Mid County RC Club Newsletter

January, 2007

Well I would like to start by wishing everyone a happy and prosperous new year and I hope that all of the things that you wished and prayed for come true.

I spent the New Years holiday offshore at work this time. We still manage to have some celebration, mainly with the consumption of food. Our cook could not decide what to prepare so he cooked everything along with the standard helpings of peas, cabbage, and cornbread. Most of the entertainment came from the after affects of eating the peas and cabbage. Did I mention that I work on a “Gas” and oil production facility?

I hope that your Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays were as joyous as mine. This was my crew’s turn to be home and I made the best of the time. I did see quite a few of you at the fun fly after Thanksgiving. By the way everyone was holding and rubbing their bellies, it appeared that there was plenty of turkey and dressing consumed. At Christmas, Santa Claus brought me what all RC guys want, RC gear. Most of the family does not understand the simple pleasure of receiving an RC gift like a battery, a memory card, or just a ball-driver, but I was happy, thankful, and ready to play.

This past year seemed like it was still all about the repairs from the aftermath of Rita and the high price of construction materials. Every time I look outside for my trees and awning or I see the damage at to the flying field, I am reminded that when Mother Nature wants something she is going to get it.

I guess the one thing that hurt the most this past year was the passing of two of our members Bill Feldschau and Ray Rhodes. I first met Mr. Bill at the field in “99” while Ray was helping me with my training flights. I thought I was doing pretty well until this old-timer (Mr. Bill) started flying this big “ugly stick” looking plane inverted around the pattern and sometimes a few feet off the ground. All I could think of was I hoped if I reached his age I could still have that much fun. The last few years Mr. Bill had some health problems but with help from his wife and Bob Moore he continued to fly. It seemed to me that even when Mr. Bill could no longer fly that he still enjoyed trips to the flying field and visits with the members.

Ray Rhodes was one of the first club members that I met at the field. He saved Karl and me from self destruction as we were persistent in trying to learn to fly without any help. As luck would have it Ray was one of the best instructors in the club. Within a few flights a piece he had us flying and hooked on the hobby. It wasn’t long after that he and Buddy Brammer had me hooked on flying pattern competition. I never heard Ray talk down or bad to anyone. He always made you feel good about yourself and was always a pleasure to talk too. Ray was supposed to stay out of the heat but he rarely let it stop him from helping someone. He would always stand by your side until you were safely on the ground. I wish that everyone could enjoy a hobby and life as much as Ray. There would never be another bad word. I miss the sweet smell of his cigar.

This club is rich in history and we still have some gentlemen flying that can tell you some stories or two. Buddy Tomlinson, Buddy Brammer, Bob Moore, and Bob Talley are some to name a few. Bob Moore has a scrapbook of newspaper clippings, photographs, and newsletters starting back in the late 50’s of the club and their accomplishments. If we are lucky maybe we can make some great memories of our own. There is some new blood in the club along with some older members coming back. If everyone will pitch in and donate a little time maybe we can make something of it. You don’t have to be a great pilot to participate in our club, just a good person.

Jay Richards and his son Dylan have been tearing up the sky with several egg beaters (helicopters). They also do a wonderful job taking pictures and keeping up the club webpage. Bob Scheppele and Mike East have been doing a lot of flying with their IMACC style planes and traveling to other clubs to perk up their interest into flying with us at our contest and fun flies. Bob and Mike have also been flying their foamies along with Chris Meredith at the intermissions at the ice hockey games of the Beaumont Drillers. Bob and the guys have also been flying an indoor blimp over the crowds dropping hats to the fans from the teams.

Buddy Brammer and I flew several pattern contest along with our late friend Ray Rhodes. Ray’s passing touched everyone in the NSRCA especially District 6. We always had a great time together no matter what the flight conditions. Buddy and I still plan to fly the contest but there will be something missing. I don’t know if we will make it back to the Nationals.

We also lost another member (a pattern guy) this year but under better circumstances, I think. Larry Mercer retired from work but moved himself and his wife to Livingston. They are building a new home and staying busy. We hope to see him again. Joe Peyres also moved, but it was to help his wife be closer to work. Unfortunately he did not have the storage or shop area of his house here in Nederland so he sold off several of his planes and gear. He is still planning on finishing his big B-25 but not in the near future. Joe is staying in touch and may continue his membership. Both Larry and Joe are great friends and I hope to see them in the air with us again real soon.

We are still planning to do some repairs at the field. Boyd Meier has got us the approval from the TCEQ to make our repairs. Anything new that would break the cap or trap gas will require pre-approval. It looks like we are heading in the right direction. Let’s keep the momentum moving forward. Don’t forget the club meetings are held on the second Monday of every month at 7:00PM at the City Hall of Nederland on Boston Ave. The meetings are open to guest, so come and check us out.

Keep your planes in sight and in the air and don’t touch the ground unless you’re in control.

                             Editor, Perry Sumrall