This is the time of the year that outdoor free
flight hits its peak. The Nats are ready to begin, and summer
weather is here all over the countryside. It's a great time to be
a free flighter. Of interest to NFFS members, I think are the
following:
•The 2000 Symposium is ready to go. Blake
Jensen, this year's editor and assisted by Model of the Year
Chairman, Norm Poti and Hall of Fame Chairman, Bob Beecroft, have
assembled another quality product for our members and all
interested free flighters. The Symposium publication will be
officially unveiled at the NFFS Banquet at this year's Nats.
Those of you who took advantage of the special patron's offer
should have yours in the mail around August 1. Those of you who
will not be at the Nats or who did not send in your patronage
donation, can still get your issue. The cost is $25.00 per copy
plus $4.00 postage. Order from NFFS Publications Chairman, Bob
McLinden 3903 W. Temple Place, Denver, CO 80236.
•Jim O'Reilly, the CD of this year's FF
Nats, tells me that we have over 100 contestants signed up as of
this date (June 16). At this rate, we will have similar turnout
to the past couple of years.
•NFFS Banquet. The annual NFFS banquet is
set for Tuesday, August 1, at the Muncie Convention Center as in
the past two years. We have one featured addition to the program
this year: we have invited all of the Model of the Year winners
to bring their designs for inspection. One surprise is that the
caterer boosted the cost for the meal after the price per ticket
was printed on the entry form. We have negotiated with them, but
the cost of the banquet now exceeds the proceeds from ticket
sales, so in future years, the ticket price will need to increase
to reflect this increase.
•TheTexas Timers/NFFS BBQ will be held at
the AMA competition building on Wednesday evening. As in the
past, NFFS officers will roast and serve the hot dogs. No cost to
contestants and family.
•The NFFS Board of Directors will hold its
annual meeting on Friday, August 4 and appears to have a full
agenda. On tap are discussions and decisions about the Science
Olympics, Publications Committee Actions, National Cup, and other
business. Highlights from the meeting will be covered in future
issues of the Digest.
So, as you can see, this is a busy time of the year. Not only from the organization's point of view, but also from a free flighter's point of view. I hope your summer is as enjoyable.
Bob Stalick, NFFS President.