6-19-06
Guess who has a new flying field? You do. No longer do TUFF guys need to renew permits to fly at Northside Park. All TUFF guys now have clearance for take-off!
All your patience has paid off. We finally got the nod from the city for the TUFF guys to go ahead and start flying at Northside Park. The city should have a lease drawn by early next week to sign.
I know you guys must have many questions such as how much are dues. Our club is still brand new and will need to find its own equilibrium but at least for the foreseeable future dues are none… Yep that is right… nada, zip, zero. I know you guys wonder how that is. Well it seems we have some generous donations and support on club expenses right now. Of course, ultimately our club members will decide exactly what goals and direction it will take as a whole but for now please enjoy the freedom bestowed on the club.
Now, there are many people that have been instrumental in our clubs success so far, including each and every club member but I would like to take this opportunity to highlight one member in particular. Our club president Tims Frazier is that man. He has been beyond the call of duty and has worked tirelessly to make things happen. The man is awesome to watch in action. A real pro! We are so lucky to have Tims as our president. Thanks Tims! Whenever you see Tims give him a real warm handshake.
Of course, we a lucky to have others that are great supporters of TUFF but they desire to remain anonymous. I want to thank them at this time also. Thanks!
In the near future we will try to put together an effort and do some much needed field maintenance, improvements and also put together some events. Please take the opportunity to talk to you fellow club members and discuss what you would like to see happen in the future.
If you have some ideas please feel free to respond to members via email and a discussion can take place via email. As always it will help to keep responses concise.
On another note, the current email account for T.U.F.F. will cease but a new and improved (hopefully) account will resume. So be on the lookout for the change. We will monitor the old account for a while but as soon as the transition seems complete the old account will be terminated. There will probably be a few test runs in the near future to test functionality. If you encounter any problems please report them.
Also, if any of you guys feel compelled to write an article of interest to our members or about the hobby in general, please do. We have a website now that is in real need of pictures and hobby related content. So get busy
Finally, this is your club! You guys will make it whatever it will be! This club is not a board ran or directed by just a few like minded but instead T.U.F.F. is a members club where all will have equal input and ultimately will decided the future. So get out and fly, promote the hobby enthusiastically to everyone you contact and make T.U.F.F. the biggest and best model club ever.
Until then hang tuff.
9-18-06
Well…It has been a little while since the last installment to the news section but in keeping with the TUFF credo, less is more, and that is a good thing. LOL. You know, no news is good news…well with a few exceptions and this certainly qualifies as an exception!
So what is the good news you ask. For one thing The T.U.F.F. club fly-in was a resounding success and a great time for all that attended this last Saturday 9-16-06. We had quite a few new members to join and made some new friends in the process.
There was almost non stop flying and the flight line was at no loss of use during the day. Over Thirty TUFF pilots attended from as far away as Shreveport La.We had everything flying from small electrics to giant gassers in the air at the same time. It was a real exiting to witness. Some of the highlights included Stryker Combat lead by the infamous and fearless dead eye Captain "Stryker" Dan. Also on tap was Ron Martins big Yak filling the sky with smoke while hovering at the amazement of the crowd. Elwood Kotil showed up with a myriad of electrics that seem to cover just about every aspect of model aviation. I was particularly enamored with the Lexx, a pattern type plane he flew. Smoooooth is the only word to describe the way it flew. There is simply no way for me to cover all the action in detail. So, I'll stop here and just say you guys are a TUFF act to follow.
Now on to some other notes of great interest... I would like to inform the club that we raised $386.61 for the Rayborn family. Before I go any further it is very important to give Stefany (sp) Frazier, Tims wife, a lions share of credit for her efforts with all the baked goods and food she made. She is a true TUFF member in every since of the word! This was a great effort that shows our club has the get-er-done attitude and will take time to consider others and their needs in a difficult time. I am sure I can speak for the entire club when I say we wish the family the strength to overcome the challenges ahead and that our prayers are always with them.
During the Fly-in Tims Frazer, our club president had scheduled a slot to speak to the members and to hear the members input at approximately 1:00 pm. The biggest piece of news Tims had was the club had finally secured the lease at Northside Park. Tims has worked diligently from day one to effect a resolution of our use at Northside Park. Tims was met with many challenges, obstacles and delays but his perseverance was unwavering and his inevitable acquisition was therefore assured in keeping with the charge of the membership from the very first club meeting at inception. Tims indicated that this year's lease was paid for by anonymous contributors but the future of T.U.F.F. club is now in the hands of the members. He indicted and it was apparent those attending also agreed that the membership should try to keep the dues non- existent with donations from inside the club and revenue generated from events in the future. I want to take this opportunity to thank those that gave so selflessly to insure the success of the club now and into the future. That type of sharing truly is the spirit of being TUFF… I hope we never forget! BTW donations within the club have already begun and we are off to a promising start for the year. Thanks to those that have given so far…you know who you are!
