The Racing Against Drugs program is now over and I would like to thank all the members who spoke on behalf of the Southern RC Flyers and those who provided their planes for display. This program is certainly worthwhile as witnessed by the eager young faces at both Windsor and Leamington. Monday April 12, 2004 is our last meeting until fall and so this will be the last Newsletter until then. Any communication necessary will be handled through email notices or phone until we startup meeting again. From the responses of the teachers we spoke to at the Racing Against Drugs program, field trips will be very popular again this spring. As in the past they will be booked on Mondays only to simplify our schedules. The weather is beginning to improve, so we'll see you at the field.

JJ

MARCH. 8, 2004

The meeting was called to order at 19:10 hrs. by President Jim Jewell. The minutes of the Feb. 9, 2004 meeting were read by Secretary Bill Bell. A motion to accept the minutes as read was made by Ed Gresik and seconded by Bob Axford. Motion carried.

Treasurer's Report:

The Treasurer's report was made by Barry Fegarty including the writing of the field rental cheque and bank balances. The club budget is based on 40 - 50 members and there are 28 paid members to date. Motion to accept the report as read was made by Norm Long and seconded by Jeff Kuzniak. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

The dates for the "Race Against Drugs" in Windsor and Leamington were announced as follows. Windsor Cleary Centre - set up Sun. Mar. 28 to Apr. 01, this will also be take down day. Leamington Kinsmen Centre - set up Apr. 04 to Mon Apr. 05, take down day. A schedule of volunteers was drawn up to man the display booth in Windsor and Leamington.

Aug. 13/14/15, Fri. to Sun. The club will have an air show at the Coann Park in McGregor.

Dates for the Cottam Horse Show, Heritage Village etc. have to be firmed up so they can be sanctioned by MAAC.

Discussed field options / rents etc. The club will try to negotiate a better deal for field rental. The members felt this would be better than relocating at this time.

Opening day has to be confirmed. The club will try to co-ordinate back to back weekends with the Chatham club.

A motion to close the meeting was made by John McIntosh and was seconded by Norm Long. Motion carried. The meeting was closed by President Jim Jewell at 19:40 hrs.

Following the close of the business meeting the members enjoyed refreshments as well as a display of some hot Pylon racing engines and an old Dynajet engine all provided by Joe Schooley. The old Dynajet engine was extremely Hot, Fast and Loud in its day. A 50/50 draw was held and won by Herb Thrun. (Again!)

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

Peter Auch, Bob Axford, Bill Bell, Mike Dewar, Ray Long, Kyle Tiessen, Norm Long, Jim Jewell, Ron Edwards, Ed Gresik, Bert Litke, Len Laporte, Bob Myers, Robin Paulton, Ray Gould, Herb Thrun, Jeff Kuzniak, John McIntosh, Barry Fegarty, Joe Schooley, Andrew Haggert, Ken Connick, Greg Busey, Terry Monmey.

Secretary Bill Bell.

This past week has been one to remember. On Sunday morning President Jim, Ed Gresik and I left bright and early (ok just early) to set up the Southern RC Flyers display for the 2004 edition of Racing Against Drugs at the Windsor Cleary Auditorium. We were met there by Norm, Ray, Joe, Bill, Robin, Len, Jeff and others. Not meant as a head count but rather an indication of the enthusiastic support the club events receive from the members, these guys in various combinations worked the show 9:00am to 2:00pm Monday to Thursday when we took it all down again and carted it all away.

You would figure that Friday would be a good day to rest but Friday was the opening day of the Toledo show so members packed into their minivans etc. and headed out across the border and within two hours were taking in the show. So when that was done and we were all safely home again now would be the time to rest, right? Well yes on Saturday but on Sunday morning we were at it again setting up the Racing Against Drugs booth at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Centre. This time we only manned the show on Monday as the County School Board saw fit to allow the schools only one day to participate. The program could be lost to Leamington next year if this is not extended because the OPP who run the show can't set up and then tear everything down again for just one day no matter how important the program is to the kids.

And now we are all getting the old planes dusted off and the new ones tweaked for that anxious first flight of the year. This sure is an active club if you just participate and there is always something to do from cutting grass to manning field trips for the school kids.

As always it has been a pleasure to be your bulletin editor this year and I again acknowledge the help received from Jeff getting these words and pictures onto the club web page.

We hope to see everyone at the last meeting before the summer break, Monday April 12, 2004 at 7:00 pm in the Staples Community Centre.

Happy Flying. Ron Edwards.