Fifty years. One-half century. By any measure, that is a long time and that is precisely how long one model club in the beautiful rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania has existed.
The Laurel Highlands Model Airplane Club was formed in 1964 when a handful of modelers flying in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, got together to enjoy their passion for model aviation. Between 1964 and 2014, club membership grew and several flying fields were used.
Today the club has more than 110 members and flies at a beautiful field located at Mammoth Park in Westmorland County. The club celebrated its rich history with a fly-in/open house on August 30, 2014, and a formal dinner banquet on November 2, 2014. District III Associate Vice President Leo Rodriguez attended the fly-in on August 30 and offers this report.
The Laurel Highlands Model Airplane Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with an invitation to the community to come and see what RC modeling was about. Renee Marquis, club president, along with announcer Mark Withrow, educated the public about the club and its members
Tony Kistner and Tim Batlow provided music entertainment that made a beautiful day at the field even better. Spectators enjoyed model aviation up close and even participated hands-on with help from the club instructors with transmitters on buddy boxes and trainers at the ready for all who wanted to give RC a try. By all measure, the day was a big success for the club to celebrate its rich history and promote model aviation to the local community that has supported their club for 50 years.
On November 2, 2014, I attended the formal dinner banquet to help the club celebrate its accomplishments. After a nice dinner, Renee Marquis gave a speech on the origins of the club that grew from a handful of modelers to more than 110 members today.
I gave a presentation illustrating the history of AMA from 1964 to today and on behalf of AMA, I presented a District III Service Award plaque showing appreciation for all the positive promotion of model aviation by the club and its members. Various awards were presented to club members who helped make the club what it is today.
In all, it was a great evening and a great year for the Laurel Highlands Model Airplane Club. Judging from the quality of the club and its members, I would predict that in 2064 the club will celebrate its 100th anniversary.
Congratulations and thank you Laurel Highlands Model Airplane Club for promoting model aviation in such a positive and professional manor.
That’s it for this month. Let’s get busy building new models and be ready for spring.[dingbat]
