Thanks, Andrew, for another fine column. CSM events are open to other AMA clubs and members. If you’re interested, visit the club’s Facebook page at facebook.com/CountrySquireModelers.
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
The following club report comes from Associate Vice President (AVP) Andrew Figlar about his recent visit to one of District I’s finest AMA clubs in Connecticut.
On April 4, I visited the Country Squire Modelers (CSM) club, which has been flying model airplanes at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, Connecticut, since the 1960s. It is the only AMA chartered club with a special use permit from the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection to fly model aircraft in a state park. The site is located on the shore of Long Island Sound, which encompasses 234 acres of the park with woodlands, beaches, pavilions, picnic areas, walking paths, and the AMA airfield.
During my visit, the club was holding its spring cleanup, which is quite different from other clubs. Volunteers were raking and shoveling oyster and clam shells that local birds had scattered across the runways into wheelbarrows for disposal. This column’s images pay tribute to the club volunteers who maintain the 15,000 sq. ft. paved runways for all members and guests to enjoy flying from in 2026.
Andy Argenio and I have attended the club’s Wonder of Flight model aircraft air show, which is held annually in partnership with the Forest and Park Association. CSM does an excellent job of introducing many attendees to AMA and aeromodeling.
Vice President
amadistricti@modelaircraft.org;
brandshobby@gmail.com
3 Sheila Ln., Smithfield, RI 02917
(401) 575-6215
amadistrict-i.org
Associate Vice Presidents
Steve Brehm, Jamestown RI; (401) 423-1085; stbrehm@yahoo.com
Jim Cyr, Madison CT; (203) 421-2145; cardenpro6@gmail.com
Edward W. Deming, North Stonington, CT; {860) 884-3222; edwardwdeming@gmail.com
Andrew Figlar, Shelton CT; (203) 513-8546; safiglar320@gmail.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
Joel Rosenzweig, Marlborough MA; (508) 667-3720; joel@helitronix.com
Kevin Ryan, Yarmouth Port, MA; (508) 680-3741; ryans.capecod@gmail.com
Doug Thompson, Eliot ME; (508) 838-4874; doug@dougsdrones.com
William Unghire, Newinton 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
Michael Fiorito, 42 Hayden Circle, Hampton NH 03842; (603) 770-3130; mfiorito61@comcast.net
