District IX - 2010/08

August 2010 167
FOR THOSE of us who live in chilly
District IX, the flying season finally kicks
off with the “granddaddy” of flying events:
the Joe Nall.
This year’s affair exceeded expectations
with every type of giant scale aircraft
imaginable. The South Carolina weather
behaved well and the huge crowds were
thoroughly entertained with the daily flying
exhibitions. The AMA tent was a gathering
place for members and the AMA
merchandise tent was well attended also.
The AMA merchandise tent and the AMA
pavilion are always located under the huge
oak tree that donates a lot of free shade
from the South Carolina sun.
The food was mouthwatering and
there was a good turnout for the
AMA membership meeting at the end
of the day.
If you have not have had the
opportunity to attend this event, go
out of your way to get it on your
2011 calendar. You will not be
disappointed!
I want to send out a special thanks to
Michael Verzuh’s generous
contribution to AMA. Not only did
Michael donate, but he took the time
and effort to contact his
employer, Ball Corporation, to
match the contribution under the
company’s matching gifts to
nonprofits program.
If you would like to donate to
AMA, see if your employer
might have such a matching
funds program.
Two cornerstones in District IX
have taken their last flight and
will be missed but not forgotten.
Joe Dolan was a longtime
Denver, Colorado,
police officer,
designer of aircraft,
and a fixture at the
flying fields having a
great time with his
brother Jim.
Gayle Jackson,
also from the Denver
area, has left us as
well. He was a valued
member of the
Society of Antique
Modelers and devoted
to vintage FF designs.
Gayle was an avid
aviation photographer
as well.
We will keep both
of them in our hearts.
Jim Wallen
Vice President
7322 W. 82nd Way
Arvada CO 80003
Tel.: (303) 421-9061
www.amadistrict-ix.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Steve Culver, Omaha NE;
[email protected]
Zac Heskin, Garrison ND;
[email protected]
Fred Hildebrand, Casper WY;
[email protected]
Bruce Ream, Highlands Ranch
CO; [email protected]
Brenda Schuette, Auburn KS;
[email protected]
Mike Tallman, Wichita KS;
[email protected]
Jim Tiller, Rapid City SD;
[email protected]
Webmaster: Jim Shaw,
[email protected]
Contest Coordinator:
Mac Strader, Overland Park KS;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator:
Steve Mangles, Denver CO;
[email protected]
District IX Volunteers
District IX
Jim Wallen, District IX Vice President; [email protected]
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
Club Corner—Some clubs seem to prosper more than others. Do you every think
about the reasons why? Let me name a few.
Regularly scheduled meetings help. They keep the membership on the same page
and provide an arena for socializing.
Do everything you can to keep your flying site. When sites go away, the clubs
tend to go away as well. Lay the foundation with the community early to help the
situation.
Invest in youth. Some would argue that we lose youth when they discover cars
and dating. In many cases this may be true, but the investment now pays dividends
in the future. Many come back to our hobby later in life.
Remember Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn painting the picket fence? Make
work days at the field fun. Play a little music such as Whistle While You Work. Bring
in some pizza. Make it a social event. Maybe you can increase that notorious “10%
that does all the work” to 25%.
Brothers Phil (L) and Craig (R) Trowe are regulars at this event.
Phil is from Arvada, Colorado, and Craig hails from Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma.
The flightline extends as far as the eye can see!
The Super Bee is always a fan favorite. It floats like a kite
yet can handle all the loops and rolls you can give it!
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