Edition: Model Aviation - 2023/02
Page Numbers: 95
Portrait of Andy Argenio

District I

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont

Portrait of Andy Argenio

The Concord Aero Guidance Society (CAGS) club president, Richard Smith, invited me to the group’s Memorial Scale Fun Fly in the summer of 2022. He asked if I would perform an official presentation of the club’s first AMA Silver Leader Club award. I was pleased to do the honors, so my wife and I drove the 135 miles to the beautiful rolling hills of Hopkinton, New Hampshire.

Never having been to the CAGS flying site, we were impressed with its location in Elm Brook Park within the Everett Lake recreational area for hiking, boating, swimming, and RC flying.

I can see why the club’s site, with an unobstructed 2,000 x 550-foot flying area, a covered shelter with picnic tables, a nicely manicured grass runway, a pit area with setup stands, and open to nearly every type of flying, attracts so many fine RC pilots.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by welcoming members and I had the opportunity to update those gathered on AMA, FAA, and FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) status. I got to meet people, take pictures, talk with old friends, such as Bob Brodeur, and watch a variety of Scale airplanes being flown.

We later gathered, and I told the club that it was my pleasure to present the Silver Leader Club certificate to the CAGS club, whose leadership exemplifies the very best practices of an elite group of only eight clubs in the district. Thanks, CAGS, for a most enjoyable day!

Dan Oliver’s J-3 with three other model airplanes and their owners
(L-R): Dan Oliver’s J-3; Kurt Charpentier’s Ultra Stick; Dick Smith’s S.E.5a; and Drew Davenport’s Cub.
Kurt Charpentier’s Ultra Stick with its owner
(L-R): Dan Oliver’s J-3; Kurt Charpentier’s Ultra Stick; Dick Smith’s S.E.5a; and Drew Davenport’s Cub.
Dick Smith’s S.E.5a with its owner
(L-R): Dan Oliver’s J-3; Kurt Charpentier’s Ultra Stick; Dick Smith’s S.E.5a; and Drew Davenport’s Cub.
Drew Davenport’s Cub with its owner
(L-R): Dan Oliver’s J-3; Kurt Charpentier’s Ultra Stick; Dick Smith’s S.E.5a; and Drew Davenport’s Cub.

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS

Steve Brehm, Jamestown RI; (401) 423-1085; stbrehm@yahoo.com

Andrew Figlar, Shelton CT; (203) 513-8546; safiglar32@gmail.com

Steve Golter, 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; d2twall@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

Joel Rosenzweig, Marlborough MA; (508) 667-3720; joel@helitronix.com

Tom Siwek, Shrewsbury MA; (617) 893-5249; trsiwek@gmail.com

William Unghire, Newington CT; (860) 978-5353; n1cnv@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

Bob Brodeur’s T-28 with its owner
(L-R): Bob Brodeur’s T-28; Michael Stevens’ F-15C; Frank Boye’s Sopwith Pup; and Dan Alton’s D.VII.
Michael Stevens’ F-15C with its owner
(L-R): Bob Brodeur’s T-28; Michael Stevens’ F-15C; Frank Boye’s Sopwith Pup; and Dan Alton’s D.VII.
Frank Boye’s Sopwith Pup with its owner
(L-R): Bob Brodeur’s T-28; Michael Stevens’ F-15C; Frank Boye’s Sopwith Pup; and Dan Alton’s D.VII.
Dan Alton’s D.VII with its owner
(L-R): Bob Brodeur’s T-28; Michael Stevens’ F-15C; Frank Boye’s Sopwith Pup; and Dan Alton’s D.VII.
Group of club members gathered for the AMA Silver Leader Club award presentation
Andy Argenio, District I vice president (center), presented Dick Smith, president of CAGS in Hopkinton NH, the AMA Silver Leader Club award plaque during the club’s Memorial Scale Fun Fly.