District IX - 2011/05

148 MODEL AVIATION
ORVIN FOSSEN, F-M Skylarks’ 2010
president, sent me this report about how
AMA can help out in a time of need.
“The F-M Skylarks Control Line club
has been around for more than 50 years, and
we have dealt with everything from floods
to encroaching development. Our field is
owned by the City of Fargo, North Dakota,
as a part of the parks system, and is
maintained by the Fargo Park District.
“As a club, we can do almost anything
we wish to enhance the site. The spring of
2010 brought another flood for us to deal
with, and after years of flood waters taking
their toll on our circles, we decided we
needed to redo the centers of our circles and
part of our Carrier deck. As club president at
the time, I contacted Troy Lapp, our District
IX associate vice president, and asked if we
could get any financial help from AMA.
“After filling out and sending in disaster
assistance paperwork, the club received
$500 to help with our concrete work. The
photos show what has been accomplished by
our club members, with the help from AMA.
We once again have a first-class CL flying
site, and our field is open for all to fly.”
Jim Varno, F-M Skylarks’ 2011 vice
president, follows up with what the field
means to the city of Fargo.
“Over the holidays each year, our
family is exposed to the movie It’s a
Wonderful Life. The movie is about
George Bailey who doesn’t appreciate
what he has until he almost loses it. I see
the movie relating to our life in the USA;
the easier our life is, the less we seem to
appreciate it and take it for granted.
“Most of us as F-M Skylarks realize we
have one of the best flying fields in the
USA. What started as a weed field, the
City of Fargo and the Skylarks club have
continually updated (for more than 50
years) to a park with two paved circles,
one grass circle and a Carrier deck with
concrete centers.
“The grass is as well maintained as
most golf courses by the Fargo Park
District, and because of this the park is
used for a multitude of other family
recreations. Taking a day off to fly and
sometimes just read a book or just take a
nap at the field rejuvenates me to face the
rest of the work week.
“Looking at the location of the park has
opened up a whole new world for many of
us. Being within the City of Fargo, the
park is near Paul’s Model Supply for any
needed repairs or supplies. Many
restaurants and supermarkets are close for
needed refreshments as is the downtown
shopping.
“The field is next to the Red River for
excellent fishing and a paved bike/
rollerblading path that goes on for miles.
Several picnic tables and well-maintained
portable toilets add to the enjoyment.
“Over the years, my family has come to
appreciate and love what the City of Fargo
and the Skylarks have done for us. Next
time you come to fly, take advantage of the
park; it’s not just for flying. Take a whole
day to just come and enjoy what the park
has to offer.”
A sample of the flood damage in Fargo.
Proud F-M Skylarks fliers.
The Grand Island Modelers on their way to
the annual Lincoln, Nebraska, auction in
their Lincoln stretched limo as reported by
Jim Stulken, club president. A very nice ride
to talk about the good deals we all made on
the way home afterward.
The Grand Island Modelers in Nebraska
travel in style! Left to right are Bill Boord,
Tom Lambert, Jay Haile, Mac McGinnis,
Dennis Tjaden, John Boord, James
Laudenklos, and Bob Dekok.
The Jefco RC Auction has become quite a
tradition in Colorado, drawing participants
from across the globe. The three-day event
requires a lot of work to pull it off in a
professional way.
Some of the Jefco volunteers who make the
annual auction a success.
A small sample of the auctioned items.
Jim Wallen
Vice President
7322 W. 82nd
Way
Arvada CO 80003
Tel.: (303) 421-
9061
www.amadistrictix.
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: Norm Berger,
[email protected]
Contest Coordinator:
Mac Strader, Overland Park KS;
[email protected]
District IX Volunteers
District IX
Jim Wallen, District IX Vice President; [email protected]
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
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