THE NFFS PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: November 2011

NATS number eighty-five was a dandy. 224 contestants as compared to the 2010 total of 217 enjoyed the multitude of events. Flyers from thirty-two states, Canada, and the Netherlands fought off daily temperatures in the nineties in order to claim their awards. Speaking about numbers, the kids entry increased again this year with 20 juniors and 10 seniors.

The most important component of a NATS is the volunteer help it takes to administer the contest. I stepped in as CD this year and I want to mention and thank these kind folks who volunteered to help in 2011: Mark Troutman, Paul Andrade, John Lorbiecki, Aram Schlosberg, Lonnie Kinder, David Lacey, Elvin Buchele, Jerry Murphy, Abram VanDover, Andrew Barron, Dohrman Crawford, John Oliver, Bob Placier, Gary Oakins, Mike Richardson, Bob Stalick, Martin Richardson, Dave Thomson, Wade Riley, Guy Scott, Bill Shailor, Roy Stewart, Jean Pailet, Alan Abriss, Charles Jones, Grant Carson, Ted Ersted, Paul Masterman, David Mills, Bill Reuter, Meredith Chamberlain, Randa Coats, Yolanda Jones, and Joellen Eppards. And special thanks to Ed Capogreco, Scorer for the week; and Frances Masterman who entered and tabulated all of the results.

The NFFS Awards Banquet was staged at a new venue, Delaware Country Club. I heard nothing but good things about the food and ambiance of the evening. Congratulations to the 2011 inductees of the Hall of Fame. Chairman Rex Hinson introduced David Linstrum, Bill Vanderbeek, John O’Donnell, Bob and Bill Hunter, Larry Davidson, and Larry Coslick. Distinguished Service Awards were given to Bob Mattes, Charles Jones, Sergio Montes, Ted Hidinger, Andrew Barron, George Batiuk, and Walt Ghio. This year’s Connie Perry Memorial Award for unselfish modeling spirit and sportsmanship was awarded to Rocco Ferrario.

Models of the Year awards were presented by this year’s chairman, Mike Fedor. He did an excellent job and here are the winners: Wally Simmers, Gollywock. Tony Mathews, F1B with BE airfoil. Artem Babenko, F1C Folder. Evgeny Gorban, F1G Model 2010. Jim Buxton, Amalgam 6 IHLG. Tom Icobellis, Limited Pennyplane. Tom Hallman, Peanut Mitsubishi/1MF1 Biplane. Jean Pailet, Genie Redux 1/2A-F1J. Matti Lhitamo/Serei Vorvihvost, F1Q. Jan Langelius, DiscU.S. Kid HLG. Bill Gowan, A-6.

Bob Mattes gave certificates to first five places of the 2010 National Cup Competition. The winners were: Open AMA Power, Bob Hanford. Open Big Nostalgia powers, Bob Hanford. Open Classic Power, Bob Hanford. Open Nostalgia Rubber, Bud Romak. Sr/Open Glider, Tim Batiuk. Small Nostalgia Power, Gene Wicks. Open AMA Rubber, Mark Troutman. Junior, Trevor Pappas.

Our Scholarship Raffle and cookout was again a success, taking in $1,470. Thanks to donors John Clapp, John Oliver, Denny Dock, Rex Hinson, Larry Davidson, BMJR, Abe VanDover, Bill Vanderbeek, Chris Matsuno, Lee Campbell, Bob Stalick, Rudy Kluiber, Dave Thomson, and others I’m sure.

We have two excellent candidates for NFFS President 2012-2015. Please take the time to vote for one of these gentlemen. The deadline is December 1, 2011. Results will be put on our web site.

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