected]
Brenda Schuette, Auburn KS;
[email protected]
Mike Tallman, Wichita KS;
[email protected]
Jim Tiller, Rapid City SD;
[email protected]
Webmaster: Jim Shaw,
[email protected]
Contest Coordinator:
Mac Strader, Overland Park KS;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator: Steve
Mangles, Denver CO;
[email protected]
District IX Volunteers
District IX
Jim Wallen, District IX Vice President; [email protected]
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
05amanews:11amanews.qxd 3/24/2009 9:13 AM Page 149