’ll start this column with a couple of great pictures of some float flying. The Omahawks RC Club in Omaha, Nebraska, put on several events at Standing Bear Lake near its club field. The two photos here are from the club’s 30th annual Labor Day Airshow benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The Jefco Auction is a longtime annual event that draws fliers from miles around. Lora Knowlton reported on this year’s event.
“Our auction moved to the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds (east of Denver) in Aurora, Colorado. We had some reservations about moving, but it turned out to be a real plus.
“It provided us much more space for growth and more cool stuff to buy and sell! We had 156 buyers and sellers line up for a chance at 526 registered auction items. Many of the items this year were gone before they hit the auction block through our buy-it-now option.
“More than 50 mostly club members (and some nonmembers) were auction volunteers—staffing the check-in, auction block, recorders and scanners, cashiering, and exit area. Always a great opportunity for club camaraderie!
“As treasurer of the club, I can report that the event was very successful, and we look forward to next year’s event with more buyers and sellers and more items!”
For the past few years, my associate vice presidents (AVPs) and I have held leadership meetings around our rural district. The goal is to get the good news (and the concerns) out to our District IX clubs. It has been a great investment of our time and has gotten good reviews. There should be one in your area. Check our District IX Facebook page (www.facebook.com/amadistrictix).
On February 3, 2018, we did our thing at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum in Denver. AVPs Rick McCaskill, Tom Neff, and I spent the better part of four hours going over all kinds of issues relevant to clubs, from retaining memberships, to member benefits, to programs at the International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana.
There were slightly fewer than 30 attendees at this one. Thanks to Rick and Tom for doing all the work. We couldn’t do all these things without you.
We also took time at the leadership meeting to thank Tom Neff for many years of service to District IX as an AVP. Tom is stepping down and his large shoes will be filled by Brian Blois.
The Longmont Electric Flyers were deeply saddened by the tragic passing of James “Jimmy” Stephen Tarantino a longtime member and club officer. After a series of complications resulting from a devastating fall on ice at his home in Longmont, Colorado, Jimmy passed away on January 25, 2018.
He enjoyed many days flying his RC airplanes with his buddies, the Black Sheep Squad, with the Longmont Electric Aircraft Flyers (LEAF) at Union Reservoir in Longmont. He was always present at all major LEAF events and was the club’s treasurer for the past three-plus years. Jimmy loved flying and was on the LEAF field every day if possible. Our condolences go to his family.
District IX Vice President
jtiller@hotmail.com