150 MODEL AVIATION
FEBRUARY was a blur. Not enough
modeling stuff going on. The third week was
spent visiting with and burying a good
friend and the last week spent flat-out sick
with a virus that is still jumping up and
down on me. I will try to piece a column
together, despite all of that!
On a happier note, I received this story
from Doug Mchan of the Brazos Valley RC
Aircraft Club (BVRC) and its participation
with the Special Olympics.
Special Olympics of Texas held its
annual Texas Fall Classic competition in the
Bryan/College Station area. One part of the
Fall Classic is Athlete Village. Athlete
Village provides entertainment and
activities in an area separate from the
competitions for the athletes and their
families to go when between competition
events.
BVRC was invited be a part of Athlete
Village. The club was able to set up static
displays, RC videos, and a flight simulator
inside the pavilion.
A portion of the parking lot was
sectioned off to allow
BVRC to set up a
flightline and provide
flight demonstrations.
This is the second
year BVRC has been
able to participate.
BVRC members
“working” the event and
all participants passing
through our area had a
great time. We look
forward to next year’s
invitation.
Have fun and fly safely.
See you on the
flightline.
District VIII
Jim Rice, District VIII Vice President; [email protected]
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Jim Rice
Vice President
118 E. Wright Blvd.,
Universal City TX 78148
Tel.: (210) 213-0299
(evenings)
www.AMA-Dist-8.org
Associate Vice Presidents
Lester L. Barry, Bethany OK;
(405) 789-5373
Pete Boudreaux, Franklin LA;
(337) 836-5478
Jack Hogan, Chandler TX;
(903) 849-4193 (Evenings)
Mark S. Johnston, Albuquerque
NM; (505) 823-0158
Jim D. Marshall, Mission TX;
(956) 585-6446
Douglas E. Powell, Wichita Falls
TX; (940) 691-8348
Randy Ritch, Magnolia TX;
(281) 701-3121
Doug Staines, Belton TX;
(254) 780-3512
Ron Stanfield, Maumelle AR;
(501) 851-1697
Pat Willcox, Kingwood TX;
(281) 358-1750
Frequency Coordinator
Gene Kent, Tomball TX;
(281) 255-4805
Safety Coordinator
David Oates, Texarkana TX;
(903) 826-7919; davidoates@
sherrodservices.com
AMA Display Coordinator
David Johns, Deer Park TX;
(281) 476-4820
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]
District VIII Volunteers
BVRC set up this professional
booth for the Special Olympics.
The flightline was organized
and entertaining.
A true modeler and modeler’s friend for
most of District VIII, Dannie Ball, passed
away on February 16. He served for three
years as a District VIII associate vice
president (AVP) back in the 80s when
John Clemens was the district’s vice
president.
Dannie was a CD, lifetime member of
the Dallas RC Club, and friend/helper to
anyone who enjoyed model airplanes. I
have never met anyone who did not like
him! He would share his skills, airplanes,
and stories with anyone.
He CDed many of the Dallas RC Club
Small Steps events in the 90s. I think the
last of those he helped with was in 2001.
He served as a sort of mobile AVP for
John because his work carried him all
around the district from New Mexico to
Louisiana. He would get involved in any
way needed for the betterment of
modelling in the district.
He moved to San Antonio in 2000 and
became a second dad to me when my
father died. I don’t think there is anything I
could have asked him to do that he would
not have tried to do. We are collecting
donations and will place a $1,000 brick on
the AMA Walk of Fame so he can be
remembered forever.
Dannie Ball at the field in his favorite seat
with his favorite small airplanes.
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Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/05
Page Numbers: 150
