Well the weather is here and we have no excuses anymore, LETS GO FLYING !!!! The Merwin Ranch Memorial Fly-In was a hit with all who came.
I have received a number of positive e-mails from modelers who had a ball. They complemented our field, loved the shade, clean pit area, great parking, but most of all the large fly over area. To those members who attended and help with everything, KOO-DOES!!!. That was the first thing in most e-mails, the hospitality you all showed. This was the second time the event was held, last year it was just too damn hot. They will be back next year with friends. I would like to thank S.V.R.W. for their help and participation in this event. They stepped up and volunteered, did some flying too. See we can work together and have fun!! Just a few problems, forgot to add map to flyer, the meals and provider ( SUCKED ). The first one we will correct, the second I will take the hit on. JR`s Texas Barbecue has been used in the past, Merwin Ranch, Borges Field, Local 522 Fire Fighters with excellent results. After talking with him, and his response. It wont happen again and I have passed on our experiences to others.
We have a great write up coming in AMA Magazine from Rick Medea and pictures by Kelly Clarksen. ( put Ricks write up here followed by Kellie's pictures) check spelling on names.
Check the calendar of events for the year and plan accordingly, we want maximum participation from the membership! that's what make things work. Who knows you may have a good time and enjoy your self.
Last month we (MASM) were asked to speak at a retirement home, I received several comments ( none positive ) Keith Fick and I showed up to represent the club. At our next meeting I will tell you of our experience, you never know who you`ll meet. We where in the company of true hero`s and you mist it.
On a personnel note, Thanks for the concerns in regards to my family.
Sincerely, Norman Poynter
MERWIN RANCH LEGACY
THE MATHER AEROSPACE MODELERS ARE GIVING A FLYING SITE LEGEND ITS DUES. THIS YEAR, APRIL 4, 5 AND 6 2014, UP IN SACRAMENTO AT THE GENE HUGHES FLYING SITE AND HOME OF THE MATHER AEROSPACE MODELERS, PUT ON THE SECOND MERWIN RANCH MEMORIAL. 21 PILOTS ATTENDED AND ENJOYED THE GREAT WEATHER AND FLYING SITE AS WELL AS ALL OF THE MEMORIES OF THIS SITE.
MERWIN RANCH LOCATED IN THE DELTA REGION CLOSE TO COURTLAND AND WALNUT GROVE WAS A PERFECT VENUE FOR FLYING AND TESTING ANYTHING OF RC AND SIZE. YOU COULD BASICALLY TAKE OFF AND LAND IN ANY DIRECTION IF YOU NEEDED THE ROOM. THE SURFACE WAS A VERY SMOOTH DICONDRA GRASS THAT WAS HARVESTED EACH YEAR. THE CROP WAS GROWN THEN BURNT OFF AND THE SEEDS WERE VACUUMED UP AND SOLD ALL OVER THE WORLD. IT WAS FLYING OFF OF A GOLF GREEN. THE OWNER BILL MERWIN WAS AN AVID AVIATION ENTHUSIAST AS WELL AS A PRIVATE PILOT. HE HAD A HANGER ON ONE PART OF THE RANCH THAT HOUSED A BIG CESSNA ,TAIL DRAGGER OF COURSE AND A SKYBOLT BIPLANE. THE WEEKENDS, HIS BUDDIES WOULD FLY IN AND GIVE US A GOOD SHOW. BILL AND HIS BROTHER WOULD COME AROUND AND FLY SOME OF OUR RC AIRCRAFT. IT WAS A GREAT TIME. BILL WOULD ALSO GIVE SOME FOLK RIDES IN HIS FULL SIZE AIRCRAFT AND ALWAYS WOULD BUZZ THE FIELD. HE WAS SUCH A BIG KID AND A WONDERFUL PERSON WITH A HUGE LOVE OF FLYING. HE LET US FLY THERE FOR MANY YEARS. WE WOULD HOLD BIG BBQ’S AND POTLUCKS. WE ALSO HOSTED THE IMAA GIANT SCALE FUN FLY’S THERE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. IT WAS SO COOL.
THIS WAS THE BEST PLACE AND WHERE ALL THE BIG AIRPLANE MEETS GOT STARTED. PLACES LIKE THE MINDEN GRASS FARM, CROWS LANDING, SAN LUIS OBISPO OR THE SLO FLYERS FOLLOWED THE SAME SCENARIO FOR THE BIG BIRDS. CHOWCHILLA, MADERA, FRESNO AND NOW FINALLY IT IS HELD AT CASTLE AFB. BUT NOTHING LIKE THE RANCH FOR A WEEKEND OR DAY OF FLYING. IT WAS ALWAYS A FAMILY REUNION WHEN YOU ARRIVED. SEEING ALL OF YOUR BUDS AND FLYING. I MYSELF STARTED FLYING THERE IN THE LATE 70’S. IT WAS THE ONLY SITE IN 100 MILES THAT CATERED TO THE BIG WARBIRDS AND RACE PLANES.
SO WHEN NORMAN POYNTER (PRES. OF THE MATHER CLUB) CALLED ME UP TO INVITE I WAS IN FOR SURE. GOOD FOLK. GUYS LIKE NORMAN POYNTER, KEITH FICK, LES GILLETTE, DAVE SULLIVAN, GEORGE FAULKNER, DENNY BAKER, JUST SOME OF US THAT REMEMBER MERWIN RANCH VERY WELL, BACK IN THE GOOD OLE DAYS. WE ALL SHOWED UP ON FRIDAY AND ENJOYED THE MEET AND MEMORIES. SUNDAY WAS THE BEST BECAUSE WE ALL SAT AROUND WITH STORIES OF MERWIN. SO COOL. NORMAN TRIED A BBQ FOR SATURDAY BUT THE PERSON HE HAD AN AGREEMENT WITH, WELL YOU KNOW HOW THAT GOES. OH WELL, MAYBE BETTER NEXT YEAR. THE WEATHER WAS VERY NICE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. ALTHOUGH THE DAY BEFORE IT RAINED A LOT.
UNFORTUNATELY AS TIME WENT ON AND BILL PASSED AWAY, HIS FAMILY KEPT THE RANCH GOING BUT NOT WITH THE DICONDRA. IT WAS ALL CONVERTED INTO TOMATOES. BUT LONG LIVE THE MEMORIES. THERE WILL BE NO BETTER PLACE THAN MERWIN RANCH.
SO LETS HOPE THAT NORMAN AND THE MATHER BUNCH KEEP THE LEGACY ALIVE.
THANKS SO MUCH NORMAN.
YOUR FOREVER FRIEND AND BUDDY,
RICK MAIDA
