Hello Everyone,

I hope the holidays were an enjoyable and joyous time for all of you. And I hope Santa put some extra special RC gifts under the tree. 2008 was a great year with many great events including two insane combat events, neighbors' picnic, and our very first IMAA event. We enjoyed great flying at a field that has gone through six years of very successful improvements under the watchful eye of our now former President, Mark Castiglione. We also held very informative and sometimes spirited club meetings that have brought this club close together than ever. And we can't forget our most successful Christmas party to date. I unfortunately showed up about 5 minutes late but was greeted with an extremely happy and boisterous crowd that filled Bobby's Pizza and left standing room only. Nothing but kudos to the officers that made that party a resounding success. And congratulations to the winners of some hilariously entertaining awards. Don't worry, I will list them all in the Meeting Minutes.

I would like to give a big THANK YOU to the Officers and Board members that not only made last year great, but that made the last 6 years, the best 6 years this club has ever had. President Mark Castiglione, Vice President Steve Ludwig, Treasurer Joe Malec, Safety Officer Chris Petriccione, and the Board Members, Dennis Keegan and Ed Berlin. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

Now I would like to welcome the new Officers and Board Members. President Joe Malec, Vice President Ed Berlin, Safety Officer Chris Petriccione, Treasurer Dennis Keegan, Secretary Adam Martin, and the Board Members Charlie Doane, Jim Cyr, and Dave Teer. These individuals bring a lot of experience and expertise to these positions and are all looking forward to getting their hands dirty. I know that with this very intelligent group of individuals representing the club, we can take the East Coast Swamp Flyers to the next level.

Our Webmaster and club member Patrick Tuxbury has spent a lot of time over the past couple of months cleaning up the website and has created an all new look. If you get a chance, look up the clubs website at www.swampflyers.org and feel free to send Patrick an e-mail with any comments or questions. The new site is much brighter, easier to navigate, and will be getting updated weekly to ensure the club members get the most up-to-date information. Patrick has just completed working on updating the Classifieds Section and Photo Gallery which include thumbnails (small pictures) that can be clicked on to enlarge the photo. The format that Patrick has created for the website is very flexible and easy to change. This will serve the club well and allow us to upgrade different aspects as we see fit.

The club is also in the process of forming a committee that will run the Training Program for the club. So anybody interest in becoming an instructor please contact myself (Adam Martin, Secretary) at ecsfsecy@gmail.com

President's News:

Just want to say that after 27000 miles later we are back in the good old USA. Many things have changed, we have a new President elect of the US and gas is way down. Unfortunately the stock market is too and many people have lost their jobs. Hopefully this will be a short lived problem.

The club members have elected 3 new members to the board and a new Treasure, Secretary, Vice President and President. Wow, that is quite a few new office members! On behalf of the incoming officers, with your help, we will do our utmost to providing a friendly, fun and educational next 2 years. Any concerns or suggestions please bring them up and we will attempt to work it out. Some new committees will be formed to make the club run smoother and if you would like to help out please contact me. We need all the club members' help and expertise. If anyone would like to present a program of interest at a club meeting or know of a guest speaker, they would be welcomed. Let me know if you do.

On a sad note. For those of you who knew or were friends of Vinnie Vollero, he passed away to that great runway in the sky on December 25. He will certainly be missed.

Lastly please join me in thanking the outgoing board members, lead by Mark and Steve for all their contributions over the last couple of years. I am sure they are going to enjoy coming down to the field and just fly. Enjoy guys you deserve it!

Until next month.
Joe

Tower: "Delta 351, you have traffic at 10 o'clock, 6 miles!"
Delta 351: "Give us another hint" We have digital watches!"

Minutes from Monthly Meeting:

December 17th 2008

1. Eating, I mean Meeting called to order 7pm with 56 Members and 5 Officers present.


2. Ate and ate and ate some more. Pizza galore.


3. Handed out Yearly Awards which go as follows:
   • Ping Award:Dave Melendez
   • Ditch Witch:Joe Scialla
   • Most Improved Pilot:Mik Vasmatics
   • Didn't your mom tell you not to play with matches:Charlie Doane
   • Celebrity Death Match: Branford Hobbies, Mark Castiglione Build Right Fly Right, Joe Acosta
   • He wishes he was with Carol: Ernie Vonger


4. Congratulations to all the new Officers and Board Members!!!
   Incoming Officers and Board Members:
   • President, Joe Malec
   • Vice President, Ed Berlin
   • Secretary, Adam Martin
   • Treasurer, Dennis Keegan
   • Safety Officer, Chris Petriccione
   • Board, Charlie Doane
   • Board, Jim Cyr
   • Board, Dave Teer
   
   A big THANK YOU to all the outgoing Officers and Board Members!!!
   Outgoing Officers and Board Members:
• President, Mark Castiglione
• Vice President, Steve Ludwig
• Treasurer, Joe Malic
• Board, Ed Berlin
• Board, Dennis Keegan
• Board, Adam Martin


5. Meeting was adjourned at 8:45pm

Upcoming Events and Meetings:

Our monthly Club Meeting will be held at the Foxon Recreational Community Center January 21, 2009 at 7pm. We will be discussing our agenda for the year, possible events, budget, and holding our new "Monthly 50/50 Raffle". The tickets will be $1.00 each, and the winner will be chosen at the close of each meeting. We will also be treated to an outstanding DVD compilation of the 2008 season. Bill Palmer spent many hours' last season taking video and pictures down at the field and put them all together on a great DVD. This looks to be a great start to the new flying season. I look forward to seeing you there.