Also I want to give special thanks to Gene Lafaille for bringing some awesome sandwiches from Subway. The things this man does for the clubs around here is nothing short of absolutely amazing. He is truly one of the TUFFest guys I have ever had the pleasure to know. I am sure every TUFF guy agrees. Thank you Gene!
Now it is up to each and every one of us to avail themselves to taking on tasks that will insure the future of the club. If there is a particular event you would like to see, just get TUFF and produce it. We are with you!
This fly-in marked a genuine milestone for our club in many ways and hopefully a new era for the hobby in the future. Thanks to the determination and patience of our club many more good things are now on the horizon. Take the time to share this great hobby and maybe next year we can hit the 600 membership level and Tims will have to raise the bar again. LOL
Until the next time, Hang TUFF
PS check the website for pictures of the fly-in and updates in the near future.
6-22-06
Sky Ranch Invitation For July 4th
Guys,Dave Lenard has invited us, The T.U.F.F. club, to Sky Ranch July, 4th for an afternoon of flying and an evening of fireworks. Sky Ranch has one the best fireworks displays in East Texas… maybe even the best by many accounts. Dave has continued to improve the flying site immensely and it has become unparalleled with the many new amenities such as picnic tables and lights under the shelter area. There is even air condition and refrigeration in the attached work area. Now that is cool… and I really do mean cooool. They keep the thermostat really looow.I have heard talk about some night flying taking place also. Not really sure about all the details but I have a few ideas I may try! If you have a desire to do some night flying this may just be the time to give it a try.Also, please invite other pilots that you know… from around here or out of town. It seems we will have some out of town guests that are going to be new inductees to the T.U.F.F. club. So be on the look out for them and give them a big welcome. By the way Dave says if you would like to bring your BBQ or grill out, just be his guest. Otherwise be sure to bring some means of sustenance such as snacks, drinks and/or sandwiches so you won't have to leave too early and miss some fun. Also you may want to bring a chair and maybe some type of shade just in case. Popup shades would be idea if you have them.So…I hope to see you there. Until then, hang tuff!
December 30, 2006
Today The TUFF Club successfully finalized an official agreement between the TMC, the AMA and the TUFF club. Our club president Tims Frazier has fully discharged the prime directive our membership charged him with at our very first club meeting. Tims has done an absolutely tremendous job in maintaining TUFF's posture at North Side Park and within the AMA during these recent negotiations. The TUFF club is definitely on the radar screen as well as the map and we are growing...
We can now focus on acquiring even more flying sites across the area for our members and promoting this great hobby to the fullest. As a member ran club all of your ideas are welcome but more importantly your desire and input is needed.
The New Year is just about here and so is our January club meeting. This is an important meeting with lots of news to share within the club at that time. It is guaranteed to be a blast so be there for all the fun. The notice was sent out via members email accounts on file. Please feel free to bring friends.
Well that's about all I have right now. Happy New Year everyone! Later!
Until then,
Hang Tuff
1-11-07
Well, our January club meeting has come and gone. Man, we had a lot of fun…great food, drink and friends. It doesn't get any better. Now we look forward to the February 13th club meeting, Tuesday night at 7:00 pm, again at Papacita's Mexican Restaurant.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the club President's report on the negotiations and subsequent acquisition of the final agreement required by the AMA for field use at North Side Park.
Another big highlight was discussions to have a club produced hobby Auction/Swap meet March 10th at the National Guard Armory. We will need as much club participation as possible to insure the success of this event..
One of the mandatory pieces of club business was to make nominations for the office of club President. There was only one nomination made and that nomination was for the one and only Tims Frazier, our current Prez. There is no wonder why, since Tims has worked relentlessly to successfully secure our clubs current goals. We are very thankful for Tims gracious acceptance of the nomination. We are so very lucky to have Tims as our Prez. I think we should get together and give him a free membership.
Ok, that is about all I have for now. Please try to attend the February club meeting and join in on the fun and help us finalize the Auction/Swap meet plans.
BTW Here is a link to the Auction duties needed. Please return an email with any job or jobs you are willing to oversee or help with. Please volunteer if you can…we need your help to insure club goals of the future.
http://www.tuffclub.net/TuffClubAuctionSignUpSheet[2].pdf
Ok, that is about all I have for now. Please try to attend the February club meeting and join in on the fun and help us finalize the Auction/Swap meet plans.
Until then,
Hang TUFF
