<div dir="ltr">Greetings fellow rocketeers.<div><br></div><div>This is my 4th attempt to compose an email to all the NRVR members. My last attempt was started while it was still 2013. I intended to summarize 2013 and talk about some things on the horizon for 2014. </div>
<div><br></div><div>I also wanted to take time to thank everyone who helped in any way during 2013. I'l briefly thank some folks and send other stuff like 2013 year in review and my annual Best & Worst list soon.</div>
<div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b>Thank you all</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">It takes the
efforts of many folks to create a safe and organized launch. I thank everyone who helped no matter how
small the effort. A few people that I
want to recognize are:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">Tom Weeks,
a.k.a. Tweeks has maintained our website, sent out launch announcements and
other communications, served as unofficial photographer and been a huge help in
set up and tear down at launches. He also serves as the club treasurer. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">Kevin
Shinpaugh is our club secretary and the NRVR liaison to Virginia Tech Rocketry
club. Without Kevin we would not be able
to meet at the Space Building or have launches at Kentland Farms. We would also not be treated to the FPOD
(Flying pyramid of death) with its spectacular ‘great balls of fire’ launches.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">Monta Elkins
is the MacGuyver of NRVR. He is a master
fabricator and out of the box thinker.
Monte provides great ideas and feedback to me and has built launch pads
and our cool PA system.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">Jim Farley and his
wife Keri are a huge help at launches and are also great supporters of
NRVR. Jim also helped with several
outreach events and his help is greatly appreciated. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">Jim Stoll
has been a great supporter of NRVR and has come to launches just to help set up
or pack up. His kids ooze with
enthusiasm and keep our launches fun.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">There are
many others that help make our launches safe and fun: Carlos Zappata, Clif
Reynolds, Jimmy Desposito are great fliers at our launches. Charley Albright and Jordan Truesdale take
rocketry to a whole ‘other level with their innovative application of
technology. I really appreciate these
folks and thank them for their help and support. Thanks to all who have participated at our
launches, meetings and outreach events this year.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b>Looking forward in 2014</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">
I'll try to be brief and give everyone a quick update but I think 2014 will be a great year for rocketry in the NRV.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">
Waivers:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">I have finally gotten a waiver for Sinkland Farms and have been told I will have the Kentland Farms waiver in my hands in the next 6 days. This will allow us to launch the bigger rockets.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">A possible new launch site</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">Rocketeers are dependent on the land owners that allow us to fly from their property. While we have some great launch areas we are always on the look out for a larger, flatter, better launch site. Thanks to Jimmy Desposito, we may have a great new launch site. I will just say that this is still being worked on and I will keep you all informed. The site is approximately 4,500 by 2,500 feet of flat, treeless land that is the best launch site in Virginia that I have ever seen. And it is only 10 minutes from I-81. I'm requesting a waiver for this site and will keep you updated. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">Launch and meeting calendar</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">With the waivers in place I want to establish a consistent launch and meeting schedule. Looking at other VA launches on the first and second weekends, we will hold launches on the 4th weekend of every month. Not all launch locations have been confirmed but we will hold a launch every 4th Saturday. Most of the people I've heard from have expressed that a single day launch is preferred. For now we will schedule Saturday only launches with Sunday as a possible 'rain date'. If we get the Wythville site I would like to have 3-4 two day launches to make it easier for people from NC and other locations to attend launches. We'll adjust as needed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">Our meeting have been unpredictable and for that I apologize. We have decided to hold meetings on the 2nd Thursday of every month starting in February. We will send out more details in the next few weeks.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">Lastly I have been a poor communicator to our members and followers. I will do better in 2014. Finally, our membership dues are all due in January so please remember to renew so you can enjoy all that NRVR will offer in 2014. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">I hope to see you at one of our launches or meetings soon.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">
<br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">Bob Schoner </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">NRVR Prefect</p></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sun, Jan 5, 2014 at 2:07 AM, Thomas Weeks <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:tweeks-homework@theweeks.org" target="_blank">tweeks-homework@theweeks.org</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">We had a fun year in 2013. Lots of fun here in the NRV along with helping<br>
friends like VAST, VT-Aeropsace/VT-Rocketry, Sky-Tech (the "Wise Guys"), and<br>
others -- we had a real blast!<br>
<a href="http://nrvr.org/photos/2013-02-16_VT-Kentland-WEB/" target="_blank">http://nrvr.org/photos/2013-02-16_VT-Kentland-WEB/</a><br>
<a href="http://nrvr.org/photos/2013-04-13_VT-Kentland+Night-Launch/" target="_blank">http://nrvr.org/photos/2013-04-13_VT-Kentland+Night-Launch/</a><br>
<br>
If you think you might like to do more stuff with Rocketry in 2014, or just<br>
believe in our mission of furthering science, technology education through<br>
Rocketry in the NRV area -- now's the time to jump on board and join up!<br>
<br>
We've got some big news for 2014, and even bigger events in the works. If<br>
you're not already a NRVR and TRA member, below is more info on how to become<br>
a supporting NRVR member, as well as some info on what benefits you get with<br>
NRVR membership!<br>
<a href="http://nrvr.org/membership/" target="_blank">http://nrvr.org/membership/</a><br>
<br>
or juts fill out and follow the directions in our application form:<br>
<a href="http://nrvr.org/membership/files/nrvr-application-pdf.pdf" target="_blank">http://nrvr.org/membership/files/nrvr-application-pdf.pdf</a><br>
<br>
Come fly with us!<br>
<br>
Tweeks<br>
NRV Rocketry Founder<br>
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</blockquote></div><br></div>