Click here for directions to the Foxon Recreational Community Center.

February 18th 2009 - Jim Feathers will be demonstrating how to cut foam wings.

March 18th 2009 - Joe Acosta Owner of "Build Right Fly Right" Hobby Shop will bring in and discuss some of the new electronics and gadgets of our hobby.

April 15th 2009 - Mark Castiglione Owner of "Branford Hobbies" will bring in and demonstrate some amazing building and spray painting techniques that he successfully uses on his own models.

May 20th 2009 - Builders Contest and Swap Meet. We will discuss the Swap Meet in more detail during the February Club Meeting to determine how we want to run it.

June 17th 2009 - MRC Manufacturing. We are attempting to get MRC to come out to discuss and demonstrate many of their new products.

Event Review:

New Years Day Frenzy for the First Flight, by Steve Ludwig.

I, Steve Ludwig, Ex VP, arrived at the field at about 9:50am with a temperature of 18 Degrees. The Gate was locked. I called Mark, Ex Prez., to get the combination. I was using it but the lock must have been stuck. It finally opened. As I was setting up, my New Years day early bird friend Dan Fiasconaro showed up. Dan and I have been the first fliers for the last few years. He extended me the courtesy of trying to get my twist started. It was to cold for my four stroke. I told him to go ahead and get the first flight. We then opened the shed and got the heater started. I held my engine up near the heat then took it out side and it fired up. It did not like the cold and I ended up with a dead stick and a safe landing. I got it back up again but it was just to cold for the four stroke. I got smart and put it in the car in one piece. Glow starters would not hold a charge with the cold. Mark got his Eagle running and up. Bill David came with his float plane and flew it. President Joe Malec showed up with his contingency from Madison, Vp Ed Berlin, Jim Cyr, and Dave Teer. They flew there electrics. Joe Malec President, almost took Ex President Mark out with his electric. I told him he does not have to kill the Ex for the Job he already had it. We all had a good laugh. Dennis the new treasurer was there, Ernie no chili Vonger. Frank Cavilier also stopped by. Micky came by to see if anyone was nut's enough to show up. There was a good group for such a cold Beautiful day. A good time was had by all. The snow was actually two inch's but you know the story about that.

Steve Ludwig

Field Construction & Condition Update:

Well being that it is covered in snow and ice, I guess you can say that the field is in as good a shape as it can possible be right now. I have been updated by our Safety Officer Chris Petriccione who told me that other than foot prints the field looks fine. He also stated that he is very pleased to see our gate being locked. Locking the gate is extremely important and I would like to thank you all for taking the time to secure our field.

Until next month, I would like to leave you with the sincere eulogy that Mike Luzzi wrote for a dear friend and fellow member of the East Coast Swamp Flyers.

Adam Martin
ECSF Secretary

Vincent Vollero - 12/25/08

Vinny past away just before noon Christmas morning. Their will be no services per Vinny's wishes. All I can say is that he will be Cremated, no other info. I have talked to his wife, Karen and this is the way he wanted it.

Vinny joined the ECSF in late 1970. Those that knew him, if you thought he was loud and boisterous now, should have known him when he was younger. Even though, Vinny was a gently giant as you got to know him. As friends abound Vinny never forgot and always made time to help in all ways possible.

As a member of ECSF, Vinny, had many resources. When we first got to Northford, the field was small and full of trash. It took time to get rid of the trash, but then Vin brought a huge bulldozer in with which he spent 2 days on making the field to the size of which it is today.(the main runway)

To fly with Vinny was an adventure in itself. He just wanted to fly and push planes to the limit. Laughing no matter the out come. Over the last few years Vinny had joined me on the race circuit, where he actually was doing very well until his medical condition started to wear him down and he had to stop.

I have known Vinny for over 30 yrs., in which time he was almost like another family member at times. As mad as you can get at him for not doing what he should, you had to love him, always laughing, telling stories and never giving up. He lived every day for what it was and never looked back but looked for tomorrow as another adventure.

I had spoken with him Sunday before Christmas, he had promised he would be here in the spring to fly one more time. I in no doubt believe that some how he will be there flying over head in the clouds watching over us along with all the past members of ECSF.

In closing in Vinny's infamous words,

• You cannot hurt me, I have already been to hell and back, and some.

You will be missed Big Guy,

Rest In Peace,

Mike Luzzi