AMA Homecoming
Judy Hollandsworth
Homecoming 1997 and the AMA Model/Hobby Expo began in the rain, and that was the story of the weather for the entire weekend of June 6–8. However, the weather didn't dampen the spirit of the participants.
Friday
On Friday, the first day of Homecoming, the only real action was Radio Control (RC) flying, because many people had not yet arrived. There was much yarn‑swapping and discussion in the RC tent. The clouds finally lifted about 11 a.m., allowing flying to begin.
Don Johnson, a new AMA member from Stevens Point, WI, brought his brand‑new Almost Ready to Fly (ARF) model for its first flight. He received advice from several people in the tent and help with the airplane's initial flights. The first landing was a little bumpy, so the model returned to the tent for adjustments and then flew successfully. Bob Underwood and others assisted Don in getting started with RC flying.
Model/Hobby Expo & Attendance
Homecoming was enhanced by the Model/Hobby Expo, AMA's first expo featuring many different kinds of hobbies besides aviation. The community attended despite the weather; with more than 200 people entering the gate by 10:00 on Saturday, the event was a success.
AMA Youth Bass Tournament
The Model/Hobby Expo also had rain for its first event—the inaugural AMA Youth Bass Tournament—held Friday evening from 4 to 8 p.m. (Yes, there really are fish in the pond in front of Headquarters—the winners proved it.) Dave Norris of AMA HQ was the primary promoter of this event, with help from several people at HQ. The event was so successful that another tournament is planned for September.
Winners:
- Class A (Juniors, ages 10 and under)
- First (tie): Marcus Gard and Eric Pierce
- Second and Big Bass: Ashley Hunt
- Class B (Seniors, ages 11 to 17)
- First: Justin Nelson
- Second and Big Bass: Ben Tolle
Tournament sponsors included:
- Battery Masters
- C.S. Kern, Inc.
- City Ice
- Dry Dock Marina
- Eastern Engineering
- Eavey's Foods
- Faith Electric
- Light House Bait and Tackle
- McQuary's Janitorial Services
- Mid States Concession Supply
- Munsee Meats, Inc.
- Oasis Bar and Grill
- Red Top Rentals
- Sayers Bait and Tackle
Saturday
Saturday morning started dry, but by 9 a.m. it was raining again. An attempt was made to fly in the rain, but a crash shut flying down. The RC impound and other tented areas had about two inches of water on the ground by 10 a.m., so mulch was brought in to give workers and vendors dry footing. The rain stopped around 11:00, and flying resumed.
Fliers of control line models, kites, rockets, and RC airplanes, boats, and cars seized the opportunity to participate. It stayed clear enough to fly, but very cloudy for the rest of the day.
The scheduled hot‑air balloon flying and balloon illume couldn't take place—there was simply too much rain and wind. A balloon illume would have been a nice after‑dark activity: the balloons are inflated, kept on the ground, and then illuminated by the flames that normally make the balloons rise.
AMA provided a Saturday evening member cookout, catered by the Radisson Hotel Roberts. After dinner, everyone was entertained by the George Street Connection band.
Sunday
Sunday dawned with no rain but plenty of clouds. By 10 a.m. we actually saw the sun until about 1 p.m., when the clouds returned. The rain returned about 3 p.m.
Volunteers and Staff
A large percentage of AMA HQ personnel volunteered to staff these events. AMA's Volunteer Program provided 12 volunteers for the weekend. Longtime volunteers Wayne Yeager and Joe Vislay also contributed. Bob Vojslavek worked many long hours to make the AMA Model/Hobby Expo a reality.
Model/Hobby Expo Sponsors
Sponsors of the Model/Hobby Expo included:
- American National Bank
- Banta Publishing
- Byerly Tent Rental
- Builder's Tech
- Community Foundation of Muncie/Delaware County
- Dan Hutcheson and Co.
- Delaware Box and Pallet, Inc.
- E & B Paving, Inc.
- Elite Forms Services/Solutions
- First Merchants Bank
- Fisher's Associated Sign and Post
- Great Planes Model Manufacturing Co.
- Horizon Convention Center
- Indiana Dept. of Commerce Tourism Development Division
- Indiana Steel and Wire
- Ken Masingale Electric
- Maxon Corporation
- McCoy's LP Gas Company
- Muncie Model and Hobby
- Muncie Power Products, Inc.
- Oasis Bar and Grill
- Ontario Corporation
- Peckinpaugh and Associates
- Radio Control Hobby Trade Association
- Reese Flying Service, Inc.
- Signature Inn
- The Star Press
- Woolard Equipment
Our thanks to the sponsors, volunteers, and staff who worked many hours to make the Homecoming/Expo weekend a success.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
