TOYS FOR TOTS RESULTS

I arrived at the field Saturday Dec. 4^th at 7am to be greeted by light rain! I couldn't believe it. The one thing that would spoil our fly in was there. I pulled all the chairs under the pavilion to dry them off, and began preparations for the event anyway. By 8am the rain had stopped, and I had hope that the weather would clear. At 8:30 our first pilot, Guy Williams had arrived and brought out not one but 5 planes! Guy loves to fly.

By 9am more and more pilots were arriving, along with our representative from the United States Marine Corp., Lance Corporal Matt Joyner. Lance Corporal Joyner looked great in his dress uniform, and was a pleasure to have attend our fly in. I found out from our conversations that he finished 1^st in his training battalion during boot training. That is quite a accomplishment.

By days end we had signed in 35 AMA pilots, and had 5 non AMA visitors bring gifts also. We had many wives and children of pilots attend also. It was great to have the kids around playing, and having a great time.

Dave Keller did his normal great job cooking and serving lunch for us. After lunch, we had a quick demonstration of R/C Combat by Patrick Lanfri, and Red Miller. There was lots of OOHHHs and AHHHs and WOWs from the crowd. Combat is a very exciting thing to watch and to participate in. Thanks Patrick.

At 2pm we rounded everyone up, and drew the winning tickets for the prizes we had to give out. Our first prize winner who won the Hanger 9 Funtana S was our own Joe Nothaft. (webmaster note GO FIGURE!)

We couldn't have had a great event without great sponsors.  Gateway R/C would like to thank Horizon Hobbies for the Funtana 40, Tower Hobbies for 2 electric park flyers, Gordon Banks and RC Report Magazine for donating a pile of December issues and 6 subscriptions, Morgan Fuel and slimline for some R/C goodies, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse and Hooters for their restaurant gift cards.  Thanks to everyone who sponsored, donated, flew or otherwise helped out!