District IX
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
The Fargo/Morehead Skylarks recently celebrated the club’s 65th consecutive Control Line (CL) Contest at the club’s Fargo Park field in North Dakota. That makes this event one of the longest-running events in AMA history.
Aimee Olson, the event director, let me know early on of the club’s intent to make this year special. There would be a tribute to three of the club’s members who passed away this past year. Two longtime members, Paul Kegel and Steve London, put their hearts into the club to keep it alive. They tirelessly championed the CL sport by building, organizing, and promoting it.
Frank Kratcky was a newer member of the club who embraced those same values. All three of these men will be greatly missed. The club has a wealth of information about these members and this event on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FMSkylarks.
Together, we created a plaques for these dedicated members to be given to each family and also gave a plaque to the club in recognition of the event’s longevity. The Skylarks also put a lot of work into the assembly of a great slideshow that displayed memories of those 65 contests. Some of the pictures date back to the 1950s. Thanks go to Jeffrey Johnson for all of his work.
The link to the slideshow is: https://youtu.be/F5DwUhdJEhM.
Because of the wind, only three events were flown this year. There were 12 events scheduled, but gusts were up to 35-40 mph and many of the pilots were worried about crashing their airplanes. There were a few brave CL Aerobatics pilots and lots of crazy CL Combat fliers who braved the wind and had a great time.
I attended the AMA Executive Council meeting that weekend and sent North Dakota Associate Vice President (AVP) Brandon Koch and Nebraska AVP Tyler Brown to make the presentations in my place.
Brandon remarked: “What a great time! Tyler and I have no CL experience and did we get schooled. They even put us to work helping with the scoring.
“It was a privilege to present the awards that commemorate the men who make this event what it is and to the Skylarks. What a monumental AMA asset they are.”
Finally, here are a few words from Aimee, for a more personal note about this grand event and its history.
“I want to thank the club for some of the best memories I have. I’m the daughter of Mike Olson and granddaughter of Seymour Olson, who started the club along with Roger Olsen and Peter Mazur back in the 1950s. I grew up at the field. It’s where I remember my dad and all the things we did together. I’m 53 years old now and can’t even imagine a summer without a Skylarks contest.
“I have been one of the main contest organizers for the last 10 years since my dad passed. The lessons I’ve learned flying model airplanes have shaped my life. The memories all of us have and the competitors who come back year after year feel the same way. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the Fargo Park District and all that it has done through the years.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the wonderful memories and experiences. We had a wonderful gathering, and we thank AVPs Brandon Koch and Tyler Brown for coming to help us celebrate.”
Jim Tiller
Vice President
jtiller@hotmail.com
Box 828, Custer SD 57730
(605) 390-3878
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Craig Bastian, Casper WY; (307)577-6463; craigb1961@msn.com
Tyler Brown, Lincoln NE; (402) 617-0444; tylerzx9@yahoo.com
Brandon Koch, Mandan ND; (701) 471-9575; kochbrandon471@gmail.com
Rick McCaskill, Frederick CO; (303) 682-0440; rickm1947@aol.com
Zachary Roller, Rapid City SC; (605) 519-0815; zroller28@gmail.com
Arend Schuurman, Elkton SD; (605) 695-2122; arend.schuurman@gmail.com
Terry Wiles, Harrisburg SD; terryscustom@yahoo.com
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR
Troy Hamm, Gardner KS; (913) 744-5745; funflyr@juno.com
