District IX - 2006/10
GREETINGS from Kansas City! Before I begin this month's column, I want to clarify that we have two Contest Coordinators. If you are a first-time CD, to sanction an event you need to send the paperwork to one of them.
Contest Coordinators
- Judy Gerken — handles the sanctioning paperwork for all RC-related events in the district.
- Mike Tallman — handles the non-RC events in the district.
It seems as though my weekends are nearly booked for the summer with travels to various events in District IX! I am blown away by the warm reception I receive from modelers across the six-state region. Thanks!
Wings Over Wilson (WOW)
One of the largest events in District IX is right here in Kansas. Wings Over Wilson (WOW) has been evolving for several years and is one great time! Last year was my first time to try my hand at slope soaring and if you haven't tried it, you gotta — it's a blast!
Everything you've learned about flying RC is 100% opposite when you go to the slopes. For example:
- Wind is good!
- Weight makes you go fast!
- Throw it with no power source and it goes up!
But one thing that's not different is the camaraderie of fellow modelers. Take a good look at my new friend Loren Blinde from Lincoln, Nebraska. Loren is a fine person who used to CD this event, an avid modeler, and a pretty good pool shark!
Last year Associate Vice President Jerry Tuttle traveled with flying buddy Mark Dennis (yep, he's the person I featured with the Slo-Stik with the camera a couple of months ago) to WOW with me. Jerry couldn't make it this year, so another flying buddy, Jim Maxey, joined us. Jim thought he would try his hand at slope soaring as he had no idea what to expect — just take a look at the expression on his face!
One of the neat things about this great hobby of ours is how those little airplanes get into our blood. Here are three generations of slope fliers: Grandpa Alden Shipp, his son, and his grandson. Alden lives near Lake Wilson and is usually willing to meet you at the slopes if you are traveling through the area.
Food, Awards, and Recognition
I guarantee that you will not go hungry at WOW. On Thursday and Friday evenings, Jack Cooper fired up his grill and fed us burgers and dogs on the house! Thanks again, Jack! Saturday evening is the WOW awards banquet and auction. Prime rib was abundant and outstanding!
I took this opportunity to present Ark Valley club president John Riley with the Leader Club award. If you have been reading my column the last one and a half years, you know how much I appreciate our Leader Clubs, and this venue presented the perfect time to recognize John and his club for their hard work.
That's all the room I have. Next month I want to tell you about my trip to Nebraska for my first Profile Brotherhood event. These people are a bunch of young, energetic, fun-filled modelers who kept me laughing all weekend. We had a ball!
Until next month, have fun and keep in touch!
— Mark
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
