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The SPA East Masters CHILLY CHATTANOOA CHERRY October 6 & 7th were indeed chilly days for the CHERRY on top of the 2012 SPA EAST season, but undaunted RC Pilots didn’t miss “doing their thing” flying for the extra bonus points toward the annual Points Championships.When the points were totaled…..those handsome loving cups adorned by the Goddess of Victory went home for keeps in the hands of Roy Thompson, Dennis Sams and Eric Nessler. Mike explained that these were participants that placed high and placed often. Friday and Friday evening ignited the weekend with the “cook-out” at the field with Mike, with very little assistance, prepared potatoes, corn, slaw, and the thickest grilled pork chops and all the trimmings. Not only is he a good CD, but a great cook as well.I shot a picture of the setting sun as the radio weather forecasts were calling for blustery winds and cold temps for the weekend. It was a George Washington forecast, they didn’t tell a lie. Shaking due to the cold winds directly in your face, was more intense than the nervous during flight before judges. We just bundled and proceeded considering conditions as added objectives to overcome and display RC expertise. Saturday morning, we were covering our hearts with right hands as the local arm of the National Guard, the Civil Air Patrol cadets, 3 of them, in moderate rain, marched in cadence to the center of the runway, stood absolutely still, dressed in their parade uniforms while the PA sounded our National Anthem., a moving scene indeed. CCRC awarded them the SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD. Very much deserved. Clubbers grilled burgers, dogs and trimmings for lunch, yummy! Four complete rounds were flown on Saturday, then after a good warm shower the gang gathered at City Café for a meal at their leisure , then at 8PM EDT, filled the Executive room , in the Best Western Heritage Inn for the annual SPA Masters business meeting. The Directors were recognized, next cycles patterns accepted, officer elections announced for the coming 2 year cycle. Current officers are on the ballot with one exception, Mike Robinson will “take a rest” from the Sec/Treas chores and Mr. May, Scott Sappington has announced, after a plea from the current President, to run for that position. The highlight of the meeting was an address by our own Founder Emeritus, Mickey Walker. Mickey, adorned in a handsome dinner jacket shared so many good memories and stories of the birth of the SPA. He shared his dream of a National Association for pattern flyers who were fond of the “Golden Era” and wanted to continue participating in precision aerobatics as they were done in that era. He said, “ in the beginning we had Cliff Weirwick in California form a group there, unfortunately it fell apart at his passing”. “I’m so happy to see the growth to the West and perhaps some sparkplugs will grasp the passion and promote activity in other parts of our country”. Walker shared several humorous incidents bringing laughing and smiles from the crowd. He shared some of his honors such as his AMA appointments and his pride with being a member of the AMA Hall of Fame. Mickey showed his love and appreciation to Mrs Rebekah, his bride of 60 odd years, for her assistance and understanding of his passion for model airplanes. Mike lauded John Baxter and his Bax Graphics for their donation of 5 huge glass mugs with the SPA imprint on them. He gave each pilot a ticket as they entered the meeting, then had Mickey draw for the mugs, individually. What a coincidence, he drew his own number for the first mug. He said “someday, “I’ll tell you how I did that”, then drew John Baxter, Dave Phillips, Ron Underwood and Gentleman Jim Slocum for the others. The Highlight of the annual Masters is the awarding of the Perpetual Memorial Trophy to the Senior Expert pilot competing in the Memorial Trophy “sudden death” fly-off before 5 judges with the High and Low tossed out. Our official Points keeper, Eric Nessler presented it to Mr. Bill Dodge who confessed, “the Fly-off was the only round today that I didn’t get at least one zero”. He thanked Mike Robinson, the runner-up for “laying down” for him. What a guy! The evening concluded with a standing ovation for Mickey, from the crowd. Sunday morning was cold as blitzen, again with that North wind directly in the face of the flyers and judges, but not quite as stiff....perhaps 12 to 15 mph. Undaunted by the elements, rounds 5 and 6 were completed. Scores were tallied in a short time, Mrs. Jerilyn did all scores but the Points races and even ran some of the scores herself, posting round totals within 5 minutes of completion. Eric Nessler computed via calculator the points races and the Memorial Trophy Championship. There was “a world” of hugging and even some tears as Mike thanked all for their assistance in leaving the field almost spotless. He added several comments about his passion for this sport/hobby and almost tearfully confessed “the camaraderie I enjoy via my SPA activity is nothing less than PRECIOUS”. (ED note....that’s mutual)!Golly, what a great job Mike, you and the Paul Wrights (there is two of them), the CRCC did with this MASTERS was Masterful! We need to fill Jamie’s TIP bucket with gratefulness for the glorious weekend in Choo-Choo city. KUDOS!!!!!!!! Bruce Underwood, SPA PIO |
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