District VII
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Hello District VII members. I hope you are keeping warm during these bitterly cold temperatures and snow that we have had. Our old friend, Punxsutawney Phil, didn’t seem to look too kindly on us with his prediction of six more weeks of winter.
District VII members are a hearty group, and I am sure they are taking advantage of this time by finishing projects, testing equipment, and waiting for the temperature to climb a bit.
When it gets near 40° outside, it will seem like spring, and we will be out at the field—I know I sure plan to be.
While we talk about our winter projects, new builds, and repairs, one thing that we seem to forget, and a crucial part of our projects that we don’t speak of often, is our workshops.
Some of us have workshops that are cluttered and disorganized, like mine, yet we still manage to create beautifully flying aircraft. Others, such as District VII member Gino Pastori, have beautiful, well-organized workshops.
Gino shared pictures of his impressive workshop. He has been an AMA member for more than 45 years and has enjoyed the hobby for more than 55 years!
Gino pointed out how it had occurred to him that we always talk about the winter projects that members have on their workbench for the upcoming season, yet we never discuss the backbone of these projects: the shop itself.
Gino, thank you for sharing your shop and reminding us that, as you say, this is where the magic truly begins.
On a sad note, a well-known hobby shop in southeast Michigan has closed its doors. John Hoover and his wife, Tracie, are great people, and the Flightline Hobby Shop was a wonderful store. I had several occasions to stop in for a visit and to swap stories.
As many of you might know, John has been in the hobby for many years and recently was the recipient of the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame award.
John, your store will be missed, but I look forward to seeing you and Tracie more often at the flying field and at District VII events!
I’ll close this month by wishing you all well and stay warm. Please keep those projects coming, and don’t forget to send information about club events! Until next month, stay warm, stay well, and share the passion.
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@aol.com
Lee Frederickson, Ada MI; L1520@comcast.net
David George, Riverview MI; (734) 284-9017; indiancity5129@yahoo.com
Bud Gorman, Knife River MN; (218) 834-5797; bgorman@frontiernet.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.haller.60@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
