District VII
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Hello District VII members. By the time you read this column, the cold weather and holidays will be approaching. As I write this, the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day weekend, has just ended.
I went up to Northern Michigan to stay with some friends throughout the long weekend. Of course, what do I do when visiting a new area? I look for a local RC club because I always carry something to fly. Don’t we all?
I visited the Twisted Sticks RC club (www.twistedsticks.org). Ben Geoghan, one of the club members, welcomed me and helped give me the lay of the land. Although it was extremely windy, we all had a great time and shared plenty of stories. Thank you, Twisted Sticks RC members!
Dick Baumer, former president of the Owatonna R/C Modelers, reached out to me to tell me about the Minnesota Radio Control Soaring Society (MRCSS) Aero-Tow event. I’ll let Dick take it from here.
July 8-11, 2021, saw 32 pilots gather at the annual MRCSS Aero-Tow event at the Owatonna RC Modelers field in Owatonna, Minnesota. Early arrivals from Kerrville, Texas, joined the club meeting Wednesday evening, with others arriving the next day from Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, Arizona, Colorado, and Minnesota.
An abundance of tugs, including Kevin Kavaney’s Chmelak and Mark Robbins’ L-19, made for short waits for a tow and provided a breather for tow pilots. Temperatures in the low- to mid-80s made for a comfortable event with only a short shower one day. Carnage was low and only a couple of trips into the cornfield were needed.
Sounds like it was a great time, Dick. Maybe next year I can attend, but I hope they don’t laugh at me. All I have is a Radian!
One last thing I would like to share this month is something very near and dear to my heart. The holiday season will soon be upon us and there are many who will, unfortunately, not share in the joy of the season.
All of us in the various branches of the hobby are fortunate to be able to enjoy the times at the field. There will be many children who will wake up on Christmas morning with no toys.
A club that I am a member of hosts an indoor fun-fly each year to benefit Toys for Tots. Not only does the club raise funds and toys for the program, but club members also volunteer to work the distribution days. Seeing the appreciation of the parents, knowing that their children will wake up on Christmas morning happily tearing open the wrapping to see a gift from Santa, is heartwarming.
District VII members and clubs (as well as those in other districts who read my column) should consider volunteering and sharing the joys of our hobby with those who are less fortunate.
Photo credits go to Deb Flemming of the Steele Co. Times.
Randy Gibson
Vice President
rgibson@mmrca.org
503 Mall Ct. # 289, Lansing MI 48912
(317) 688-4364
www.amadistrict-vii.org
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Bruce Baier, Oshkosh WI; (920) 233-1127; buzssr@gmail.com
Lee Frederickson, Ada MI; L1520@comcast.net
David George, Riverview MI; (734) 284-9017; indian-city5129@yahoo.com
Bud Gorman, Knife River MN; (218) 834-5797; gorman4@frontier.net
Bob Johnson, Fond du Lac WI; (920) 922-6705; bobj54935@yahoo.com
Mark Robotti, Lindstrom MN; (651) 257-6792; mgrobotti@frontier.com
Dell Shannon, Osceola IA (641) 342-4278; dell.t.shannon@gmail.com
Len Todd, Baldwin MI; (907) 903-3569; lentodd@att.net
Peter G. Van Heusden, Bloomfield Hills MI; (248) 515-1071; petervh@malibutech.com
Kent Woods, Ames IA; (515) 232-8180; woods229@msn.com
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATORS
Michael J. Haller (RC), Fond du Lac WI; (920) 979-9452; mike.haller6@gmail.com
Marc Warwashana (CL), Whitmore Lake MI; (734) 449-7355; whellieman@gmail.com
AMA Headquarters (FF), (800) 435-9262; competition@modelaircraft.org
FREQUENCY COORDINATORS
Al Schwartz, Roseville MN; (651) 633-2286; alberts@comcast.net
Pete Waters, Northville MI; (248) 924-0223; petewaters@charter.net
