District II - 2012/02
Outgoing Vice President
Outgoing District II Vice President Gary Fitch is handing over the reins. He wrote:
"It is still November as I write this to let District II members know I have assumed the duties of executive vice president as of January 1, 2012. I owe a great deal to District II in the many friends I have made during the last four years. I want to thank you for letting me be part of your hobby/sport and for all of the support you have given me, including your votes.
"I have asked one of my associate vice presidents (AVP), Eric Williams, to step up and become the interim vice president for the district. Many of you already know Eric, and for those of you who don't, he is an intellect, a modeler, and a person who deeply cares about our members, clubs, and pastime. I know you will show Eric the same courtesy you did me.
"In the meantime, I will still be in the region but working nationally, supporting the president. My door, so to speak, is always open to each of you should you have any questions or needs. I leave you in great hands!"
—Gary Fitch, AMA Executive Vice President (EVP)
Hurricane Irene and the Schoharie Valley Crop Dusters
Aeromodelers are resilient. Hurricane Irene devastated many Northeast communities last fall. One such community was picturesque Schoharie, New York. Disastrous flooding damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes in the upstate county. The Schoharie Valley Crop Dusters (SVCD) RC club was not spared. Anything that could float was swept away, and the club also sustained runway and entry road damage.
The SVCD wasted no time and everyone pitched in. Nearby clubs offered their fields during rebuilding. Work parties built new pit stands, replaced fences, and the club's salvaged tractor was rebuilt by club vice president Jay Mattice.
With the help of an AMA Club Disaster Relief Grant, the field was flyable again. At the club's reopening fun-fly, member Gerald Havery, who lost his home in the flooding, stopped by for food, flying, and friendship. This is what model aviation is all about!
Several AMA clubs applied for and received Disaster Relief Grants following Hurricane Irene.
Disaster Relief Grants and AMA Programs
AMA has numerous programs to help promote, support, and build your club. Information about these programs is available on AMA's website at www.modelaircraft.org under the Education and Members and Clubs sections. Take advantage of these great AMA programs!
Swap Meet Season
Swap meet season is in full swing. Swap meets are a good way to raise funds for your club or local charities, and a great way to meet new friends.
Two long-running, successful District II events this past November were:
- The Whitman Flyers swap meet in Melville, New York. Club president Steve Robinson and his helpers did great; "Tablemaster" Frank Mauceri squeezed in extra tables to accommodate the sellout.
- The Garden State Circle Burners (GSCB) swap meet in Wayne, New Jersey. GSCB president Ron Testa and his crew put on another great swap meet.
Be sure to put these events on your calendar this fall!
WRAM Show
Important news: the 44th annual WRAM Show will be moving to an exciting new venue — the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey. The event will be held February 24–26, 2012. Find out more at www.wram.org.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
