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Cass Underwood Memorial Contest HODGES HAPPINESS The largest number of pilots this season, so far, gathered at the little bit of Heaven on Earth the weekend of June 23 & 24, 2012 for the Annual Cass Underwood Memorial contest. Was it a good one? Just read on and allow your eyes to ingest the happy faces on each of the photos displayed elsewhere in the newsletter and online. Your PIO was stunned to learn of the rugged incident that occurred just before I arrived on Friday afternoon, I am referring to VP Jeff Owens having gotten his hand into the spinning prop on his Long Stroke SF .61, slicing his pointing finger on his rudder hand. Jeff and Linda had been to the emergency room for an hour or more....returning about an hour later saying, "the folks in that Americus, GA hospital were just great and Jeff had a splint and bandage covering 12 stitches in the finger. He flew using two other fingers on the one stick and became acclimated to the situation flying his bird to victory in the Senior Expert Division. We all sympathized with Jeff as he held that hand above his heart all weekend (to alleviate the throbbing). Weather was great, a bit hot, as was expected...but the wind off Tropical Storm Debbie which was moving toward the Gulf Coast provided some protection from the heat and a cloudy sky for the most part which helped. Dan Dougherty exhibited his "seasoned" expertise for contest running, at no time did the two flight lines shut down after flying started. Jamie Strong handled the Chief Judge chores with two experienced judges electing not to fly but to help with those chores, those were Mr. Ray Craig and Mr. Bill Collins, both have years of experience seeking maneuver errors. That chore, finding errors, was very difficult as the flying, especially in that super EXPERT class was just a delight to observe and to judge. All classes were a delight....I just singled out that class, since this year, the spotlight has been on the competition, for real, in that division. The other classes were delightful, as well. CD Dan announced in the briefing "a new pond has been constructed about 100 yards out from the flight path, and there is a fifty dollar prize for the first airplane to go in that pond"! Nobody went in the pond...so DD put the names of the pilots wives in attendance in a box, had me draw at random, and the $50.00 was awarded Linda Owens. Good gesture, wasn't it. Dan revealed a special SPORTSMANSHIP award was given Dr. Charles Gray who drove from North of the Mason-Dixon to fly with us and brought fellow clubber Duwayne Lindsey whose airplane developed trouble before the start...so, the good Doctor had Duwayne fly his KAOS all weekend, called for him and exhibited true SPA Sportsmanship. Congrats, Doc, proud of you. Most all gathered at the Ruby Tuesday restaurant both nights for some good food and fellowshipping before deserved rest. On Saturday night, one table convinced the waitress it was Jerry Black's birthday (it wasn't), she and your PIO led the 50 or so folks surrounding that table in a loud singing of Happy Birthday, Dear Jerry. They gave him a birthday cake (a cupcake with icing)....my 1/4th of it was very good, it was carrot cake). DD called Carolyn Spelt to come draw a ticket at the raffle for a $100 gift certificate from Hodges Hobbies (they opened on Sunday afternoon a bit for redemption of the prize certificates).......wouldn't you know she drew one of Phil's tickets.....he even embraced her with one arm as Dan handed him the certificate. Two more $100 certificates were given....one to Becky Chiles (Mrs. Russ) and the other to John Nessler III. An Evolution 60 engine from Hodges went to Doc Gray. DD split the raffle awards each side of the awards presentation to keep the interest of all alive. Your PIO cherished the chance to express gratitude to all for the splendid memory of Son Cass who participated in the SPA contest there in 2007, only two months prior to his passing. Mike Robinson, not only participated in competition, but input every scoresheet into the computerized program and had the scores posted within 5 minutes of each round. His able assistant running the scores was Linda Owens. Dan, the event was like your name with a "dy" at the end of it..............DANDY. We are so grateful for your shepherding of the "flock" this weekend and your excellent wisdom in your selection of assistants. Ya' really dun good!!!!! Bruce Underwood, PIO |
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