This is the time of year when the phrases like “wow, the year went by fast” and “where did this year go?” and “gosh- a new year already” fill the air like so many mosquitoes on a hot summer night. But it’s true- 2007 is flickering out as I write this, and 2008 is three days away. Time to reflect on the last 365 days, and hope its been good for the most part for all of you. Did we keep our resolutions? Did we do a lot of (safe) flying? Did we introduce someone (ideally, younger than us) to the hobby? Did we help our favorite flying club (the one with initials MAAW) by volunteering, etc. and being part of the Solution, not the Problem? Hmmm….
My thanks to Ed M. and, more specifically, to Alexis N. for all of their hard work and the GREAT food-both in quality and quantity- they provided at the Holiday party held this last 18th. It was good to see a number of you recently “missing” in addition to our regulars and stalwarts. In particular, the attendees gave a well deserved round of applause and thanks to Martin B., Dave L., Jay B., and Bob M. These four gents have gone above and beyond the call of duty this year on a number of fronts so that the rest of us could continue to enjoy our field and club. The four of you have my personal thanks as well.
For those of you who could not make it, Martin B. is stepping down as President due to health reasons. Yours Truly has, at least for the moment, assumed the title of Acting President along with my regular Membership duties. The rest of the executive is remaining the same, with the addition of Bob B. as the new Secretary- welcome, Bob!
The Officers will be convening before the club’s first meeting in January, to hammer out our goals for 2008. We hope more of you will join us in making the MAAW a better organization, and support us as we go forward. Be there on January the 15th and have a listen to our new beginning.
Speaking of Membership, Lyle A. has completed the upgrading / revamping of the Membership Database. This means that all of you that have sent your application and $$ in can expect your 2008 frequency stickers in the next 7-10 days. We appreciate your patience while we navigated through some hardware glitches and software changes. Remember that the deadline to renew for 2008 is the end of the WRAM Show, February 24th. Unless you’ve made prior arrangements with me, renewals after that date will re-incur the $30 Initiation fee IN ADDITION TO your 2008 dues. Consider yourselves warned. If you’re using the “Renewal” form on the web site, it’s not necessary to also use the “back page” of the regular, or “new” application form.

I received an early Christmas present just about a month ago when a good friend and fellow modeler called to let me know I was the winner of a raffle his club had held to raise some cash for their coffers. I was a last minute entry with a single $20 ticket, and, next thing I knew (after I got up off the floor when he told me the news) I was the new, proud, totally flabbergasted owner of a Great Planes P-6E Hawk ARF and a Zenoah G-26 engine.
The combo had been put together by a long-time builder and former Vietnam vet- also a member of their club- and had been donated to the raffle by yet another member, who had commissioned the assembly and put 4 flights on it before his MOST generous contribution. It’s sitting on my workbench, awaiting some free night in January when I can double check everything and polish it up. I advised all parties involved I would take the greatest of care with it, and restrict its flights to “ceremonial” occasions, such as Rhinebeck, etc. Thanks to the, ah, size of this handsome item, I have now officially run out of room in our trusty cellar to hang/store airplanes. And I still have a batch to put together or build. Talk about an embarrassment of riches…
Which brings me to my New Year’s resolutions for 2008. They are… the same as my 2007 resolutions, which were the same as my 2006 resolutions, and so forth and so on. Basically, to keep healthy, lose some tonnage (this used to be “a few pounds”, but these days it’s “a few tons”), do more flying than last year, more building (assembling?), help someone interested in the hobby and the club, and in general do good will towards men. Sounds kinda familiar, doesn’t it? I am blessed- as are most of us- with much that is precious and wonderful. Flying miniature aircraft certainly pegs the “wonderful” meter. If we try our best to help newbies AND one another, that “meter” would explode and blow a hole right through the roof.
And so, on behalf of the Officers and Directors, I wish all of you the best for 2008. May it be a happy, healthy and great year for us, our families, our friends, our nation... and our hobby and club. Until the January meeting, then- and if you get a chance to, …

… fly safely, but FLY!