District VIII - 2012/12

wish a Happy and a Merry to all! The
clock races faster every year; or maybe
I am just going slower so everything
around me seems faster. Make sure you
are ready for the new year. Get your
renewal in for both membership and
club chartering.
Bob received a Making a Difference (MAD)
Award for his help with the training and the
Open Membership meeting.
The District VIII Celebration of Flight
and 12th annual J.H. Rice Memorial
Fly-In was a super event. Rains came
in on Saturday just after the memorial
service and then lifted until we had the
outstanding barbecue supper provided
by District VIII and prepared by Red
(Dickie) Ritch and his award-winning
Ritch’s Raiders BBQ Team. The field
and parking lot was a quagmire from
that point on and we had several
Associate Vice Presidents: Bill Holland, Edmond OK; (405) 562-1327; Mark S. Johnston, Albuquerque NM; (505) 823-0158; Jim D Marshall, Alton TX; (956) 984-9474; Jon
Martin, Rayne LA; (337) 783-2759; Jack Matlock, Live Oak TX; (210) 413-4846; Randy Ritch, Magnolia TX; (281) 701-3121; Bobby Smith, White Oak TX; (903) 759-1905;
[email protected]; Doug Staines, Belton TX; (254) 780-3512; Ron Stanfield, Maumelle AR; (501) 851-1697; Cliff Town, Dumas TX; (806) 935-3063; [email protected];
Pat Willcox, Kingwood TX; (281) 358-1750. Frequency Coordinator: Gene Kent, Tomball TX; (281) 255-4805. Safety Coordinator: Randy Brown, Kemah TX; (713) 515-5552;
[email protected]. RC Contest Coordinator: Douglas E. Powell, Wichita Falls TX; (940) 691-8348; [email protected]. CL/FF Contest Coordinator: Bill Lee,
Chandler TX; (903) 852-5599; [email protected]. AMA Display Coordinator: David Johns, Deer Park TX; (281) 476-4820.
District VIII—Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
[email protected]
4810 El Gusto, San Antonio TX 78233
Tel.: (210) 213-0299; www.amadistrict-viii.org
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www.ModelAviation.com December 2012 Model Aviation 149
I wish a Happy and a Merry to all! The
clock races faster every year; or maybe
I am just going slower so everything
around me seems faster. Make sure you
are ready for the new year. Get your
renewal in for both membership and
club chartering.
Bob received a Making a Difference (MAD)
Award for his help with the training and the
Open Membership meeting.
The District VIII Celebration of Flight
and 12th annual J.H. Rice Memorial
Fly-In was a super event. Rains came
in on Saturday just after the memorial
service and then lifted until we had the
outstanding barbecue supper provided
by District VIII and prepared by Red
(Dickie) Ritch and his award-winning
Ritch’s Raiders BBQ Team. The field
and parking lot was a quagmire from
that point on and we had several
vehicles stuck, but everyone had a
good time and enjoyed great food.
Attendance was down from previous
years because of the weather, but those
who showed up got a lot of flying
done, won some great prizes, had
the opportunity to attend the AMA
membership meeting where AMA
President Bob Brown led a discussion
about current AMA topics, and Jessy
Symmes, from the AMA Education
Department, talked about Camp
AMA and discussed ways that clubs or
individuals could sponsor a youth for
attendance at next year’s camp.
Jessy received a MAD Award as well for her
informative presentation to the group.
It was sloshy getting back in on
Sunday, but again, we had a lot of
flying and some more good food from
Red. There were some fine aircraft and
terrific people in attendance.
Gary Rice presents Red with the Helping Hand
Award for doing the most for the enjoyment
of everyone at the event. Ryland Ritch, who
was on our US FAI F2D team, watched as his
grandpa got the award.
Other awards included Pilots’
Choice, which went to Barry Raborn
for his large, detailed, and greatperforming
BAHS XXL Corsair with
a Moki 250 radial, and the Rice Family
Choice Award to Mel Holtman for his
elegantly finished Gee Bee R-3 from
AirWorld models, also powered by
a Moki 250 Radial. What beautiful
aircraft!
Barry prepares his Corsair for flight.
Mel fires up the Moki for another great flight.
Most of my associate vice presidents
were in for a training session on Friday
night during which Jessy covered many
of the education programs in depth and
Bob and I talked about AMA’s current
and future activities. I presented all of
them with awards for their volunteer
service during my tenure.
By the time you read this, the elections
will be over and a new district vice
president will have been selected. Both
candidates have told me that they
would like to continue the District
Fly-In during their term, so look for it
in 2013 and plan to attend. It is a great
event with good sponsor support (read:
that’s lots of prizes) and great flying.
Have fun and fly safely!