District I Report - 2009/08

ON MARCH 29, 2009, I attended the Art
Alfano Scale Show at the Congregational
Church in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. I have
attended this event on several occasions and
each year it just gets better. This year Art
celebrates his 20th year of hosting this event
for his AMA club, the 495th R/C Squadron.
This has always been an invitational
event and its success depends on Art’s
relationships and knowledge of the very best
scale builders in New England and their
superb models. Considerable effort and
planning goes into the invitations to provide
a variety of masterfully built models for the
show.
Nearly every type, category, and era of
scale models filled two large rooms.
Monoplanes, biplanes, triplanes, sport,
civilian, and warbirds were represented, as
well as some exceptional model boats.
A venue of this type allows AMA
members with similar interests in scale
modeling, to view the craftsmanship of the
districts very best builder, and to engage in
discussion that leads to a sharing of ideas
and construction techniques.
Ultimately, this special event ensures for
the future of this very important area of our
hobby-sport: scale model building. There is
recognition that in spite of the market of
ready-built models, that there will always be
people, such as those in attendance at this
event, who find that building models is the
most enjoyable aspect of the sport for them.
I am sure that Art’s events have inspired
and motivated many to discover the rewards
and pleasure of building scale models. To
add to the celebration, it was my pleasure,
on behalf of the Academy of Model
Aeronautics, to present to Art a beautifully
engraved plaque inscribed with “This AMA
District I Appreciation award is presented to
Arthur Alfano for twenty years of advancing
the mission of the AMA by Bringing
Modelers Together at events that promote
the sport of aeromodeling,” and a cash
award of $100.
Art is part of the small community of
AMA members who volunteer their time and
energy year after year to plan, promote, and
run events for the enjoyment of others. These
are special people whose efforts disserve
recognition. Congratulations, Art!