Brodak 2004 thanks everyone, some thoughts

How 'bout a mediation or reflection on this great family event and a thank you to the folks who do it each year. Join in boys and girls. What did you see, why does the event work so well?

Starting off, a few scattered impressions: the children happy and engaged all over the place, the wide boyish and girlish smiles on everyone over fifty, the mesmerizing artworks that fly, the joking and cutting up that wears out a mouth from laughing, the fields of green (and mud alas from our cars and a bit of rain), the flying skill of many, the generous spirited competition-- where else can we enter a Norman Rockwell painting for real and feel authentic.

Windy Urtnowski gave a great speech on accepting his election into the AMA Hall of Fame (is that what they call it). He talked about how he got into the hobby as a boy of seven. Firemen in the neighborhood flying scientific models taught him, gave him their broken planes to take home, repair and make his own. They working with him, relating to him. Windy's passion for building and flying and friendships originating there. If lucky it begins when we're kids, right? Watching Windy fly or Dan Banjock grinning ear to ear, I know the value of this so called hobby. Windy talked about being seven again, innocent, excited and creative, every day as he builds and flies and meets friends. At Brodak's we collectively help the spirit to happen, we help pass it on.

Wordsworth said, "getting and spending we lay waste our powers," (hope the quote's right), well, isn't it fine and valuable to have an avocation (or dedication) that puts life's balance back where we can feel a bit of peace on earth and good will to all.

John and Buzz throw this shin dig yearly. They do it in the best spirit of hosting a party. We all feel their welcome. Many, many assist for free to make it happen. The children who tend to be an honest judge of mood, play freely and happily all over the place, on their best behavior, flying CL at age six, in among us stumbling clumsy adults, wide smiles on the children’s faces or deep inward looks... the kids tell you where it's at.

So friends and prickly curmudgeons, share some positive thoughts. For the good and welfare of the hobby we love and the people we know.

Windy caught some of that "Brodak Spirit" on tape when a small boy crashed his plane and a bunch of guys put it back together for him. John Brodak even got into the act by finding some matching film to cover a wing.
That's probably happened numerous times but Windy got it on tape at least once.

So far at Brodak's I have not met a person I didn't like! Think about that for a moment. Everyone is just having a good time.
You can just walk up and start talking about their airplane, or the last flight, or.....
There is NEVER a shortage of help, no matter what you need. A gentleman on a golf cart, one of John's employees, helped me to find a band-aid for the finger I cut (NOT the one with the finger guard on it! LOL!!) and was truly concerned. Any time that anyone had any trouble, there was always several people to help out.
Things like Windy's induction, Bob's trophy presentation.....
Col. Tom in his Flight Suit, flying his replica of his own F-4 Phantom II in sport scale and stunt.....
The Bar-B-Que spread is great.... the food at the concession trailer is always good..... there is no shortage of port-a-pottys!
Stunt, Combat, Racing, Scale, Carrier...... a plane is in the air at all times from sun up to sun down...... except during the BBQ supper!
Plenty of time to fly, talk, and just do about anything you like.
John leaves his shop open and will find you anything you need to fix or repair your ship.
So many different planes of all types, and just plain good people.
PLUS, this all happens at one of the truly "good people's" home..... John and Buzz. Right in their back yard!
The World's Biggest "local contest"! Can't beat it!
Bill <><

Took the whole family this time, all six of us. My wife wants to learn fly, oh yeah...the two youngest girls do too, after seeing the ladies basic flights. What more can I ask for. It was great seeing familiar faces and new ones.

I truly get inspired looking at the great looking planes. I found my next project (after I finish the Knight)the Tomcat that Mike Chiodo was flying, already ordered the plans. Just awesome.

Too many highlights to mention. To mention a few; was glad to have Jack Sheets autograph my Hawker Hurricane I flew in Fun Scale and watching my son during the Junk Yard Wars, watching the Sweeper take flight. Counting down the days for next year.
Dave

I caught the CD's lounging.....Al Brickhaus on the left and Tom Hampshire.

See Ya