The ARC event #16 on Friday July 19 is now history but was another very successful event for the kids, including all of the helpers and volunteers that attended. The field looked absolutely stunning (thanks to the work party the previous weekend) and presented very well. The only issue we had was black ants attacking my son Brett's feet when he was flying. I'm not sure why as none of the rest of us was bothered.
The events, that included the bounce house, candy drop from EAA experimental aircraft, clown face painting, flying trainers, rides on motorcycles, a hay ride wagon, and Pasco Police car, a huge slip-n-slide, and hot dogs/snow cones were great hits. Although it was pretty warm nobody seemed to notice, and if you had the courage to walk through the gaggle of kids you were sure to get momentarily cooled off by flying water from various methods.
We had excellent coverage by two news media companies, the TRI-City Hearld and KVEW local ABC television. Each of their representative spent over an hour at the event with media coverage in the July 20 Saturday edition of the newspaper and on Friday evening ABC local news at 6:00 PM was an excellent video report. Lida, from KVEW, actually flew the trainer on a buddy box with Brett for over 10 minutes and did quite well. Hopefully she will come back in the future. There are a lot of pictures of the event on each of their web sites, and I encourage you all to go and take a look.
We had a special guest from the TCRCM club come out and visit us during the event that we had not seen in years. That was Monty Stratton, who is 98 years young, and doing well. He is no longer flying but is still very mentally sharp, more than some of us. Monty is a very classy guy, and would have won the "Gentleman of the Year contest" if we ever had one. Thanks for coming out Monty.
Some recognition of the volunteers is in order:
- Bill Greger for once again working with the ARC to help them organize the event.
- Motorcycle Riders who once again must have made a 1000 loops around the park.
- Hay ride, who Larry Mitchelle had to save by pulling it with his 4-wheeler when the horse broke down.
- Pasco Police who had the car there all day giving rides-thanks to Scott from Hobbytown.
- MAA members Brian (he and Brett flew some helicopter things) and Leon Flemming and his younger brother Ray (at least he looks younger) for doing the RC cars in the parking lot.
- Bryan Oldfield and his volunteers for the hot dogs and snow cones
- Ron Bruce for the Bounce House
- Local EAA chapter for the candy drop
- Owners of the trainers used for the buddy box flying. Doug Larson, Greg Noyce, and Brett Bowen were in the air the whole time except for the candy drop.
- All of the club members who were able to attend both the event and work party, including Larry Fitch's wife Eileen (she never quit moving); a big thanks to you as well.
- My daughter Brianne, who was relentless in working with the media for this event.
Well That's a Wrap. my apologies if I have forgotten anything but I am now using my age as an excuse.
Bill Bowen
