District VII-2011/08

154 MODEL AVIATION
I HAVE OFTEN suggested to clubs that
they might think about getting involved in
their community. The reason for that is to let
the public know the clubs are in existence
and are a part of the community. This can be
helpful should the time come when a field
site might be in question.
The following is one example of what
can be done with a little cooperation. It all
started as an idea, like so many other things,
on how to get recognized in the community
and to spread the word of our hobby/sport.
Ken DeBoer and Chet Merwin, along
with others, decided what and how to get
started. The event was to promote the
American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in
Portage Lake, Michigan.
Other clubs were invited to participate
and four accepted: the Hedgehoppers RC
Flying Club, Three Rivers Aerobatic Aces,
Thunderbirds R/C Club, and the Schoolcraft
Skyhawks.
Also involved was the local hobby shop:
Hobby-Sports. Walmart was contacted and
volunteered outside space for setups. Store
manager William Lancaster was responsible
for getting it done. Here are some shots of
the event.
Great job by all the folks involved in
getting the idea off the ground. From what I
saw being present and the comments I heard,
it appears that the future looks very
promising in expanding the event
throughout the area. Photo credits Chet
Merwin, Luis Espinel, and Martin Ridner.
Again this year I attended the Joe Nall
at Triple Tree Aerodrome in Woodruff,
South Carolina, for what is now considered
the AMA Eastern General Membership
meeting. To anyone who says he or she is a
modeler, the Joe Nall is a must-see event.
Everything from foamies to Giant Scale,
and everything in between either was flying
from dry land or on floats.
The Indianapolis 500 is called the
Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Well I am
taking author license in calling the Joe Nall
the Greatest Spectacle in Aeromodeling.
This year was made even more special
by the presentation of a plaque from the
AMA to Pat Hartness on whose property the
event is held. Dave Mathewson, AMA’s
executive director, presented the plaque to
Mr. Hartness and recognized the site as an
International Aeromodeling Center.
Also attending the membership meeting
were two FAA members to answer general
questions.
Dave Mathewson presented the plaque.
A Euro-Jet dog fight.
A view of the flightline.
Membership meeting attendees.
Hope everyone is having a great, safe flying
season, and remember to get a youngster
involved. It’s your legacy to the future.
Have fun and fly safely. Get involved.
C.A.V.U.
District VII
Bill Oberdieck, District VII Vice President; [email protected]
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Bill Oberdieck
Vice President
Box 1076
Southgate MI 48195
Tel.: (734) 283-4813
Fax: (734) 283-0650
www.amadistrictvii.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Lee D. Frederickson,
Ada MI; [email protected]
Bud Gorman, Knife River MN;
[email protected]
Don Held, Elmira MI;
(231) 584-2662; [email protected]
Ed Kincer, Fenton MI; (810) 610-
7791; [email protected]
Tom Pierce, St. Clair MI; (810)
367-6450; tom_pierce_48079@
yahoo.com
Mark E. Robotti, Lindstrom MN;
MGrobotti@cs.
Tom Ryan, Greenfield WI;
(414) 881-0070; tomcat@
execpc.com
Lloyd Swanson; Cedar Rapids IA;
(319) 373-0947; [email protected]
Kent Woods, Ames IA ; (515)
232-8180; [email protected]
Frequency Coordinators
West: Al Schwartz, Roseville
MN; (651) 633-2286
East: Pete Waters, Northville MI;
(248) 486-4800
Contest Coordinators:
Wayne Yeager, RC (Michigan
only), (517) 260-0132; yogi1931@
comcast.net
Michael Haller, RC (except
Michigan), (920) 979-9452;
[email protected]
Flying Site Coordinator
Tony Stillman, Tony
[email protected]
Webmaster
Ed Kincer, [email protected]
District VII Volunteers
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