New Masthead
*** July 25 meeting is at Bill Martin Field ***

  MMAC Pres. Newsletter Message,  July 2017

I want to mention a few reminders to all. First, don't forget that we have a float fly scheduled for Saturday, August 12 from 9 am to 1 pm on Milford Pond. We have access to the pond from the boat ramp that is adjacent to Plains Park in Milford. It's hard to miss. The club will not be providing lunch this time, so remember to bring your own snacks and beverages. It's an AMA sanctioned event and the CD is Frank Kruciak. I hope to see many of you there. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.
Secondly, it was decided at the last meeting that we would suspend, until further notice, the monthly raffle that is conducted at the meetings. Due to the poor showing of member attendance lately, it was determined that the raffle was losing money for the club. Until we can improve our member attendance at the monthly meetings, no more raffles will be conducted. It's unfortunate that this needed to be done in order to preserve our club's available funds. I'm sure you'll all agree that this was a sad but necessary thing to do.
Lastly, members present at the last meeting decided that we explore alternative approaches to our annual end of season banquet which was typically held at the end of October or early November. In years past, we've had our banquet at the Coachman's Lodge in Bellingham. Without strong support from the membership, this too needed to be curtailed. More details will follow regarding an alternative solution.
It's a fact that our membership roster has been steadily declining. It's unfortunate but true. Unless we can improve our numbers, we may be forced to raise the dues next year. I welcome input from members as to their feelings on the subject. As president, I have an obligation to keep all our members informed.
There's still a few weeks left to get your favorite float plane ready. Thanks to Mark Schultz, we'll even have a rescue canoe at the ready. See you on the 12th which by the way, is National Model Aviation Day. Happy flying.
Mickey Callahan  
 
             
Vice President's Report
July 2017

Hello again everybody.  It is now high summer, and with all the rain we've been having, the grass keeps growing like corn in Iowa.  Thank goodness I was able to get my Weed Wacker repaired (thanks to Scott Annis) for suggesting I go to Amazon.com and order a new carburetor for it.  I got it running last weekend and I cut a path through the berm just like George Patton did to the Ruhr Valley on his way to Berlin.  Too bad the ethanol-free high-octane gasoline substitute costs as much as the carburetor.  The field is in great shape and lately the Winds of Spring have diminished, so that the air is much more user-friendly.  The only real problem now is wicked high humidity, so bring plenty of fluids and sunscreen, and replenish frequently as needed. 
 
            Unfortunately, club member participation has diminished significantly, and as a result the raffle that we have been doing for at least 20 years continuously can no longer pay for itself.  I have been nursing it along for several months, but unfortunately I must temporarily (I hope) discontinue it until such time as we have more participating members to keep the raffle solvent.  I plan to keep bringing raffle swag with me for every meeting, but if the head count is too low, I will have to postpone the drawing for that month.
 
            I am looking forward to August and our participation in the second annual Plains Park Float Plane Fun Fly.  (If you can say that three times fast, you are better than I am)  Strap some floats onto a plane, check your linkages and make sure your water rudder is working correctly and show up with your own food and beverages on August 12.  It will be in the same place as last year, which was the boat landing just south of the flying field.
 
            I have been working with several new novice pilots who have shown up at Bill Martin Field from time to time, with good results.  Unfortunately, they didn't come back for more.  What can I tell you?  I tried to roll out the welcome wagon to the best of my ability.
 
           
Keep checking yourself for tics if you go into the high grass to retrieve an airplane, and watch out for the wasp nest under the rafters inside Billy's Barn.  We may have to resort to chemical warfare to reclaim what used to be our sanctuary.
 
Keep safe and keep having fun.
 
 
Respect fully, John Holcomb, Vice President MMAC.


Club Schedule
     
The next scheduled MMAC club meeting will be held at Bill Martin Field starting at 7:00 pm July 25, 2017.

Aug 12  Float-Plane Fun-Fly at Milford boat landing.

Sept 23 Bill Martin Annual Multi-club Fly-in




Quick Links

Instructors

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Secretary Report MMAC meeting of June 2017
 






Old Business
 
The May meeting was the second of three in 2017 held at Bill Martin field. The weather was not great with occasional thunderstorms and rain, but some flying got done anyway.
 
Milford, June 24 th , John and Jamie (and perhaps myself) will support the Milford (Lions Club?) for a 2 hour time slot. Flying permitted if weather co-operates. The weather did not totally co-operate but John H. got some flying in anyway.
 
John Holcomb ran his first event as contest director on Saturday, June 3rd at Bill Martin Field. Attendance was not great, but the events John devised were fun. Good job, John.

Where is everybody? The club seems to have devolved into only a handful of people flying these days! The social aspect of our hobby is important, as least come out and watch if you can.
 
Charles River wants to replace picnic table at Bill Martin.
We haven't heard back from CRRC about a joint effort to replace the damaged picnic table as of the June meeting.



New Business        

Mickey Callahan  is planning on running MMAC Float Plane Fun Fly on Saturday, August 12th at the Milford Plains park at the boat landing. BYOF (food) will be the order of the day. I'll be bringing a canoe, same as last year, for a rescue boat. Hopefully it won't be needed.
 
I have a note about a Milford Youth Club telethon on August 19th.  Not clear from my note what if anything, our participation would be.
 
Motion made (and passed) to suspend raffle for the time being because of lack of attendance at the monthly meetings.
 
The winter banquet will be informal this year due to lack of participation last year. Most likely we will reserve a table at a restaurant (to be named).
 
John Holcomb has checked with Brad Kaye regarding is continuing participation in hosting Milford Day in October. Apparently he's out but may support us with logistics.
 
Don Schipani has turned over Facebook control to Jaime McDonough. You can coordinate posting to our Facebook page through Jamie.
 
Scotty passed out gift certificates to benefit the "Friends of Mercy Center". Certificates are redeemable at Hobbytown in West Boylston (774-261-8191). Check with Scotty for details ([email protected]).
 
I would appreciate it if members of MMAC who did not participate in the June 3rd  fun fly drop me a note at [email protected] and let me know in a sentence or two why you missed the event. The executive committee would like to plan activities that appeal to as broad a spectrum of members as possible, and feedback from the membership would be one way of accomplishing that.
 
 
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM


 


Recurring Old Business

Town of MF has vision paper online for hospital


Standing Item - Take your own trash out

Standing item - Gate policy - Open and locked is now the official policy

Standing item - Contest Directors to schedule Fun flies need more contest directors

As more and more people use the old hospital grounds 
  • good neighbor policy 



T reasurer's report for July.




Starting Balance                        $2593.67

Income
   

    Total Income                            $0



Expenses
Withdrawals
Technology:                   $12.95

    Total Expenditures               $12.95

Total checking                            $2580.72
CD                                             $2098.41

Grand total                                $4679.13




The Millis Model Aircraft Club is an AMA chartered club located southwest of Boston, MA and is dedicated to everyone's enjoyment of this exciting, fulfilling hobby. We come from all walks of life and range in age from 8 to 84. We always encourage new members...so whether you're thinking about purchasing your first plane or a seasoned pilot looking for a new experience...   email us here to request more info about MMAC or a membership application.




The Millis Model Aircraft Club Executive Board 2017

President Mickey Callahan
  

Vice President John Holcomb

Secretary Mark Schultz 


Treasurer Jamie McDonough

  
                        A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
 
  Hi Guy's;

The next scheduled MMAC club meeting will be held at Bill Martin Field starting at 7:00pm July 25, 2017.  
 
Link for MMRC 2017 Membership Application and latest AMA membership in the Quick Links section....
 
 
 
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Joe Lamb.   ([email protected])