District I Report - 2003/07

July 2003 147
JIM SEMONIAN: I have received word
that Jim Semonian passed away in March. I
have very little information other than it was
quite sudden and unexpected. Jim had been
in the hobby for many years and was one of
the first to manufacture a line of mufflers
and tools, Semco Products.
Jim was an Associate Vice President
(AVP) for many years and he will be
missed.
AVP: Because of Jim’s passing, there is an
opening for an AVP for Massachusetts and
there has been an opening for one in
Vermont.
If anyone would like to be considered for
one of these vacancies, let me know.
Scale Fly-In: Mike Doucette sent the
following material to me.
“On September 29, 2002, the Central
Massachusetts R/C Modelers Inc. hosted an
AMA-sanctioned Scale Fly-in at the club
field in Westborough, Massachusetts.
“The weather was as good as one could
hope for—sunny and not too warm, with a
light breeze blowing down the runway.
What a great day for reviving this event that
has been in hiatus for the past three years or
so.
“Seventeen pilots registered, entering 16
handsome airplanes. Not a bad turnout for
an event planned on short notice and not
heavily advertised.
“Jim Sbrogna served as the Contest
Director, with able assistance provided by
Tom Kozewski and Harvey Thomasian.
They reported no complaints, and everyone
present had a good time. No crashes
occurred, and only two aircraft suffered
minor damage.
“We had a canteen service provided by
the capable crew of Janice Lindvig, Cheryl
Buckley, and Nancy Buckley. There was
plenty of food and beverages, all well
prepared.
“Many spectators came to watch and
partake of the canteen. The good weather
allowed everyone to get in plenty of flying
time. They all showed exemplary piloting
skills and the aircraft flew in a scalelike
manner.
“The registered pilots did the judging
after all flying was done. Categories were
civilian and military.
Contestants and aircraft included:
Mark Hamilton, J-3 Cub
Alberto Vasquez, Aeronca Champion
Jim Sbrogna, Gee Bee Y
Gus Deltwas, Cessna 210
Mitch Buckley, Cessna 210
Mitch Buckley, P-47 Jug
Tom Kozewski, Fleet PT-6A
Jack Buckley, Texas Hurricane
Jack Buckley, Hawker Sea Fury
Ron Sivonen, P-51 Mustang
Ron Sivonen, F4U Corsair
Ron Sivonen, P-47 Jug
Ruane Crummett, Texas Hurricane
Russell Miller, J-3 Kitten
Pete Hadamovsky, Bristol
Frank Bove, Supermarine Spitfire
Gerard Perreault, Curtiss JN-4 Jenny
Winners in the military category were:
First: Ron Sivonen, P-51
Second: Tom Kozewski, Fleet
Third: Ron Sivonen, P-47
In the Civilian category, winners were:
First: Jim Sbrogna, Gee Bee
Second: Russell Miller, Kitten
Third: Mitch Buckley, Cessna
“First through third place in each
category were presented with handsome
certificates and a gallon of fuel. All
contestants took home a bottle of CyA
adhesive, though happily, none would need
to use it right away.
“Ultimate RC Warehouse in Franklin,
Massachusetts, contributed prizes.”
Nancy Buckley, Cheryl Buckley, and
Janice Lindvig (L-R) at the grills.
The officiating crew of (L-R) Jim Sbrogna,
Harvey Thomasian, and Tom Kozewski.
Russell Miller assembling his J-3 Kitten
with help from Mark Hamilton and Harvey
Hjelm.
Ruane Crummett is preparing his Texas
Hurricane (foreground) and Jim Sbrogna
is preparing his Gee Bee Y in the
background.
Tom Kozewski prepares his Fleet (L) and
Mitch Buckley works on his Cessna 210.
Text and pictures by Mike Doucette.
This column is being written on April 7,
and the weather is cold and a snowstorm is
predicted for later today. There has been
some flying done so far this year but the
conditions were not very good as the fields
are still muddy.
I hope that this cold spring will transition
to a very nice summer and all of you have a
successful and enjoyable flying season.
District I Report
Associate Vice Presidents
M.C. McGuffin, 116 Hillview Avenue, Houlton ME
04730-2312
Harry S. Newman, 36 Sherwood Drive, Hooksett
NH 03106-1077
Richard Sherman, 30 High Street, Plymouth NH
03264-1223
Andrew Argenio, 3 Sheila Ave., Smithfield RI
02917
Bob Wallace, 91 Sylvan Street, Avon CT 06001-
2230
Frequency Coordinator
Joel Chappell, 21 Billings Street, Milford NH
03055-3906 Tel.: (603) 673-6240
Connecticut / Maine /
Massachusetts /
New Hampshire /
Rhode Island / Vermont
Don Krafft
Vice President
PO Box 1828
Duxbury MA 02331-1828
(781) 934-6248