February 2006 173
THE SOUTH SHORE Radio Control Club
(SSRCC) held its annual Great New
England Scale Contest on August 14, 2005.
The day began with four National Guard
members raising an American flag that had
been flown over the USS Arizona Memorial
at Pearl Harbor.
The club was celebrating its 50th
anniversary and rededication of the flying
site to honor Charles Gaugham, the
superintendent of the Bridgewater
Correctional Facility. Superintendent
Gaugham was the person most instrumental
in securing and supporting the club’s use of
the flying site on the correctional facilities
property.
SSRCC secretary Bill Verge read
proclamations presented to the club by the
Massachusetts State Senate and the town of
Bridgewater’s Board of Selectmen
commemorating the club’s 50th anniversary.
Club president, Christopher D’Arpino,
officially dedicated the site The
Superintendent Charles Graughan Memorial
Field for Remote Control Flight.
After the site dedication, I had the honor
of presenting and congratulating the club for
earning the Silver Level AMA Leader Club
award certificate. These awards are earned
by AMA chartered clubs meeting certain
standards of community service activity.
Leader clubs receive a certificate from
AMA Headquarters, a pin for each current
club member, recognition in MA, and are
listed on the AMA Web site.
Andy Argenio (L) presented the Silver AMA
Leader Club Award Certificate to club
president, Chris D’Arpino (M) and club
secretary, Bill Verge (R).
The Scale competition commenced after
the cutting of the ceremonial cake which
was decorated and fashioned after the
SSRCC logo. It was a shame to cut up this
work of art, but I must say I enjoyed my
piece of cake.
In spite of the humidity and 90°
temperatures, 22 contestants competed and
spectator attendance was great. Cubs of all
sizes were flown along with World War I
and II aircraft, CAP 232s, Decathlons, Super
Stearman models, Tiger Moths, Moustiques,
and a 1930 Howard Pete racer. Christopher
D’Arpino thanked all who planned and ran
this wonderful, historic-event day for the
SSRCC.
Charlie Grassie assembles his World War I
biplane which flies as well as it looks.
This museum-quality, 1/4-scale Fokker D.VII
was built and flown by Brian Voyer.
The SSRCC executive officers and club
members continue to be role models for
other clubs to emulate not only because of
their many well-known flying events but
because they understand the value in
recognizing and honoring members of the
community who have supported them. I
highly recommend that clubs undertake the
activities required for Leader Club status.
It is one way to bring club members
together to work on projects that will
revitalize the club, make flying safer,
improve community relations, and ensure
the club’s future. The information on
becoming a Leader Club is available by
downloading PDF form #708 from the
AMA Web site.
The District I officer team wishes all a
joyous and happy New Year.
District I
Andy Argenio, District I Vice President; imaasanction@aol.com
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Associate Vice Presidents:
Position Open: AVP for New
Hampshire
Ed Faria, Somerset MA;
provair@aol.com
James Gilliatt, Concord MA;
jegillatt@cs.com
Ray LaBonte, Standish ME;
havefun@mainehobbies.com
Patrick Libby, Ascutney VT;
wingnutpat@adelphia.net
Frank Ponteri, Westerly RI;
aviator62@cox.net
Bob Wallace, Avon CT;
bobwrc@sbcglobal.net
Frequency Coordinators:
Kevin Richards, Attleboro MA;
kevinrichards@amadistrict1.com
Joel Chappell, Milford NH;
joel.b.chappell@verizon.net
Educational Coordinator:
Ed Spidell, Chepachet RI;
etsste@aol.com
Webmaster:
Paul Costa, Attleboro MA;
paulcosta@amadistrict1.com
Contest Coordinator:
Barry Schubert, Portsmouth RI;
Barry_N_Schubert@
raytheon.com
District Safety Coordinator:
Les Watson, Riverside RI; lesleslie@
cox.net
District News Editor:
Steve Berhm, Jamestown RI;
stbrehm@yahoo.com
District 1 Web Site:
www.amadistrict1.com
D i s t r i c t I Volunteers
The South Shore R/C Club Celebrated its 50th anniversary. Its flying site was officially
dedicated The Superintendent Charles Gaughan Memorial Field for Remote Control Flight.
