District I
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
On January 31, 2021, Associate Vice President (AVP) Steve Brehm and I drove to the Drob ysh-Patterson Airfield in Merrimack, New Hampshire, to attend the 23rd Annual Frozen Finger Fun Fly sponsored by the Southern New Hampshire Flying Eagles (SNHFE).
We arrived at 10 a.m. to find that 19 pilots had already registered. Although it was only 15°, all of the flight tables had airplanes on them ready to fly, and more than 40 spectators and nonflying AMA members were there to enjoy the flying antics and competition for the best hot dog pilots.
An open wood fire and propane heaters provided some recovery for the pilots’ frozen fingers. AVP and Contest Director (CD) John “Yazz” Yassemedis began the pilots’ meeting with a tribute and event day dedication to club member Darrell Wagner by his friend, Ray Breton.
Darrell was an AMA Life Member who passed away on January 19, 2021. He owned Northeast Aerodynamics, which produced model aircraft for more than 30 years, including the popular Train, Sport, Sea, and Twin Air series of kits.
Darrell was an active member of several New Hampshire clubs. The Southern New Hampshire RC Club’s flying site is named Wagner Field to honor him for his efforts in acquiring the site.
Darrell’s winter flying was with the Cape Coral RC Sea Hawks in Florida. He was also a contractor, home builder, realtor, and a New Hampshire state legislator. He was a man of many talents who distinguished himself in the aeromodeling community by being a respected and likable person who welcomed, helped, taught, and inspired others to have fun in the hobby. Darrell left many friends and family who loved him with great memories and he will never be forgotten.
Open flying began directly after the pilots’ meeting, and competition flying started later. Intermixed demonstration flights by world-class pilots Cody Wojcik, John Glezellis, and Joshua Goudreault amazed and thrilled all of us.
The hit of the event was this year’s crazy competition flight challenge concept, which involved a variety of specific timed or numbered flight maneuvers in, through, and around the Ring of Death, built by Yazz and Walt Pickering. Gift cards from ABC Hobby were presented to the top three competition winners, Cody, Yazz, and Tom Gaudette. Check out the club’s website at www.snhflyingeagles.org for other open flying events this year.
Thank you to Yazz, Tim Sowder, the SNHFE club, and attendees for another awesome event.
Andy Argenio
Vice President
brandshobby@gmail.com
3 Sheila Ln., Smithfield, RI 02917
(401) 231-6901
www.amadistrict-1.org
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Steve Brehm, Jamestown RI; (401) 423-1085; stbrehm@yahoo.com
Andrew Figlar, Shelton CT; (203) 513-8546; figlar335@att.net
James Gilliatt, Concord MA; (978) 369-9796; jegilliatt@cs.com
Steve Goler, Salem MA; (617) 373-0884; nipmuck2@comcast.net
Daren Hudson, Greenland NH; (603) 674-5809; dth7@comcast.net
Ray LaBonte, Standish ME; (207) 892-7994; rplabonte@aol.com
Tom Lavoie, N. Smithfield RI; (401) 824-6134; d2tw4all@yahoo.com
Joan Liska, Middletown CT; (860) 347-0257; jliska9000@sbcglobal.net
Mark Montella, Falmouth, MA; (508) 457-4984; montellamj@comcast.net
Thomas J. Puma Jr., North Clarendon VT; (802) 558-4439; usakingcat1@aol.com
Tom Rocheleau, Wethersfield CT; (860) 280-1701; trocheleau@cox.net
William Unghire, Newinton CT; (860) 978-5353; n1cnw@icloud.com
Ted Wojcik, Fremont NH; (603) 479-3799; tedwojcik@comcast.net
TECHNOLOGY AND SAFETY OFFICER
John Yassemedis, 5 Quarry Rd., Nashua NH 03062; (603) 321-8442; jyassemedis@comcast.net
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR
David Surwell, 24 Norwich Rd., Nashua NH 03062; (603) 888-2020; davidsurwell@comcast.net
