Announcements Archives - CheckerboardRC

Checkerboard RC Club Auction/Raffle

e_sharp — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 03:29:09 +0000

Checkerboard RC Club Auction/Raffle

On October 17, 2024, the Checkerboard RC Club held a lively auction and raffle that brought together club members all in support of our beloved hobby. We are thrilled to announce that the event was a resounding success, raising a total of $290.00 for the club!

This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the generous contributions of several key donors. Special thanks to Ben Gillis, Dave Smith, and Henry Lisowski for their incredible donations of RC planes and various items. Their support not only enriched our auction but also showcased the spirit of community that defines the Checkerboard RC Club.

The evening was filled with excitement as attendees bid on a variety of items, sharing stories and camaraderie along the way. It was a wonderful opportunity for club members to connect and celebrate our passion for remote-controlled aviation.

The proceeds from the auction will go directly towards enhancing club activities, maintaining our flying site, and supporting future events. We are grateful for the participation and enthusiasm shown by all who attended, making the event not only fun but profitable for our club.

Thank you to everyone who contributed, participated, and supported the Checkerboard RC Club. We look forward to more events in the future, continuing to build our community and enjoy the thrill of flying together!

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Thank you and best of luck Brent Litzer!

e_sharp — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 17:00:02 +0000

Thank you and best of luck Brent Litzer!

Brent Litzer is moving on after a year as Checkerboard RC Club President. Thank you Brent for your leadership, hard work, enthusiasm and dedication to growing the RC hobby in the Chicago area. Here are some words from Brad Hofbauer about Brent.

“I first met Brent Litzer about a year and a half ago, at one of our 3-inch drone races. I was new to the ChicagolandFPV group, as well as the Discord server. My first impression of him was: “This guy has to be their leader”.

This group has been a second family, and if ever there were an appropriate head of that household, Brent has been it. Not only has he helped facilitate a lot of our drone meetings and locations, but he’s taken the time to get to know all of us, and that’s something that goes a long way: Brent makes people FEEL like people, and not just another member.

Brent is also a tremendous racer, but never the type to obsess over winning. I always believed that he was one of those who “got it”, and enjoyed the races no matter whether he was in first or last place (but let’s face it, he was never in last place). And aside from the playful trash talk, he’s always respected his fellow pilots and never had a bad word to say about them. It’s always been a good time with him around.

While I’ve been a Checkerboard member for a bit over a year, I’m ashamed to admit that I don’t know a whole lot about how he ran things as I haven’t been the most active member, but I’m sure he did a fantastic job. What I DO know is that he (and many other members) helped set up and finance the double dive freestyle gate at Checkerboard field, and that was a beast of a project – one that has since been enjoyed by many of us. The amount Brent pitched in was amazing and truly appreciated.

Brent has left some huge shoes to fill – he’s been such an integral part of ChicagolandFPV and will continue to be, just remotely I hope to see him again and often at our race nights, and I like to think I speak for all of us when I say thank you, Brent, for all you have done, and best of luck to you in your new habitat. I hope the drone guys out there feel as fortunate to know you as we’ve felt. We’ll miss your sense of humor, your unattainable lap times, and your massive 10-incher flailing in the wind (lol). Drop by anytime you’re in town!”

Brad “JinxFPV” Hofbauer

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Checkerboard RC Club announces 2023 Officers!

e_sharp — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 23:38:35 +0000

(left to right) Chris Martin – Safety Officer Edward Wilkerson-Vice President Paul Park-President

Brian Huckstep-Treasurer/Secretary

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Checkerboard 50th Anniversary Jubilee!

e_sharp — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 04:05:19 +0000

On October 1, 2022 Checkerboard RC Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary, a milestone not often attained. The purpose of the celebration was not only to acknowledge this momentous occasion but also to give thanks to the thousands of members, families and friends who helped grow the organization from a small group of radio control flying enthusiasts to one of the preeminent RC Clubs in the country.

Checkerboard was founded in 1972 by the late Harold (Hal) Parenti, the late Charlie Bauer, the late Paul Harvey (the radio broadcaster), Ray Carlson, and Vladimir Holis to name a few. Vladimir was able to attend and made the celebration that much more meaningful. These gentlemen were not only accomplished RC pilots but also aeronautics engineers who conceived, designed and built model planes of all shapes and sizes.

The event started off with Brent Litzer, president, giving a history of the Checkerboard club. Gary Parenti, Hal’s son, then talked about his experiences and memories of the club dating back to 1972 when he was only 12 years old and what the club has meant to him.

A beautiful blue sky was the perfect setting for the attendees to be treated to an air show, second to none. The skilled Checkerboard pilots demonstrated RC flying; a gas powered plane streaming smoke across the sky, a plane doing acrobatic maneuvers and flying inverted low to the ground, a 10” drone racing above the field with a streamer trailing behind it, a thrilling helicopter 3D flight and drones flying through the race course among other RC demonstrations. There was even an air tunnel constructed and demonstrated. Checkerboard might be the only RC club in the country that has one.

Following the air show, the grill was lit and burgers and hot dogs were served with side dishes, cookies and cake. To top off the day, raffle tickets were given to the 90+ attendees and the raffle began. The prizes ranged from cash, to gift cards to area restaurants, to Bears apparel and several RC related prizes.

It was a grand occasion. Checkerboard has much to be proud of and it was evident by the number of members, families and friends that came out to celebrate with us.

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Checkerboard RC Club 50th Anniversary Celebration!

e_sharp — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 17:23:52 +0000

As President of Checkerboard RC Club of Forest Park Illinois I’m proud to announce that our club has reached a milestone not often attained. On Saturday, October 1, 2022 Checkerboard RC Club will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. Our 50th Anniversary Celebration will take place from 11 AM to 1 PM at Miller Meadow Model Airplane Flying Field (1st Ave, Cutoff North of Cermak Rd., Forest Park, Illinois), the home of Checkerboard RC Club. The celebration will feature food, fun, raffles and flying demonstrations. For more information please email checkerboardrcclub@gmail.com.

Our celebration is not only to acknowledge this momentous occasion but also to give thanks to our thousands of members, friends and families who have helped grow the organization from a small group of radio control flying enthusiasts to one of the preeminent RC Clubs in the country.

Checkerboard RC Club was started in 1972 by a group of model airplane pilots who wanted to fly their planes in a safe, sanctioned area. These devotees were not only accomplished RC pilots but also aeronautics engineers who conceived, designed and built model planes of all shapes and sizes. The founding members included AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) Hall of Fame member Hal Parenti, world renowned radio broadcaster Paul Harvey along with scores of other pilots.

Through the years Checkerboard RC Club has grown, changed locations and risen up to become a leader promoting radio controlled planes, drones and cars. Because of our member dedication, hard work and support Checkerboard RC has reached a pinnacle rarely seen. The current Checkerboard RC membership boasts of pilots from age 8 to 89!

We still have many goals left to accomplish in our endeavor to promote this great hobby. Our goals include not only creating a fun, family atmosphere to enjoy RC planes, drones and cars but also exposing young people to the fun of building and flying RC vehicles which teaches the basics of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education. One visit to Checkerboard RC Club at Miller Meadow field shows the vast scope and vision of the club. Just think what we will accomplish in our next 50 years!

Brent Litzer

Checkerboard RC Club President

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