As usual, summer is going by fast.  Not long ago, I wrote about all the contests and how busy it would be.  Now, suddenly we only have a couple of contests left - Fargo on July 26th and 27th and our contest the weekend of August 9th and 10th.

In mid-June, John Christensen and I met Jeff Welliver just outside of Milwaukee for the contest there.  Jim Krueger, Peter Mick, Buzz Paricka, and the guys always put on a great show in Packerland, this year was no different.  This year, however, they moved the site and besides being nicer, it's nearly an hour closer.  I don't recall the specific results, but try as we did, I don't believe any of us took home the hardware.

Next was the SIG contest in Montezuma, Iowa the weekend ater Milwaukee.  This is always a fun contest and except for Bob Cheney winning Beginner Stunt and Skyray Racing, Derek Lange winning a second in Skyray Racing and Jim Ehlen placed in Combat.  Though John Christensen was doing his all time best in Intermediate Stunt, I don't think any hardware came home with us from here either.

I flew my Chief in Old Time Stunt and my Ares in both Classic and Advanced Stunt.  I finished in about the top quarter in all these events and although I didn't win, I feel really good about it because I flew to the very best of my ability.  Sure, there were mistakes I made and things I could have done better, but overall I did my best, that's what I get to brag about.  Let's be honest here, in any given class I'm flying against guys like Jim Lee, Allen Brickhaus, Dan and Sean McEntee, Buzz Paricka, and a host of others that have paid their dues and are far better then I.

Jim Lee, for example, is an all around nice guy and one of the people I really enjoy going to see.  He has been flying planes since the Stone Age and I'm fairly certain he could fly an egg crate if it was attached to a handle and a set of lines.  So, the question I pose is this:  Should I be able to fly better than him?  Maybe in another twenty or thirty gallons, but in the foreseeable future, I'd say no.  This is why I still feel good when I don't place well, but I fly the best I can.

Kids Kontest 2003 was the next even on our schedule.  Every year this draw more people and gets progressively better.  This year, the weather was great and we had a lot of kids.  I had a goal of finishing the contest between 3:00 and 4:00 in the afternoon, so we tried to keep things moving along and ended up handing out awards at 4:11 PM.  I really appreciate all the help that the members put out.  I know this gets to be a long and hot day, but I really believe it's worthwhile.  So to all that helped - Thank You Very Much!

On the other circle, Sina had his hands full with Fun Stunt.  Although there was some carnage, it looked like everyone was having a good time.  Sina will fill you in more with the Vice President's Report.

Just like the previous years, our local hobby shops supported our effort through the donation of raffle prizes.  Jim Tomniczak from Hobbytown Brooklyn Park, Brian Chun from Hub Hobby Little Canada, and Dan Ring from Hobbytown Minnetonka, we even received support from Tom at Hobby Warehouse.  These people bent over backwards to make sure all the kids went home with something and I proposed that we and our friends patronize their stores exclusively.  Next time you're in the neighborhood, stop in and say thanks.

Our next meeting is on July 31st and with the August contest coming up quickly, we'll go over some last minute details.  Maybe if we're lucky, Wayne Willey will also have his T-28 there.  Until then remember, if it don't have valves... it's a sport plane.

See you at the next meeting,

Keith

Vice President's Column

Again I have no comments this month.

Thanx,
Sina

Member Comments

At SIG I had a great time it was so fun.  My grandpa made/talked me into Skyray racing.  I won 2nd.  My favorite part was when I had a grilled cheese sandwich that Buddy Bob made on the way home.  It was my 6th year up there and my first time not flying stunt.  It was funny when Papa (short for Grandpa) had to clean out his flight box and by the time we got back home it was full again.  I had fun thanks, Buddy Bob, Papa, Keith and everyone else, especially Hazel and Max!!

Derek Lange

Field Maintenance

Just want to say thanks for all the people who have helped so far this year.  Jim Ehlen has been out weed killing and spreading some fertilizer.  Jeff Lange has been showing up on Saturday mornings using my small mower trimming around tress and mowing the islands.  Together we have been filling some holes, smoothing out some bumps and cutting down some low hanging tree limbs.  Today while mowing Derek came up to the field with Jeff so I decided it was time for me to sit and watch while Derek rode the tractor and cut the grass.  Thanks guys.

Bob

Just got word that Tom Newton's wife has had a relapse with Leukemia.  There is still hope, for when they get her in remission there is another treatment they will try.  So lets all pray for her.

Bob

LOST MISSING IN ACTION... STILL

I thinks this is a lost cause but please even if you have looked already look again.

One of our club notebooks with information about the club, the AMA< newsletter copies directions to our field, and meeting hall is missing.

Was loaned out and not returned please everyone take look for it.

Bob